Chocolate Baked Doughnuts

Doughnuts

2 cup flour

3/4 cup sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp baking powder

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp salt

3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp milk

2 egg

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 Tbsp butter, melted

Frosting:

1 Tbsp heavy cream

1 Tbsp milk

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 tsp corn syrup

1 oz bittersweet chocolate

1 oz semi sweet chocolate morsels

1 1/4 cup powdered sugar

For the donuts, mix dry ingredients in bowl. 

Beat in the eggs, milk, vanilla and butter. 

Beat until well blended.

Spray donut pan with cooking spray. 

Fill each donut cup about 3/4 full.

Fills about 8-10 donuts.

Bake donuts in 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes. 

Allow to cool slightly, remove from pan.

While cooling, make chocolate glaze. 

In small saucepan on medium low heat, mix together the cream, milk, butter, vanilla and corn syrup. 

When butter is completely melted, turn heat to low and add in the chocolate.

Remove from heat and whisk in the powdered sugar.

Dip each donut into the glaze, allow to cool. (optional- sprinkle with toppings). 

Allow chocolate to set (about 15 minutes).

Happy Cooking!

Nutella Meringues

3 large egg whites, at room temperature
a pinch of cream of tartar
a pinch of salt
1/2 cup + 1 tablespoon, granulated sugar
1/4 cup Nutella

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. 

Make sure you have one oven rack in the bottom third of your oven and one in the upper third of your oven.

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper and set aside.

Set up a double boiler (a pot with another pot on top or a heat-proof bowl on top) and put the Nutella in the top of the double boiler. 

Warm the Nutella through and then set aside while you make the meringue. (You could warm the Nutella in a microwave but I don’t own one so you’re on your own if you do use one.) 

Let the Nutella cool as you make the meringue.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with the whisk attachment, place the egg whites. Beat on medium-high speed until they are completely foamy.

Add the cream of tartar and the salt and continue whipping at medium-high speed until when you lift the whisk attachment, soft peaks form. 

This should take a few minutes.

Once you have reached the soft peak stage, increase the speed to high and begin adding the sugar a few spoonfuls at a time (this should take a few minutes).

Once all the sugar is in, the meringue should be very thick (almost stiff) and when you left the whisk firm peaks should remain.

Remove the bowl from the mixer and drop in all the Nutella. 

With a rubber spatula, gently fold the Nutella into the meringue three or four times. 

You’re aiming for a swirled effect so don’t overmix. This will also help avoid deflating the meringue.

Using two spoons, drop the meringue onto the parchment-lined baking sheets in large dollops.

Place in the oven for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, immediately lower the heat to 200 degrees F. and rotate the trays. Bake for an hour.

After an hour, check the meringues. 

If they are completely dried out then turn the oven off and leave the meringues in the oven for a few hours to cool with the oven. 

If the meringues still look a bit “wet”, then continue baking for another 20 minutes or so.

Either way, once fully baked, turn off the oven and leave the meringues in there for a few hours.

When you remove the meringues from the oven they should be completely dry and cool and will sound hollow when you tap the bottoms.

The meringues will keep in an airtight container for a week.

Happy Cooking!

Party Ideas

Here are some ideas for serving your party foods for your next gathering!

Use glass cookie jars to serve your dishes like salad and fruit.

Lemonade and Water looks so appealing

Anyone want milk and cookies?

Cinnamon Bun Popcorn

12 C popped popcorn (about 1/2 C kernels)

1 C pecan halves, roughly chopped

1 C brown sugar

3/4 t cinnamon

1/4 C karo syrup (or honey makes a good substitution)

1 stick real butter (1/2 C)

1t vanilla

1/2 t baking soda

3 squares almond bark (about 4 oz)

Preheat oven to 250 degrees

Place popcorn and chopped pecans in a large bowl and set aside.

Combine brown sugar and cinnamon in a 2 liter capacity microwave safe bowl. Mix well. Chop butter into chunks and place on top of sugar mixture. Pour corn syrup over the top of everything. Microwave on high for 30 seconds and then stir to combine. Return to microwave and heat for 2 minutes. Remove and stir and then microwave for 2 minutes more.

Remove from microwave and add in vanilla and baking soda. Stir to combine. Mixture will foam and rise. Pour caramel mixture over popcorn and pecans and stir very well so everything is well coated.

Spread popcorn mixture onto a foil-lined jelly roll pan. Place in oven and bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes.

Remove from oven and spread out on a large piece of parchment, waxed paper, or foil.

