The Ultimate Brownie

SUBMITTED BY: Carol PHOTO BY: Allrecipes

"Fudgy Brownies that are the best you have ever tried. Fattening but worth it!"

SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 2 dozen brownies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 1/2 cups unsalted butter
• 3 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 7 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 1/4 cups unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line one 9x9 inch baking pan with foil and spray with cooking spray.
2. In a saucepan over medium heat melt the butter. Stir in the sugar until dissolved. Remove mixture from heat and beat in the eggs one at a time mixing well after each addition. Stir in the vanilla.
3. Sift the flour, cocoa and salt together. Add the flour mixture to the butter mixture, mixing until combined. Stir in the walnuts. Spread the batter into the prepared pan.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 45 to 50 minutes. Do not overbake! These brownies freeze well so that you can enjoy them later.

Spider Cupcakes

"These are a huge hit with kids!"

PREP TIME	1 Hr
COOK TIME	30 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 30 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 24 cupcakes

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (18.25 ounce) package chocolate cake mix
• 1 pound black shoestring licorice
• 1 (16 ounce) can white frosting
• 48 pieces candy corn
• 48 cinnamon red hot candies
• 1/4 cup orange decorator sugar

DIRECTIONS

1. Prepare cupcakes according to package directions. Let cool completely.
2. Cut licorice into 3 inch sections. Working with one or two cupcakes at a time, so the frosting doesn't set before decorating, frost the cupcakes with the white frosting. Insert licorice pieces into the outer edges of the cupcakes to make the legs of the spider, 3 legs on each side (4 takes up too much space). Place two pieces of candy corn on the front of the cupcake for fangs and use two red hots as eyes. Sprinkle with decorator sugar. Repeat with remaining cupcakes

Outrageous Chocolate Chip Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Joan

"A great combination of chocolate chips, oatmeal, and peanut butter."

PREP TIME	15 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	25 Min

SERVINGS & SCALING

Original recipe yield: 3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 egg
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the butter, white sugar and brown sugar until smooth. Stir in the peanut butter, vanilla and egg until well blended. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; stir into the batter just until moistened. Mix in the oats and chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Drop by tablespoonfuls on to lightly greased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes in the preheated oven, until the edges start to brown. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.

Thin Mint Crackers

SUBMITTED BY: Kim
"Just like the Girl Scout cookies!"
SERVINGS & SCALING Original recipe yield: 80 cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 1 pound bittersweet chocolate
• 80 buttery round crackers
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract

DIRECTIONS

1. Using a double boiler method, melt the chocolate coatings over hot tap water for 15 - 20 minutes. Stir . Do not cook or get water into the chocolate.
2. After it is melted, stir in a couple drops of peppermint flavor into the chocolate.
3. Dip crackers into the melted chocolate and then place onto a cold cookie sheet and put into the refrigerator to set. (A freezing tray to rest the dipped cookies will keep the bottoms neat looking.)
4. In a few minutes take them out and package in candy cups. The cookies are best kept at room temperature or a cool dry place away from any odors.

Peanut Butter Temptations II

Peanut Butter Temptations II
SUBMITTED BY: Sally

"Peanut butter tarts with a chocolate covered peanut butter cup in the middle. You will need a mini muffin pan to make these."

Original recipe yield:
3 dozen

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup butter
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/2 cup peanut butter
• 1 egg
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 36 miniature chocolate covered peanut butter cups, unwrapped

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
2. In a medium bowl, cream together the brown sugar, white sugar and butter. Stir in the peanut butter, then the egg and vanilla. Sift together the flour, baking soda and salt, stir into the peanut butter mixture until the dough comes together. Shape into 1 inch balls and press them into the cups of an unprepared mini muffin pan.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven. As soon as the cookies come out of the oven, press a mini chocolate covered peanut butter cup down into the center of each cookie until only the top is showing. Allow the cookies to cool completely before removing from their pans.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 18

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 253

• Total Fat: 14g
• Cholesterol: 26mg
• Sodium: 258mg
• Total Carbs: 28.1g
• Dietary Fiber: 1.2g
• Protein: 4.7g

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 2 tablespoons instant coffee powder
• 2 teaspoons boiling water
• 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 egg
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Melt over hot (not boiling) water 1/2 cup of the chocolate morsels. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.
3. In small cup, dissolve the instant coffee in the 2 teaspoons boiling water. Set aside.
4. In small bowl, combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
5. In large bowl, combine butter, sugars, and coffee. Beat until creamy. Add egg and melted morsels. Mix well. Gradually add flour mixture. Stir in remaining 1-1/2 cups chocolate morsels and walnuts. Form into walnut-sized balls and place on ungreased cookie sheets.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 10-12 minutes. Allow to stand 2-3 minutes before removing from cookie sheets.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 24

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 225

• Total Fat: 11.5g
• Cholesterol: 20mg
• Sodium: 132mg
• Total Carbs: 28.3g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.7g
• Protein: 2.5g

Mocha Walnut Cookies

SUBMITTED BY: Carmela Sagendorf
"A mocha version of the classic chocolate chip cookie. Originally submitted to ThanksgivingRecipe.com. "
Original recipe yield:
24 - 3 inch cookies

Easy Decadent Truffles

SUBMITTED BY: Jenny MacKinnell
"Insanely easy, but oh so rich! Recipe makes a large amount but you can vary flavorings and coatings to make several different varieties."
Original recipe yield:
5 dozen

PREP TIME	1 Hr
READY IN	1 Hr

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese, softened
• 3 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
• 3 cups semisweet chocolate chips, melted
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Gradually beat in confectioners' sugar until well blended. Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla until no streaks remain. Refrigerate for about 1 hour. Shape into 1 inch balls.

