Tag Archives: dark chocolate

Salted Caramel Tart

Posted on September 3, 2016 by Ruthanne

A dense, dark chocolate tart covered in creamy, salted caramel sauce. Salty, sweet, and rich dessert flavors!!!!

This recipe is a combination of some of my favorite elements from other desserts. The chocolate tart is the perfect base for just about any topping. You can adjust it from dark to milk chocolate just by swapping out the type of chocolate you add. The caramel sauce is my go-to sauce for so many recipes. It’s not from-scratch, but it is honestly better (and soooo much easier)!

That caramel layer does firm up after being chilled- but I wanted to cut into this right away- so these pictures show it in all of the gooey happiness that happens just after baking. Yum!

Here’s how we made this tart: (printable recipe here)

INGREDIENTS:

One refrigerated pie crust
1 10 oz. bag of dark chocolate chips
5 egg yolks
5 tablespoons heavy whipping cream
2 teaspoons of vanilla
5 tablespoons of powdered sugar
32 Kraft Caramels (unwrapped)
1 can (14oz) of sweetened condensed milk
1 stick (1/2 cup) of butter
1 tablespoon salt (to taste)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Spray a 9 inch tart pan with cooking spray and line with pie crust. Poke holes into bottom with fork and set on a cookie sheet.
Melt dark chocolate chips. Allow them to cool to room temperature.
In a separate bowl combine eggs, cream, vanilla and powdered sugar.
Add cream mixture to chocolate and blend well. Pour into crust and bake for 20 – 25 minutes until center is set.
While tart is baking, make caramel sauce by placing caramels, condensed milk and butter into a medium saucepan.
Heat over medium/high heat, stirring constantly, until melted and smooth (about 6 minutes).
Allow caramel to cool in pan a bit, and add salt, mixing well to combine.
Once tart has been removed from the oven and allowed to cool, pour caramel over the top until entire crust is filled (YUM!!!)

Chill, and drizzle with a little chocolate sauce- if you want- for decoration 🙂
Remove sides from pan, serve and enjoy!!!!

My thoughts: Straight up delicious. The sweet caramel has a little bite of salt and that dark chocolate tart is the perfect balance to the sweet. I love the textures of this dessert. The chocolate is so dense and creamy, and the caramel is so soft. This is just “one of those” desserts. The kind you think about long after the last bite. This tart was given away last weekend to friends, and these pictures are killing me… I wish I had another piece right now…! Enjoy this one, friends!!! ~r

More caramel happiness here at Easybaked: (click on a photo to see the recipe)

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Posted in Candy, Tarts and tagged caramel, caramel dessert, caramel recipe, caramel tart, chocolate, chocolate recipe, chocolate tart, dark chocolate, dessert, fall dessert, fudge, recipe, salted caramel, salted caramel recipe, salted caramel tart, thanksgiving dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

Fudge Stripe Cookie Cups

Posted on August 22, 2014 by Ruthanne

These dark chocolate cups have a surprise inside: a crunchy little fudge stripe cookie!

I just love those fudge stripe cookies. Even when I am trying to watch my calorie intake, I get the little 100 calorie packs as a treat. They are just soooo yummy! Those little mini cookies were the inspiration for these cookie cups. They fit perfectly inside, and make for a wonderful surprise when you bite into one!

So much fun! Best use of diet food EVER!

Here’s how we made them: (for a printable recipe click here)

INGREDIENTS: (makes 44-48 mini cookie cups)

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
One box of Keebler Mini Fudge Stripe cookies
One tub of vanilla frosting.
A little bit of melted chocolate to drizzle on top, if desired

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Make cookies by combining butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and cocoa powder and beating until completely combined.
Add other dry ingredients gradually, mixing with beaters until too heavy to beat. Use clean hands to knead dough into a soft ball.
Use a small cookie scoop (I used a scoop that holds 1/2 Tablespoon of batter) to portion out your dough into mini muffin tins that have been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Use a tart shaper or a wooden spoon to press the dough into a cup shape (really, the tart shaper works best for this and you will use it again- I use mine all the time!)

