Chocolate

Chocolate Corn Flake Clusters

categories: Desserts, Posts, Recipes

 

One of my good friends is a baking genius. Since she has young children, she’s getting ready for all the school-related Halloween festivities. This afternoon, she shared some photos with me of her baked goods and I instantly fell in love with the Corn Flake Clusters.

She’s amazing with desserts and one day, when she opens up her own shop, I’ll be the first to share a link to her website (and driving directions of course).

 

 

Chocolate Corn Flake Clusters Recipe

Ingredients

1 tablespoon Unsalted Butter
1 Bag Chocolate Chips
2 cubes Baker’s Chocolate
½ box Corn Flakes
 

 

Directions

In a saucepan, melt 1 tablespoon butter and add the bag of chocolate chips along with the baker’s chocolate.
Add Corn Flakes and mix together until all the Corn Flakes are coated.
Line a baking tray with wax paper or use cupcake cups and scoop a heaping dinner-sized tablespoon full to make one cluster. Repeat scooping until mixture is finished.
Refrigerate for an hour, at least, before serving. 

Happy One Month Birthday!

categories: Posts

One month ago, on this very day, Measuring Cups, Optional was born. You all caught a glimpse of my measuring cups  and got to know me, Mrs. Measurement, and my blog in its early stages. So here we are one month later, and we’ve done a little bit of growing up:

 So let’s celebrate with chocolate and a birthday song.

 

 

 

Chocolate Brownies with Walnuts Recipe

 Ingredients

 1 stick Unsalted Butter
1/4 cup Cocoa
3 Eggs
1 cup Sugar
1 cup Flour
1 teaspoon Baking Powder
1 cup chopped Walnuts
1 teaspoon Vanilla
 
 

Directions

Grease and flour a baking pan.
In a small saucepan, melt butter with cocoa.
Beat eggs until foamy, then gradually beat in sugar.
Add cocoa-butter mixture to egg mixture.
Sift flour and baking powder then sift half of it into batter.
Mix walnuts into the remaining flour; add to batter; stir to blend.
Add vanilla. Spread batter into the pan
Bake at 350° for 20 to 25 minutes
Ice cooled brownies with icing
 
 
 

Chocolate Icing Recipe

 Ingredients

2 cups Powdered Sugar
4 tablespoons Cocoa
Heavy Cream
1 teaspoon Vanilla
 

Directions

Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into a mixing bowl.
Add vanilla and enough cream to be of desired spreading consistency.

 

 

Pumpkin and Spice and Everything Nice

categories: Breakfast, Posts, Recipes

September is the beginning of fall-inspired foods. Most of us wait all year for this season, when Starbucks rolls out with its Pumpkin Spice Latte (now available at your local Starbucks).

Fall is here. This time of year, I’m obsessed with all things pumpkin – cookies, cakes, pies, coffee, creamer, etc. If it has pumpkin, I’m having it. Let’s not forget childhood trips to the pumpkin patch. The rule was, if you can carry it, you can have it. Although you might think I have outgrown such activities, think again. Now that I have a a few nephews, I have an excuse to get back out there, ride the hay rides and get my face painted. I’m only doing it for the kids, right?

Nostalgia in our minds, what better way to celebrate the beginning of the season than with homemade Choco-Pumpkin Pancakes!

 

Choco-Pumpkin Pancakes

Ingredients

Bisquick mix  (as directed)
1/2-1 cup Canned Pumpkin
2 tablespoons Sugar
Extra Milk
1/3 – 2/3 cup(s) Chocolate Chips
 

Directions

Whisk batter, pumpkin, sugar, milk together. Add chocolate chips and mix well.
Pour into greased skillet
Optional: serve with whipped cream sprinkle pumpkin spice
 

 

I also discovered a great way to make homemade Pumpkin Spice Lattes!

Basically, make your espresso as you usually would. Before adding the milk, add 1 teaspoon organic canned pumpkin and a few sprinkles of pumpkin spice. Stir well. Add steamed/heated milk. Top with fat-free whipped cream and pumpkin spice.