Chocolate Truffle Cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs


• in the microwave or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of the chocolate chips, and the butter stirring occasionally until smooth. remove from heat and set aside to cool. in a large bowl, whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 2 minutes. stir in the vanilla and the chocolate mixture until well mixed. combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. fold in remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. cover dough and chill for at least an hour or overnight.
• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). roll chilled dough into 1 inch balls. place on ungreased cookie sheets so they are 2 inches apart.
• bake for 9 to 11 minutes in the preheated oven. allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Cake Balls

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 (16 ounce) container prepared chocolate frosting
• 1 (3 ounce) bar chocolate flavored confectioners coating

Recipe

Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 10 mins


• prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. when cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.
• melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
• use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. place on waxed paper to set.

Strawberry Cheese Pie

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons shortening
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, halved
• 1/4 cup currant jelly

Recipe

• combine flour and salt in medium bowl. cut in shortening and butter until all the flour is blended to form pea-sized crumbs. sprinkle with water one tablespoon at a time. toss lightly with a fork until dough forms a ball. chill dough 15 to 30 minutes.
• roll dough between two sheets of wax paper into an 11 inch circle. remove top sheet of wax paper and lay into 9 inch pie pan. prick bottom and sides of pie shell thoroughly to prevent shrinkage.
• bake at 425 degrees f (220 degrees c) for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. cool to room temperature.
• combine cream cheese and confectioner 's sugar in medium bowl. beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. beat in vanilla and almond extracts. fold in whipped cream and almonds by hand until well mixed. pour into cooled crust. refrigerate until firm.
• decorate pie with strawberries fully or just around the edge. heat jelly in microwave oven just until soft and brush carefully over strawberries until glazed. refrigerate until serving.

Chocolate Truffle Cookies

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, chopped
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
• 6 tablespoons butter
• 3 eggs
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 2 hrs


• in the microwave or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, melt unsweetened chocolate, 1 cup of the chocolate chips, and the butter stirring occasionally until smooth. remove from heat and set aside to cool. in a large bowl, whip eggs and sugar until thick and pale, about 2 minutes. stir in the vanilla and the chocolate mixture until well mixed. combine the flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt; gradually stir into the chocolate mixture. fold in remaining 1 cup chocolate chips. cover dough and chill for at least an hour or overnight.
• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). roll chilled dough into 1 inch balls. place on ungreased cookie sheets so they are 2 inches apart.
• bake for 9 to 11 minutes in the preheated oven. allow cookies to cool on baking sheet for 5 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

Peppermint Brittle

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 pounds chocolate
• 30 small peppermint candy canes

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 10 mins


• line a large jellyroll pan with heavy-duty foil.
• place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. heat in microwave on medium setting for 5 to 6 minutes. stir occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• place candy canes in a plastic bag, or between two pieces of waxed paper. using a mallet or rolling pin, break the candy canes into chunks. stir peppermint into melted chocolate. spread evenly in pan, and chill until set, about 1 hour. break into pieces by slamming pan on counter.

Chocolate Strawberry Cake

Ingredients

• Servings: 16
• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 1/4 cups sugar
• 3 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 3/4 cup shortening
• 4 egg whites
• 3/4 cup milk
• 3/4 cup strawberry syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 (1 ounce) squares semi-sweet baking chocolate (such as baker's®)
• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese (such as philadelphia®), softened
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 2 1/2 cups whipped topping (such as cool whip®)
• 1 (3.9 ounce) package instant chocolate pudding mix
• 1/2 cup crushed chocolate sandwich cookies (such as oreo®) (optional)