Bake at 350F degrees for 7 to 8 minutes and remove from oven.
Press centers in a second time with the tart shaper and allow them to cool for just a couple of minutes.
Use a small paring knife to pop each cup out and allow them to cool completely on the counter.
Place one mini Fudge Stripe Cookie to each cup
Spoon frosting into a small bowl and microwave for 20-30 seconds, until soft. Stir until smooth.
Spoon frosting into a sturdy zip-top bag and clip a corner off. Pipe frosting over cookie to the top of each cup

Pipe chocolate stripes on top to decorate.
Allow frosting to firm up.
Enjoy!

My thoughts: These are SO easy to make and such cute little desserts. I’m addicted to desserts that surprise you when you bite into them- and these do just that! I hope you enjoy making and sharing these fun little treats! Enjoy!! ~r

Other cookie cup dessert recipes:

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Posted in Cookie Cups, Cookies and tagged cookie cups, cookies, creative, dark chocolate, dessert, food, fudge, fudge stripe cookies, idea, mini dessert, party, recipe, sweets, unique, vanilla frosting. Bookmark the permalink.

Triple Chocolate Truffle Cups

Posted on July 11, 2014 by Ruthanne

Delicious dark chocolate cookie cups filled with melted milk chocolate and a white chocolate truffle. Yum.

I love little mini desserts. I used to work for a hospital and they would have a big, fancy Christmas party every year. My favorite part was all the adorable little desserts at the end. You can try like 8 of them for the calorie price of one big dessert!

This is an adorable (easy to make!) mini dessert. Perfect for showers, receptions, tea parties and any occasion that calls for a little bit of “fancy” dessert.

The cookie cups use my favorite chocolate cut-out cookie recipe (pressed into a cup!), melted chocolate and a Lindt White Chocolate Truffle. Quick, easy, and delicious!

Here’s the recipe: (printable version)

INGREDIENTS: (makes about 48 mini desserts)

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
3/4 cup of granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 bag of Wilton’s milk chocolate Candy Melts (if you want to melt higher end chocolate for this, feel free!)
Approximately 48 Lindt White Chocolate Truffles (Walmart has them in large boxes of 60, for a reasonable price)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees.
Make cookies by combining butter, sugar, egg, vanilla and cocoa powder and beating until completely combined.
Add other dry ingredients gradually, mixing with beaters until too heavy to beat. Use clean hands to knead dough into a soft ball.
Use a small cookie scoop (I used a scoop that holds 1/2 Tablespoon of batter) to portion out your dough into mini muffin tins that have been sprayed with non-stick spray.
Use a tart shaper or a wooden spoon to press the dough into a cup shape (really, the tart shaper works best for this and you will use it again- I use mine all the time!)

Bake at 350F degrees for 7 to 8 minutes and remove from oven.
Press centers in a second time with the tart shaper and allow them to cool for just a couple of minutes.
Use a small paring knife to pop each cup out and allow them to cool completely on the counter.
Melt candy melts in a microwave safe bowl, in the microwave, in 30 second increments, stirring in between until melted and smooth.
Pour melted chocolate into a sturdy zip-top bag. Zip it closed and clip a corner off.
Unwrap all of your Lindt truffles.
Carefully pipe warm chocolate into each cookie cup, filling each one about half way.
Gently press a truffle into the center of each chocolate-filled cup, allowing the warm chocolate to squeeze up around the edges (yum!)
Drizzle any left-over chocolate over the tops of the mini-desserts and allow them to cool and harden completely.
Enjoy!!!

My thoughts: Well, you can see for yourself what happens when you bite into this little dessert. Pure deliciousness!!!! Those truffles are so good. Mine got a little melted before I cut one in half– but all that soft white chocolate….!!! They make this dessert a touch pricey- but they are SO worth the cost! If you want to make a smaller batch just cut the cookie recipe in half. I hope you get a chance to try these- I am filing this recipe away for the next time I need something little for favors or a mini dessert table. These are perfect for both! Enjoy!!!! ~r

Other mini desserts you might enjoy:

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Posted in Candy, Cookie Cups, Cookies and tagged chocolate, cookie cups, cookies, creative dessert, dark chocolate, dessert, fancy dessert, food, Lindt truffles, milk chocolate, mini dessert, recipe, truffles, white chocolate. Bookmark the permalink.

Coconut Brownie Cups

Posted on February 19, 2014 by Ruthanne

These moist little brownie cups have a layer of creamy coconut and a yummy fudge topping. Beautiful and easy to make, these are sure to impress!

