Showing posts with label Chocolate. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chocolate. Show all posts

Friday, August 30, 2013

Chocolate Oreo Cupcakes with Cookies and Cream Frosting for Back to School

It is that time of the year when kids go back to school in US. It is that time of the year you realize your kid is getting older, taking another milestone in their life. It is that time of the year when we know summer is almost over and Fall is upon us. It is that time of the year when my lil monkey goes to kindergarten. It is that time of the year when every Mother whose kids start school wonders - Where did all those five years go ?

Chocolate Oreo cupcakes 016 for blog

Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Coffee Coffee Cake With Espresso Glaze


How is the new year treating you all ? Hope all is well with everyone.

044 for blog

Monday, October 22, 2012

Triple Chocolate Espresso Brownies

Hello everyone ! Hope you are all doing great. No, I didn't quite forget about this space. Just got tied up with some personal matters. Meanwhile I have been cooking a lot, though I couldn't take a lot of pictures. But sooner or later, you will get to see more recipes from me,I promise.

photo (9)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

Chocolate Overdose Cake and 3rd Anniversary !

Collaborative Curry turns 3 this month ! I can't believe it ! I am so grateful to you all, for being with me in this wonderful journey. Things were a little different when we started this blog. The cofounder, Sunitha doesn't blog here any more.
Chocolate Overdose Cake

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Chocolate Crinkles


Hope you are all enjoying the last few days of summer. If I say I am super busy these days,it would be an understatement ! All the activities for kids,parties,some hiking etc is taking all my time, which makes me wish that we had more holidays during summer, something like a 2-3 days long weekend. Though the days are longer in summer,it's just not enough for my family ! I guess most of you will agree with me on this thought !

Chocolate Crinkles

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Butter-cream Frosting


This is exactly what I would make if I want to please each and every palate in my small family. TH likes the coffee in this whereas kiddos love the chocolate flavor in this, and I love this classic combination of chocolate and coffee,so definitely a keeper recipe for me.

Mocha Cupcakes with Espresso Frosting

Friday, February 17, 2012

Everyday Chocolate Cake


One fine Wednesday, I suddenly started craving for a chocolate cake.Without thinking much, I googled for "simple loaf chocolate cake" and yes,I was exactly looking for a not-so-calorie-rich, simple as in "one bowl", chocolate cake that I can whip up in a jiffy.I was so happy to have found this recipe ! Now I wonder why didn't I ever search for such a thing before ! If I knew, I would have made this a thousand times, well almost,by now. If you are looking for a cake that you can have without much guilt and without much fuss,this is the cake for you !

Everyday Chocolate Cake

I didn't have much time left before I took my son for his swimming class that day,and I had to hurry up with the pictures. With my lil buddy around,taking pictures is exactly like, or shall I say worse than,someone pointing a loaded gun at your back and you are asked to do something within matter of seconds.When he was smaller,he used to grab everything and sometimes eat the food ,his mom,a desperate blogger,rather than a desperate housewife,would have neatly kept,ready for the camera.

Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Red Velvet Cake Pops

Happy Valentine's day everyone ! Hope you are having a beautiful day, with your loved ones,whether you celebrate this day or not. As I have told you before, this day is like any other day for me and my DH, everyday being Valentine's day. Ok, I agree that we have our not-so-good days, just like any other sane couple in the world,but there is always love,no matter what kind of day it is.Said that, I'm going to paint this space pink today,for you all !

Red Velvet Cake Pops

We celebrate this day for the kids.They love all the goodies I make,and home-made valentines they get to share with their friends.For lil imp,this is the first Valentine's day celebration with his friends at preschool. Every year I think, I get the ready made valentines and cards for the kids to share with their friends. But, the fun of making them at home, with kids, is priceless ! So,as always,we as a team, made valentines for 5th graders and preschoolers, at home this time as well.This time we made some lovely bookmarks, with Tattoos for the boy and with chocolates for the girl,for sharing with their pals.

