The Best Chocolate Pudding

From: Mel's Kitchen Cafe

YIELD:  4 CUPS OF PUDDING

PREP TIME:  8 MINUTES

COOK TIME:  10 MINUTES

ADDITIONAL TIME:  4 HOURS

TOTAL TIME:  4 HOURS 18 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS

•  1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
•  3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder (Dutch-process or regular)
•  3 tablespoons cornstarch
•  1/4 teaspoon salt
•  2 3/4 cups whole milk
•  1/4 cup heavy cream
•  1 cup milk chocolate chips (or 6 ounces bar milk chocolate chopped)
•  1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a large saucepan, combine the brown sugar, cocoa, cornstarch and salt, whisking lightly. Whisk in the milk and cream to the sugar mixture until it is smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips and bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat, whisking or stirring occasionally. Once the mixture is at a simmer, reduce the heat to medium-low and cook, whisking constantly, until the mixture is thickened and large bubbles pop at the surface, 2 to 3 minutes. Take the pot off the heat and stir in the vanilla.
2. Transfer the pudding to a large bowl and cover with plastic wrap, pressing the plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the pudding to avoid a skin starting to form. Refrigerate the pudding until it is completely cool, at least 4 hours but up to 3 days, if it is stored in an airtight container. Serve with a dollop of whipped cream...or not.

Cocoa Bean Dip

Strain and rinse well one16 oz can black beans.  Blend until smooth with 1 T water, 1/3 C honey, 1/2 tsp vanilla, 1/4 tsp salt, 1/4 C cocoa powder and 2 tsp coconut oil (optional).

Serve with crackers, pretzels, strawberries, bananas or apples slices for dipping.

Note:  First introduced by Kierstin from The Friend magazine.

Oatmeal Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Bars

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup rolled oats
• 1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) butter, softened
• 1/3 cup peanut butter, creamy or crunchy
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup lightly packed light brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg yolk
• 1 cup peanut butter chips
• 1 cup chocolate chips, semisweet, bittersweet or milk

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease a 9X13-inch baking pan and set aside.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking soda, salt and oats.
3. In a large bowl (or in the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment), cream together the butter, peanut butter, granulated and brown sugars until light and well-mixed, 2-3 minutes. Mix in the vanilla, egg and egg yolk until combined.
4. Stir in the dry ingredients, chocolate chips and peanut butter chips and mix until combined.
5. Press the batter into the prepared pan. Bake for 18-20 minutes until lightly browned on the edges. Don't overbake or the bars will be dry! Remove the pan to a cooling rack and let the bars cool in the pan before cutting into squares.

Note:  I love these cookie bars.  I used 1 cup of the mini reese's pieces instead of the peanut butter chips just because I already had them.  

Monster Cookie Bars

Ingredients

• 2 large eggs
• 2/3 cup granulated sugar (5 ounces)
• 2/3 cup packed light brown sugar (5 ounces)
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter (9 ounces)
• 1/3 cup butter (5 1/3 tablespoons) softened to room temperature
• 1 1/2 cups (9 ounces) chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 3 cups quick oats (12 ounces)
• 1 cup M&M's (7 ounces)

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 9X13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.
2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the eggs and sugars. Mix well. Add the salt, vanilla, peanut butter and butter. Mix until creamy and well combined. Stir in the chocolate chips, baking soda and oatmeal. Mix well.
3. Spread the batter into the prepared pan and press lightly into an even layer. Sprinkle the M&M's evenly across the top and gently press them into the dough.
4. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the edges are golden and set. Let the bars cool completely in the pan. For a cleaner cut, refrigerate the bars before slicing and serving.

Note:  I made these for the Ogden Temple Rededication celebration that we had at Mom and Dad's in Brigham City.  When I was making them it did throw me off for a bit because there is no flour in the recipe.  They are really good!  I got the recipe from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

Chocolate Bundt Cake

12-15 ServingsPrep: 10 min. Bake: 55 min. + cooling

Ingredients

• 1 package chocolate cake mix (regular size)
• 1 package (3.9 ounces) instant chocolate pudding mix
• 3 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1-3/4 cups milk
• 2 eggs
• 2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
• Confectioners' sugar

Directions

• In a large bowl, combine the cake and pudding mixes, cocoa, milk and
• eggs. Beat on low speed for 30 seconds. Beat on medium for 2
• minutes. Stir in chocolate chips.
• Pour into a greased and floured 10-in. fluted tube pan. Bake at
• 350° for 55-60 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the
• center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes; remove from pan to a
• wire rack to cool completely. Dust with confectioners' sugar if
• desired. Yield: 12-15 servings.

