White Chocolate Raspberry Cookies

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"Pulled from our archives, these best-loved cookies are reminiscent of thumbprints with their raspberry jam centers. White chocolate in the dough (and drizzled on top as a pretty finish) gives the cookie a rich creamy flavor and ethereal appearance designed for Christmas or Valentine's Day parties. To transport these sweets, place them in a container in a single layer to keep the tops picture perfect and smudge-free."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Raspberry and white chocolate sounds awesome!

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens recipe page.

Coconut Macaroons

Photo source:  Glorious Treats

"These Coconut Macaroons are a deliciously simple treat that combines the sweetness of coconut with a chewy, golden exterior and a touch of dark chocolate. Perfect for when you're craving something sweet but want it to be easy to make!"  Comment from Glorious Treats

They look so perfect and delicious!

Click here to go the Glorious Treats recipe page.

Earthquake Cake

 

Photo source:  Simply Recipes

"I love a no-fuss dessert, and this one-bowl chocolate cake has a cream cheese frosting-like filling baked right into the top of the cake. You can assemble it all at once in a trusty 9x13 and pop the pan in the oven. The cream cheese filling bubbles up to create little cracks and pockets of flavor all over the cake, giving earthquake cake its name. Once the cake has baked, it won’t be long before it’s cool enough to slice right into to serve. 

Each bite is well-balanced with a variety of flavors and textures without being overly sweet. It has a flavor profile similar to a German chocolate cake, but with a cream cheese upgrade."  Comment from Simply Recipes

All I need to see is chocolate and cream cheese and I'm ready to try it.  This cake looks delicious, is a quick and easy one bowl recipe.  

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.

Mini No-Bake Chocolate Cheesecakes

 

Photo source:  Bake or Break

"If you’re looking for an easy make-ahead dessert that feels a little fancy without a lot of effort, these mini no-bake chocolate cheesecakes are a must-try. A simple Oreo crust holds a rich chocolate cheesecake filling that’s been lightened up with whipped cream for a perfectly smooth and creamy texture. They’re just right for parties, gifts, or keeping stashed in the fridge when a chocolate craving hits."  Comment from Bake or Break

Cute little cheesecakes!!  WOW it would be difficult to not eat a whole plate of those . . . "just one more."

Click here to go to the Bake or Break recipe page.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

 

Photo source:  Crazy For Crust

"Homemade Chocolate Covered Strawberries are a favorite in our house.  The recipe for how to make these is so simple, but it’s good to have a few tricks up your sleeve because working with chocolate can be finicky! With just 3 main ingredients you’ll NEVER buy chocolate strawberries again when you learn how to make them."  Comment from Crazy For Crust

I haven't made chocolate covered stawberries in years, but love them so much!

Click here to go to the Crazy For Crust recipe page.

Turtle Cake

Photo source:  Kraft

Love this recipe!  It is quick, easy and delicious.  Made easy by using a cake mix and Cool Whip.

I first found this recipe in a magazine back in the 80's, then found it on the Kraft website when I created this blog.  The website no longer lists this recipe.

This recipe was originally posted to this blog in 2011.

INGREDIENTS

1 tub (8 ounce) Cool Whip 

1 package (2-layer size) devil's food cake mix

1 package (3.9 ounce) Jello Chocolate Instant Pudding

38 Kraft Caramels

1-1/2 Tablespoons water

6 ounce (3/4 of 8 ounce package) Cream Cheese, softened

16 Vanilla Waters

16 Pecan Halves

5 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, divided

DIRECTIONS

Spoon half the Cool Whip into bowl, refrigerate to thaw.  

Return remaining Cool Whip to freezer.

Prepare cake batter and bake as directed on package for 2 9-inch round layers, adding dry pudding mix to cake mix before mixing with liquid ingredients.

Cool cakes in pans 10 minutes; invert onto wire racks.

Cool cakes completely.

While cakes are cooling, microwave caramels and water in microwaveable bowl on high 1-1/2 minutes or until smooth, stirring every 45 seconds.  Cool slightly.

Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy.

Add caramel sauce and mix well.

Blend in thawed Cool Whip.

Place 1 cake layer on plate, spread half of cream cheese mixture.

Cover with second cake layer, frost top with remaining cream cheese mixture.

Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Microwave frozen Cool Whip and 3 chocolate squares in microwaveable bowl for 3 minutes or until well blended, stirring after each minute.

Cool 10 minutes.

While cooling, melt the remaining chocolate squares as directed on package.  