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Nutella Pannacotta


Did you make something special to celebrate World Nutella day? I made this beautiful pannacotta, but could not take the pictures or blog about it on that day. In fact, I wanted to post this for last year's World Nutella day ! Now you got me, I am a great procrastinator ! I made this a few times after that, but never got around to blog about it, till now. So here is a post that was supposed to be on the web on last Sunday and I hope you don't mind, since I believe, any day is Nutella day, for those who love it .

Nutella Pannacotta


Thursday, January 5, 2012

Mocha Cake With Mocha Buttercream Frosting


Happy New Year, beloved readers ! Hope you all had a wonderful New Year week end. We had a fun time with some great friends and lots of good food. The weather here is unusually hot for January in Colorado.Though I am relieved that I don't have to drive on icy roads, I'm a bit concerned about this weird weather change.

Mocha Cake


Wednesday, May 18, 2011

Chocolate Walnut Fudge

The weather is not very good for spending time outdoors, but I still managed to clean my yard yesterday. What I learned in the process - rains are not only good for plants and the lawn but also for weeds. When my finger tips start to get numb, and my back hurts, a part of me says spray the weed killer! But the other part of me says - it’s unnatural.  Even if the weed killer is organic I can’t get myself to use it.  Old habits die hard.  I have to break my back laboring away plucking out one weed at at me.  And thus continues my never ending confusion of weeding the weeds or spraying the weed killer. 


Chocolate Walnut Fudge


Now with the yard weed-free, and an aching body, you will agree that I truly deserve a treat. Then again, who will make it? Since the answer is ‘me’ I decided on a smart, easy, quick and yet delicious dessert. Extremely delicious chocolate fudge!  This can be made in 5 minutes, and you only need simple ingredients that most will have handy in their pantry.  If you haven't tried this sinfully delicious fudge yet, do it right now. One bite and you'll be hooked for ever!

Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Morsels


These are quite addictive; don't blame me for not warning you.  ;-)

Chocolate Walnut Fudge

Ingredients:

Semisweet Chocolate morsels- 2 full cups
Sweetened Condensed milk, fat-free/regular- 1 14oz can
Salt- a pinch
Pure Vanilla extract- 1 tsp
Chopped Walnuts/any nuts of your choice- 1 cup

Method:

1.  Line a baking pan that is preferably 8 by 8 inch square, with a parchment paper.
2.  Gently heat the condensed milk and chocolate chips together in a thick bottom pan on very low heat.  Continuously stir till all the chocolate is melted.
3.  Turn off the heat, add vanilla and mix in well.
4.  Throw in the chopped walnuts and fold in.
5.  Spoon out into the prepared pan and level the top with a spoon or butter knife.
6.  Let it cool for an hour, cover with cling paper and refrigerate for a couple of hours.
7.  Cut into squares and serve.  Store the left-over in the refrigerator.

Recipe adapted from: internet and Eagle brand condensed milk cover
Contributor: Namitha

Thursday, April 28, 2011

Eggless Chocolate Mousse

I have finally managed to come say hello. How have you been? Blame it on the virus cycle doing the rounds in my house! It started with my husband and I am the last victim. You know how it can be when flu starts in a family. Chaos! Someone is sick when the other is recovering. Everybody needs different kinds of food or treatment and it is mayhem. Now, I am feeling better and once my nasty throat and running rose decides to be well too things will be okay.

But then again drafts are a boon during these times. And what can be a better way to get back with you all than a chocolate treat. So here is to compensate my absence from blogger and Facebook a decadent eggless chocolate mousse:-)

Egg-less Chocolate Mousse

This is the best among all the eggless chocolate mousse I've tried !

Egg-less Chocolate Mousse


Ingredients:


Mini Marshmallows- 1 cup

Unsalted Butter- 2 Tbsp

Semisweet Chocolate baking squares- 4 ounces

Boiling Water- 3 Tbsp

Heavy cream- 1/2 cup

Pure Vanilla Extract- 1 tsp


Method:

1 1 .Chop the chocolate bars coarsely.