Terrific Truffles

18 oz. package of oreos
8 oz cream cheese softened
Dipping chocolate (candy coating chocolate)

1. Crush oreos in a food processor or by hand with a rolling pin in a ziplock bag.

2. Using a fork, and then I just used my hands, mix the oreo crumbs with the cream cheese in a large mixing bowl.

3. Roll mixture into 1 inch balls, and put on a baking sheet.  Put in the freezer for 2 hours.

4. Put dipping chocolate (the candy coating kind in the baking section) in a microwave safe bowl.  Heat until chocolate is melted.

5. Use a toothpick to dip the frozen balls in the melted chocolate. Place on wax paper to harden. Store truffles in an air tight container in the fridge.

Double Chocolate Muffins

printed from melskitchencafe.com

*Note: This recipe makes more than 24 muffins. Because I only have two regular-sized muffins pans and was impatient, I made the rest of the batter into 16 mini muffins. You could easily make all regular-sized muffins if you want. Also, I had some all-natural plum juice in the refrigerator and subbed that in for the water. The taste was unnoticeable but was a little boost in fruit and fiber. I think the water would work just as well, but if you have plum juice just sitting around, throw it in!

*Makes 24 regular sized muffins and 16 mini-muffins

Maria's note: I made about 29 regular sized muffins. We all really liked these muffins--not too sweet--definitely more on the dark chocolate side of chocolate.

INGREDIENTS:
2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 cups sugar
3/4 cup baking cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 eggs
1 cup light or regular sour cream
1/2 cup water or plum juice
1/2 cup lowfat milk
1/2 cup canola or vegetable oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F.

In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, chocolate chips and salt. Toss to combine. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sour cream, water (or juice), milk, oil and vanilla. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and stir in the wet mixture, stirring just until moistened (a few dry streaks and lumps are fine).

Line muffins cups with paper liners and fill the cups 1/2 to 2/3 full. Bake for 16-18 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center of a muffin comes out clean. Remove the muffins to a wire rack to let cool completely.

Chewy Brownie Cookies

I found this recipes on allrecipes.com. They were a really good mix between a brownie (which I happen to love) and a cookie. I want to make them again very soon.

Ingredients:

2/3 cup shortening
1 1/2 cups packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon water
1 Tablespoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup baking cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup chopped walnuts or pecans (optional)

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
2. Combine flour, cocoa, salt and baking soda; set aside.
3. In a large mixing bowl cream shortening, sugar, water and vanilla. Beat in eggs.
4. Add dry ingredients to creamed mixture and beat just until blended. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts, if desired.
5. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls 2 inches apart on un-greased baking sheets. Bake for 7-9 minutes; DO NOT OVER BAKE. Cool 2 minutes before removing to wire racks.

Upside Down German Chocolate Cake

1 package chocolate cake mix
1 1/2 C flaked coconut
1 1/2 C chopped pecans
1 package (8oz) cream cheese, softened
1/2 C butter or margarine, melted
1 pound powdered sugar (3 1/2 to 4 cups)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and flour 9X13 pan.

Spread coconut evenly in bottom of pan. Sprinkle with pecans.

Prepare cake mix following package directions for original recipe. Pour over coconut and pecans.

Combine cream cheese and melted butter in medium bowl. Beat at low speed with electric mixer until creamy. Add powdered sugar; beat until blended and smooth. Drop by spoonfuls evenly over cake batter.

Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick inserted halfway to bottom of cake comes out clean. Cool completely. To serve, cut into individual pieces, turn upside down on plates and enjoy!

Buckeyes

1 1/2 cups peanut butter
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
6 cups powdered sugar
almond bark

1. Mix first four ingredients. Form into small balls. Chill until easy to work with.
2. Melt the almond bark. Dip the peanut butter balls into the chocolate, leaving a small circle at the top uncovered.
3. Let them sit until chocolate has set.

Homemade Hot Cocoa

3-4 candy canes crushed
1 Cup powdered sugar (sifted)
1 Cup powdered nondairy coffee creamer
1/4 Cup unsweetened cocoa

Combine all ingredients and store in an airtight container. To serve add 1/4 cup of cocoa mix to 3/4 cup boiling water.

