Tag Archives: chocolate

What’s Keeping Me Awake?

I have never thought much about food and sleep.  I know if I drink a caffeinated drink after noon, I will often find myself staring at the ceiling at midnight going, “Why did I do that?” But, did you know that food  too can affect your sleep?  At a time in my life when sleep seems more elusive and yet more important all at the same time, I decided to research what food can keep you awake. Other than the obvious coffee, you should also avoid chocolate.  I know, that is a terrible thing to say, but chocolate, especially dark … Continue reading →

Addicting Desserts

I love Anderson Cooper as much as he loves Crack Pie. The incredibly decadent dessert made famous by Mr. 360 himself during a recent guest stint on Regis and Kelly, and sold at Momofuku Milk Bar in New York City, is supposedly to die for. The way Cooper describes his obsession for the rich dessert is the way I wish he would wax poetic about his adoration for moi. Unfortunately, the cable news hunk is just not that into me… or my gender. Fortunately, I have my own to die for desserts to drown my sorrows in. They may not … Continue reading →

Christmas Candy Desserts

I just threw out a huge bag of leftover Halloween candy. It’s out with the old and in with the new. My daughter just received two Christmas gifts bags filled with chocolate, so I figured I better pitch her Halloween treats in order to make room for the next round of holiday goodies. I hate to waste food, which is why I waited so long to throw out the Halloween candy. But it had to be done. Still, some good came of it. The candy pitching served as incentive for me to dig out some of my family’s favorite candy … Continue reading →

Sweet Treats for Christmas Gifts

Nut Caramels Ingredients 4 ounces margarine 8 ounces brown sugar 1 can condensed milk 2 tablespoons golden syrup 1 teaspoon vanilla essence 1 cup walnut pieces Method Melt butter in a saucepan. Add brown sugar, milk and golden syrup. Stir constantly till mixture leave the sides of the saucepan. Add vanilla essence and walnut pieces. Pour into a greased and flowered tin. Mark into squares. When cold cut and wrap in cellophane and you have a simple home made gift for friends or neighbors. Chocolate Nut Fudgies Ingredients 8 ounces raw sugar 2 tablespoons chocolate or cocoa Half cup milk … Continue reading →

Cheap and Easy Chocolate Christmas Treats

To me, chocolate is as an essential part of Christmas as evergreens, stockings and St. Nick. I view the sweet treat as the gift that keeps on giving, which is why I try to incorporate it into as many holiday desserts as possible. The following chocolate recipes are simple, inexpensive, and more importantly, great to share. If you are looking for a delectable dish to contribute to a holiday party you are searching for homemade gifts to give to friends and family members, these recipes will do in a pinch: REINDEER SNACKS Ingredients: 12-ounce box Crispix cereal 1/2 cup butter … Continue reading →

Preventing White Chocolate from Seizing

Yesterday, it was late at night. The kids should have been in bed, but weren’t. They have been too excited with all of the preparations for Thanksgiving and christmas happening in our house, church and community. I started making “celebration sticks,” which is basically pretzel rods covered with chocolate and some delicious or colorful toppings. This was a request from my daughter, who just turned five. She wanted to make sure that these were available for the Thanksgiving table. Ah a girl after my own heart, making sure that the sweets have a place. Anyway, as I was melting the … Continue reading →

A Sweet Treat and a Hint for the Gluten Free

When visitors are around, it’s good to have a sweet treats that don’t take a long time to make. This one will only take about 15 minute preparation time, though it does take 30 minutes to cook Caramel Ginger Slice (Yes, it is gluten free!) Ingredients 1 and a half cups gluten free flour Half teaspoon G F baking powder 4 ounces margarine Another 2 ounces of margarine Half cup brown sugar Half cup maple syrup 2 teaspoons ground ginger Half teaspoon mixed spice 1 can 99% fat free condensed milk 500 grams dark cooking chocolate, melted Preheat oven to … Continue reading →

Gluten Free Double Choc Cookies

For all you chocolate lovers, I’m going to share with you one of my daughter’s favorite recipes for gluten free cookies. She uses it all the time. If you’re a chocolate fan, you will love these. They are very more-ish. Whenever she makes them, people rave over these cookies. Warning – they are very rich. This recipe will make about 20-25 depending on the size of your cookie. But I’d suggest you make at least double that as people love them. You could also put one batch away in the freezer if you manage to keep them out of eager … Continue reading →

Chocolate Easter Desserts

Chocolate and Easter go hand-in-hand, so instead of trying to avoid the inevitable you might as well join in the sugar rush. The following simple chocolate desserts are perfect for an Easter potluck: TRIPLE CHOCOLATE BUNDT CAKE Ingredients for Cake: 1 box devils food cake mix 1 small box instant chocolate pudding mix 2 tablespoons espresso powder 1 cup sour cream, room temperature 3/4 cup vegetable oil 1/2 cup water 4 large eggs, room temperature 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips Ingredients for Glaze: 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate baking squares 6 ounces butter 2 tablespoons light corn syrup Directions: Preheat oven … Continue reading →

Homemade Chocolate Treats for Easter

You can’t have Easter without chocolate, right? Eggs and chocolate, they are the most popular staples of the spring holiday, though if you have children the former tends to last longer than the latter. Given how well received chocolate is this time of year, I have listed some of my family’s favorite chocolate treats. They are ideal desserts to take along to an Easter potluck or to create with your kids while they are home on spring break. EASY CHOCOLATE MOUSSE Ingredients: 1/2 cup sugar 1/4 cup water 6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, chopped 2 eggs 2 cups heavy cream Directions: … Continue reading →