Nothing says “I love you” or “I value your friendship” like something homemade and delicious! Why not whip up a batch of these luscious cookies and brighten someone’s day?!
Ingredients
1/2 cup butter, softened Continue reading
chocolate
No-Bake Chocolate Coconut Cookies
My mother makes these delightful bites of holiday goodness every December… they are a Christmastime comfort food here at Crowded Earth Kitchen. There is no flour in these cookies, making them perfect for friends who eat mostly paleo but are still game for an occasional cheat. No-bake cookies are also perfect for those inevitable occasions when school-age children announce “Tomorrow’s the day I have to bring treats for ____. Sorry I forgot to tell you!”
Ingredients (Makes 3 dozen)
1 6 oz. pkg. of semi sweet chocolate chips
l/3 cup butter
16 large marshmallows Continue reading
Chocolate Cheesecake Roll
If chocolate chip cheesecake and homemade sweet rolls fell in love and had a baby, the result might be this Chocolate Cheesecake Roll. One taste and you’ll understand… you need this in your life. Equally perfect for breakfast or dessert, Chocolate Cheesecake Roll can be enjoyed while still warm from the oven OR can be frozen to be frosted and enjoyed later. On second thought, when the aromas of fresh bread and chocolate waft through your kitchen, I doubt the finished product will ever see the inside of a freezer. 😉
Ingredients (Makes 2 loaves, serves 16)
For the bread:
1 cup milk
1 cup sugar
1 cup butter Continue reading
Springtime Chocolate Truffles
At Crowded Earth Kitchen, we love chocolate truffles. They’re ridiculously easy to make, beautiful when dipped in chocolate coating, and make lovely hostess gifts. This recipe for Springtime Chocolate Truffles is so easy – what are you waiting for?
Ingredients (Makes about 36 truffles)
4 ounces bittersweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips Continue reading
Chocolate Easter Egg Cookies
Springtime is perfect for festively decorated cookies, and what could be more festive than cookies decorated to resemble brightly colored Easter eggs? Today’s recipe begins with a rich, delicious sugar cookie and ends with a deceptively simple decorating technique. You won’t need buttercream frosting today, folks… we’re using something even more amazing!
Ingredients (Makes 24 large cookies)
1/2 cup butter, softened
1 egg Continue reading
Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles
Here’s a new spin on an old favorite, a truffle that tastes like a peanut butter cup! While some truffle recipes are a bit fussy, these Chocolate Peanut Butter Truffles are super easy. You can use either creamy or chunky peanut butter, depending upon the texture you prefer. You could even substitute the peanut butter for something a little fancier, like almond butter or crème de marron. Be creative and have fun!
Ingredients (Makes about 36 truffles)
4 ounces semi sweet baking chocolate
1/2 cup peanut butter Continue reading
Chocolate Kiss Date Cake
This recipe is a variation on the chocolate date chip cake that my Great Grandmother Helen used to make. It’s a chocolate cake so delicious, it doesn’t need frosting… seriously. The dates simply “disappear” in the cake, adding sweetness and preventing the cake from drying out, but otherwise are a secret ingredient. The Hershey’s Kisses sink down into the center of the cake, providing surprise bites of chocolate in each slice. I recommend Chocolate Kiss Date Cake as a fun variation on classic chocolate cake for dessert, and also as a decadent coffee cake for Sunday brunch. Enjoy!
Ingredients (Makes a 10 inch round cake)
1 cup chopped dates
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup boiling water
1 cup butter, softened
1 cup + 2 tablespoons sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cup flour
3 tablespoons cocoa
1/4 teaspoon salt
16 Hershey’s Kisses
Directions
Step 1) In a small bowl, combine dates and baking soda. Pour boiling water over the top and allow to sit until cool. The dates will mostly dissolve – this is normal.
Step 2) In a separate bowl, cream together butter and 1 cup of sugar. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well.
Step 3) Combine flour, cocoa, and salt. Add dry ingredients and date mixture, alternating a little at a time, to the butter mixture. Stir until well combined.
Step 4) Grease a 10 inch round Springform pan (a cheesecake pan), or a 9 inch square baking pan. Dust the greased pan lightly with flour. Transfer batter to the greased and floured pan.
Step 5) Arrange the Hershey’s Kisses evenly on the top of the cake. Don’t press down; just set them lightly on top. [As the cake bakes, the Hershey’s Kisses will sink into the middle of the cake.] Sprinkle the top of the cake with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Step 6) Bake your Chocolate Kiss Date Cake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 55 – 60 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.
Step 7) Sprinkle the baked cake with the remaining 1 tablespoon of sugar. Allow to cool completely before slicing and serving.
