Brownie Crinkle Cookie

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Brownie + cookie = dangerously good! Inspired by A Boy Who Bakes — I slightly altered the recipe by adding chocolate caramel. After sharing the recipe, a friend mentioned she might add peppermint. It’s a dessert kids and adults will love! 

#chocolatarian #gotmilk #happybaker : ) 

Ingredients

  • 6 1/2 oz. (200 g) dark chocolate (65% to 70% cocoa), finely chopped
  • 8 Tbs. (1 stick) (4 oz./125 g) unsalted butter, diced
  • 2 eggs
  • 3/4 cup (5 oz./150 g) superfine sugar
  • 1/2 cup (3 1/2 oz./100 g) firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 3/4 cup (4 oz./130 g) all-purpose flour
  • 3 Tbs. Dutch process cocoa powder
  • 1 tsp. baking powder
  • 1/4 tsp. salt
  • Flaked sea salt for sprinkling

Directions: 

1. Temperature and timing are both very important with this recipe, so before you start, get all the ingredients weighed out. Preheat an oven to 350°F (180°C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

2. In a heatproof bowl, combine the chocolate and butter and set over a pan of gently simmering water. Stir occasionally until the chocolate and butter are completely melted. Remove the bowl from the heat and set aside.

3. In the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the whisk attachment, or using an electric hand mixer, beat together the eggs, superfine sugar and brown sugar on high speed for exactly 5 minutes. Reduce the speed, add the chocolate mixture and beat until combined, about 1 minute.

4. Meanwhile, stir together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder and salt, pressing the cocoa powder through a fine-mesh sieve if it has a lot of lumps.

5. Add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and beat very briefly just until combined. Stop the mixer and use a spatula to give one last mix, scraping the bottom of the bowl to make sure everything is evenly combined.

6. At this point, you want to form the batter into cookies immediately. If you let the batter sit, it will start to thicken and lose its shine. Use an ice cream scoop to form the cookies; the batter will be a little on the runny side, so invert the scoop just above the baking sheet to avoid spills. Leave plenty of space between the cookies as they will spread; 5 per baking sheet is perfect. Sprinkle each cookie with a little flaked sea salt. Bake the cookies for 12 minutes.

7. The cookies will come out of the oven with that wonderful crinkled look and slightly domed. They will collapse a little as they cool, but this helps form that perfect fudgy center. The cookies will be very soft, so let them cool on the pans for 20 to 30 minutes before transferring them to wire racks to cool completely.

Note: I added Ghirardelli chocolate caramel and used regular cocoa powder. 

 

 

Chocolate Mousse

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Chocolate and strawberry bliss! My Mom’s “magical” jello popped into my mind. She used to make jello squares and pour heavy cream into the jello mix (including water); placed them in the refrigerator and a couple hours later, 2 tone jello… creamy on top and jello on the bottom. Our family and friends used to think it was pretty neat!

I love the color contrast! Poured into 4 stem glasses for a charming, Valentine style. It’s meant to share or not. Lol! 

Ingredients: 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate, cut into pieces/chopped – 3 ounces 60% Ghiradelli – 1 cup cold heavy cream, – 3 egg whites 

Strawberry – 3 oz strawberry jello  (follow jello directions) – 2 cups heavy cream – allow jello to cool before adding whip cream/cool whip. At least 30 minutes. Whisk together the strawberry jello and whip cream until smooth. 

Fill a medium saucepan with 1-2 cups of water and bring to medium heat. Place chocolate and 1/4 cup heavy cream in a heatproof bowl. Put remaining heavy cream back in the refrigerator. Place bowl over the saucepan (bowl should not touch the water). Melt chocolate, stirring with a rubber spatula until smooth. I suggest medium low heat. Carefully remove bowl from the saucepan and set aside to cool. Place egg whites in a separate medium/large bowl and whisk (you may use electric whisk) for 3 minutes until stiff peaks form. Place the remaining 3/4 cup heavy cream into a third medium bowl and whisk until soft peaks form. Use a rubber spatula to fold half of the whipped cream into melted chocolate. Gently fold egg whites into chocolate mixture. Thoroughly combine. Spoon mousse or pipe it from a pastry bag. 

