Chocolate and other food groups

These are like brownies, but with a little health boost. Super yummy. Triple-Treat Walnut Bars 1/2 c, butter, slightly softened 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. brown sugar 1 c. whole wheat flour 1/3 c. wheat germ 2 c. chocolate chips Cream together butter and cream cheese, then add sugar and beat until light and fluffy. Add flour and wheat germ and beat until smooth. Turn into greased 13x9 pan. Bake at 375 for 15-18 minutes, until edges are light brown and top is firm. Remove from the oven and sprinkle with chocolate chips. Let stand about 5 minutes, until chocolate softens, then spread evenly over the top.  Topping: 2 eggs 1/2 c, honey 1/3 c, whole wheat flour 1/3 c. nonfat dry milk 1/4 tsp. salt 1/4 tsp. cinnamon 1/4 tsp. mace 1 1/2 c. chopped walnuts Combine eggs and honey until well blended. Add remaining flour, dry milk, salt, spices, and walnuts. Crumble over the chocolate and return to the oven. Bake another 18-20 minutes or unt...

I know, you already have a lot of recipes for chocolate cake. Why keep another one? Because it's good, that's why! And because sometime you have the ingredients for one, sometimes for another, and maybe you want a certain texture. I'd call this a basic chocolate cake, not especially dense, not especially light, and well suited for cupcakes, layer cakes, or sheet cakes. HERSHEY'S DISAPPEARING CAKE 1/4 c. butter 1/4 c. shortening 2 c. sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs 3/4 c. cocoa 1 3/4 c. flour 3/4 tsp. baking powder 3/4 tsp. baking soda 1/8 tsp. salt 1 3/4 c. milk Cream butter, shortening, sugar and vanilla until fluffy; blend in eggs. Combine dry ingredients and mix well. Add alternately with milk to batter. Blend well. Pour into two greased and floured 9" pans. Bake at 350 for 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Cool 10 minutes in pan, then remove from pan and cool completely before frosting. For cupcakes, cook about 25 minutes. Yum all around.

Happy Thanksgiving! I made this pie for the holiday this year and it was a big hit. Easy to make and yummy. Diamond Cookie Pie 1/2 c. butter, softened 3/4 c. brown sugar 2 eggs 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 c. flour 1 c. chocolate chips 1 c. nuts - the recipe called for walnuts, but we used pecans 1 9-inch uncooked pie shell In large bowl, cream butter, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Blend in flour. Stir chocolate chips and nuts. Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Bake at 325 for 50 to 55 minutes or until top is golden brown or pick inserted into center comes out clean. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

My friend Jodi gave me a big bag of plums from her trees. I finally got around to trying something with them, and this is what I made. I wish I had a picture, but the plums were amazing. Not much to look at on the outside, but wow, deep red rich color inside. Just gorgeous. Plum Coffeecake Crumb Topping 8 medium sized plums, but I needed about 20 small ones 1 c. butter, softened 1 c. sugar 1 1/4 c. flour 2 tsp. baking powder 2 tsp. lemon peel 1/4 tsp. salt 4 eggs heavy cream, optional Prepare Crumb Topping and set aside. Slice plums if large or halve them if small; set aside. Preheat oven to 325. Grease and flour 13x9 pan. In large bowl, beat butter and sugar. Add flour, baking powder, salt, lemon peel, and eggs. Beat until smooth. Spread batter evenly in pan; top with plumbs. Pinch small pieces of crumb topping and sprinkle on top of plums. Bake 50 to 60 minutes or until top is golden and cake tests done. Serve warm with cream. Crumb Topping : In small saucepan, melt 1/2 c. butter. Re...

This weekend Randy and I went out to the Bombay House in Provo for a yummy meal. I got the Chicken Briyani and Randy got the Baygan Bharta, which is a roasted eggplant dish. Plus their fabulous bread. For dessert, Randy got the Kheer, which is a rice pudding, and I got Gulab Jamun. It was so delicious that I came home and googled the recipe. This is the link I found: http://www.ivcooking.com/p269_18.php It has step by step directions for making your own. I can't wait to try it. The dish at the restaurant had a coconut syrup, rather than a spiced one, but I love cardamom and I'm sure this one is great too.