Notes

Roll truffles in ground walnuts (or any ground nuts), cocoa, coconut, confectioners' sugar, candy sprinkles, etc.

To flavor truffles with liqueurs or other flavorings, omit vanilla. Divide truffle mixture into thirds. Add 1 tablespoon liqueur (almond, coffee, orange) to each mixture; mix well.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 60

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 78

• Total Fat: 3.8g
• Cholesterol: 4mg
• Sodium: 12mg
• Total Carbs: 11.7g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.5g
• Protein: 0.6g

Banana Crepes

Banana Crepes
SUBMITTED BY: Jessica Eymann
"French crepes filled with a sweet cream sauce over bananas and topped with whipped cream."
Original recipe yield:
6 servings

PREP TIME	5 Min
COOK TIME	15 Min
READY IN	20 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup milk
• 3 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 cup butter
• 1/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/4 cup half-and-half cream
• 6 bananas, halved lengthwise
• 1 1/2 cups whipped heavy cream
• 1 pinch ground cinnamon

DIRECTIONS

1. Sift flour and powdered sugar into a mixing bowl. Add eggs, milk, butter, vanilla, and salt; beat until smooth.
2. Heat a lightly greased 6 inch skillet. Add about 3 tablespoons batter. Tilt skillet so that batter spreads to almost cover the bottom of skillet. Cook until lightly browned; turn and brown the other side. Repeat process with remaining batter, grease skillet as needed.
3. Melt 1/4 cup butter in a large skillet. Stir in brown sugar, 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon and nutmeg. Stir in cream and cook until slightly thickened. Add half the bananas at a time to skillet; cook for 2 to 3 minutes, spooning sauce over them. Remove from heat.
4. Roll a crepe around each banana half and place on serving platter. Spoon sauce over crepes. Top with whipped cream and a pinch of cinnamon.

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 6

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 523

• Total Fat: 28.9g
• Cholesterol: 155mg
• Sodium: 296mg
• Total Carbs: 61.5g
• Dietary Fiber: 3.6g
• Protein: 7.9g

Rum Truffles perfect for Christmas

Rum Truffles

SUBMITTED BY: Michelle Chen
"These truffles will be soft inside despite that it feels firm on the outside. You only need to store them in a cool place, but not necessarily the fridge. Make sure you always use an airtight container! Be sure to use good quality chocolate!"

Original recipe yield:
24 truffles

PREP TIME	10 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	1 Hr 50 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 8 (1 ounce) squares bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup cream
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1/2 cup chocolate cake crumbs
• 2 teaspoons dark rum
• 1/2 cup chocolate sprinkles

DIRECTIONS

1. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper. Place chopped chocolate in a heatproof bowl.
2. In a saucepan, combine cream and butter. Place over low heat, and bring to a boil. Pour over chocolate, and stir until chocolate is melted and smooth. Stir in cake crumbs and rum. Set aside until firm, but not hard.
3. Roll heaping teaspoons of chocolate mixture into balls, then roll in the chocolate sprinkles. Place on the prepared tray. Refrigerate 30 minutes or until firm. Serve in small paper cups.

Note

I save up chocolate cake crumbs whenever I have a chance. They can be stored in the freezer. Pack the crumbs in the amount needed. A good chocolate cake makes all the difference!

NUTRITION INFORMATION

Servings Per Recipe: 24

Amount Per Serving

Calories: 98

• Total Fat: 6.2g
• Cholesterol: 8mg
• Sodium: 9mg
• Total Carbs: 9.6g
• Dietary Fiber: 0.8g
• Protein: 0.9g

Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread Men

Eileen's Spicy Gingerbread MenSUBMITTED BY: STEPH67
"Spicy gingerbread men. This is the only recipe we have ever used. For best flavor, do NOT use blackstrap molasses."
Original recipe yield:
2 1/2 dozen

PREP TIME	20 Min
COOK TIME	10 Min
READY IN	30 Min

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2 cup margarine
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup molasses
• 1 egg yolk
• 2 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground cloves
• 1 teaspoon ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

DIRECTIONS

1. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine and sugar until smooth. Stir in molasses and egg yolk. Combine the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves, ginger, and nutmeg; blend into the molasses mixture until smooth. Cover, and chill for at least one hour.
2. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough out to 1/4 inch thickness. Cut into desired shapes with cookie cutters. Place cookies 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.
3. Bake for 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, until firm. Remove from cookie sheets to cool on wire racks. Frost or decorate when cool.

4. NUTRITION INFORMATION

   Servings Per Recipe: 30

   Amount Per Serving

   Calories: 87

5. Total Fat: 3.3g
6. Cholesterol: 7mg
7. Sodium: 102mg
8. Total Carbs: 13.6g
9. Dietary Fiber: 0.3g
10. Protein: 1g