2.Take a thick bottomed pan and throw in the marshmallows, butter, chopped chocolate, and boiling water. Stir well to mix. On medium low heat continue stirring till everything is melted and mixed together.

3. 3.Once done, keep the pan in the freezer/refrigerator to cool while you whip the cream.

4. 4.Place a bowl, chilled in the freezer for 5 minutes or chilled in the refrigerator, in a cold water bath (water mixed with ice cubes). Whip the cream with vanilla till stiff peaks form.

5. 5. .Now fold in the whipped cream into the chilled chocolate mixture.

6. 6.Spoon out into the glasses and chill again before serving.Cover them with cling wrap before chilling.


Notes:


1T 1.This serves 2 to 3.

In 2.In step 2, be careful not to overheat.

Disclaimer: There has a been a misunderstanding about "eggless" vs "vegetarian". Nowhere in the post have I suggested that this dish is vegetarian.Marshmallows generally contain gelatin which is an animal product. But if you are looking for a vegan marshmallow, you can find it in the market.


Recipe adapted from : Nigella Lawson
Contributor: Namitha

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

Chocolate Vanilla Marble cake

Cakes are cosmopolitan. Some of the earliest references of cakes are found in ancient Roman history, making it obvious that cakes have been around for a long while. Therefore, it should not have surprised me when I saw marble cake, a regular feature from Kerala bakeries, doing the rounds in blogosphere. Where this cake originated is probably like the age old dispute of ‘What came first, the egg or the chick.’ If Someone asked where did marble cake originate, we will all probably have a different answer. But if one of you have a genuine answer I will be interested to hear from you.

Marble Cake

The universality of cakes, and how far and wide it has reached, continues to fascinate me. I mean, I can’t get over that I grew up seeing marble cakes in bakeries in Kottayam, Kerala? In fact, this fancy looking cake is the most commonly available one in bakeries back home. I remember how the marble pattern caught my attention first, and it continues to get my heart go skippy. Actually, the cakes from the bakeries are overly sweet and over-powered with vanilla flavor,but the pattern was eye-catching and I still remember them because of it. I can’t tell you how happy I am to finally be able to bake a perfect marble cake which tastes as good as it looks. Below you will find the recipe to make this cake with a blend of sugar and vanilla which is proportionate to keeping your tongue swirling around more than what your body needs.

Marble Cake


I tried different recipes from the internet before reaching the recipe I like most. One of the greatest inspirations and the best recipe I found was from Archana's blog

A little, but significant something else that I have to say about marble cake is it is quite fancy even without frosting. This is especially a blessing for a busy mom like me. For example, if I want to bake a cake for a special occasion birthday, anniversary or festival and have not enough time, I can whip up a marble cake which will hold its own to any decorated fancy- pansy cake.


Marble Cake


With Easter around the corner, you will agree it’s most appropriate to share something special with you! Have it with tea or as a dessert, but remember to say ‘gosh this pattern is so pretty!’ Well, at least for my sake.


Ingredients:

Butter- 1/2 cup(110-115grams )
Cake flour(not self rising)- 1 3/4 cup
Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
Sugar- 1 cup
Eggs- 3
Pure vanilla extract- 2 tsp
Buttermilk/Milk- 3/4 cup
Boiling water- 4 Tbsp
Dark (dutch processed) cocoa powder-1/4 cup plus 1 Tbsp


Method:

1. Preheat the oven t0 350 degree F. Grease a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan.
2. Whisk together flour, baking powder and salt.
3. Beat butter and sugar well, until it turns light and fluffy.
4. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Add vanilla extract and mix again. Scrape down the sides as needed.
6. Add flour mixture in 3 batches, alternating with milk, starting and ending with flour, and mix well after each addition.
7. Mix boiling water and cocoa powder to blend without lumps.
8. Take out 1/4 th of the batter mixture into another bowl. Mix cocoa into it.
9. Spoon both the batters alternatively making a checkerboard. Pour them in 2 layers. (Just like Archana suggested use a big spoon for the white batter and small spoon for the chocolate batter)
10. When you are done tap the pan a couple of times on the counter to get rid of the air bubbles trapped inside and to remove the space between the batters.
11. For making the marbling effect make a couple of swirls from the top of the pan to the other end.
12. Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
13. Take out the cake and cool it while still in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to cool on a wire rack.
14. This cake can be stored in an air tight container for up to 3 days at room temperature.

Contributor: Namitha


Recipe adapted from : Archana's blog and here

Monday, April 4, 2011

Chocolate Cake in a Mug- Ready in a Minute

You must be familiar with ‘chocolate-cake-in-a-mug’ having already been featured in umpteen blogs and sites. It is delicious and comes together quickly which is great!. After having baked brownies over the weekend I didn’t need any more cakes, but then India won the Cricket World Cup. It’s not everyday that this happens and you will agree that calls for celebration, right? If you have been following this blog or know me personally, you also know I am an ardent fan of cricket. I have been on cloud nine ever since Saturday when India won the World Cup after a long gap of 28 years. I don't even remember the 1983 world cup, when we last won the cup. It was considered a miracle of sorts at that time, and people even today fondly remember and narrate how Kapil Dev (then captain of the Indian team) and his army brought home the cup. Surely I need to celebrate this win.

Chocolate cake in a mug

The match played on Saturday was tough. The Sri Lankan team has seasoned players and is great on the field. The Indian cricket captain, Dhoni, and his team fought hard to win this game. And the victory was sweet.
We needed this break.

Chocolate cake in a mug
In India, cricket is more famous today than even our national game of hockey. Cricket players like Sachin are sometimes referred by people and papers as gods, even if exaggerated it shows how much the game and players are revered. An article in New York Times says cricket in India has the same effect like monsoon rains permeating into the soil. Therefore, it is no secret nor surprise that all Indians wherever they are, celebrated India's win, and I'm no exception. I had every reason to celebrate and having some more brownies left over a small, but deliciously sweet reason to celebrate this victory.

Chocolate cake in a mug

So here is chocolate goodness for TEAM INDIA ! Oh! How my heart swells with pride :)


Chocolate cake in a mug

A special thanks to all my friends on Facebook. I want to especially share this virtual treat with you for watching the match and sharing the emotions via FB.

Happy Ugadi!

Ingredients:

All purpose flour- 5 Tbsp
Granulated sugar- 5 Tbsp
Cocoa- 2 Tbsp
Salt- a pinch
Baking powder- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp
Egg- 1 large
Milk- 4 Tbsp
Vegetable oil- 4 Tbsp
Pure vanilla extract- a dash
2 microwave-safe coffee mugs

Method:

1. Mix all the dry ingredients in a coffee mug to make the cake.
2. Beat the eggs slightly in a small mixing bowl and add the rest of the wet ingredients and mix well with a fork.
3. Add in the dry mixture and mix well.
4. Pour out half of the batter into each coffee mug.
5. Microwave the coffee mugs,one at a time, half- filled with the batter, on high, for a minute. If it does not get done in a minute, keep for another 20-30 seconds. Do not overcook, you might end up with a dry cake. (I kept it for 1 minute and 20seconds)
6. Let it cool and dig in.
7. It will be wonderful if you can top with vanilla ice cream

Notes:

1.The baking powder makes it less dense and more soft when compared to the original recipe.(thanks for the idea "not quite Nigellla" !)
2.The top of the cake looks a bit gooey when you take it out from the microwave after a minute. But it will be done already and do not over cook.
3.If you living in a place which is at sea level you could add a little more baking powder.
4.The cake rises up while cooking, but when you take it out it comes down. So a tall mug/microwave safe utensil is recommended.
5.The original recipe calls for 4 Tbsp each of flour and sugar and 3 Tbsp each of oil and milk. When I made it I added the above amount by mistake and it turned out to be better than the original .(later I tried once with the original measurements too !)