Dip half of each vanilla wafer in chocolate and place on waxed paper covered baking sheet.  Top with nuts.  Refrigerate until ready to use.

Spread Cool Whip mixture onto top of cake.

Garnish with wafers.

Keep refrigerated.

Valentine's Day Recipes

 

Since I was a kid, Valentine's Day was always a special day.  The graphic reminds me of the valentines we would give each other in elementary school.  One for everyone in the class.  Special times that I'm afraid the young people of today do not experience.  I'm sad for them because there was nothing like it.

As I grew up, it because a special romantic day.  The Valentine's cards, boxes of chocolates, special dates and going to a fancy restaurant . . . that is what Valentine's Day became for me.  As an adult, it was a day to make a very special dinner and a sweet treat for my sweetie and I usually got a box of chocolate that came with lots of love.  

Chocolate is a recurring theme and I'm going to have to order myself some chocolates.

Below is a listing of Valentine's recipes I hope you will enjoy.  I will add more as I find them.  

Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day Dessert Recipes from Martha Stewart

Heart Shaped Treats from Martha Stewart

Happy Valentine's Day from Recipe Girl

DINNER IDEAS:

• ​Linguine with Bolognese Sauce​
• ​Marry Me Chicken Lasagna​
• ​Filet Mignon Elegante​
• ​Filet Mignon with Mushroom Cabernet Sauce​
• ​Beef Wellingtons​
• ​Coq au Vin​
• ​Chicken with Mustard​
• ​Lobster Bisque​
• ​Arugula Salad​
• ​A Romantic Salad​
• ​Mixed Greens Pomegranate Salad​

CHOCOLATE:

• ​Fantasy Fudge​
• ​Easy Chocolate Truffle Pie​
• ​Chocolate Valentine Surprise Loaf Cake​
• ​Double Chocolate Cake with Raspberry Filling​
• ​Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cheesecake​
• ​Nutella Heart Ravioli​
• ​Chocolate Pistachio Cut-Out Cookies​
• ​Chocolate Glazed Tart​
• ​Baileys Chocolate Mousse​
• ​Chocolate Dipped Brownies​
• ​Chocolate Truffle Cake​
• ​Chocolate Truffles​

OTHER SWEETS:

• ​Sugar Cookie Bars​
• ​Heart Shaped Cake​
• ​Red Velvet Cheesecake Cake​
• ​Chocolate Heart Peanut Butter Cookies​
• ​Heart Shaped Sugar Cookies​
• ​Red Velvet Cake​
• ​Raspberry Linzer Cookies​
• ​White Chocolate Raspberry Cheesecake​
• ​Cheesecake Stuffed Red Velvet Cookies​
• ​Strawberry Cheesecake Cake​
• ​Red Velvet Cupcakes​
• ​Vanilla Apples with Sweetheart Croutes​
• ​Red Velvet Cake Trifle

Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies

 

Photo source:  Best Cookie Recipes

"Imagine sinking your teeth into a warm, gooey chocolate cookie, only to be greeted by a creamy, peanut buttery surprise. Peanut Butter Stuffed Chocolate Cookies are a decadent dream come true. The rich, chewy chocolate exterior perfectly complements the sweet, salty peanut butter center, creating a flavor explosion that will satisfy your cravings. It's like a peanut butter cup and a chocolate chip cookie had a love child!"  Comment from Rebecca of Best Cookie Recipes

Sounds like a decadent dream come true for sure.  I must try these sinfully delicious cookies.

Click here to go to the Best Cookie Recipes recipe page.

Hot Cocoa Brownie Cake

 

Photo source:  Cooking With K

"This cake is a chocolate fudge cake mix and fudge brownie mix that comes together to make the most scrumptious chocolate cake you will ever eat.  The chocolate ganache icing sends the chocolate love over the top."  Comment from Cooking With K

That is a killer combination of chocolates!  I'm going to have to make this cake.

Click here to go to the Cooking With K recipe page.

Chocolate Cobbler

 

Photo source:  Bake or Break

"Chocolate cobbler is an amazingly decadent dessert you can whip up quickly and easily. Everything goes in one pan, and the cake makes its own sauce as it bakes!"  Comment from Bake or Break

As a serious chocoholic, this recipe has me wanting to have some of this dessert right now.   I really don't need to say that this recipe looks like a winner.

Click here to go to the Bake or Break recipe page.

Devil's Food Cake

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

"A popular dessert of the early 20th century, Devil's Food Cake differs from "traditional" chocolate cake because it uses cocoa instead of melted chocolate."  Comment from Southern Living

Any type of chocolate cake is awesome.  This Devil's Food Cake sounds like I need to make it soon.  

