Maple Cream Truffles

Ingredients

• 1 cup butter (no substitutes), softened

• 3 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar

• 3 tablespoons maple flavoring

• 2 cups chopped walnuts

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

• 1 cup butterscotch chips

• 1 tablespoon Crisco

Directions

1. In a mixing bowl, cream the butter, sugar and maple flavoring until smooth. Stir in walnuts.
2. Use a one tablespoon ice cream scoop and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Put them in the freezer until firm enough to shape into balls; place back on the baking sheets. Freeze until firm.
3. In the microwave melt the chips and Crisco. Stir every 30 seconds. Dip balls and place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets. Refrigerate until hardened.

Mint Chocolate Mousse Cups

I am exploring all the things I can do with these chocolate cups.  Here is a variation on typical chocolate mousse.  I served these for bookclub and they are as good as they look.

Chocolate Cups

• 1 lb. Wilton Melting Chocolate

1. Melt chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Stir every 30 seconds. Stirring the warm chocolate will help to melt it because your bowl will become hot. Do not overcook the chocolate.
2. Use a spoon to add chocolate to silicon cupcake cups. Smooth over all the surfaces. Don’t worry about having the insides perfect because you will not see it.
3. Put cupcake cups in the freezer.
4. When they are hard, turn the silicon cups inside out to remove the chocolate. Set aside. If you end up with extra cups, save them in the freezer for other desserts or fresh fruit with whipped cream.

Mint Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

• 2 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 6 oz Andes mint chips (half the bag)
• ¼ cup water
• 2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)

•  ¼ cup water
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 ¼ cups whipping cream, whipped

Directions
1. In a microwave heat chocolate, 1/2 cup water and butter for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and the chocolate and butter are melted. Cool for 10 minutes.
2. In a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and ½ cup water. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat
3. Whisk the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture. Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled, about 5-10 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into chocolate cups.
4. Add coarsely chopped milk chocolate to the top.
5. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Whipped Cream Topping

•  1/2 Cup whipping cream
• 3 T sugar
  

1. Chill metal mixing bowl and electric mixer whisk in the refrigerator until cold.
2. Whisk whipping cream and  sugar until stiff peaks from.
3. Pipe onto the chilled mouse cups just before serving.

Chocolate Mousse

Chocolate Cups

1.  Melt 1 lb. of Wilton melting chocolate in a microwave safe bowl. Stir every 30 seconds. Stirring the warm chocolate will help to melt it because your bowl will become hot. Do not overcook the chocolate.

2.  Use a spoon to add chocolate to silicon cupcake cups. Smooth over all the surfaces. Don’t worry about having the insides perfect because you will not see it.

3.  Put cupcake cups in the freezer.

4.  When they are hard, turn the silicon cups inside out to remove the chocolate. Set aside. If you end up with extra cups, save them in the freezer for other desserts or fresh fruit with whipped cream.

Chocolate Mousse Ingredients

• 8 (1 ounce) squares semisweet chocolate, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 cup water, divided
• 2 tablespoons butter (no substitutes)
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1 1/4 cups whipping cream, whipped

Directions

1. In a microwave heat chocolate, 1/4 cup water and butter for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth and the chocolate and butter are melted. Cool for 10 minutes.

2. In a small heavy saucepan, whisk egg yolks, sugar and remaining water. Cook and stir over low heat until mixture reaches 160 degrees F, about 1-2 minutes. Remove from the heat

3. Whisk the egg mixture into the chocolate mixture. Set saucepan in ice and stir until cooled, about 5-10 minutes. Fold in whipped cream. Spoon into chocolate cups.

4. Add coarsely chopped milk chocolate to the top.

5. Refrigerate for 4 hours or overnight.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• ½ cup crushed pineapple (juice squeezed out)

Frosting
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan or two round pans.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Frost the cooled cake.

Peanut Butter Topped Brownie Bites

19.5 oz package of brownie mix

Mix brownie mix according to package directions. Fill four mini tart pans with mini cupcake liners. Spray each with cooking spray. Cook brownie bits for 15 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool completely on a wire rack.