Recipe adapted from here (mostly) and here
Contributor: Namitha

Saturday, April 2, 2011

Rocky Road Brownies

Today is another big day for Indian Cricket. India is playing the World cup finals for the third time in history and I wish our team all the luck. Hopefully they will bring the home the cup and if they do that will be one which we are getting after a long 28 year gap. Fingers crossed.

Rocky Road Brownies

I still remember the first time I learned the game. I was in primary school and this was the time before TV and Cable. My father ,uncle and grandfather all ardent fans would be listening to the commentaries on radio. It was fascinating, and I wondered why otherwise sober people would scream and make funny noises of exhilaration or disappointment. It was enough to pique my interest. Now my noise was in the mix asking them what is going on. They tactically explained only the major details like wicket and runs. It was enough for me then, I suppose. But after a year or so while I was visiting my cousins over summer vacation I got more information. One of my elder cousins was totally into the game and therefore everyone else in the family. Once when the game was going on my cousin needed company to go the neighbors, since only they had TV at that time. I was an easy sport at that time and accompanied her. That's when the rules of the game was cleared and my enthusiasm was fueled by my dear cousin. I had arrived in the cricket scene so to speak. What about you? I would love to hear your story of how you got into watching cricket matches.

Rocky Road Brownies


When you have a game to watch it's always nice to have snacks and goodies handy. Though I still have some aval pori/ Beaten rice snack, I decided to make some brownies as well. Also, I wanted to join Ria and the rest of the blogging world, who is participating, in an event where everyone is making finger-foods especially for cricket time. So here is a recipe for a beautiful Rocky Road Brownie. Best part is you can enjoy these even when there is not game going on.

Oh, I have to tell you this, the selection of a blue background was completely by chance. Now I realized that we all bleed blue today :-)

IMG_9130 for blog

Rocky Road Brownies


Ingredients:

Butter- 3/4 cup
Granulated sugar- 1 cup
Light brown sugar- 1 cup
Cocoa powder- 3/4 cup
Hot water- 3 Tbsp
Eggs- 2
Pure Vanilla extract- 2 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
All purpose flour- 1 1/3 cup
Baking powder- 1/4 tsp
Chopped walnuts- 2 cups
Miniature marshmallows-2 cups
Semisweet/Bittersweet Chocolate chips- 1/2 to 3/4 cup

Method:

1.Preheat oven at 350 degree F. Grease and flour a 9 by 13 inch rectangular pan.
2.In a heat proof bowl combine the cocoa powder and butter.keep it in a boiling water-bath and mix well.Or mix them and keep in the microwave in a microwave safe bowl and keep on high for half a minute to one minute or until everything is combined together.Take out in between and whisk together.
3.Add the hot water into this and mix well.
4.Mix the sugars and salt with egg in another bowl.Add vanilla extract and mix again.
5.When the cocoa mixture is cool enough add it into the sugar mixture and mix well.
6.Stir in the flour and baking powder.
7.Fold in half the nuts.
8.Pour into the prepared pan and bake until done, for about 25 minutes.
9.Take out from the oven. Sprinkle the chocolate chips and the marshmallows.
10.Meanwhile keep your oven on broil option.Keep the pan back into the oven and keep it for half a minute or until the marshmallows have puffed up and slightly browned.
11.Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Notes:

Adapted from Here and Here
Contributor: Namitha

Friday, February 11, 2011

Red Velvet Cake

So, what are your plans for Valentine's Day? Stay in and cozy up or go out and paint the town red?  Whichever, I hope this red velvet cake will bring a smile to your face.  This is a great cake with its color and rich taste which will be a surprise for your special one.

