Tuesday Musing #18 and #19

Okay, maybe this is cheesy (chocolatey?), but I am going to combine the last two topics -

What are a few things that you could not live without?

&

Give us your favorite chocolate recipe(s) and tell us why you love it.

Because I really can't live without a few of my favorite chocolate recipes!


First, a recipe from a collection of short stories I checked out of the library once. One of the stories mentioned a cake. Someone (I'm no sure I am remembering the story correctly) asked Ms. Wrede to supply a recipe, which after some trial and error, she did. I don't have the book anymore (that would be some library fine if I did!), but I do have the recipe and it is very good. Here's a link to a copy of her original instructions.

QUICK AFTER-BATTLE TRIPLE CHOCOLATE CAKE

1/2 c butter

1/2 c brown sugar, packed

1/2 c white sugar

2 eggs

2 t vanilla

2 T blackstrap molasses

2/3 c chocolate milk

1/3 c unsweetened cocoa

1 c flour

1/2 t salt

1 t baking soda

3/4 c chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and flour a 13" by 9" pan. In a large bowl, cream butter or margarine until fluffy. Add brown sugar and white sugar and mix thoroughly. Add eggs, vanilla and molasses, beating well after each addition. In a different bowl, stir flour, cocoa, salt, and soda together. Beat into butter mixture, alternating with milk. Beat for 1 - 2 minutes, then add choc. chips.

Pour batter into pan, bake 35 - 40 min. Cake should be flat and solid, not light and puffy. Let cool before cutting, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Next, a recipe I adapted from a candy cookbook I have.

HOT FUDGE

1/4 cup cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup whole milk, or for extra richness, cream
1/4 cup butter
1 tsp. vanilla extract

Blend cocoa and sugar, add milk (or cream) and butter. Boil until thickened. Remove from heat. Add vanilla.

Now, a recipe my college roommate gave me (thanks Karen!).

BROWNIES WITH A CRUST

1 1/4 c flour
1/4 c sugar
1/2 c butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1/4 c cocoa
1/4 c flour
1/2 t baking powder
1 egg
1 t vanilla
1 7 or 8 oz. milk chocolate bar

Mix 1 c of the flour with the sugar and margarine. Press into 13" x 9" pan and bake @ 350 F for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, mix the condensed milk, cocoa, 1/4 c flour, baking powder, egg, and vanilla.

Let crust cool in pan for 3-5 minutes while you break or cut the chocolate bar into chunks. Evenly arrange chocolate chunks on crust. Pour milk mixture over them. Return the pan to the oven for 20 min. or until center has set.

Here's a Hershey's Cocoa recipe from my childhood.

CHEWY CHOCOLATE COOKIES

1 1/4 c butter
2 c sugar
2 eggs
2 t vanilla
2 c unsifted flour
3/4 c cocoa
1t baking soda
1/2 t salt

Optional: nuts or chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugar. Add eggs and vanilla, cream well. Combine flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt. Blend dry mixture into creamed mixture.Add options

Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake at 350 degrees 8 - 9 minutes.

Yeilds: 4.5 dozens

And finally, that old standby...

NO BAKE PEANUT BUTTER OATMEAL COOKIES

1 1/2 c sugar
1/4 c cocoa
1/2 c milk
1/4 c butter
3 c rolled oats (or sub. coconut for 1/2 cup)
1/2 c peanut butter
1 t vanilla


Combine sugar, cocoa, milk and butter. Bring to boil. Remove from heat, add vanilla and peanut butter, stir until smooth. Add oats and mix well.

Cool before eating. (HA!!!)