Melt almond bark according to package instructions. Drizzle over popcorn mixture. When almond bark is hardened and popcorn is cool, break into chunks and enjoy!

Happy Cooking!

Homemade Oatmeal Cream Pie

Cookie Recipe:

1 cup margarine (NOT butter) OR butter flavored Crisco

3/4 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1 Tbsp molasses

1 tsp vanilla extract

2 eggs

1½ cup flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1 1/2 cup quick oats

Cream Filling:

2 tsp very hot water

1/4 tsp salt

1-1/2 (7oz) jars of Marshmallow Fluff

3/4 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp vanilla

In large bowl, beat margarine, brown sugar, granulated sugar, molasses, vanilla and eggs.

Add flour, salt, baking soda and cinnamon.

Mix in the oats. 

Drop by ONE tablespoon onto a parchment lined cookie sheet. 

Bake 8-10 minutes in a 350 degree oven, until just starting to brown around the edges. 

After cookies have cooled, combine hot water with salt and mix until salt is dissolved. 

In large bowl, beat marshmallow fluff with Crisco, powdered sugar and vanilla. 

Beat on high until fluffy. 

Add in salt water and mix until well combined. 

Spread filling on one cookie and press second cookie on top. 

Be careful not to eat them all in one sitting!  They are soooo good!

Happy Cooking!

Rolo Cookies

1 pkg. Rolo's
1 box Devils Food Cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 c. oil

Mix cake mix, oil, and eggs. 

Take a small ball of dough and form a ball around the rolo. (Only use enough dough to cover the rolo so it can spread through the cookie.)

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 350 for 7-8 minutes. 

Yields about 3 dozen.

Happy Cooking!

Cheesesteak Eggrolls

Canola oil, for frying

2 eggs

2 tablespoons milk

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 small red onion, thinly sliced

1 small red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 small green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 pound roast beef, thinly sliced

16 ounces pepper jack cheese, shredded

8 egg roll skins

Preheat oil to 350 degrees F in medium saucepan. 

Fill with enough oil that egg rolls will not rest on the bottom of pan. 

Mix egg and milk together, in a small bowl, for egg wash.

In medium saute pan over medium heat add olive oil, onion, and peppers. 

Sweat vegetables until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. 

Add roast beef and saute until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes more.

Add cheese and mix thoroughly, until cheese begins to melt. 

Remove from heat, strain in a fine mesh sieve to remove excess moisture, and let cool. 

Divide cooled mixture into 8 equal parts. 

Place mixture in center of each egg roll skin. 

Fold in side corners and roll, sealing edges with egg wash.

Submerge egg rolls in oil and fry, making sure the rolls do not touch the sides or the bottom of the pan. 

Fry in batches, to avoid over-crowding. until golden brown. 

Remove egg rolls to paper towels to blot excess oil. 

Cut egg rolls on bias, place on a serving platter and serve hot

Happy Cooking!

Homemade Butterfingers

1 lb. candy corn
16oz jar peanut butter (I used Peter Pan Honey Roasted peanut butter)
16oz pkg. chocolate candy coating

Melt candy corn in microwave on high 1 minute.

Stir and continue cooking in 15-second intervals til melted, stirring after each interval.

Stir in peanut butter. 

Spread mixture in an 8x8 pan lined with parchment. 

Cool completely.

Cut into squares. 

Dip in melted chocolate candy coating. 

Lay on waxed paper to set.

Happy Cooking!

Taco Pizza

Prepared pizza crust

corn meal

2 lb ground beef

2 pkg taco seasoning mix

½ cup water

1 can (4oz) chopped green chilies

3 cup shredded colby jack cheese, divided

lettuce

tomato

Prepare pizza dough according to package .

Press dough into a large cookie sheet (sprinkled with corn meal) or jelly roll pan, with sides, with extra dough on the edges.

When pizza pan is prepped with dough, poke fork in dough all over.

Bake in a 425 degree oven for 10 minutes. (dough will not be completely cooked yet).

While dough is baking, brown beef completely then drain.

Add taco seasoning and water and let simmer 5-10 minutes.

Drain again.

Top dough with drained ground beef, chopped green chilies and 2 cups of the shredded cheese.

Bake an additional 10-15 minutes (until crust is golden brown).

Remove from oven, cut into squares before adding toppings.

Then top with lettuce, tomato, and remaining cheese 

Happy Cooking!