   As for me, I treat the day as any other. If that sounds cynical, blame it on my husband who does not give a hoot about Valentine’s Day.  Another festival lost to capitalism and conjured up by Hallmark is what he will say. Oh Well!  That sure doesn't mean I can't eat this cake, right?

Red Velvet Cake


But I have some good memories of this day.  More like quirky, fun-filled ones.  We had some strange happenings in our college around Feb 14th.  Some guys came up with a club called ALFA! It was a big deal those days, and this club only gave entry to young men.  As for us girls, (I don’t write young ladies by choice) we were happy giggling and gossiping.  Questions that reigned supreme in our conversations were “Who will be given Valentine’s day cards, who will get flowers, and who the hell will be proposed to.  Oh! We discussed it endlessly and sought great entertainment from it.  I know I sound antiquated but hey, it’s my life.

Red Velvet Cake

In the mean time, the men folk, especially ALFA seemed to be in a flutter on the 15th.  You ask why after the big day?

Well, ALFA stands for Aloysius Love Failure Association.  The club just grew out of proportion enough to break at its seams on this day.  We girls were too prim and proper (at least to the public eye), and gave those boys a run.  We were playing hard to get!


Those were the days! 

Red Velvet Cake

(Remember the old Will Filter Cigarette ad? The slogan read “‘made for each other, filter and tobacco perfectly matched – Taste that truly satisfies time after time.”)

Disclaimer: I do not like smoking and neither my husband nor I smoke.  This is just metaphorical, I like the ad slogan.

Should I tell you anything about the cake?  Take my word for it; it’s the best cake for the day! Red velvet and Valentine’s Day – Made for each other.

Okay! Don’t throw things at me now.  I am done talking!

Red Velvet Cake


For the cake:

Flour- 2 1/2 cups
Baking soda- 1 tsp
Eggs- 2
Sugar- 1 3/4 cups
Oil- 1 1/2 cup
Buttermilk- 1 cup
Milk- 3 Tbsp
Cocoa powder- 2 Tbsp
White vinegar- 1 Tbsp
Pure Vanilla Extract-1 tsp
Red food color- 2 oz


Cream Cheese frosting:

8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1 cup butter, room temperature
1 teaspoon vanilla
6 cups confectioners’ sugar

Method:

1.Preheat the oven at 350 degree F. Grease and flour two 9 inch pans.
2.Lightly beat the eggs.
3.Add the other wet ingredients and mix well.
4.Whisk together the dry ingredients.
5.Mix the dry ingredients into the wet ingredients by beating everything together for a couple of minutes.
6.Divide equally among the pans and bake for about 30 minutes or until a tester inserted comes out clean.
7.Cool completely on a wire rack.
8.Meanwhile make the frosting by mixing everything together. Start with the cream cheese and butter at room temperature.
9.Frost one cake on the top and keep the other one on top.Frost on the top and the sides too.
10.Refrigerate any left overs.

Red Velvet Cake

Contributor: Namitha
Recipe adapted from : Bakerella and here

Thursday, January 13, 2011

Banana Chocolate Chips Muffin

It’s freezing here! I need no excuse to bake, but when it gets cold like this, there truly is a need to bake. The warmth of the kitchen that smells of vanilla, chocolate and fruits is an irresistible combination.

Also, my daughter has been pressing me to keep some of my promises. I keep telling her I will bake this or that, and she never fails to remind me every so often. Therefore, here I am keeping some promises, enjoying the warmth and aroma of baking goodies, and telling you this is the way to go.

Ghiradelli chocolate chips, the king in this recipe. I have fallen head over heels yet again.

You don’t need an excuse to bake these, they are the excuse themselves.


Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin


I used some Ghiradelli chocolate chips this time.Oh boy ! they are really good :-)

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffins

Believe me, kids will just love this!

Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin

Ingredients:

Flour- 1 1/2 cup
Baking powder- 1 1/2 tsp
Baking soda- a pinch
Cinnamon- 1/2 tsp
Nutmeg powdered- 1/8 tsp
Salt- 1/4 tsp
Banana- 1 big mashed
Egg- 1
Milk- 3/4 cup
Vegetable Oil- 1/4 cup
Granulated sugar- scant1/2 cup
Chocolate chips- ~1 cup
Nuts, chopped (optional- 1/4 cup


Method:

1.Sift the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, nutmeg and cinnamon powder.
2.Preheat the oven at 375 degree F and line a muffin pan with paper liners or grease well.
3.Using a hand blender mix together the sugar ,oil,egg,milk and mashed banana.
4.Mix in the flour mixture .
5.Fold in the chocolate chips and the nuts.
6.Fill the muffin pan 3/4th and bake for ~18 minutes or until a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
7.Cool on a wire rack.


Banana Chocolate Chip Muffin


Contributor: Namitha

Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Chocolate-chip Walnut Cookie

The Christmas fever is not only on the radio, but my mail box is brimming with fliers that take more than a pair of hands to haul home!  The green, white and red colors permeate everywhere.  I am not complaining.  I love this season, and I am finding out that these fliers, as painful as they are for the mess it creates and the greed that it suggests, can also be useful.  Prop for photography is my suggestion.     
Chocolate Chip Cookie
 

The recipe for this cookie is from 'Joy of Baking.’  It’s a nice, chewy cookie and I am loving the walnuts and chocolate chips incorporated into each bite .  Last year, around this time, I made a lot of cookies with a friend of mine which I have shared on the blog.  This year, I have to do this by myself, but fondly remember all my friends. 
 
Chocolate Chip
  
During this season of love and gratitude, I have many things to be thankful for - especially friends.  Whether you have a reason or not, bake some these cookies, if only to relish the decadence.   

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients:

All Purpose Flour - 2 1/4 cup
Butter                   - 1 cup
Sugar                    - 3/4 cup
Brown Sugar         - 3/4 cup
Eggs                      - 2
Vanilla                   - 1 1/2 tspn
Baking Soda         - 1 tspn
Salt                       - 1/2 tspn
Chocolate Chip     - 1 1/2 cups
Walnuts Chopped - 1 Cup

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 375 D F
2. Mix together flour, salt and baking soda and set aside
3. Take a large bowl and using a hand mixer beat butter and sugar till creamy
4. Add egg one at a time beating well after each addition
5. Add the vanilla essence and then add the flour mixture in and on low speed blend in the flour
6. Now add the chopped walnut and mix.
7. Using spatula incorporate the chocolate chip cookie into the batter so that the chocolate chip don't break
8. Drop 2 Tbspn of batter onto a cookie sheet and bake for 10 - 12 minutes or until edges of the cookie turn color

This recipe is from joy of baking website.  I have not adapted much except that I used bitter chocolate chip cookie which is my personal preference.  All credits to joy of baking it is a wonderful recipe.  Please find the original here

Courtesy: Joy of Baking

Contributor: Sunitha

Monday, December 13, 2010

Hot Chocolate

Hope you all had a terrific weekend. I have been following the news about the big snow storms in many parts of the US. I hope you are safe and warm wherever you are!.  In Colorado, we have  yet to see snow showers this year, which is rather unusual.  A part of me is glad that I can still walk out easily without worries of black ice, shoveling and the likes, but the other  part of me is apprehensive about missing a white Christmas.

The mercury levels are still low enough, and on these cold days something like hot chocolate to keep warm is welcomed. I made this keeping my kids in mind, and I am glad to say they loved it.  This is not a unique recipe I am sure, but a gentle reminder in case you are missing it.  A wonderful chocolaty drink! :-)

This is so good not only for the kids, you will enjoy it also.  Smack!

Hot Chocolate

Serve with some whipped cream on top

Hot Chocolate

Or as it is !

