Tuesday, November 9, 2010

How To Prepare A Mocha Pudding Cake


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The Mocha Pudding Cake is a big hit for kids of all ages. It's simple to prepare and the hot chocolate pudding rests under a thick blanket of moist mocha cake. Poppy-Seed cakes are also a good choice for birthdays. Lot of the birthday parties which I attended had one of the either of two types of cakes.

One of them is the chocolate-fudge cake and the other is the poppy-seed cake. I love this cake because it is unlike traditional cake recipes. The taste and texture is so unique.For total decadence, scoop it into bowls and serve drizzled with heavy cream (or milk). This mocha pudding cake is ready for picnics, potlucks and parties. Better save this recipe because you'll be asked to make it again and again.

1 cup unbleached all-purpose flour or whole grain pastry flour

1-2 cups sugar

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (fresh)

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/4 teaspoon salt

Pinch of ground cinnamon

1/2 cup organic 2% milk

1/4 cup organic canola oil

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup hot brewed coffee

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Coat a 10" deep-dish pie plate with oil spray.

In a large bowl, mix the flour, 3/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa, the baking powder, baking soda, salt, and cinnamon. Stir in the milk, oil, and vanilla (the batter will be thick).

Spread in the prepared pie plate and sprinkle with the brown sugar, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, and remaining 1/4 cup cocoa. Pour the hot coffee over top.

Bake until the cake is set on top and the pudding starts to bubble up through the cake, 30 minutes. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Use a spoon to serve.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Recipe For the Best Chocolate Cupcakes


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This chocolate cupcake recipe is so easy to make and so delicious it will satisfy all your chocolate cravings. It has a wonderfully decadent chocolate flavour and can be topped with a fluffy chocolate frosting or a chocolate ganache.

But the secret to a great chocolate cupcake is to use the best quality chocolate you can afford. Nothing else gives you that true chocolate flavour.

The ingredients you will need are as follows:


60g (2 oz) dark eating chocolate, chopped coarsely
2/3 cup water
90g (3 oz) softened butter
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
2 eggs
2/3 cup self raising flour
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1/3 cup almond meal

Preheat your oven to 170oC (325oF) and line a 12 hole muffin pan with paper cases.

The first step is to melt the chocolate. Place chocolate and water in a double boiler over simmering water and stir until chocolate is smooth. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly for 5-10 minutes.

Combine the sifted self raising flour, cocoa powder and almond meal in a small bowl.

In a small mixer bowl beat the butter, sugar and eggs with an electric mixer until the mixture is light and fluffy. Transfer to a large bowl.

Gradually stir in the sifted flour and cocoa alternately with the still warm chocolate mixture. Add chocolate mixture slowly so as not to scramble the eggs and mix until just combined.

Spoon into paper patty cases but only three quarters fill the cases. Bake in oven for about 25 minutes. Cakes are ready when they spring back slightly to the touch or when a skewer inserted in the centre comes out clean. Leave cakes in pan for about 5 minutes before transferring to a wire rack to cool.

You are now ready to ice and decorate your cakes. You can make these cupcakes extra special by decorating them with chocolate leaves and chocolate flowers. They are sure to be a hit with everyone, both young and old.

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Chocolate Fondue - Two Delicious Recipes


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Are you an old pro when it comes to making delicious desserts? Do your guests rave about your cakes and pies? The next time you have company over for dessert, why not try something different. Chocolate fondue has been in and out of fashion since the seventies and most people have tried it at least once. But if you want to try something new and exciting There are many different dessert fondues out there to satisfy just about anyone with a sweet tooth.

Recently dark chocolate has been in the news being declared as a new heart healthy food. Dark chocolate retains more flavonoids that other varieties of chocolate such as milk chocolate, white chocolate, cocoa or chocolate syrup. New research has also determined that eating a diet high in flavonoids helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Obviously this doesn't mean that you should run to the store to buy some candy bars. But it does mean that when eaten in moderation, dark chocolate can be a healthy choice as a dessert.

And whether is good for you or not, who can resist a fondue pot of hot melted chocolate just waiting for your to dip something into it. What better way to enjoy strawberries, bananas and other ripe fruits. But don't stop there. Be sure to try dunking some salty treats into the chocolate such as pretzels and potato chips. Mixing sweet and salty foods creates a unique flavor that you are sure to enjoy.

So not only is chocolate delicious, but it is now considered a heart healthy food as well. Those are some excellent reasons to add a few chocolate fondue recipes to your recipe book. Why not try one of these chocolate fondue recipes tonight?

Dark Chocolate Fondue

12 ounces Premium Dark Chocolate (chopped)
3/4 cup Whipping Cream
2 teaspoons Kahlua or other coffee liqueur (optional)

- Over low flame, heat whipping cream until warm (DO NOT BOIL)
- Slowly add the chopped dark chocolate while stirring
- Stir until the mixture becomes smooth
- Stir in liqueur

To Dip:

Strawberries, Bananas, Sliced Apple, Cubes of Pound Cake, Cubes of Angel Food Cake, Pretzel Sticks, Chunks of Pineapple, Marshmallows, Potato Chips

Mint Chocolate Fondue

1/2 cup Heavy Cream
2 tablespoons Peppermint Liqueur
8 ounces Semisweet Chocolate

- Warm the heavy cream over medium low heat
- Add liqueur
- Grate the chocolate or break into small pieces and slowly add to mixture while stirring
- Stir until the chocolate is melted

To Dip:

Candied Fruit, Pears, Peach Slices, Cubes of Pound Cake, Cubes of Angel Food Cake

Saturday, October 30, 2010

The Best Carrot Cake Recipe on Earth


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Growing up, friends and family always raved about my mom's delicious carrot cake. As a child, the idea of eating a cake made from carrots seemed a little odd, but once I got past the initial apprehension, I too found her carrot cake to be one of my favorite desserts.

Below is the exact recipe. I hope you enjoy it!

Mom's Delicious Carrot Cake Recipe

Ingredients:

(Cake)

2.0 Cups of Sugar

1.5 Cups of Vegetable Oil

2.5 Cups of Self-Rising Flour

3.0 Cups of Grated Carrots

4 Eggs

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

1 Teaspoon of Baking Soda

2 Teaspoons of Cinnamon

(Icing)

8 Ounces of Original Kraft Philadelphia Cream Cheese

1 Stick of Margarine

1 Box of Powdered Sugar

1 Teaspoon of Vanilla

1 Cup of Chopped Peacans

Instructions:

Mix the sugar and vegetable oil in a large bowl. Add the eggs and vanilla, along with self-rising flour and cinnamon. Using a Kitched Aid or other mixing device, add the baking soda and carrots and mix until the batter is uniform. Pour batter into 3 round cake pans (makes 3 layers). Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Once done, put on racks to cool.

To create the icing, combine the cream cheese, margarine, powdered sugar, and vanilla, and mix until consistent. Add the chopped peacans and stir. Apply the icing in between layers and on the top and sides of the cake once the layers have cooled.

Finally, enjoy one of the finest tasting desserts ever created!