Diagonal inspiration TipBuzz on Pinterest.

Homemade Whip Cream – 1 1/2 cups heavy cream – 2 tablespoons sugar – 1 teaspoon vanilla extract/vanilla bean paste 

Angel Food Cupcakes

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Cupcake-a-licious! You can’t be sad while holding a cupcake : ) 

I have never made angel food “cupcakes”.  It was an interesting experience with a sweet outcome. Angel food cake is a delicate & soft dessert, especially as a cupcake. It’s important not to over fill the cupcake liner. I lost a few that were filled slightly below the liner. My suggestion is to use foil liners as well. Be gentle with these little suckers. 

 The strawberries were roasted and smelled amazing … with a splash of maple syrup and granulated sugar. A summer scent that always makes me smile! 

#haveyouhadyourcupcaketoday #berrysweet

Ingredients: 1 1/4 cup cake flour, sifted – 1 1/2 cup granulated white sugar – 1 1/2 cup egg whites, at room temperature – 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice – 1 tsp cream of tartar – 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract – 1/4 tsp salt – 1/2 teaspoon almond extract – 2 cups fresh strawberries, sliced,  1 1/2 – 2 tablespoons maple syrup – 1 teaspoon granulated sugar  – 1 1/2 cup heavy cream – 2 tbsp sugar – 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract – 2 cups fresh strawberries – 2 tbsp maple syrup – 6 oz strawberry jam; preserve – 2 tsp granulated sugar  Optional: red swedish fish valentine heart candy decoration

Pre heat the oven at 350 degrees. Do not spray or butter the pan. In a large bowl, sift together 3/4 cup granulated sugar and all of the flour. In your mixer or another large bowl, beat the egg whites until foamy. About 2 minutes. Add the cream of tartar, lemon juice and vanilla extract and salt. Continue to beat until soft peaks form. Gradually add remaining sugar. Scrape sides if necessary. Sift the flour mixture (gradually, 1/4 cup at a time), gently fold into the egg whites. Spoon into pan/liners. Reminder: fill 3/4 or slightly less, use your discretion. Bake 350, 12 – 15 minutes. Allow to cool. 

Glaze: Place sliced strawberries in a single layer on baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Drizzle maple syrup evenly followed by sprinkled sugar. Roast strawberries, 400 degrees 10-12 minutes. Berries should be tender and release juices. Place strawberry jam into a bowl, spoon roasted strawberries on top and mix together using a fork. Optional: add a few teaspoons of warm water if the glaze is too thick. 

 

 

 

Slow Cooked Pot Roast

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Cooked with love? …. in a large electrical pot. Lol. A little morning prep work, place everything into the cooker, clean up & set a timer. Go to work, run errands, play with the kids, your fur babies, exercise, go brunching or whatever your heart desires. Low & slow eight hours later, an amazing delicious meal that may look fancy but didn’t require much of your time. That’s what I call a wonderful dinner! 

I have cooked this meal over the years with different ingredients, chuck vs rump, red wine vs no wine, worcestershire & Dr. Pepper soda at one point.  My suggestion is try what you like …it’s all about your taste preference : ) 

Note: I make a bowl of mashed potatoes as well. My Mom used to include mashed potatoes with this meal and my Dad is the one who taught me how to make mashed potatoes. 

#sundaydinner #cookedwithlove 

Ingredients: 2 lbs baby carrots – 3 russet potatoes, peeled and cut – 3 to 4 lbs rump round roast – 1/4 sweet or yellow onion, sliced – 2 sticks; ribs of celery 

Spaghetti and Meatballs

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A classic dinner, that many of us love! 

Do you call it red sauce or gravy? Twirl or cut your pasta? As a teenager, I was invited to my boyfriend’s Nana’s home for dinner. We were all seated at the table and I began to cut the spaghetti with my fork & knife, Nana was not pleased! She scolded me — you should never cut spaghetti. That was the day I learned how to twirl spaghetti with a fork & spoon.  