Pepperoni Pizza Monkey Bread

2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced

4 Tbsp butter

2 lbs pizza dough 

6 oz mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes (you'll need ~48 pieces)

48 slices of Turkey pepperoni (from 1 package)

2-3 cups marinara sauce, warmed, for serving

Heat garlic and butter over medium heat just until the garlic begins to brown.

Remove from heat and let sit.

Lightly brush the inside of a bundt pan (or other oven-safe dish) with garlic butter.

Pull off large marble-sized balls of dough and flatten (~2/3 of an ounce, a kitchen scale makes this very easy). 

Top with a slice of pepperoni and a cube of mozzarella.

Wrap the dough around the pepperoni and cheese, pinching well to seal.

Very lightly brush the pizza ball with garlic butter and place into the bundt pan.

Repeat until all of the dough is used.

Cover and let sit for 30 minutes, while preheating the oven to 400.

Bake for ~35 minutes, until the top is very brown.

Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes.

Turn out onto a platter and serve with warmed marinara sauce for dipping.

Happy Cooking!

Diet Coke Brownies

This is too good to be true!

1 box fudge brownie mix 

1 (12 oz.) can Diet Coke

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl dump the brownie mix in.  

Open that can of Diet Coke (try not to drink any of it), and slowly pour over the dry brownie mix. 

It will foam up a lot. You may have to stir the mix a few times.

When all of the Diet Coke has been stirred in and well incorporated the batter will be very liquid, but that's OK.

Pour into a 9 x 13 pan which has been lightly coated with non-stick spray (bottom of the pan only),and bake for 30-35 minutes or as directed on the box.

I found though that I had to increase the baking time by about 7 minutes in order to have a toothpick inserted in the center come out clean.

Let them cool, cut them into 24 pieces and try not to eat the entire pan before the family gets home!

Happy Cooking!

Reese's Krispies

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Corn Syrup

1 1/3 Cup Creamy Peanut Butter

4 1/4 Cup Rice Krispies

1 Pinch of Salt

4 Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, chopped (we use 6)

1 Handful Chocolate Chips (we use 1/2 cup)

In a large sauce pan over medium heat, melt the sugar, corn syrup, and peanut butter until smooth and evenly combined.

Remove from heat.

Quickly add the salt and cereal and stir to combine thoroughly. 

Add the chocolate chips and stir again. 

Wait about 1 min and add the candy, quickly folding the mixture together so as to not smash up the candy.

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and drop rounded tablespoons onto the sheet. 

Let cool and devour!

Happy Cooking!

Chicken Taco Soup

1/2 onion, diced

1 green pepper, diced

16 oz jar salsa 

32 oz chicken stock

2- 11oz cans Mexicorn, drained

1 1/2 oz package taco seasoning

6 oz tomato paste

1 tsp cumin

2 lb chicken breasts

4 oz cream cheese

1/2 cup sour cream

In large crockpot, combine all ingredients except cream cheese and sour cream. 

Cook on low heat for 6-8 hours. 

Half an hour before serving, remove chicken, shred it, and return to pot.

Stir in sour cream and cream cheese.

Serve with shredded cheddar cheese, tortilla strips and guacamole. 

Happy Cooking!

Sweet and Sassy Bacon Wrapped Chicken

4 chicken breasts cut in thirds (12 pieces)

Bacon slices

salt and pepper to taste

garlic powder

chili powder

brown sugar

Cut each breast into 3 pieces, season all the chicken with the spices, then wrap a bacon slice around each piece, roll in brown sugar and place into an oven proof dish....make sure you have some olive oil in the dish too, like 2 or 3 tablespoons is fine.

Bake at 400 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes or until chicken is cooked through and bacon is nice and brown and crispy.  Delicious served with mashed potatoes with some of the gravy from the chicken drizzled on top.

Happy Cooking!

Neyami Caviar

What or who is Neyami, and what does it have to do with caviar? 

Neyami is one of my those places in my hometown of Leesburg, Georgia.  Actually it is about six miles north of Leesburg.  It is a real place, and if you are driving too fast on Hwy 19, then you will miss it.  Supposedly, it is half way between New York and Miami.  I am not too sure about that, but you can Google Neyami, Georgia.

This dish has been called redneck caviar or cowboy caviar, but I felt to change the name to something that sounded more appealing.  So in honor of one of my favorite Lee County places it has been renamed Neyami Caviar

2 cans (11 Oz. Can) Mexicorn, Drained

1 can (4 Oz. Can) Chopped Green Chiles

1 whole Bell Pepper, Chopped

3 whole Green Onions, Chopped

2 whole Jalapenos, Chopped (without Seeds)

8 ounces, weight Shredded Cheddar Cheese

1 cup Sour Cream

1 cup Mayonnaise

Chill for at least 2 hours before serving

Happy Cooking!