I’m addicted to coconut. I really do love it in everything. Have you seen the coconut Oreos? The coconut M&Ms? The coconut Hershey kisses? Yeah….there’s no better flavor in my book! That said, if you hate coconut (as many of my friends do), these little brownie cups can be made with other flavorings. I’ve made them with mint, maple and raspberry flavorings and all of them are delicious! You can add a little food coloring to make them pretty too. This is a really fun, easy and versatile recipe- and I think you are going to love it!!

Here’s the recipe, it makes 24 cups: (printable version)

Brownie:

1cup butter
2 cup sugar
3 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk

Coconut filling:

5 cups powdered sugar
8 tablespoons melted butter
2 teaspoons coconut extract
1/2 cup shredded coconut

Chocolate Topping:

12oz. semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 tablespoons butter (do not substitute margarine here!)

DIRECTIONS:

Brownie:

Preheat oven to 350.
Cream butter and sugar together.
Beat in eggs, cocoa, vanilla and salt.
Add flour and milk (alternating them and mixing well in between)
Spoon evenly into 24 cupcake liners in a cupcake tin.
Bake at 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (don’t over bake- they will start to pull away from the liner)
Cool.

Coconut Filling:

Add melted butter to sugar and extract.
Mix well, using water to bring it to a thick but spreadable consistency.
Add coconut and blend well.
Scoop filling into a large zip top bag fitting with a large round tip and pipe filling over the top of each brownie.

Chocolate Topping:

Melt butter and chocolate together in the microwave in 30 second increments, stirring in between until completely melted and smooth.
Pipe over coconut filling and spread evenly over top
Chill until top layer is hard and use any extra topping to pipe fine lines on the top if desired~ be creative!!
Enjoy!!

Coconut Brownie Cup! My thoughts: These are one of my favorite go-to recipes. I love how beautiful they are and I love the versatility of the flavors. These are SO perfect for showers and parties. You can even color the fillings to match school, team or wedding colors. Very fun! I hope you enjoy them!!! ~r

Other fun and colorful recipes:

Tie-Dye Cake with Blue Raspberry Frosting!

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Posted in Brownies, Cupcakes and tagged baking, best, brownie, brownie from scratch, chocolate, coconut, coconut extract, cream filling, dark chocolate, dessert, fancy, fudge layer, layer dessert, mounds bar, recipe, shredded coconut, unique. Bookmark the permalink.

Peppermint Brownie Cake

Posted on January 10, 2014 by Ruthanne

This dense chocolate cake is more like a brownie, and full of chopped peppermint patties! This will satisfy your biggest chocolate craving!

This recipe is the perfect solution to the January candy candy dilemma. Although there are no candy canes in this cake (there are gooey York Peppermint patties instead!), this cake is just beautiful decorated with your leftovers from Christmas.

This cake also showcases my theme for the month of January—–melted frosting! I’ve become addicted to melting tubs of ready-made frosting to use in and on various dessert recipes. It changes the consistency of the frosting- turning it into a fudge-like topping or filling and its SO easy– just melt and pour. I can’t wait to show you some of my other melted frosting ideas!

Ok- so you probably want the recipe! Here you go: (click here for a printable version)

INGREDIENTS:

1/2 cup butter
4 oz. unsweetened baking chocolate
1 1/4 cups flour
3/4 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 1/3 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/4 cups of peppermint patties (quartered)
1 tub of pre-made chocolate frosting
3-4 candy canes to decorate with as desired.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 325F degrees
Cut parchment paper to fit in the bottom of a 9-inch round cake pan.
Liberally grease bottom and sides of pan, and place parchment paper in bottom.
Melt butter and unsweetened chocolate in a small bowl using the microwave in 30 second increments and stirring in between.
Allow this to cool slightly while you prepare other ingredients.
In a medium bowl, stir the flour, baking powder and salt together.
Cut peppermint patties into quarters,
In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla together for about one minute.
Add melted chocolate and beat on low until well combined.
Beat in the flour mixture.
Stir peppermint patties in using a spoon.
Pour batter into pan, smoothing the top, and bake for 30-35 minutes.
Be careful to not over-bake.
Remove from oven and allow cake to cool for about 10 minutes, this will allow the peppermint patties to harden up a little.
Run a small knife around the edge of the pan and tip cake over onto a cake rack.
Remove parchment paper and allow cake to cool completely.
Spoon tub of frosting into a small bowl and melt in microwave for 20-30 seconds.
Stir and pour over cooled cake. Do this while the cake is still on the cake rack, with a plate underneath to catch the drips. You will not need to use the entire tub of frosting to cover the cake. I placed my leftovers in a zip top bag, clipped a corner and made fun zig zags on the plates I used to serve the cake. You could also dip graham crackers or apple slices in it…for a little post-cake-making snack!!! YUM!
Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and ENJOY!!!