Peanut Butter Frosting
½ C butter
1 C peanut butter
5 T milk
2 C powdered sugar

Mix butter and peanut butter in an electric mixer. Add milk one T at a time. Add powdered sugar and mix until fluffy. Pip frosting onto brownies with a large star tip, swirling from the outside to the center. Add one Reese’s Pieces to the top of each bite.

Pineapple Cream Cheese Braid

Dough:
1 C water
5 1/2 - 6 C flour
3/4 C sugar
3 packages of yeast (2T 1/4 t)
1 t salt
1/2 C butter
3 eggs

Pineapple Filling:
1 - 8 oz. can crushed pineapple
1/2 C sugar
3 T cornstarch

Cream Cheese Filling:
1 - 8oz. cream cheese
3 T sugar
1 t Lemon juice

In a mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, sugar, yeast, and salt. In a saucepan, heat butter and water to 120-130. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs; beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 40-45 minutes.
Combine pineapple-filling ingredients. Cook and stir until thickened. Cool. Combine cream cheese filling ingredients, mix well and set aside. Combine icing ingredients and set aside.
Punch dough down; divide into thirds. On greased baking sheets, roll out each portion into a 12-in. x 8-in. rectangle. Spread the cream cheese filling lengthwise down center third of each rectangle. Spread the pineapple filling on top of cream cheese filling. On each long side, cut 1” wide strips 3” into the center. Starting at one end, fold alternating strips at an angle across filling. Seal ends. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes. Bake in oven preheated to 350 for 20-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Drizzle icing over braids.

Scotch-A-Roos

1 cup sugar
1 cup peanut butter
1 cup light corn syrup
6 cups Rice Krispies
1 bag milk chocolate chips
1 bag peanut butter chips

I am not sure why these are called Scotch-A-Roos. I think some people make them with butterscotch chips in the topping. I personaly love peanutbutter.

Mix sugar, peanut butter, and corn syrup in a glass bowl and melt on high for two minutes in the microwave. Mix well and add Rice Krispies. Pour into a greased cake pan. Mix milk chocolate chips and peanut butter chips together and melt in microwave for 2 minutes on high. Pour over rice Krispies mixture. Let cool in the refrigerator and cut into small pieces. Serve at room temperature and you do not need to store these in the refrigerator.

Brownie Swirl Cheesecake

crust

10oz brownie mix prepared according to package

filling

4 x 8 oz packages cream cheese

1¼ C granulated sugar

½ C sour cream

2 t vanilla extract

5 eggs

1 cup milk Chocolate Chips Melted

garnish

whipped cream

All ingredients should be room temperature.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Melt a T of butter and brush onto a 10 X 3 round cake pan. Line the pan with parchment paper cutting out a circle for the bottom and a long strip to go around the sides. You could also use a 10” spring form, but I prefer the cake pan.

Pour brownie batter into your pan. If using a spring form, wrap a large piece of foil around the bottom of the pan to keep the cheesecake in the water bath. Bake for 10 minutes at 350, not in a water bath. Take out of the oven and reduce the temperature to 250 degrees.

Use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese with the sugar. Mix for a couple minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl frequently until the ingredients are smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream and mix well. Combine vanilla and eggs in a 2 cup liquid measuring cup and mix it with a fork. Add half of the liquid mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well and be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the rest of the egg mixture and blend well.

Pour filling over your brownie crust. Spoon melted chocolate over cream cheese mixture, cut through cheese and chocolate mixture several times to achieve a marble effect.

Heat about 8 cups of water in the microwave for 8 minutes. I use a 16 X 3 inch round cake pan for my water bath. I place the pan in the oven with a dish towel in the pan (this prevents splashing). Place the cheesecake into the 16” pan. Add the water. It should go about halfway up the cheesecake. Bake for 1 ½ hours. The cheesecake will not look done. Turn off the oven and leave the door open for 1 minute. Close the door and leave the cake in the oven for 1 more hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven to cool. When the cheesecake is cool, cover the cheesecake and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

Too remove from pan, fill your sink with hot water. Float the cheesecake in the water for 10 minutes to melt the butter. Pull up the parchment paper from the sides. Place a cake board or a spring form bottom on the top of the cake. Flip the cake over. Flip cake over again onto your serving surface.