Chicken Bacon Pasta

1/2 pound bacon, cooked and roughly chopped
1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes (or less if you don't want the heat)
1 tsp garlic powder
1/2 pound penne pasta
1/2 cup heavy cream
1/4 cup cream cheese
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
2 whole eggs
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 grilled chicken breast, sliced (I marinated the chicken in Lawry's Garlic & Herb marinade)


Cook the pasta in boiling salted water until done (according to package instructions).

Place cream and cream cheese in a small saucepan. Heat over low until cream cheese is melted, and whisk until smooth. Remove from heat. Add the parmesan cheese, eggs, garlic powder, red pepper flakes and pepper and whisk until blended.

Drain pasta (reserving 1/2 cup of hot water) and return to pot. Immediately add the white sauce and toss to coat. The hot pasta will cook the eggs. Stir in the bacon, and add some reserved pasta water to loosen the sauce.  Top with grilled chicken.

Happy Cooking!

Amazing Grape Salad

I just love grapes!  I also love a great fruit salad.  This can be served for a dessert or a side.

Salad

2 lbs green seedless grapes
2 lbs red seedless grapes
8 ounces sour cream
8 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract, to taste

Topping

1 cup brown sugar, packed, to taste
1 cup crushed pecans, to taste

Wash and stem grapes.

Set aside.

Mix sour cream, cream cheese, white sugar and vanilla by hand until blended.

Stir grapes into mixture, and pour in large serving bowl.

For topping: Combine brown sugar, and crushed pecans.

Sprinkle over top of grapes to cover completely.

Chill overnight.

Happy Cooking!

Chicken Cordon Bleu Pasta

This is sure to be a great dish for dinner or covered dish luncheon.

1 lb. Pasta (I used penne-you could use any fun shaped pasta)
1 cup Chicken Breasts, cooked and cubed
1 cup Ham, cooked and cubed
1 1/2 cups Milk
8 oz. Cream Cheese (softened)
2 Tbsp. Dried Minced Onion
2 cups Swiss Cheese, shredded
Salt
Pepper
Cayenne Pepper
1 cup Panko Crumbs
1/2 cup Butter, melted


Bring a large pot of water to a boil over med-high heat. Salt it and add the pasta; cook until al dente (about 11 minutes-I used whole wheat pasta which takes a bit longer than regular pasta). Drain and return to the pot. Add in the chicken and ham and toss to combine.

Preheat the broiler. In a medium saucepan, combine the milk, cream cheese and minced onion over low-medium heat. Cook, stirring frequently, until it becomes a smooth texture (about 5 minutes). Stir into the pasta mixture. Stir in the Swiss cheese and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Transfer pasta to a baking dish and top with Panko crumbs. Pour melted butter over crumbs and broil until browned (I gave it 4 minutes). 

Happy Cooking!

Pumpkin Yogurt

This is a great and cool treat to remind you fall.

1 cup nonfat vanilla yogurt, strained

1 cup pumpkin puree

1 tablespoons granulated sugar

1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice

Mix everything together in a large mixing bowl until completely combined. 

Churn the mixture in an ice cream maker for a few minutes until it is a smooth, cool consistency. 

Alternatively, place the bowl in the freezer and stir mixture every half hour until it reaches desired consistency.

Happy Cooking!

Death by Chocolate Zucchini Brownies

2 large eggs

1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract 

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup smooth applesauce 

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 cup whole-wheat pastry flour (regular pastry flour works too, or use all-purpose flour)

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 

1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom

2 cups shredded zucchini (about 2 large zucchini)

1 1/2 cups dark chocolate chips 

Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, with a rack in the center of the oven.

Line an 8x8 square baking pan with parchment paper allowing the edges to drape over the pan for easy removal. 

Lightly spray the parchment with cooking spray and set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla, sugar, applesauce (or butter or oil if using), zucchini and salt until combined.

Sift the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, cinnamon and cardamom.  Add the flour mixture to the wet mixture and stir just to combine.

Add the chocolate chips and mix to incorporate.

Pour the batter into the prepared pan.  Bake the brownies at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the center is just set and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out relatively clean.

Allow the brownies to cool completely before slicing.

Happy Cooking!