Between you and me, I use the spoon and fork twirling method while dining at restaurants or in a new social setting however, in the comfort of my home …. I do not.   

I think meatballs tastes even better the next day : ) 

 #spaghettiMEETball  #Nonna

Ingredients: 1 cup bread crumbs/panko – 2/3 cup finely grated parmigiana – 1 teaspoon salt – 1 teaspoon pepper –  1/2 small red onion finely chopped and sauteed  – 1 to 2 teaspoons butter or olive oil to saute – 1 tablespoon parsley pieces, chopped – 2 eggs, slightly beaten – 2.5 to 3 lb ground meat

*Allow sauteed onions to slightly cool prior to combining into meat mixture* 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Layered Chocolate Cheesecake with Oreo Crust

/ AimsHerWay / 5 Comments

Winter layers, not clothes… dessert!

Chocolate lovers dream. I wanted to try a no-bake; flourless cheesecake. Thanks to Yummiest Food on Pinterest — the texture reminds me of mousse. The layered combination is delicious! ❤️🍫

8 ingredients

Vegetarian

Baking & Spices

16 oz
Bittersweet chocolate

1 tbsp
Granulated sugar

1 cup
Powdered sugar

2 tsp
Vanilla extract

Snacks

2 1/2 cups
Oreo cookie crumbs

Dairy

6 tbsp
Butter, unsalted

4 (8 oz.) packages
Cream cheese

2 3/4 cup
Heavy cream

To make crust:
  1. Finely crush the cookies in a food processor, add melted butter and blend until it’s all moistened.
  2. Press crumb mixture onto the bottom of the prepared 9-inch springform pan by lightly greasing the edges of the pan with cooking spray
  3. Place in the freezer while you make the filling
To make cheesecake filling:
  1. Melt 10 ounces bittersweet chocolate and set aside to cool
  2. In medium bowl, mix cream cheese and powdered sugar until smooth
  3. In separate bowl, mix 2 cups heavy cream until soft peaks form, add vanilla extract and continue mixing until stiff peaks form
  4. Add cream cheese mixture into beaten heavy cream mix on low speed just to combine
  5. Divide mixture into 2 equal portions in separate bowls
  6. To the first half of the mixture add melted chocolate and mix on low speed to combine then pour the filling over the crust then second half of the mixture carefully spoon over the top of the chocolate mixture
  7. Place the cheesecakes in the refrigerator and refrigerate for at least one hour
To make chocolate topping:
  1. In a medium saucepan stir together cream, chocolate and sugar on low heat until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
  2. Cool and pour over the cheesecake.
  3. When the topping is set and cooled again run a thin knife around the sides and remove the springform pan sides.
  4. To serve cut the cheesecake into slices using a sharp, thin, non-serrated knife. Drizzle chocolate sauce if desired.

Avocado Toast

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Happy Sunday!

I’m slightly obsessed with avocado toast! Avocados pair well with a variety of vegetables, fruits, dips and salads.

Sundays are a cooking day! Breakfast or dinner or even a new recipe. I enjoy cooking and baking plus it’s an amazing stress reliever.

Slice or mash avocados, blend with sea salt, splash of lime, olive oil, lemon, tomato or whatever your heart desires. Simple, light, healthy and delicious!

I added mangoes, fresh lime, a pinch of sea salt and cilantro.

#avocardiocooking 🥑😃

Ultimate Chocolate Chip Cookie

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As a kid, I used to help my Mom and Grandmom make chocolate chip cookies. We always looked forward to licking the beaters or spoon …. fast forward 30 plus years it’s highly recommended not to eat raw batter….Sigh. Cookie dough is super delicious! When my son was younger, of course he would help stir and pour chocolate chip morsels into the mixture. I’m grateful for the ‘believe in the magic’ memories from my son’s childhood. He always helped prepare milk and cookies on Christmas Eve for Santa too! 