Recipe

Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 55 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• grease and flour three round 9-inch baking pans.
• sift flour, 2 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder, and salt together in a bowl; cut shortening into flour mixture until fine crumbs are formed.
• beat egg whites, milk, strawberry syrup, and vanilla extract into flour mixture with an electric mixer on low for 1 minute; increase to high until smooth and blended, about 2 more minutes, scraping the sides of the bowl frequently.
• pour batter into prepared baking pans.
• bake in the preheated oven until a toothpick inserted in the center of each cake comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.
• place chocolate in a small microwave-safe bowl; heat on high in microwave until melted, about 1 minute. stir chocolate until smooth.
• beat cream cheese and 1/3 cup sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on high until combined, 1 minute; stir chocolate into mixture until well mixed.
• gently fold whipped topping, pudding mix, and chocolate sandwich cookies into cream cheese mixture to form the filling.
• spread about 1/3 filling on top of one cake. place second cake atop filling layer. repeat with a filling layer, the third cake, and a final layer of filling on top.

Favorite Banana Blueberry Quick Bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 5/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed bananas

Recipe

• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• in a medium bowl, dredge blueberries in 2 tablespoons flour. gently stir blueberries together with oats, nuts, 1 1/2 cups flour, soda, and salt.
• in a large bowl, cream shortening. gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. stir in mashed banana. add blueberry mixture to creamed mixture, and stir just until moistened. spoon batter into the prepared pan.
• bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. cool in pan for 10 minutes. remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.

Lip-smacking Popcorn Concoction

Ingredients

• Servings: 20
• 2 envelopes microwave popcorn without butter, popped
• 4 cups corn cereal puffs (e.g. kix™)
• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag extruded corn chips (e.g. fritos™)
• 2 (2.25 ounce) packages blanched slivered almonds
• 2 cups thin pretzel sticks
• 1 pound vanilla flavored confectioners' coating

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 3 mins Ready Time: 23 mins


• cover a large flat surface with waxed paper. in a large bowl, stir together the popcorn, cereal, corn chips, almonds, and pretzels.
• melt the confectioners' coating in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. continue to cook at 30 second intervals, stirring between each one, until the coating is smooth.
• pour melted coating over the cereal mixture. it's best to use a large metal spoon, and pour 1 or 2 spoonfuls at a time then mix to ensure even distribution. (a second person can be useful here - one to pour, one to mix.) once everything is coated, spread the mixture out onto waxed paper in a thin layer. let stand for about 1/2 hour, or until coating is dry. transfer to a bowl to serve, or store in an airtight container.

Strawberry Cheese Pie

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 4 tablespoons shortening
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 tablespoons cold water
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup heavy whipping cream, whipped
• 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds
• 4 cups fresh strawberries, halved
• 1/4 cup currant jelly

Recipe

• combine flour and salt in medium bowl. cut in shortening and butter until all the flour is blended to form pea-sized crumbs. sprinkle with water one tablespoon at a time. toss lightly with a fork until dough forms a ball. chill dough 15 to 30 minutes.
• roll dough between two sheets of wax paper into an 11 inch circle. remove top sheet of wax paper and lay into 9 inch pie pan. prick bottom and sides of pie shell thoroughly to prevent shrinkage.
• bake at 425 degrees f (220 degrees c) for 10 to 15 minutes or until lightly browned. cool to room temperature.
• combine cream cheese and confectioner 's sugar in medium bowl. beat with electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. beat in vanilla and almond extracts. fold in whipped cream and almonds by hand until well mixed. pour into cooled crust. refrigerate until firm.
• decorate pie with strawberries fully or just around the edge. heat jelly in microwave oven just until soft and brush carefully over strawberries until glazed. refrigerate until serving.

Favorite Banana Blueberry Quick Bread

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1/2 cup fresh blueberries
• 1 5/8 cups all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup quick cooking oats
• 1/2 cup chopped pecans
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup mashed bananas

Recipe

• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c). grease and flour a 9x5 inch loaf pan.
• in a medium bowl, dredge blueberries in 2 tablespoons flour. gently stir blueberries together with oats, nuts, 1 1/2 cups flour, soda, and salt.
• in a large bowl, cream shortening. gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. stir in mashed banana. add blueberry mixture to creamed mixture, and stir just until moistened. spoon batter into the prepared pan.
• bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until a wooden toothpick comes out clean when inserted in the center of the loaf. cool in pan for 10 minutes. remove from pan, and cool completely on a wire rack.