My thoughts: This is an old recipe for me- I’ve been making it for years with a terribly complicated glaze recipe over the top. Honestly, this melted frosting is better- and SO much easier! One note: I was in a rush to take my pictures, so I took them right away. Once this sets and cools, the glaze will harden into a fudge like consistency, and it won’t run like it is in my pictures.

OR you could just eat it up before it cools and enjoy all the gooey warm minty happiness! Enjoy!!!~r
Other minty desserts here on easybaked:

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Posted in Brownies, Cakes and tagged baking, brownie, cake, candy cane, candy canes, chocolate, chocolate frosting, dark chocolate, dense chocolate cake, dessert, frosting, fudge, mint, peppermint, peppermint patties, recipe, unsweetened chocolate, york peppermint patties. Bookmark the permalink.

Chocolate Ganache Brownies

Posted on November 1, 2013 by Ruthanne

These dense chocolate brownies are topped with a rich chocolate ganache. You won’t be able to eat just one!!

It’s November. Time for turkey and thankfulness. One of the things I am incredibly thankful for is my wonderful family. We are spread over many states and have many interests, but one thing we all love: dessert. This month I am going to feature some of our family’s best dessert recipes– just to get you all ready to bring some mouthwatering treats to your Thanksgiving feast!

This brownie recipe is from my Aunt Sara. She’s known in our family for her wonderful layered salad, but since this is a blog about sweets, that recipe will have to wait for another day.

Aunt Sarah and her granddaughter Sierra

Several years ago I asked everyone in our family to submit recipes to compile into a family cookbook. SO many wonderful things (with the exception of “Feline Delight”, submitted by my Uncle Keith and my dad, involving a stew made from the family pet…. a joke, of course!) My Aunt Sara turned in this brownie recipe and I’ve always wanted to try it but just hadn’t taken the time until right now.

The verdict: AMAZING. These are the most fudge- like brownies I’ve ever had. If you prefer cake-like brownies just stop reading right here….because these are rich, heavy, delicious bits of chocolate joy.

So, lets get you the recipe so you can try these yummy treats! (printable version)

INGREDIENTS:

Brownie:

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter
2/3 cup chocolate (I used Nestle’ dark chocolate chips)
4 eggs
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 cups granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 cup flour
1 cup chopped nuts (optional)

Frosting:

1/2 cup whipping cream
1 cup chocolate (Aunt Sara uses Ghiradelli, I just used the rest of the Nestle’ dark chips)

DIRECTIONS:

Brownie:

Preheat oven to 325F degrees
Place butter and chocolate into a microwave safe bowl and melt in 30 second increments, stirring between, until melted and smooth.
Beat eggs and salt until they turn a light yellow color.
Add sugar to egg mixture gradually, and then beat until thick and creamy (about 15 minutes).
Fold in melted chocolate/butter mixture.
Add flour and vanilla and beat until smooth.
Fold in nuts.
Lightly spray a 9×13 pan with cooking spray and pour batter in.
Bake at 325F degrees for 25-30 minutes. Toothpick should not come out clean- if you over-bake them they will be dry.

Frosting:

Place chocolate (either chips, or chopped up) into a bowl.
Bring whipping cream to a boil over the stove.
Pour hot cream over chocolate and whisk until smooth.
Refrigerate about 20 minutes, until thick enough to spread, but not completely set.
Spread over brownies and enjoy!!!