Turtles

½ pound soft caramels
2 T heavy cream
1 pound pecan halves
1 large bag MILK CHOCOLATE chips

Unwrap caramels and heat over hot water (I use two sauce pans), add heavy cream. Cover cookie sheets with wax paper and arrange pecans in groups of threes. Drip caramel over pecans and put in freezer to harden. Melt chocolate over hot water and coat one side refrigerate, repeat on the bottom. Store in the fridge or freezer until ready to eat.

BYU Mint Brownies

Sugar-n-Spice, Cougareat Food Court
MAKES ONE 9-BY-13 PAN OF BROWNIES.
PREP AND COOK: 90 min. COOL: 1 hr.

1 c. margarine (***I always use butter!)
1/2 c. cocoa
2 Tbsp. honey
4 eggs
2 c. sugar
1 3/4 c. flour (***I always throw in a full 2 cups of flour)
1/2 Tbsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. chopped walnuts
12 oz. chocolate icing (Use your own icing recipe or purchase some chocolate frosting. You can also search the Internet for chocolate icing recipes.)

MINT ICING
5 Tbsp. margarine
dash of salt
3 Tbsp. milk
1 Tbsp. light corn syrup
2 1/3 c. powdered sugar
1/2 tsp. mint extract
1-2 drops green food coloring

1. Melt margarine and mix in cocoa. Allow to cool. Add honey, eggs, sugar, flour, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Add nuts. Pour batter into a greased 9-by-13 baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. Cool.

2. Prepare mint icing: Soften margarine. Add salt, corn syrup, and powdered sugar. Beat until smooth and fluffy. Add mint extract and food coloring. Mix. Add milk gradually until the consistency is a little thinner than cake frosting.

3. Spread mint icing over brownies. Place brownies in the freezer for a short time to stiffen the icing. Remove from the freezer and carefully add a layer of chocolate icing.

Coconut Chocolate Pie

1/2 C sugar
1/3 C cornstarch
1/4 C baking cocoa
1/4 tsp salt
1 1/2 C milk
16 miniature Almond Joy candy bars, chopped
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 pastry shell (9 inches), baked
Whipped cream

In a large saucepan, combine the sugar, cornstarch, cocoa and salt. Stir in milk until smooth. Bring to a boil over medium heat; cook and stir for 2 minutes or until thickened (mixture will thicken quickly). Remove from the heat.

Add chopped candy bars and vanilla; stir until chocolate is melted. Pour into pastry shell. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Slice and serve with whipped cream. I went ahead and put a layer of whipped cream over the entire pie.

Chewy Chocolate Brownies

3/4 C flour
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 C butter
3 ounces unsweetened chocolate baking bar
1 C sugar
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla
3/4 C chopped nuts, optional

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In small bowl, combine flour and salt; set aside. In small saucepan, combine butter and unsweetened chocolate baking bar. Cook over low heat, stirring constantly until chocolate is melted and mixture is smooth. Remove from heat; cool to room temperature. In large bowl, combine sugar, eggs, and vanilla extract; beat well. Stir in chocolate mixture. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in nuts. Pour into greased 8 inch square baking pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely. Cut into squares. Makes: 16 brownies

Cherise gave me this recipe.

Caramel Fudge Cheesecake

1 package fudge brownie mix (8 inch square pan size)
1 package (14 oz) caramels
1/4 C evaporated milk
1 1/4 C coarsely chopped pecans
2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened
1/2 C sugar
2 eggs
2 squares (1 ounce each) semisweet chocolate, melted
2 squares (1 oz each) unsweetened chocolate, melted

Prepare brownie batter according to the package directions. Spread into a greased 9 inch spring-form pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Cool for 10 minutes on a wire rack. Meanwhile, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt caramels with milk. Pour over brownie crust; sprinkle with pecans. In a mixing bowl, combine the cream cheese and sugar; mix well. Add eggs, beating on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted chocolate. Pour over pecans. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until the center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool completely. Chill overnight. Remove sides of pan before serving. Store leftovers in the refrigerator.

I made this for the first time on Mother's Day 2008. It turned out really well, and was not as difficult as I feared. It was very rich and yummy, but you definitely need to like chocolate!