I made a Bundt cake for book group, and was so unhappy when half the cake stayed in the pan! Despite greasing and flouring the pan too. So this was my save: I got my 9x13 pan and grabbed some of the cake. I pressed crumbled cake firmly onto a solid layer on the bottom of the pan. Then I spread 1 quart of softened vanilla ice cream on top. Then I repeated the layers and put the whole thing into the freezer for a couple of hours. In the mean time, I made this caramel sauce from the Better Homes and Gardens cookbook. Caramel Sauce 1/2 c. packed brown sugar 1 Tb. cornstarch 1/3 c. half and half or light cream (I used cream) 2 Tb. light corn syrup 1 Tb. butter 1/2 tsp. vanilla In small heavy saucepan combine brown sugar and cornstarch. Stir in 1/4 c. water. Stir in cream, corn syrup, and butter. Cook and stir over medium heat until bubbly. Cook and stir 2-3 minutes more. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Serve warm or cool. Store in refrigerator. (I have to admit that I ate the leftover...

I know, you're thinking, 'Another cheesecake!' Yep. This one I made for back to school this year. I chose this recipe because I only had 2 packages of cream cheese. Frankly, though, it is not my favorite. It wasn't bad, but it had a light and fluffy texture more like a chiffon cream cheese pie than what I would call a real cheesecake. Still, that might be just what appeals to you! "Philly" Cheesecake 1 c. graham cracker crumbs 3 Tb. butter, melted 2 pkgs. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar 1 Tb. lemon juice 1 tsp. lemon peel 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 eggs, separated Combine crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese, sugar, juice, peel, and vanilla, mixing at medium speed until well blended. Add egg yolks, one at a time. Fold in stiffly beaten egg whites; pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 45-55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill before serving. 10-12 servin...

Currant Pumpkin Bars 2 c. flour 2 c. sugar 1/2 c. currants or raisins 2 tsp. baking powder 1 tsp. baking soda 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. nutmeg 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. cloves 1 c. oil 16 oz. can pumpkin 4 eggs Frosting 2 c. powdered sugar 1/3 c. butter or margarine, softened 3 oz. cream cheese, softened 1 Tb. milk 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 tsp. grated orange peel Heat oven to 350. Grease 15x10x1 baking pan. In large bowl, combine all bar ingredients at low speed until moistened. Beat 2 minutes at medium speed. Pour into greased pan. Bake at 350 for 25 to 30 minutes or until done. Cool completely. In small bowl, combine all frosting ingredients; beat until smooth. Spread over cooled bars. Store in refrigerator. Makes about 48 bars. For high altitude, decrease baking soda to 1/2 tsp. Bake at 375 for 30 to 35 minutes.

I got this one from the cookbook, Cookwise by Shirley Corrihor. Not everything in here was helpful, but this one sounded super yummy. So I haven't tried it yet, but I will soon, and then post again. The Secret Marquise 7 or 8 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate or 3 - 2.6 oz. Hershey's Special Dark chocolate bars, broken into 1 inch pieces. 4 oz. milk chocolate, also broken into 1 inch pieces 5 egg yolks 1/3 c. heavy cream 5 Tb. butter 1 c. heavy or whipping cream 2 Tb. sugar Combine semisweet and milk chocolates and blend in food processor until finely chopped. Set aside. Heat egg yolks and 1/3 c. cream in 7-8 inch skillet over low heat, stirring constantly with fork or spatula flat against the bottom of the pan. As soon as it thickens, remove from skillet from heat and keep stirring. Add the butter and stir in well. Add the chocolate and stir constantly until chocolate just melts. Continue to stir for 1 minute.  Remove bottom from springform pan. Place the ring onto a pla...

Chocolate Mousse Pie Chocolate Crust (bought or homemade, recipe follows) 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. cocoa powder 1 c. powdered sugar 1 1/2 tsp. vanilla 2 c. whipping cream Beat cream cheese and cocoa together in large mixing bowl until fluffy and well blended . Gradually add powdered sugar and vanilla. Blend well. Set aside. Whip cream until stiff peaks form. Fold cream into chocolate mixture. Pour into prepared crust; chill until firm. Garnish with chocolate curls. Makes 1 pie. Chocolate Crust 1 1/2 c. chocolate cookie crumbs (I used chocolate graham crackers from Albertson's) 1/3 c. melted butter 3 Tb. sugar (if you use the graham crackers, do not add sugar; they have sugar on the outside) Combine ingredients together. Press mixture onto bottom and sides of a 9 inch pie pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes; cool. This is a very rich pie with only a little sweetness. Great for dark chocolate lovers.