My thoughts: These are wonderfully gooey and rich- my perfect kind of brownie! The only downside of these is having to beat the eggs for 15 minutes. If you have a stand mixer you won’t mind it, but I have a hand mixer…seemed like an eternity! Once I tasted them, it was worth every second though! Thanks for the wonderful recipe Aunt Sara!! Love you! ~r

Other brownie recipes to fill your November with yummy goodness:

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Posted in Brownies and tagged baking, best, brownie, brownie recipe, brownie recipes, chocolate, chocolate brownies, chocolate ganache, dark chocolate, dessert, fall, family recipe, fudge brownie, ganache, recipe, sweets, thanksgiving, whipping cream. Bookmark the permalink.

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cake Roll!

Posted on February 1, 2013 by Ruthanne

This strawberry cake rolled with vanilla buttercream and dark chocolate ganache is not only a pretty Valentines Day treat, but such a yummy one! Plus, it looks A LOT harder to make than it really is!

February 1st. How can the first month of this year be gone already? I had already written a post for for this week when I looked at the calendar and thought, oh my- it’s time for a Valentine’s dessert! I had an unexpected day off of work this week and decided to experiment with turning an ordinary cake mix into a cake roll. I absolutely loved the results! Cake rolls will always be a little fussier than plain old cakes, but look at how cute it is…! If you’ve never made a cake roll, I will try to explain it as we go. I have a few pictures, but if you want a few more click here for my pumpkin roll recipe.

INGREDIENTS:

One boxed strawberry cake mix (I used Pillsbury this time)
Water, oil and eggs (we will adjust the amounts from the box just a bit!)
1/2c. heavy whipping cream
1 c. dark chocolate chips
2 sticks (8 oz) butter
1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
1 T. clear vanilla flavoring.

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350F degrees
Make boxed cake mix, but add just a little less oil and water. The Pillsbury mix called for 1 cup of water and 1/3 cup of oil. I used 3/4 c. water and 1/4 c. oil instead. I used the same # of eggs (3)
Cover the bottom of a standard jellyroll pan (mine is about 12″ by 17″, and about 1″ deep) with waxed paper- allowing the paper to extend just a bit over each end.
Lightly spray with non-stick cooking spray.
Pour cake batter into pan and gently spread it out to cover the entire bottom in a thin, but even layer of cake.
Bake at 350F degrees for 15-20 minutes- checking often to make sure it isn’t browning too much.
Remove pan from oven, sprinkle a clean kitchen towel with powdered sugar, lay it powder side down on the top of the cake and holding the towel in place, flip the pan over onto a flat surface. You will have your powdered towel, the cake on top and wax paper on top of the cake.
Peel the wax paper off and gently roll the cake up in the towel, rolling from one short end to the other- keep the towel on the bottom and wrap it up with the cake.
Refrigerate for one hour.
While this is in the fridge, make your ganache and butter cream.
For the ganache: heat 1/2 c. of whipping cream in a medium saucepan until it starts to bubble around the edges. Turn off the heat. Add the dark chocolate chips and cover for 5-10 minutes. Stir until smooth and creamy.
For the buttercream: Place (softened) butter, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl and beat on high until very fluffy and creamy.
After chilling for one hour, remove cake roll from fridge and gently unroll on a flat surface.
Gently and evenly spread ganache over entire surface of the cake roll.
Gently and evenly spread the buttercream over the ganache. This part was a little tricky- I wanted to make sure I didn’t mix the two layers, so I scooped the buttercream in little bits all over the top and then spread it a little at a time.

Gently roll the cake back up, leaving the towel behind. Carefully lift it on to a large plate and refrigerate it until the buttercream and ganache harden up.

The 1st time I made this it rolled beautifully and I just sprinkled it with powdered sugar….then when I made it for taking photos it cracked as I rolled. This sometimes happens with cake rolls and there’s an easy fix: make another batch of ganache and pour it right over the top! I think I actually liked it better this way! You can’t even tell it cracked, see:

When it is chilled, slice it and serve it with whipped cream and maybe even some chocolate covered strawberries? So yummy!!!!

My thoughts: I really had fun making this dessert. There’s just something about the pink cake and all that gooey chocolate that makes me smile! I hope this cake brings a smile to the faces of all the ones you love this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy!!! ~r

Want some other fun Valentines Day ideas? Click on the picture to be taken to the recipe.