Melted Snowman Cookie

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• sugar cookie:
• 3/4 cup butter, softened
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 tablespoon milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• decorations:
• 12 large marshmallows
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup chocolate chips
• 1 drop red food coloring, or as desired
• 1 drop yellow food coloring, or as desired

Recipe

Cook Time: 10 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 55 mins


• preheat oven to 350 degrees f (175 degrees c).
• beat butter in a bowl using an electric mixer until fluffy, about 2 minutes. beat sugar, baking powder, and salt into butter until just combined. beat egg, milk, and vanilla extract into butter-sugar mixture; add flour and mix until dough is just combined. cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until dough is slightly chilled, about 10 minutes.
• scoop dough into balls slightly larger than golf balls; flatten into cookies. arrange cookies on a baking sheet.
• bake in the preheated oven until edges are golden brown, 10 to 20 minutes. cool on baking sheet for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely, at least 30 minutes.
• butter a microwave-safe plate. place marshmallows on the prepared plate.
• microwave marshmallows until slightly puffed, 10 to 15 seconds. gently press marshmallows until bottoms slightly ooze.
• whisk confectioners' sugar and water together in a bowl until icing is slightly thicker than drizzle-consistency. pour icing over cookies so it runs over the edges, reserving about 1 tablespoon.
• melt chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl, about 30 seconds. pour melted chocolate into a piping bag with a small tip or a plastic bag with a corner snipped.
• press 1 marshmallow close to an edge of each cookie to be the snowman's head. draw 'stick arms' onto the icing using the melted chocolate.
• divide the reserved 1 tablespoon icing into 2 small bowls. mix red food coloring into 1 of the bowls and orange food coloring into the other bowl. decorate the snowmen with scarves or ties using the red icing and yellow icing.

Peppermint Brittle

Ingredients

• Servings: 2
• 2 pounds chocolate
• 30 small peppermint candy canes

Recipe

Preparation Time: 5 mins Cook Time: 5 mins Ready Time: 1 hr 10 mins


• line a large jellyroll pan with heavy-duty foil.
• place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. heat in microwave on medium setting for 5 to 6 minutes. stir occasionally, until chocolate is melted and smooth.
• place candy canes in a plastic bag, or between two pieces of waxed paper. using a mallet or rolling pin, break the candy canes into chunks. stir peppermint into melted chocolate. spread evenly in pan, and chill until set, about 1 hour. break into pieces by slamming pan on counter.

Lip-smacking Popcorn Concoction

Ingredients

• Servings: 20
• 2 envelopes microwave popcorn without butter, popped
• 4 cups corn cereal puffs (e.g. kix™)
• 1 (10.5 ounce) bag extruded corn chips (e.g. fritos™)
• 2 (2.25 ounce) packages blanched slivered almonds
• 2 cups thin pretzel sticks
• 1 pound vanilla flavored confectioners' coating

Recipe

Preparation Time: 20 mins Cook Time: 3 mins Ready Time: 23 mins


• cover a large flat surface with waxed paper. in a large bowl, stir together the popcorn, cereal, corn chips, almonds, and pretzels.
• melt the confectioners' coating in a glass bowl in the microwave for 1 minute. continue to cook at 30 second intervals, stirring between each one, until the coating is smooth.
• pour melted coating over the cereal mixture. it's best to use a large metal spoon, and pour 1 or 2 spoonfuls at a time then mix to ensure even distribution. (a second person can be useful here - one to pour, one to mix.) once everything is coated, spread the mixture out onto waxed paper in a thin layer. let stand for about 1/2 hour, or until coating is dry. transfer to a bowl to serve, or store in an airtight container.

Microwave Corn On The Cob

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 ear corn, husked and cleaned

Recipe

Cook Time: 5 mins Ready Time: 5 mins


• wet a paper towel, and wring out. wrap the ear of corn in the moist towel, and place on a dinner plate. cook in the microwave for 5 minutes. carefully remove paper towel, and enjoy!

