Chocolate & Nut Butter Bites

Sweet satisfaction in seconds!

INGREDIENTS

• 8 1/4-ounce squares bittersweet chocolate
• 4 teaspoons almond, cashew or pistachio butter
• 
  

PREPARATION

1. Top each chocolate square with 1/2 teaspoon nut butter of your choice (almond, cashew, pistachio).

NUTRITION

Per serving: 79 calories; 6 g fat ( 2 g sat , 1 g mono ); 0 mg cholesterol; 9 g carbohydrates; 6 g added sugars; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 12 mg sodium; 20 mg potassium.

Carbohydrate Servings: 1/2

Exchanges: 1/2 other carbohydrate, 1 fat

Nutrition Note: What you get: Magnesium, copper, chromium.

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Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients
1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
1 cup white sugar
1 cup light brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup canned pumpkin puree
3 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon ground cloves
2 cups (12-ounce bag) milk chocolate chips, not semisweet
Nonstick cooking spray or parchment paper
Directions
Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Spray cookie sheets with nonstick spray or line them with parchment paper.

Using a mixer, beat the butter until smooth. Beat in the white and brown sugars, a little at a time, until the mixture is light and fluffy. Beat in the eggs 1 at a time, then mix in the vanilla and pumpkin puree. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, and cloves. Slowly beat the flour mixture into the batter in thirds. Stir in the chips. Scoop the cookie dough by heaping tablespoons onto the prepared cookie sheets and bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cookies are browned around the edges. Remove the cookie sheets from the oven and let them rest for 2 minutes. Take the cookies off with a spatula and cool them on wire racks.

Read more at: http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/george-duran/pumpkin-chocolate-chip-cookies-recipe/index.html?oc=linkback

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Low fat oatmeal- chocolate chip cookies

Ingredients:

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon allspice
2 Tablespoons butter, melted
1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1/2 cup granulated white sugar
1/2 cup light brown sugar, packed
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 2/3 cups oats
2 Tablespoons mini chocolate chips

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Slightly spray cookie sheet with nonstick spray, or line with parchment paper or silpat mat.

2. In a large bowl, whisk flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and allspice.

3. In a separate bowl, whisk together melted butter, applesauce, sugars, egg and vanilla until well blended. Add flour mixture to applesauce mixture. Mix well. Fold in oats. At this point, you can decide if you'd like to mix in the chocolate chips or save them to sprinkle on op of each scoop of cookie dough.

4. Drop rounded Tablespoonfuls onto cookie sheet 2 inches apart. You should end up with about 22 cookies. Bake 8 to 10 minutes, or until set. Remove from oven and cool on cookie sheet for 5 minutes; remove to wire rack to cool completely.

Nutritional Information per serving:
Serving size: 1 cookie
Calories per serving: 101
Fat per serving: 2.1g
Saturated Fat per serving: 1.1g
Fiber per serving: 1.5g
Protein per serving: 1.6g
Cholesterol per serving: 11.2mg
Carbohydrates per serving: 24.6g

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Flourless Chocolate Cake

Ingredients:

16 oz. solid dark chocolate (use your favorite GF dark chocolate bars) 

1 cup organic light brown sugar, packed 

1/2 cup organic white cane sugar 

3/4 cup very hot strong coffee (or use espresso powder in very hot water) 

2 sticks unsalted butter, room temperature, cut into pieces 

2 tablespoons unsweetened organic cocoa powder 

8 large organic free-range eggs, at room temperature 

1 tablespoon bourbon vanilla extract- yes, a tablespoon!

Instructions:

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Prepare a 10-cup Springform pan by lining the bottom with a circle of buttered parchment. Wrap the outside of the whole pan (underneath, to catch any leaks) with a big piece of foil. 

Break up the dark chocolate into pieces and pour the chocolate into the bowl of the food processor. Pulse until the chocolate breaks up into small bits. Add the sugar. Pulse until the chocolate and sugar turns into an even, sandy grain.

Pour the hot water or coffee slowly into the feed tube as you pulse again. Pulse until the chocolate is melted. Magic!

Add the butter pieces and the cocoa powder, and pulse to combine. Add the eggs and vanilla, and process till smooth. The batter will be liquid and creamy. 

*Note for cooks across the pond: One stick of butter here equals 8 tablespoons, or one half cup, 4 oz.

Pour the batter into the lined Springform pan.  

Bake at 350º F in the center of the oven, till puffed and cracked and lovely - about 55 to 65 minutes. (Note - it took an hour plus 15 minutes when I baked this at high altitude.) Use a wooden toothpick to check the center of the cake; pick should emerge clean, with maybe a crumb.

Place the cake pan on a wire rack to cool. The cake will deflate. Don't worry! When cooled a bit, press down on it gently with a spatula to make it even, if you wish. Or not.
When the cake is completely cooled, cover, and chill it for at least three hours (best up to eight hours), until serving. Overnight is even better.

Serve thin slices with drizzled chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of sifted powdered sugar. Garnish with a fresh berries or mint leaves.