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Posted in Cakes and tagged baking, buttercream, cake, cake mix, cake roll, chocolate, chocolate chips, chocolate covered strawberries, chocolate ganache, creative dessert, dark chocolate, dessert, food, heavy whipping cream, how to make a cake roll from a box mix, jellyroll pan, pumpkin roll recipe, strawberry cake, Strawberry cake roll, unique dessert, valentines day, valentines dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Cookies

Posted on January 18, 2013 by Ruthanne

Everyone will love this classic oatmeal cookie (with chocolate instead of those yucky raisins!). It’s crisp on the edges and chewy in the middle-YUM!!! COOKIES!!!!!!!

My friend Laura kept telling me about a chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe from when she was a little girl. Her friend’s mom would make them and they are still one of Laura’s favorites.

Whenever a treat stays in someone’s mind from childhood you know it has to be a good one, so I asked for the recipe.

I texted Laura in the middle of the grocery store standing in front of the oatmeal (yes, I am one of those people…) She immediately scanned in the recipe and sent it to me, and here you have it….truly amazing oatmeal and chocolate cookies (Thank you Laura!!)

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. margarine
1 c. brown sugar (packed)
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp. vanilla
2 c. flour
1 tsp. baking soda
3/4 tsp. salt
3 cups uncooked old-fashioned oatmeal (plain, and not instant!)
2 cups of chocolate chips (I added all my leftover chips- some milk chocolate, some dark, some semisweet. The original recipe calls for only a cup. That is crazy. I think I added 2 (maybe 3!) You need at least three chips for every cookie bite in my opinion!)
1/2 c. nuts (If desired ~I didn’t add them)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375F degrees.
Line cookie sheet(s) with parchment paper – you don’t have to do this, but my cookies stuck a little bit to the sheets, so I did my next batch with paper and they slid right off.
Beat margarine and sugars together in a large mixing bowl until creamy.
Blend in eggs and vanilla
Add flour, soda and salt to cream mixture and beat well
Stir in oats, lots of chocolate and nuts (if desired)
Mix until well combined. I just used my hands at this point as it was such a stiff dough and I wanted to fully incorporate the two million chocolate chips I added.
Drop by about one tablespoon of dough (I used a Medium Cookie Scoop and it was a lifesaver!) onto parchment lined cookie sheets and bake at 375F for 10-14 minutes. Remove from cookie sheets while warm and cool completely on parchment paper or a wire rack.

My thoughts: These were really good cookies. You’ll notice a few differences in my recipe and the original.

I used margarine, not butter. I generally prefer butter in baking, but cookies are one exception. I nearly always use margarine as butter seems to make the cookies “spread” more, giving you flat, crunchy cookies instead of thick, chewy ones.

I never “sift” ingredients. I know that makes some of you shudder in horror, but I just never do. I put my flour in and sprinkle the other ingredients on top and hope for the best. I blame my mom for this. She never taught me to sift 😉 In this recipe if it makes you feel better to sift, by all means do it!!

I did not double this recipe. It overflowed my biggest mixing bowl. The handwritten notes on this recipe recommend making a double batch and freezing. I can only assume she mixed the batch up in her bathtub, as it would be a tremendous amount of cookie dough. I do NOT recommend doubling this. I did freeze some and I thought they were ok- a little dry. I’d stick with making them fresh, and in a reasonable amount.

I hope you enjoy these cookies as much as all of us here did! Happy baking!!! ~r

Want to try more cookie recipes from Easybaked? We have a lot of them! Click on an image to be taken to the recipe:

Chocolate chip cookies!!!

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Posted in Cookies and tagged baking, chewy cookies, chocolate, chocolate chip oatmeal cookie, chocolate chip oatmeal cookie recipe, chocolate chips, cookies, dark chocolate, dessert, food, milk chocolate, nuts, oatmeal cookie recipe, oatmeal oatmeal cookies, semi-sweet chocolate. Bookmark the permalink.

A big pile of cupcakes!