Cake Balls

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 (16 ounce) container prepared chocolate frosting
• 1 (3 ounce) bar chocolate flavored confectioners coating

Recipe

Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 10 mins


• prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. when cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.
• melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
• use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. place on waxed paper to set.

Cake Balls

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 (16 ounce) container prepared chocolate frosting
• 1 (3 ounce) bar chocolate flavored confectioners coating

Recipe

Preparation Time: 40 mins Cook Time: 30 mins Ready Time: 3 hrs 10 mins


• prepare the cake mix according to package directions using any of the recommended pan sizes. when cake is done, crumble while warm into a large bowl, and stir in the frosting until well blended.
• melt chocolate coating in a glass bowl in the microwave, or in a metal bowl over a pan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth.
• use a melon baller or small scoop to form balls of the chocolate cake mixture. dip the balls in chocolate using a toothpick or fork to hold them. place on waxed paper to set.

Microwave Corn On The Cob

Ingredients

• Servings: 1
• 1 ear corn, husked and cleaned

Recipe

Cook Time: 5 mins Ready Time: 5 mins


• wet a paper towel, and wring out. wrap the ear of corn in the moist towel, and place on a dinner plate. cook in the microwave for 5 minutes. carefully remove paper towel, and enjoy!

Savory Summer Squash With Bacon

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 3 slices bacon, cut into 1/2-inch pieces
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 sweet onion, chopped
• 2 pounds yellow squash, cut into bite-size pieces
• 4 pickled artichoke hearts, chopped
• 2 tablespoons capers with liquid, or more to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed fresh rosemary leaves
• salt to taste
• ground pepper to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins Ready Time: 40 mins


• place 2 paper towels on a microwave-safe plate; add bacon and top with another paper towel. cook in microwave on high until some grease is absorbed, about 30 seconds.
• transfer bacon to a deep skillet and cook over medium-high heat, stirring often, until crisp, 5 to 10 minutes. lower heat to medium; stir garlic into bacon and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. add onion; cook and stir until onion is slightly translucent and still firm, about 5 minutes.
• mix squash into onion-bacon mixture; cook and stir until squash is slightly softened, about 5 minutes. add artichoke hearts; cook until heated through, 2 to 3 minutes. add capers and rosemary; cover skillet and cook, stirring often, until squash is softened but firm to the bite, about 5 more minutes. season with salt and pepper.

Microwave Popcorn

Ingredients

• Servings: 3
• 1/2 cup unpopped popcorn
• 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
• 1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste

Recipe

Preparation Time: 2 mins Cook Time: 3 mins Ready Time: 5 mins


• in a cup or small bowl, mix together the unpopped popcorn and oil. pour the coated corn into a brown paper lunch sack, and sprinkle in the salt. fold the top of the bag over twice to seal in the ingredients.
• cook in the microwave at full power for 2 1/2 to 3 minutes, or until you hear pauses of about 2 seconds between pops. carefully open the bag to avoid steam, and pour into a serving bowl.

Chocolate Butter Tarts

Ingredients

• Servings: 12
• 12 (3 inch) unbaked tart shells
• 4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened baking chocolate (such as baker's®), divided
• 3/4 cup lightly packed brown sugar
• 1/4 cup corn syrup
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 teaspoon vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 pinch salt

Recipe

Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 15 mins Ready Time: 50 mins


• preheat oven to 450 degrees f (230 degrees c). place tart shells on a baking sheet.
• chop 3 ounces of the chocolate into small pieces; sprinkle evenly into the bottom of each tart shell.
• whisk brown sugar, corn syrup, egg, butter, vinegar, vanilla, and salt together in a bowl; fill tart shells with sugar mixture 3/4 full.
• bake in the preheated oven until filling expands and is bubbly and pastry is lightly golden, about 12 minutes. remove from the oven to cool.
• melt the remaining chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, about 1 minute (depending on your microwave). drizzle chocolate over cooled tarts.