Click here to go to the Southern Living recipe page.

Chocolate-Covered Cherry Cookies

 

Photo source:  Better Homes and Gardens

"If you love the flavors of cherry cordials, this is the chocolate cookie recipe for you. Here, a simple chocolate thumbprint cookie is topped with a maraschino cherry and thick chocolate frosting. Once baked, the cookies become moist and decadent thanks to the juicy cherries and fudge-like topping. You can use any type of maraschino cherries you like in this cookie recipe. Just be sure the cherries are pitted."  Comment from Better Homes and Gardens

Love Love Love!!  I'll make a batch just for me!

Click here to go to the Better Homes and Gardens recipe page.

Fudgy Cocoa Brownies

 

Photo source:  Simply Recipes

"To tell if these brownies are done, you want the end of the skewer or toothpick to come out a little moist, but not dripping with batter. When you take the pan out of the oven, make sure the brownies cool completely before slicing. They need time to set up, or they'll fall apart when you cut them." —Simply Recipes Editors

It seems like these brownies are much more decadent and richer than normal brownies.  Sounds delicious.

Click here to go to the Simply Recipes recipe page.

Chocolate Éclair Dessert

 

Photo source:  All Recipes

"This chocolate éclair dessert is a no-bake pudding dessert that's so quick and easy to make — everyone loves it! I always keep the ingredients on hand in case I need a quick dessert. It's best if it sits overnight before serving."  Comment from All Recipes

Love that it is quick and easy.  How can you go wrong with chocolate éclair?

Click here to go to All Recipes recipe page.

Easy Fudge Bites

 

Photo source: Martha Stewart

"These melt-in-your-mouth morsels are dainty dynamos. Making the fudge—a mix of marshmallows, chocolate, and milk—is literally a flash in a pan. Then, simply form them into balls and roll in snazzy toppings like freeze-dried raspberries, pistachios, toasted walnuts, and peppermints." - comment about fudge bites from Martha Stewart.com.

Quick and easy, perfect for gift-giving and so versatile!

Click here to go to the recipe.

Secret To Silky Smooth Melted Chocolate

 

Photo source: Simply Recipes

The recipe comes from Simply Recipes and they have this comment about melting chocolate - "The number one mistake people make when melting chocolate is giving it too much heat. Too much heat can cause chocolate to burn, and when that happens, there’s no turning back."

Click here to go to the recipe page and find out what the secret is to successfully melting chocolate according to French pastry chef and master chocolatier Jacques Torres.

Buckeyes

 

Photo source:  Mom on Timeout

This recipe comes from Trish at Mom on Timeout who says this about the recipe: "Buckeyes are the perfect no bake candy to make for the holidays! With a creamy peanut butter center and a sweet chocolate exterior, this easy buckeye recipe is a crowd favorite! Bonus – only a handful of ingredients are needed!"

I've never had a Buckeyes candy, but if it is anything like a Reese's  Peanut Butter Cup, I would love to make this and the other chocolate/peanut butter recipes I've posted.  

Click here to go the recipe.

Cashew Clusters

 

Photo source: Taste of Home

Cashews and chocolate sound perfect to me.  Perfect for homemade gift giving and your family will love them.  I've had similar candy and it was awesome.

This recipe comes from the Taste of Home.  The recipe creator says "I make this recipe for many bake sales at the local community college where I work. They are always the first to sell out."

Click here to go to the recipe.

Homemade Turtles

 

Photo source:  Southern Living

One of my favorite candies.  It is the perfect candy for special occasion gift giving.

This recipe comes from Southern Living. This is what they had to say:  

"Making candy yourself might seem intimidating, but our turtle recipe uses ingredients like sweetened condensed milk, corn syrup, and light brown sugar to make a foolproof caramel. The chewy caramel gets stirred together with crunchy toasted pecans, covered in sweet chocolate, and finished with a sprinkle of flaky salt for the perfect combination of flavors and textures. This recipe comes together relatively quickly; in under two hours, you’ll have homemade candy you can be proud of sharing with friends and family."

Click here to go to the recipe.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Candy

Photo source:  Taste of Home

 

Quick, easy and has to be delicious with chocolate and peanut butter.  Another one of those candies that can use used as a gift.

From the Recipe Creator: With only three ingredients, these chocolate-swirl treats take just moments to whip up!

This recipe comes from Taste of Home.  Click here to go to the recipe page.