Mocha Coffee

This recipe features several things I like the most - chocolate, coffee, and convenience.

In blender or food processor, blend until powdered:

1/2 C. instant coffee
1/2 C. sugar
1 C. dry milk Or creamer (creamer makes for a richer coffee)
2 Tbsp. cocoa (Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa is yummy.)

For coffee, stir one tablespoon mix into one cup hot water. Sip slowly for maximum pleasure.

Image: Michelle Meiklejohn / FreeDigitalPhotos.net

Brownie Truffles

Another great recipe from my friend, Carrie. Does she know I like chocolate or what?

BROWNIE TRUFFLES

Forget the mixing and the melting, everyone – just add water to a package of fudge brownie mix, scoop into balls, roll in assorted coatings…. and chill!

This is great for kids to make and the perfect party dessert – your guests will love them.
My husband even goes into the kitchen and whips up a batch of these.

1 Box (21.3 ounce) of Betty Crocker chocolate brownie mix (with chocolate syrup pouch)
¼ cup water
2 tablespoons Karo light color corn syrup
Coatings – such as sweet coconut, toasted almond slivers, colored sprinkles, toffee bits, etc.

In a large bowl, stir together dry brownie mix, chocolate syrup from pouch, water, and corn syrup until well mixed.

Pour each desired coating into separate dishes or pie plates. Scoop up 1 tablespoon (or 1 heaping teaspoon from your flatware service) of brownie mixture, using slightly wet hands. Shape mixture into smooth ball and roll into desired coating to cover entire ball. Place on ungreased cookie sheet. Repeat to make 28 truffles, rinsing hands when mixture becomes too sticky to roll. Chill in refrigerator for at least 2 hours.

I’ve also stirred the nuts in the mixture, and then rolled in coconut or powdered sugar, sugar sprinkles, etc. This one is easy to adapt to your preferences.

Serve chilled or at room temperature.

NOTE: To store the truffles, layer between waxed paper in an airtight container. Store for 3 to 4 days at room temperature, 1 week in the refrigerator, or up to 3 months in the freezer. Ha!

Wouldn't these be great for Valentine's Day?

Microwave Fudge

I have to have chocolate recipes on the blog! For a delicious treat that's fast and easy, use your microwave to make fudge.

1 lb. powdered sugar (1 small box)
1/2 c. cocoa
1/4 c. milk
1 stick butter (I use Parkay.)

1 tbsp. vanilla (real, no fake!)
1/2 c. chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts)

In microwaveable bowl (glass is good), blend sugar and cocoa. I make a well in the middle and add milk and butter. Cook 2-3 minutes in microwave. Stir til moist.

Now quick! Add vanilla and nuts and mix and a pinch of salt if you want. Pour into a greased dish (8 in. pan or even a pie pan) and refrigerate 1 hour - or as long as you can stand it.

I'd say to keep it in the fridge because it's a soft fudge, but who has leftovers? This last time I made it, I used half and half instead of milk. The fudge came out firmer, but just as good. This fudge is so easy that you can experiment all you want. Add coconut or peanuts or marshmallows. Great to make when you're in a hurry and an easy way to make a homemade gift for someone. Put the pieces in a pretty box or tin with a bow.

Double Chocolate Brownies - No Guilt!

I have not tried these yet, but I could hardly wait to share the recipe. No guilt chocolate brownies - no, wait, double chocolate brownies! Enjoy!


Double Chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

1/4 cup unsweetened applesauce
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 egg whites
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup unbleached, all-purpose flour
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 teaspoon instant espresso powder
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips (semi-sweet) – I used the standard size, I didn’t have any of the mini sized on hand.
Butter-flavored cooking spray


Directions:

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray an 8×8 inch non-stick cake pan with spray.

In a medium mixing bowl, using a sturdy whisk or spatula, mix the applesauce, vanilla, egg whites and sugar until they are well combined.

Add the flour, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking powder, and salt. Stir the mixture until it is just combined and no lumps remain. Pour it into the prepared pan. Sprinkle the chips evenly over the top. Bake the brownies for 20-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out dry (a few crumbs are okay).

Transfer the pan to a cooling rack and allow them to cool 5 minutes. Cut into 12 equal brownies. Makes 12 (1 brownie) servings.

Each brownie has: 88 calories, 2 g protein, 19 g carbohydrates, 1 g fat, less than 1 g saturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 133 mg sodium

Traditional Double Chocolate Brownies have: 260 calories, 3 g protein, 37 g carbohydrates, 12 g fat, 3 g saturated fat, 15 mg cholesterol, 1 g fiber, 165 mg sodium

From Devin Alexander Recipes; Recipe Source: Tammy - Cookin' At Home, CWAHM Recipes Forum Moderator

Tammy owns and operates two work at home websites, a work at home forum, a recipe site and three blogs. She offers free work at home job leads for the job seeker, business work at home articles, tips, and more. You can visit Tammy at http://www.onestopwebemployment.com and http://www.cookin-at-home.com

Sweet & Salties

If there's anything I like almost as much as dark chocolate, it's chocolate with something salty. Carrie sent me this recipe. Yum!

Recipe:

Line a cookie sheet with greased aluminum foil.

Bring to a boil in a saucepan and simmer for five minutes:

1 C. Butter
1 C. Dark Brown Sugar

On cookie sheet layer:

Saltines - enough to cover, close together.

Pour the butter/brown sugar mixgture over the crackers and bake at 350 degrees for 6 to 10 minutes (depending on your oven -- watch it).

Remove and immediately pour over the crackers:

1 12 oz. bag of chocolate chips (my preference is Nestle's), spreading them as they melt.

Sprinkle with:

1/2 of a 12 oz. bag of brickle bits (chopped nuts work great, too).

Cool to room temperature, and then chill in the refrigerator. If they stay in the refrigerator long enough to harden, break them into pieces like peantut brittle. Enjoy!

Note from Carrie: You can also mix peanut butter chips and chocolate chips. In fact, any chip mixture that strikes your fancy works well.

Thanks so much, Carrie! Can't wait to try this.