American Chocolate Week

Chocolate has the power to make the most stressful day feel sweeter. Studies have actually shown that eating a small amount of dark chocolate every day can help maintain mental health. I kid you not. Last week Nick returned from a work dinner with a Styrofoam container of just what I needed after a long [...]

Monster Cookies

This is not your typical chocolate chip cookie. It’s soft, dense, chewy, and chocolatey. In other words, it’s dangerous. Sister-in-law Megan introduced us to these “monster cookies” during our Christmas trip to Michigan. In fact, we enjoyed them so much that Nick helped to make a second batch on our third day there. Enjoy them [...]

Chocolate Eclairs

A few weeks ago we visited family in Ann Arbor, and BJ and Megan were the perfect hosts. They recently moved to Michigan from Alabama and brought their sweet, Southern hospitality with them. Megan treated us to home cooked dinners and delectable desserts every night. And after BJ took us to the Penn State vs. [...]

Birthday Cake

Nick returned from training in Indianapolis just after midnight, missing his birthday by only an hour. But that didn’t stop Emily from singing “happy birthday” and Nick from blowing out his candles. Although they didn’t enjoy the delicious cake until the next day. Crazy Devil’s Food Cake 2 cups sugar 2 eggs 1 cup buttermilk [...]

Truffle Brownies

(easy and impressive for dinner parties and birthday desserts!) Ingredients for Brownies 2 eggs 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 cup sugar 1 tablespoon vanilla 1 stick margarine 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped 1/2 cup flour Ingredients for Chocolate Ganache 1/2 cup (4 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips 1/4 cups heavy cream Microwave chocolate and cream on high [...]

Chocolate Hazelnut Lava Cake

Valentine’s Dinner 2008 (we adjusted the ingredients to yield 2 large cakes) Ingredients 4 heaping tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips 1/4 stick butter 1 cup powdered sugar (plus more for sprinkling) 2 eggs 6 tablespoons flour 1/2 tablespoon hazelnut liqueur (or extract) nonstick spray Nutella Directions Spray 2 large custard cups with nonstick spray. Place on [...]

Oreo Truffles

Perfect (and incredibly simple) Valentine’s Day treat! Ingredients 1 package of Oreo’s 8 oz. package of cream cheese 2 bags of chocolate chips (milk chocolate or white chocolate) vegetable shortening Directions Combine Oreo’s and cream cheese in food processor. Blend until smooth and shiny. Refrigerate for 1 hour to harden. Roll into ~1 inch balls. [...]

Chocolate Crinkles

Ingredients 1 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 vegetable oil 3 1 oz. squares unsweetened chocolate 2 teaspoons vanilla 3 eggs 1/4 cup milk 2 cups flour 2 teaspoons baking powder powdered sugar for rolling Directions Combine first 4 ingredients. Beat in eggs one at a time. Add milk. Combine baking powder with flour and add to [...]