Mom and Grandmom would make Tollhouse cookie recipe. I used that recipe for years but eventually tried Crisco’s Ultimate Chocolate Chip cookie recipe. Note: I replace one crisco stick with a regular stick of butter.

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and New Year! #milkandcookies #believeinthemagic

Ingredients: 

  • 3/4 cup Crisco® Butter Flavor All-Vegetable Shortening
  • 1 1/4 cups firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 2 tablespoons milk
  • 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
  • 1 egg
  • 2 cups Pillsbury BEST™ All Purpose Flour (I use 1 3/4 cup per their older recipe)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 (6 oz.) package semi-sweet chocolate chips (1 cup)
  • 1 cup coarsely chopped pecans

Directions:

HEAT oven to 375ºF.

BEAT shortening, brown sugar, milk and vanilla in large bowl with mixer on medium speed until well blended. Beat in egg. Combine flour, salt and baking soda. Mix into shortening mixture until just blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

DROP by rounded measuring tablespoonfuls 3 inches apart onto baking sheet

BAKE 8 to 10 minutes for chewy cookies, or 11 to 13 minutes for crisp cookies. Cool 2 minutes. Remove to wire rack to cool completely.

 

Caramel Apple Pie

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This is not your classic American pie —- a caramel apple pie with holiday cheer, rum! I couldn’t help but smile while simmering the apple ingredients together. Every room filled with this wonderful aroma. I was eager to try Williams-Sonoma’s salted caramel apple pie recipe.  Let me state the recipe does not call for rum but it should, Lol. The flavors are on point and scrump-a-licious! The salted caramel sauce was purchased on sale and it’s amazing! I’m not just saying that. For those non-sweet n’ salty people, do not let the salted caramel sauce fool you. It is delightfully sweet. 

I use Allrecipes buttery pie crust and replace regular butter with Irish butter. My apologies about the yellow tone photo as I forgot to photograph prior to egg wash. 

Happy Holidays! #baketheworldabetterplace #applelicious 

For the Filling: 4 lbs Granny smith (I combined granny smith & fuji apples) peeled and sliced – 1/2 cup light brown sugar – 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon – 1/4 tsp. freshly grated nutmeg – 1 Tbs. fresh lemon juice – 3 Tbs. cornstarch – 1/2 tsp. sea salt Note: I added 3 tablespoons of Captain Morgan rum – 1 teaspoon cinnamon sugar 

Salted Caramel recipe: 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar – 1/4 cup  water- 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice – 1 1/2 cups (12 fl. oz./375 ml) heavy cream- 1 1/2 tsp. sea salt OR purchase Williams Sonoma’s salted caramel sauce on line or in stores

 

 

Carrot Cake Cupcakes

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Baking season is here! I love carrot cake ….who am I kidding I LOVE cake. Period. 

Did you know Fall is peak carrot season? I never cared for this dessert until my 30’s. The first recipe I made the icing was way too sweet. After an Oprah episode airing Patti Labelle’s Over the Rainbow Macaroni n’ Cheese, I purchased her recipe book. Her Heavenly Carrot Cake is just that …heavenly. 

The little decorative carrot chocolate melts are perfect on top. I googled these adorable carrots — practice and practice some more. I modified the icing with less confectioners sugar.

A cupcake is happiness with icing on top 🥕😋#bakemyday

Cake Ingredients: 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour – 2 teaspoons baking soda – 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon – 1/8 tsp ground allspice – 1/2 tsp salt – 2 cups sugar – 1 cup vegetable oil – 2 large eggs – 2 tsp vanilla extract – four 4 oz jars carrot baby food – 8 oz can shredded pineapple, well drained – 3/4 cup chopped walnuts – 1/2 cup raisins

Frosting Ingredients: 8 oz cream cheese at room temperature – 4 tablespoons butter at room temperature – 1 tablespoon half n’ half or milk – 1/2 teaspoon almond extract – 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract – 4 cups confectioners’ sugar (I modified to 3 cups)