No Bake Cookies

I love these simple little cookies. I've added ground flaxseed to this recipe for some extra fiber and omega-3's! These are such a great snack for kids.No Bake Cookies

1/2 c. (1 stick) butter

1 c. sugar

3 T. cocoa

pinch of salt

1/4 c. milk

2 c. quick oats

1 c. ground flaxseed

In a medium saucepan, combine first 5 ingredients. Heat and stir over medium high until well combined. Bring to a boil and cook 2-3 minutes without stirring. Remove from heat and stir in oats and flaxseed. Drop onto foil or wax paper and let cool. Enjoy!

Midnight Cake

I've been searching for the perfect chocolate cake and I'm pretty sure I found it! I made this for my birthday and I chose not to frost it (my next endeavor is to find the perfect chocolate frosting recipe!) Instead, I just stacked the two cakes and topped it with chocolate mousse.

Midnight Cake (adapted from Taste of Home magazine)

2 c. flour

1 1/4 c. sugar

1 c. unsweetened cocoa

2 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

2/3 c. oil

2 T. vinegar

1 t. vanilla

1 1/2 c. water

Mix dry ingredients, then add wet ingredients. Mix well. Pour into 2 greased cake pans. Bake at 350 F for 25-30 minutes. (Check after about 23 minutes. You don't want to overbake them!) Remove from pans and let cool. Serve as desired.

Chocolate Mousse

1 small box instant chocolate pudding

1 c. whole milk

1 c. heavy whipping cream

Combine pudding and milk. Set aside. Whip cream in a cold bowl with cold beaters until stiff. Fold into pudding mixture. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Enjoy!!!

Double Chocolate Cookies

I am a hard-core chocoholic! You'll find me a with Lindt 90% cocoa chocolate bar over a milk chocolate bar any day. That being said, these cookies aren't quite THAT intense, but boy are they good! They are another variation of My Favorite Chocolate Chunk Cookies.

Double Chocolate Cookies

1 c. (2 sticks) butter, softened

1/4 c. white sugar

3/4 c. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

2 eggs

1 (3.4 oz.) box instant chocolate pudding

1 t. baking soda

1 1/2 c. flour

3/4 c. cocoa

1 (12 oz.) bag chocolate chips (or 2 cups)

Cream together butter and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs, and pudding. Mix well. Stir in baking soda, flour, and cocoa. Gently fold in chocolate chips. Bake on an ungreased cookie sheet at 375 F for 8-10 minutes. Enjoy!

Almond Joy Bars

Until recently I really didn't care for coconut at all. But in the last few years I've developed a taste for it. These bars (they're kind of brownies) are filled with coconut and chocolate goodness.

Almond Joy Bars
3/4 c. (1 1/2 sticks) butter, softened
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. white sugar
1 t. vanilla OR almond extract
4 eggs
2 t. baking powder
1 t. salt
1 c. cocoa
2 c. flour
1 c. chocolate chips
3 c. coconut, divided
1/2 c. sliced or slivered almonds
1/2 c. whole almonds

Combine butter, sugars, extract, and eggs in a large bowl. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add baking powder, salt, flour and cocoa. Mix again until combined. Stir in chocolate chips, 2 cups coconut, and sliced almonds. Spread into a greased 9x13" pan and sprinkle with remaining coconut and whole almonds. Bake at 350 F for 25-35 minutes. Check it after 25 minutes. It is done when it's puffy and almost set in the middle and coconut is toasty. These are very pretty when they're done. They would be great to give to a neighbor or bring to a family gathering. Enjoy!

Chocolate Lava Cake

I confess: I can't live without chocolate! This recipe was given to me by my mother-in-law and I can't even begin to describe how delicious it is. While it bakes it forms a moist cake on top and a fudgy lava sauce underneath. Mmmmmmm!

Chocolate Lava Cake
1st layer:
3/4 c. sugar
3 T. cocoa
1 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/4 t. salt
2 t. vanilla
1/2 c. milk
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter, melted

Blend ingredients together until smooth and pour into ungreased 8x8" or 9x9" pan.
2nd layer:
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. packed brown sugar
4 T. cocoa

Sprinkle mixture on top of batter:
Pour 1 1/4 c. hot water over the top and DO NOT STIR!!Bake at 350 F for 40 minutes. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Top with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

This is such a wonderful dessert to share with friends...on second thought, maybe don't share it... :) Enjoy!

Breakfast Sundae

Dessert for breakfast??? Why not? This recipe is so fun because it looks and tastes like dessert, but it's really quite healthy. The kids will be so excited when you make these breakfast sundaes! It starts with chocolate "ice cream" and then you can top it with whatever you want.

Chocolate "Ice Cream"

1 c. oat bran

2 c. water

1/2 t. salt

1/4 c. pure maple syrup (or brown sugar)

1/4 c. cocoa

1 t. vanilla

In saucepan, combine oat bran, water, and salt. Heat on high until boiling. Reduce heat to med-low and stir until thick and creamy. Remove from heat and add syrup, cocoa, and vanilla. Stir until well combined. Cool slightly and refrigerate until cold. (Mixture might seem a little runny, but it will set up as it cools.)

So here's how I assembled mine: two scoops of chocolate "ice cream"...

...topped with 1 T. peanut butter, 1 sliced banana, and whipped cream. Yum!!
This was such a fun and yummy breakfast! Thank you to Katie for the inspiration! Try some other fun toppings like nuts, sprinkles, hot fudge, berries, or whatever you can think of!!! Enjoy.

Fudge Brownies...(that are actually good for you!)

Today I was craving chocolate all day, but I wanted to make a healthier version of these divine treats. I ended up trying a recipe (which contains flaxseed) and I must say they are amazing. They are very ooey and gooey and fudgy. And the best part is, they are good for you!

Fudge Brownies

1/4 c. water

2 T. ground flaxseed

1/2 c. agave (or 3/4 c. sugar)

1/4 c. oil

1/4 c. unsweetened applesauce

1/4 c. buttermilk

1 t. vanilla

1/2 c. cocoa

1/2 c. whole wheat flour

1/2 t. baking powder

1/2 t. salt

 

Preheat oven to 350 F. Blend all ingredients until smooth. Pour in greased 8x8" pan and bake for 25-28 minutes.

Feel free to add any chopped nuts, chocolate chips, or whatever you like. I'll admit I sprinkled chopped Reeses cups on them while they were hot and then spread them around...:) They are the perfect treat for that day when you're craving chocolate (and believe me, I have plenty of those days!) Enjoy.