Apply a pile of canned whipped cream to the top of each slice and serve.

I made up this recipe from a combination of recipes I found. I didn't love the chocolate swirl. In the furture I will leave it out and use hot fudge as a topping. The chocolate made the pieces hard to cut.

Peanut Butter and Cream Brownies

19.5 oz package of brownie mix
8 oz. package of softened cream cheese
1 cup peanut butter
½ cup powdered sugar
1 8oz. carton of Cool Whip
4 Reeces Peanut Butter Cups Frozen

Prepare brownie mix according to package directions.

Line two muffin pans with aluminum foil cupcake liners. You should have 24. Spoon the brownie mix into the muffin pans. Bake for 10 minutes at 350 degrees. Remove for the pan but not from the liners and let cool completely.

In an electric mixer, blend the cream cheese with the peanut butter until smooth. Add the powdered sugar and blend. Fold in the cool whip.

Put the mixture into a cake decorator bag and pipe it on each brownie starting from the outsides and swirling your way to the middle.

Coarsely chop up the peanut butter cups and sprinkle on top. Refrigerate to set up.

A Tiffany Original

The Easiest Mint Brownies EVER

One Brownie Mix
One bag of Andes Mint Chips
One stick of butter

Prepare the brownies according to the directions, in a 9 X 13” pan. Let them cool.

Put the butter and chips in a microwaveable bowl and microwave for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Spread on the brownies. Chill in the refrigerator until the topping has set. Serve at room temperature.

White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake

I would have a picture, but my family ate this so quickly that there was no time for photos.

Crust
1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs or 20 crumbled Oreo cookies (filling removed)
1/3 cup butter, melted

Filling
½ C raspberry preserves
¼ C water
4 x 8 oz packages cream cheese
1¼ C granulated sugar
½ C sour cream
2 t vanilla extract
5 eggs
4 oz white chocolate, chopped into chunks ( I used white chocolate chips in my food processor)

Garnish
2 oz white chocolate, shaved
whipped cream

All ingredients should be room temperature.

Preheat oven to 250 degrees. Melt a T of butter and brush onto a 9 X 3 round cake pan. Line the pan with parchment paper cutting out a circle for the bottom and a long strip to go around the sides. You could also use a 9” spring form, but I prefer the cake pan.

Measure 1 ½ cups chocolate cookie crumbs, or crush 20 Oreo cookie wafers (with the filling scraped out) into a medium bowl. Mix in 1/3 cup melted butter. Press the crumb into a 9" pan. Using your fingers, press the crumb mixture into the bottom of the pan. If using a spring form, wrap a large piece of foil around the bottom of the pan to keep the cheesecake in the water bath. Put the crust in your freezer until the filling is done.

Combine the raspberry preserves with ¼ cup water in a medium microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 1½ minutes on high in your microwave. Stir until smooth. Strain to remove the raspberry seeds (toss them out), then let the strained preserves sit to cool, and then put the bowl in the refrigerator until later.

Use an electric mixer to combine the cream cheese with the sugar. Mix for a couple minutes, scraping down the sides of the bowl frequently until the ingredients are smooth and creamy. Add the sour cream and mix well. Combine vanilla and eggs in a 2 cup liquid measuring cup and mix it with a fork. Add half of the liquid mixture to the cream cheese mixture. Mix well and be sure to scrape down the sides of the bowl. Add the rest of the egg mixture and blend well.

Remove the crust from the freezer and sprinkle 4 oz of white chocolate chunks onto the bottom of the crust. Pour half of the cream cheese filling into the crust. Drizzle the raspberry preserves over the entire surface of the filling. Use a butter knife to swirl the raspberry into the cream cheese. Just a couple passes is fine, you don't want to blend the raspberry and cream cheese together too much. Pour the other half of the filling into the crust.