Yield: 12 to 15 slices

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Coconut cupcake

1 cup butter, at room temperature
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 tsp coconut extract
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 Tbsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup coconut milk or regular milk

Frosting (recipe follows) and shredded coconut, for decorating

Coconut Frosting:
1 cup butter, at room temperature
8 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/2 cup coconut milk or regular milk
1 tsp coconut extract

Preheat oven to 350F. Line cupcake pans with paper liners; set aside.

In a large bowl beat the butter and sugar for a few minutes, until fluffy. Add the eggs one at a time, beating after each. Beat in the vanilla.

In a medium bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder and salt. Add about a third to the butter mixture, beating on low speed just until combined. Add half the coconut milk in the same manner, then another third of the flour mixture, the rest of the coconut milk and the rest of the flour. It may look curdled at some point -this is OK.

Fill the prepared muffin cups 3/4 full and bake for 20-25 minutes, until pale golden and springy to the touch. Meanwhile, to make the frosting: beat the butter and half the confectioners’ sugar until smooth; add half the coconut milk, then the rest, and the extract, and the rest of the confectioners’ sugar, beating until you have a spreadable frosting. Cool completely before frosting. If you like, put about a cup of shredded coconut into a shallow dish and dip freshly frosted cupcakes to coat completely. Makes about 2 dozen cupcakes.

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Mini German Pancakes

1 cup milk
6 eggs
1 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. orange zest (optional)
1/4 cup butter, melted

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. Blend first six ingredients (milk thru orange zest) in a blender.  Be careful to see that any flour clumps get well-blended.
2. Blend in butter a little at a time in order to temper the eggs.
3. Grease muffin tins well and distribute batter evenly between 24 tins (I did more like 18. Gimme Some Oven’s tins were slightly less than half-full.  I used a 1/4 cup measuring cup and filled it almost full.) Bake for 15 minutes, or until puffy and golden on top.
4. Served with your favorite toppings.  (Mine was a dusting of powdered sugar and triple berry sauce.  I have other suggestions up top)

Source: http://realmomkitchen.com/489/mini-german-pancakes/

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Chocolate and Peanut Butter Parfaits

For the chocolate base:
1 cup milk, 2% or higher
1/3 cup sugar
2 tablespoons Dutch-processed cocoa
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon butter
1 ounce bittersweet chocolate, chopped

For the peanut butter base:
1 cups milk, 2% or higher
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 egg yolk
3 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoons vanilla
1 tablespoons butter

For the whipped cream:
1 teaspoon powdered gelatin
2 tablespoons cold water
1 pint (2 cups) heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla

 

In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, sugar, cocoa powder, cornstarch, and egg yolk.  Whisk until very well incorporated then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to simmer and thicken.  Remove from the heat and add the vanilla, butter and chopped chocolate and stir until melted.  Pour through a strainer into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

In a medium sauce pan combine the milk, sugar, peanut butter, cornstarch, and egg yolk.  Whisk until very well incorporated then cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it begins to simmer and thicken.  Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and butter, and stir until melted.  Pour through a strainer into a separate bowl and cover with plastic wrap.  Allow to cool to room temperature.

Next, prepare the whipped cream.  Pour the gelatin into the cold water and allow to stand for five minutes, or until completely bloomed.  Heat for five seconds in the microwave, making sure it is melted, and cool to room temperature.  Pour the cold cream into the bowl of a stand mixer.  Add the powdered sugar and vanilla.  Whisk on medium low speed until the sugar is blended then increase the speed to medium high.  When the cream is softly whipped pour in the cooled gelatin.  Whip until the cream forms medium peaks.  Chill for thirty minutes, covered, in the refrigerator.

Gently stir both the chocolate and peanut butter bases until smooth.  Add 1/3 of the whipped cream to each base and fold until the mixtures are uniform in color.

Fill three piping bags with the peanut butter mousse, the chocolate mousse, and the whipped cream.  Pipe the mousse into your serving dishes/glasses in alternating layers, starting with chocolate and ending with whipped cream.  Chill the parfaits for at least two hours before serving. 

Source: http://www.evilshenanigans.com/2010/10/short-rib-sandwiches-sweet-potato-chips-chocolate-peanut-butter-parfaits-and-blood-orange-and-ginger-sparkler/

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Refrigerator Bakery Brownies

These brownies are best enjoyed chilled, like their real-life bakery cousins. Seriously though, who can wait for brownies to cool before eating one? Enjoy one gooey and delicious right after frosting, then tuck them away in the refrigerator for the next day. The frosting will firm up and the flavors will develop.

Here you can see a brownie freshly frosted. It is still dense but the frosting is soft and melty. Totally edible. Of course you don’t have to frost the brownies at all, but may I ask what’s wrong with you?

Many people use instant coffee or espresso to bump up the chocolate flavor in desserts. If you are one such person, add a pinch of either to the frosting when adding the vanilla. I for one don’t like the taste of coffee (even if you say it can’t be tasted in desserts – I can taste it) and would rather not add the caffeine jolt to an already loaded chocolate brownie.