Made for Christmas one year. Tart, creamy, and delicious. Lime Cheesecake 1 Tb. crushed graham crackers 3/4 c. crushed graham crackers 4 Tb. flour 1 Tb. sugar 3 Tb. butter or margarine, melted 3 8-oz. pkgs. light cream cheese, softened 3/4 c. sugar 8 oz. light sour cream 1/4 c. flour 3 eggs 1/2 c. milk 2 tsp. lime peel 1/4 c. lime juice 1 tsp. vanilla 10 drops green food coloring 1/2 c. light cream cheese Spray 9 inch springform pan with nonstick coating. Sprinkle sides of pan with 1 Tb. crushed graham crackers. Set pan aside. For crust, stir together 3/4 c. crushed graham crackers, 4 tsp. flour, 1 Tb. sugar, and melted butter. Press mixture onto bottom of prepared pan. Bake at 350 for 5 minutes. In large mixing bowl, combine cream cheese and 3/4 c. sugar. Beat until smooth. Add 8 oz. sour cream, 1/4 c. flour, eggs, milk, lime peel, lime juice, vanilla, and food coloring. Beat at low until just combined. Pour filling onto baked crust. Place pan in a shallow baking pan. Bake at 350 for ...

I made this for my sister's birthday last week. Everyone loves it and it's super easy. Fruit Pizza Crust: Refrigerated sugar cookie dough. Preheat oven to 375 and grease a pizza pan. Roll out cookie dough to large circle, or (depending on the dough) place cookie pieces around the pan in a circle. Roll out until there are no seams, making one big circle. Cook about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Sauce: Combine 8 oz. lite or regular cream cheese. Whipped cream cheese works even better. Add 1 tsp. vanilla and 1/4 c. powdered sugar. This time I also added 1 container of yogurt to make it sweeter and creamier without adding fat. Topping: Fresh or canned fruit. This time I used pears, blueberries, bananas, and grapes. I loved it with kiwis and strawberries. Use your favorite fruit. Glaze: Warm 1/3 c. apricot, plum, or peach jam with 1 Tb. water. Brush glaze on top of fruit to prevent browning. Serves about 8-10. Keep refrigerated. Enjoy!

Very easy and yummy, but it doesn't keep well. Golden Layer Cake 1 pkg. frozen pound cake, thawed 1/3 c. juice and 1/2 tsp. almond extract  20 oz. can crushed pineapple 8 oz. carton Cool Whip, thawed 3 oz. pkg. vanilla pudding 1/4 c. sliced almonds, toasted Cut cake lengthwise in thirds. Drizzle with juice. Combine pineapple, Cool Whip, and pudding in medium bowl until well blended. Let stand 5 minutes. Spread one third filling over bottom layer of cake. Top with second layer. Repeat layering, ending with pudding. Sprinkle with almonds. Serves 10. Refrigerate leftovers.

This is a different type of cheesecake using unflavored gelatin to create a silkier, smoother texture with a very fine crumb. This cheesecake is not baked, but the crust is cooked until firm. Berry Smooth Cheesecake 1 c. graham cracker crumbs 3 Tb. sugar 3 Tb. butter, melted Combine crumbs, sugar, and butter; press onto bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 325 for 10 minutes; cool. Cheesecake: 1 envelope unflavored gelatin (like Knox) 1/4 c. cold water 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/2 c. sugar Dash salt 1 pkg. (10 oz) frozen strawberries or raspberries, thawed Milk 1 c. whipping cream, whipped Soften gelatin in cold water, then stir over low heat until dissolved. Combine cream cheese, sugar, and salt until well blended. Drain strawberries, reserving liquid. Add enough milk to liquid to equal 1 cup. Gradually add milk mixture and gelatin to cream cheese, mixing well. Chill until slightly thickened. Fold in whipped cream and strawberries; pour filling over crust. Chill until firm. S...