Hot chocolate

Ingredients:

Semi Sweet Chocolate- 2 ounces
Milk- 2 cups
Sugar- 1 1/2 Tbp
Vanilla - 1/2 tsp
Whipped cream to decorate

Method:

1.Chop the chocolate coarsely.
2.Boil the milk and sugar till it starts bubbling, but not boiling much.
3.Add the chopped cocoa and let it melt well by stirring for about 2 minutes.
4.Add the vanilla,stir and pour into warmed cups.
5.Serve warm with some whipped cream on top or just like that.

Contributor: Namitha

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Do you remember jam rolls? I remember them from my childhood – they were a lovely yellow with a bright, red filling inside! The color and its effect on you are so strong that you could never leave the bakery without at least half-dozen tucked away in those infamous brown, bakery bags. Writing this much brings a plethora of other baked goods to mind. I used to especially love the horn pastry with snow-white cream filling embellished with a ruby-colored cherry! They resemble an ice-cream cone. Yumm! Just day dreaming about these sweets gives me a sugar high.

Moving on to what we are going to share with you today, although different from the jam rolls that are making my mouth water right now, these sweet rolls are delectable nonetheless! I have been practicing these rolls, and after a couple of mishaps, I feel confident enough to share with you now.

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Sneak peek into the process.

  Chocolate Swiss Roll

This was the second time I made this and the roll disappeared in no time.(at the first time I couldn't even take a picture ! )

Chocolate Swiss Roll

Ingredients:

Eggs- 3 large, separated
Granulated Sugar- 1/2 cup
Cake flour- 1/2 cup
Baking powder- 1/2 tsp
Salt- a pinch
Cocoa Powder- 1 1/2 Tbsp
Hot water- 2 Tbsp
Pure Vanilla extract- 1/2 tsp

For the filling:

Heavy whipping cream- 1 cup
Confectioner's sugar- 1 to 2 Tbsp
Pure vanilla extract- a few drops

Method:

1.Preheat the oven at 350 degree F. Grease and dust a jelly roll pan. (this recipe is for 10 1/2 by 15 1/2 inch pan). It's better to line with a parchment paper and grease it well.You could see that I didn't do it, so it was bit difficult for me to take out the cake.
2.Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt in a mixing bowl.
3.Beat the yolks with sugar. Add the hot water and beat again.
4.Add the cocoa and mix well.
5.Beat the egg whites till stiff peaks are formed.Make sure that your blades and the bowl you take is free from water and fat before you start beating egg whites.
6.Mix in the flour mixture into the yolk mixture.
7.Gently fold in the egg whites till it is completely incorporated.
8.Spoon into the prepared pan and spread the batter evenly as possible, using a spatula.
9.Bake for 8-10 minutes or the cake springs back on touch.
10. Cool in the pan for 3-4 minutes.
11.Invert the cake onto a parchment paper dusted with confectioner's sugar.
12.Roll the cake with the short side facing you, along with the paper.
13.Let the cake cool completely before you roll it with the filling.
14.Meanwhile you could make the filling by whipping the cream till peaks are formed.Add the sugar and vanilla and beat till everything is mixed well.
15.Unroll the cake and spread the cream on it, evenly.Leave about 1/2 an inch space at one end.(I messed up this part. I left some space , but I was talking to my son and started rolling it from the other side !)
16.Now roll it without the parchment paper, but use the paper to make the roll by lifting it from the side slowly as you can see in the picture.
17.Refrigerate the roll for at least 3-4 hours before you cut it.
18.Use a sharp serrated knife or kitchen thread to cut the rolls.(I wasn't patient enough to wait,read my kids weren't, that's why it has broken in some points !)

Notes:

1.You may not get it all right at the first attempt, or even at second :-) But I can guarantee you about the taste and texture.
2.The main point you have to remember while making rolls is that you must roll it while it is still hot. This helps to avoid any breaking.
3.As you all know, chocolate is notoriously sticky. So if you use a parchment paper to line the pan it is lot more easy.
4.Please wait at least for a few hours so that the cake is chiled well before you attempt to cut it.

Contributor: Namitha
Recipe adapted from here