Ingredients

For the brownies:

1/4 cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter

3 ounces unsweetened chocolate

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

2 large eggs

1 large egg yolk

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

For the frosting:

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 pinch salt

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1-2 tablespoons milk

Preheat the oven to 350ºF and place a rack in the upper third of the oven. Grease and flour an 8 inch square baking pan and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside.

In a medium saucepan, bring 2 inches of water to a boil. In a medium, heatproof bowl, add butter and unsweetened chocolate. Place the bowl ore, but not touching, the simmering water and allow to melt, stirring occasionally to incorporate. Once the butter and chocolate have melted, remove the bowl from the simmering pot and whisk in the brown and granulated sugar. Whisk in the egg, yolk, and vanilla. Add the flour mixture all at once and fold into the chocolate mixture with a spatula until well incorporated. Fold in the chocolate chips.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan and bake 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs clinging. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely before frosting.

To prepare the frosting, place chocolate chips and butter in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 20 second increments, stirring in between, until melted. Whisk in the vanilla and salt, then stir in the powdered sugar. Add the milk a few drops at a time, whisking briskly, until the frosting is smooth and shiny. Spread immediately on the cooled brownies. Refrigerate until the frosting is set and you are ready to serve. Brownies will keep wrapped tightly in plastic wrap for up to 5 days.

Source: http://www.theliveinkitchen.com/2013/05/10/refrigerator-bakery-brownies/

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Strawberry petit beurre

Petit Beurre is a small rectangular cookie that was invented in 1886 by Louis Lefèvre-Utile in Nantes. This cookie, quickly became a true classic in French country, with millions of packages sold every year throughout the world. Le petit beurre is a very crispy biscuit, not too sweet and not too rich. Its signature silhouette has dents all around the edges, tiny holes on the surface as if pricked by a fork, and a small browned ear at each corner.

The best part of the recipe is that it has no egg in it, so it is perfect for people with egg-allergy. Filled with strawberry buttercream, they are great with a cup of tea!

Prep time: 30 min

Cooking time: 10 min

Yield: 40 double cookies

Ingredients

Petit beurre:
• 200 g granulated sugar
• 200 g salted butter
• 125 ml water
• 500 g flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
Strawberry filling:
• 200 g strawberries, washed
• 150 g butter, room temperature
• 150 g confectioners’ sugar
Cookie cutter:
• I used this Miffy Rabbit Cookie Cutter and Stamp

  Directions

  1. Prepare the petit beurre dough. Place, sugar, butter and water in a medium saucepan, and melt, stirring until smooth. Let cool the mixture a bit.
  2. Add flour and baking powder and stir until combined. Make two balls, wrap in cling film and leave in the fridge for at least 3 hours
  3. Preheat oven to 350º F (180 ºC). Flour your worktop, and roll the dough to a very thin layer (max. 3 mm). Using a cookie cutter, cut out shape and place them on a baking tray lined with paper parchment
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Allow to cool before filling
  5. Whilst the cookies are cooling down, prepare strawberry buttercream. Place strawberries in the bowl of a small food processor; process until pureed.
  6. In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat together butter and sugar on high speed until light and fluffy. Reduce mixer speed and slowly add strawberry puree; mix until just blended. Add more sugar as necessary to make it thicker.
  7. Use a piping bag to fill one cookie, and sandwich with another cookie. Repeat until all the cookies are done. Store in an airtight container in the fridge
     
     Source: http://www.larecetadelafelicidad.com/en/2013/06/strawberry-filled-petit-beurre.html

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Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie Cereal

Cookie Cereal

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Yield: 5 cups of cookie cereal

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup coconut oil (you can swap softened butter if you'd prefer)
• 1/8 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• 1 egg
• 1 1/4 cups white whole wheat flour or whole wheat pastry flour
• 3/4 cup old fashion oatmeal
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 - 3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Instructions

1. Combine the whole wheat flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl. Beat the coconut oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in a large mixer bowl until creamy, about 3 to 5 minutes. Add the egg and beat well. Gradually beat in the flour mixture. Stir in the mini chocolate chips. Divide the dough in half and turn each dough out onto a large piece of plastic wrap or wax paper and form a very long and thin log with it, about 2 feet in length and about 1 inch in diameter. Seal up the bundle, roll it back and forth a couple times to smooth it out so one side isn't flat from resting on the counter, and place it in the freezer to chill for about 15-20 minutes. You just need the dough to firm up a bit so it is easier to roll into a bunch of little balls.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or silpats.
3. Remove the logs and using a sharp knife slice 1/2 inch slices of dough. If you prefer flatten cookies you can simply place the rounds of dough on the prepared baking sheets. If you want a rounder cookie (this is what I did for most of mine) roll the sliced cookie dough between your hands to make a small ball and place on the the prepared baking sheet.
4. Bake for 5 to 6 minutes. Allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container. Seve over milk, yogurt or eat by the handful!

Really, it brings out the inner kid inside you – so fun!

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