Heat about 8 cups of water in the microwave for 8 minutes. I use a 16 X 3 inch round cake pan for my water bath. I place the pan in the oven with a dish towel in the pan (this prevents splashing). Place the cheesecake into the 13” pan. Add the water. It should go about halfway up the cheesecake. Bake for 1 ½ hours. The cheesecake will not look done. Turn off the oven and leave the door open for 1 minute. Close the door and leave the cake in the oven for 1 more hour. Remove the cheesecake from the oven to cool. When the cheesecake is cool, cover the cheesecake and chill it in the refrigerator for at least 4 hours.

To remove from pan, fill your sink with hot water. Float the cheesecake in the water for 10 minutes to melt the butter. Pull up the parchment paper from the sides. Place a cake board or a spring form bottom on the top of the cake. Flip the cake over. Flip cake over again onto your serving surface.

Before serving, sprinkle the entire top surface of cheesecake with 2 oz of shaved white chocolate. To serve, slice the cheesecake into 12 equal portions. Apply a pile of canned whipped cream to the top of each slice and serve.

Mint Truffles

1 bag mint oreos

8 oz softened cream cheese

1 package of Andes Mint Chips (found next to the chocolate chips, they are on the top shelf at the Beach Street Super Walmart)

1 1/2 t crisco

Grind the oreos in a food processor until they are powder.

Switch the blade to the mixer and add cream cheese. Mix until blended.

Refrigerate over night until very firm.

Roll into balls. Refrigerate over night until firm.

Put Andes mint chips in a microwave safe bowl with 1 1/2 t crisco. Microwave for 30 seconds. Stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir.

Dip truffle balls, one at a time, into chocolate and use a spoon to fish them out. Place them on wax paper. Cool in the refrigerator until the chocolate is solid.

Serve cold or at room temperature.

Cream Cheese and Brown Sugar Filled Cinnamon Rolls

Rolls:
5-6 Cups of Flour
1 package of white cake mix
4 1/2 t yeast
2 C warm milk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1/2 t salt

Topping:
8oz cream cheese softened
2 C brown sugar
cinnamon (as much as you like)

Frosting:
1/3 c butter softened
3 T milk
1/4 t vanilla
1 1/2 C powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350. Sthir together 4 C flour, cake mix, and next 4 ingredients in your mixing bowl. Gradually add enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.

Use the dough hook of your kitchen aid to knead for about six minutes. If you don't have a kitchen aid, knead by hand until smooth.

Roll to a 36 X 16 inch rectangle. Spread with cream cheese. Sprinkle with brown sugar. Add cinnamon.



















Roll rectangle and cut into 1/2 inch slices. Place on a jelly roll pan. I needed two.



















Cover and let rise for about 15 minutes.



















Bake uncloverd for 12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove pan from oven and spread warm rolls with frosting.

Heat rolls in the microwave for 10 seconds if they have cooled before you want to eat them.

Blueberry Pound Cake

2 cups sugar
1-cup butter, softened
1-tablespoon pure vanilla extract
4 eggs
3 cups flour, divided
½ teaspoon baking powder
2 cups fresh or frozen blueberries, thaw if frozen
1 cup coarsely chopped pecans (I leave them out because I never seem to have pecans on hand)

Preheat oven to 325.

In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar and butter until light and fluffy. Add vanilla. Beat in eggs, one at a time until well blended.

Mix 2 cups flour and baking powder; gradually beat into creamed mixture until smooth.

Mix blueberries, pecans and remaining flour until coated. Carefully fold into batter. Sprinkle 1 tablespoon granulated sugar into bottom of a greased bundt cake pan, then pour in batter. Bake 1 hour 15 minutes or until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes. Invert on cooling rack; cool completely. Sprinkle with powdered sugar when serving.