I made this for Easter this year and tinkered around with the ingredients. It turned out super yummy, but I don't have a picture. I need to do better about taking pictures of my recipes. Creamy Citrus Cake 1 c. boiling water 1 4 oz. box gelatin, orange or lemon 1 box white cake mix 3/4 c. thawed orange juice concentrate 1/3 c. oil 1/4 c. water 4 egg whites (or 2 whole eggs) 1 container (12 oz) whipped frosting 1 container (8 oz) Cool Whip, thawed Heat oven to 350. Spray bottom only of 13 x 9 pan. In small bowl, combine boiling water and gelatin and stir until dissolved. Cool slightly, about 5 minutes. In large bowl, combine cake mix, 1/4 c. gelatin mixture, 1/4 c. orange juice concentrate, oil, water,  and egg white at low for about 30 seconds. Beat at medium speed 2 minutes. Pour into pan. Reserve remaining juice concentrate and gelatin. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until done. Poke warm cake every inch or so with a fork. Reserve 1 Tb. gelatin mixture and set aside. Combine remaining ...

Here's a tip for slicing cheesecake. Use a length of dental floss to cut through the cake. You can also use a long knife. Dip it into hot water for a few seconds, then cut straight down. Black Forest Cheesecake 1 c. chocolate water crumbs (crushed Oreos work here) 3 Tb. melted butter 2 8 oz. pkgs. cream cheese (16 oz. total), softened 2/3 c. sugar 2 eggs 1 c. chocolate chips, melted or 6 oz. semisweet chocolate, melted 1/4 tsp. almond extract 21 oz. can cherry pie filling Cool Whip or sweetened whipped cream Combine cookie crumbs and butter; press onto bottom of 9" springform pan. Bake at 350 for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, and mix well. Blend in melted chocolate and extract. Pour over crust. Bake at 350 for 45 to 55 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of the pan, but cool completely before removing rim of pan. Chill. Just before serving top with cherry pie filling and whipped cream. Tip: So how do you know when your cheese...

There are several variations on this, but this is the one we served at various family parties over the years. I think this is the one we had at my wedding shower. Fruit Pizza 20 oz. pkg. refrigerated sugar cookie dough 8 oz. cream cheese, softened 1/3 c. sugar 1/2 tsp. vanilla assorted fruit--strawberries, blueberries, kiwis, bananas, peaches are all good.  1/2 c. orange marmalade or apricot preserves 2 Tb. water Spread cookie dough onto pizza pan. Bake at 375 for about 12 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. In a medium bowl, combine cream cheese, sugar, and vanilla; mix well. Spread over crust. Arrange fruit over cream cheese later. Combine marmalade and water, and apply glaze over the fruit. Chill and serve.

Marble Squares 1/2 c. margarine or butter 3/4 c. water 1 1/2 oz. unsweetened chocolate 2 c. flour 2 c. sugar 1 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 2 eggs, beaten 1/2 c. sour cream 8 oz. pkg. cream cheese, softened 1/3 c. sugar 1 egg 1 c. chocolate chips Combine margarine, water, and chocolate in large saucepan, bring to boil, and remove from heat. Stir in flour, sugar, soda and salt. Add eggs and sour cream; mix well. Pour into greased and floured 15 x 10 jelly roll pan. Combine cream cheese and sugar until well blended. Add egg. Spoon over chocolate batter. Cut through several times with a knife to marble the batter. Sprinkle with chocolate chips. Bake at 375 for 25 to 30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean. Makes about 2 dozen squares.

Raspberry Cream Tarts 1 6 oz. container raspberry yogurt 1 4 oz. container vanilla pudding 2-3 drops red food coloring, optional 1/2 c. fresh raspberries 3 individual graham cracker pie shells In small bowl, combine yogurt, pudding and food color; blend well. Fold in raspberries. Spoon mixture into pie shells. Garnish with whipped cream or Cool Whip, more raspberries, or chocolate syrup. Makes 3 servings.

Cranberry Cardamom Cake 3 c. flour 2 c. sugar 1 ts. ground cardamom 1 1/2 ts. baking powder 1/2 ts. baking soda 1 c. milk 3/4 c. butter, melted 3 eggs 1 c. fresh or frozen cranberries Powdered sugar Heat oven to 350. Grease and flour bundt cake pan. Mix flour, sugar, baking powder and baking soda in large bowl. Add milk, butter, and eggs; beat at medium 2 minutes. Stir in cranberries. Spoon batter into pan. Bake 50-60 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pan. Sprinkle with powdered sugar. This cake has a unique and delicious flavor. Randy loves this one. It keeps well, if you have enough to keep!