Posted on December 28, 2012 by Ruthanne

Make everyone smile with a stack of three colorful cupcakes! Made with peanut butter cups, these mini-cupcake decorations are SO yummy with the chocolate cupcake they top. The occasions you could serve these at are endless. What a fun New Year’s Eve party treat, or birthdays? What about a Dr. Seuss themed party? SO much fun!!!! Here’s how to put them together:

INGREDIENTS:

One boxed dark chocolate cake mix (with oil, water and eggs to make according to box)
2 sticks (8 oz) salted butter (softened)
2 sticks (8 oz) unsalted butter (softened)
3 cups of powdered sugar
2 tsp clear vanilla
24 Reese’s miniature peanut butter cups (unwrapped)
24 Reese’s minis peanut butter cups
Wilton Icing Colors
sprinkles, jimmies to decorate cupcakes

DIRECTIONS:

Make cupcakes according to the box. I used brown cupcake liners to match the chocolate on the peanut butter cup toppers.
Cool cupcakes completely.
Make butter cream frosting by combining butters, powdered sugar and vanilla in a large mixing bowl.
Beat on high until frosting is light and fluffy.
Divide frostings into bowls and color using icing gels. I made 5 colors, but you can do however many you want.
Pipe frostings on top of cupcakes and (using a smaller tip) pipe frosting on top of the two sizes of peanut butter cups. (I clipped both corners of a zip top bag and put the large tip in one and the small in the other. I piped the large cupcakes 1st and then squeezed the remaining frosting into the other corner and piped the frosting on the Reese’s cups.)
Gently stack the tiny cupcake on the medium and the medium on the full-size. (this buttercream recipe worked GREAT for these- it is nice and firm and hardens just a bit as it sets. I didn’t lose even ONE topping!)
Decorate with sugars and jimmies as desired I used Red Sixlets Candy for the large cupcakes and they looked so cute- like cherries!

Aren’t they fun? I just couldn’t stop taking pictures!

My thoughts: Goodness these cupcakes made me happy. My friend Danielle and I made them together and we both kept saying, “Ah! They are so CUTE!” My neighbors and coworkers were the recipients of these treats and the smiles when they saw them made my day! I love easy ideas that are high on the “WOW” factor. To give credit where it is due, my friend Megan from Happily Ever After Cakes pointed this idea out to me on Edible Crafts. They had only used one cupcake topper, but I love it so much with two!! Enjoy!!!!!! ~r

Need some ideas for your upcoming New Years Eve Party? Try these fun treats! Click on the image to be taken to the recipe:

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Posted in Cupcakes and tagged baking, birthday dessert, butter cream frosting, buttercream, chocolate, chocolate cake mix, chocolate cupcake, cupcakes, dark chocolate, dessert, dessert for kids, Dr. Seuss dessert, Dr. Seuss party idea, food, New Years dessert, peanut butter cup, reeses peanut butter cups, unique dessert. Bookmark the permalink.

Chocolate Lava Cupcakes

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Ruthanne

These rich chocolate cupcakes are made with a cake mix, but filled with warm chocolate fudge that pours out when you take a bite~ yum!!!!!

INGREDIENTS: (makes 18-20 cupcakes)

One boxed dark chocolate cake mix (plus water, eggs and oil to make according to box)
1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
1/2 c. whipping cream
1/4 c. cocoa powder
1/2 c. white baking chips

DIRECTIONS:

Heat semi-sweet chips and whipping cream in the microwave, stirring every 30 seconds until completely melted and smooth, making a ganache.
Refrigerate for about 2 hours, until hardened to a soft fudge consistency.
Scoop small balls of cold chocolate ganache out of bowl using a small cookie scoop (I highly recommend a small cookie scoop for this job- the chocolate is sticky and hard to work with until it is rolled in cocoa- a scoop makes it so much easier!)
Roll balls in cocoa powder and keep refrigerated until use.
Preheat oven to 350F degrees
Make cake mix according to box and spoon about 1 1/2 tablespoons of batter in 18-20 cupcake liners in tins.
Gently press a ball of ganache into the center of each cupcake.

Cover each ball with a small scoop of cake batter- just enough to cover the ball completely.
Bake at 350F for the time recommended on the box.
Remove from oven and serve warm with ice cream and drizzles of white chocolate.

If you aren’t serving immediately, warm each cupcake in the microwave for 15-20 seconds before serving.

My thoughts: I’ve had many a molten lava cake and cupcake before, but usually they fall apart right out of the pan. These cupcakes hold together beautifully and don’t leak all that warm fudge out until they are cut into. They are perfect re-heated and sooooo yummy with a little ice cream and raspberry sauce. A perfect treat for a chilly fall day!! Enjoy!! ~r