Love Fruit Treats

I got the ideas for these by looking at fruit pizza recipes. They turned out really yummy and pretty but you need to eat them right away or the cookie will get soggy.

Cookie

6 cups flour

3 tsp. baking powder

2 cups butter

2 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp. vanilla extract

1 tsp. salt

Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs and vanilla. Mix well. Mix dry ingredients and add a little at a time to butter mixture. Mix until flour is completely incorporated and the dough comes together. Chill for 1 to 2 hours Roll to desired thickness and cut into hearts. Bake on ungreased baking sheet at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until just beginning to turn brown around the edges.

Cream Topping

8 oz. cream cheese
7 oz. marshmallow cream

Mix together with an electric mixer and chill until you are ready to spread on the cookies. This is also what I use as a fruit dip. It is great for strawberries.

Fruit Topping

Strawberries
Kiwi
Apricots
Can of mandarin oranges

Chop up fruit and spoon over cream topping. Serve immediately and enjoy!

"The" Most Chocolaty Bundt Cake Ever

I got this off of my new friend Jen and made it for some friends on Saturday night. It was really good!

1 chocolate cake mix (I like the fudge one)
1 4 oz. chocolate pudding
12 oz. chocolate chips
1/2 pint sour cream
1/2 c. vegetable oil
1/2 c. water
4 large eggs

Mix, start salivating, pour in greased bundt pan... And try to patiently wait for 50-60 minutes until it cooks at 350. And then enjoy a piece of pure heaven chocolate cake. (These are Jen's words but they are oh so true!)

Molten Chocolate Cakes

Alycia found this recipe somewhere and we usually have it with ice cream. Last Sunday I just had to have a molten cake so we tried it with fresh strawberries and melted white chocolate on top. The strawberries were fabulous with it because it was like eating chocolate covered strawberries. You really couldn't taste the white chocolate but it looked pretty.

4 squares Semi-sweet baking chocolate
½ cup butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 tbsp flour
Whipped topping or homemade whipping cream (optional)

Preheat oven to 425 Butter 4 (3/4) custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

Microwave chocolate and butter in bowl on high for 1 minute or until butter is melted. Stir with a wire whisk until all the chocolate is melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Whisk in eggs and egg yolks. Stir in flour and divide batter between prepared cups.

Bake 10-14 minutes or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 minute and carefully run knife along the edges and invert onto plate. Top with topping and serve warm.

Peppermint Brownies

1 cup sugar
4 eggs
1 stick butter
1 can hershey surup ( 1 1/2 cup)
1 cup flour

Mix and bake at 350, 25 minutes in greased cookie sheet. Not a 9 x 13!

Refrigerate for 20 minutes or until cool.

1 stick butter
4 cup powdered sugar
4 T milk
1 1/2 t pep. Flavor
Green food coloring

Spread over brownies

Refrigerate for 20 min.

Melt 1 stick of butter and 12 oz. Choc. Chips in the microwave for 30 seconds. Stir and the chips with continue to melt. Repeat until all the chocolate is melted. Poor over peppermint layer and refrigerate.

They freezes well.

Mom’s Carmel Twists

Sweet Dough

4 1/2C Flour
1/4C Sugar
1tsp salt
3/4C margarine
2 eggs
1 pkg dry yeast (2 1/4t) dissolved in
1 1/4C hot water

Cut margarine finely into dry ingredients. Add eggs and dissolved yeast mixture. Refrigerate for 2 hours, or overnight. Divide into 3 parts. Roll each part out on a floured board into 9x18 inch rectangle. Spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar. Fold in thirds to make a 3x18 inch rectangle. cut into 1 inch strips. Twist strips and place side by side on the caramel mixture. Let rise for 1/2 hour. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Invert immediately onto cookie sheet. Makes 54 rolls.

Carmel
2/3C margarine
1/4C light corn syrup
1 1/2C brown sugar
1C nuts (ground)

Bring to a boil and add 1T water. Stir and pour evenly onto 12 x 18 inch jelly roll pan. Sprinkle nuts on top.