Mexican Hot Chocolate

(source)

Oh my word, this was amazing!  John requested it for his birthday meal so I searched online for a unique hot chocolate recipe, and this one is just perfect.  Plus, what is fall without some hot chocolate?  (We had friends over and I made this x 9)

{What you need}

3 Tbsp instant hot chocolate mix

1 Tbsp chocolate syrup

1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1 pinch chili powder

1/4 cup milk

3/4 cup water

Add all ingredients to a pot, whisk until blended, and heat to a simmer, or until it gets as hot as you like.

original recipe here

The Best Brownies

{source}

I don't think I'll ever use a box recipe again!  These are incredible and completely not complicated.  

{What you need}

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup flour

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon baking powder

{frosting}

3 tablespoons butter, softened

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tablespoon honey

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan.  In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter.  Remove from heat and add the vanilla.  In a separate bowl {I use my mixer} sift together cocoa, flour, sugar, salt, and powder.  Mix in eggs.  Add butter mixture and mix until all incorporated.  Pour into pan and bake for 25-30 minutes.

For frosting, combine all ingredients and mix well.  Frost brownies while they are still warm.

(compliments of Angie from allrecipes.com)

Chocolate Lava Dessert

source

I kind of just had to throw this together because I was running out of time before I had to leave for work, and I wanted this ready to throw in the oven when I got home so it would be ready to go after our Valentine's Day dinner.  Consequently, I kind of had to improvise.  I was a little nervous how it would turn out, but when John and I had the first bite, we were SHOCKED at how delicious it was.  John's words: "This is the...best...chocolate...dessert...I have ever...had."  So here is my twist on this recipe form The Sister's Cafe.

{What you need}

2 2/3 cups (19 oz.) semisweet chocolate chips

1 cup butter

1 cup half and half

1 cup sugar

8 eggs

2 Tablespoons vanilla extract (yes, Tablespoons)

Spray an 8x8 casserole dish with Pam.  In a saucepan, combine chocolate, butter, cream, and sugar.  Cook over low heat until chocolate is melted, stirring occasionally.  Remove from heat and stir until smooth.  Pour into a large mixing bowl; cool.  In another mixing bowl, beat eggs on high for 3 minutes or until fluffy.  Beat into chocolate mixture, a third at a time, until blended.  Stir in vanilla.  Pour into prepared pan, place on a baking sheet.  Bake at 350 for 45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out with moist crumbs (top may crack).  Let it sit for about twenty minutes, ladle out a serving on a plate or bowl (will be a thick "lava" under the top cake layer.  And it won't really have a ton of form once you serve it up.).  Serve with strawberries and whipped cream.  Die happy.  Is also delicious cold.  It tastes like a super thick brownie batter.  Wowzers.

Chocolate Lover's Favorite Cake and WINNER!

source

Whenever someone in our family has a birthday they get to pick a cake for me to make them for our wee family party.  My darling sister Ellie is pregnant and is craving all things chocolate, so this was her choice.  She was NOT disappointed.  None of us were.  When they say Chocolate Lover's Favorite, they ain't lyin!!  This is, by far, the best chocolate cake known to man.  And it's so easy to make!!

{What you need}

1 package devil's food cake mix

1 (3.9 oz) package instant chocolate pudding mix

2 cups sour cream

1 cup melted butter

5 eggs

1 teaspoon almond extract

2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

{sauce}

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

   

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour a 10 inch bundt pan.  In a large bowl, stir together cake mix and pudding mix.  make a well in the center and pour in sour cream, melted butter, eggs and almond extract.  Beat on low speed until blended.  Scrape bowl and beat 4 minutes on medium speed.  Blend in chocolate chips.  Pour batter into prepared pan.  Bake for 50-55 minutes.  Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a cake plate and drizzle with frosting.  Best if served warm!

While the cake is baking, combine all frosting ingredients in a small sauce pan and heat on low, stirring constantly, until chocolate chips are melted and it is all blended.

compliments of allrecipes.com


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::::WINNER TIME::::
CONGRATULATIONS TO
JILLIAN
who wrote:
Well Jessie, I love these Sliders as well! My sister gave me this recipe a long time ago, so I was so excited to see it on your blog too! I actually don't like ham, but I made this for my husband and I and I sure did love it all put together like this. Your blog is great, and I hope all good things come to you for all you are doing! :) I am excited to make your breadsticks for my next family party. That will for sure be my favorite recipe, as soon as I make it! :)
xo- Jillian
email me at 
henrie.jessica@gmail.com
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