Author: Chocolate Covered Weekly

At first glance, it didn’t seem doable to put a whole bottle of red wine in a pie — but this recipe sure proved wrong. It pairs red wine and chocolate together beautifully to create a luscious chocolate cream pie with a grown-up twist that’s perfect for any dinner party.

Ingredients:

Crust:

2 cups chocolate wafer cookie crumbs (from one 9-ounce box)

1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted

2 tablespoons sugar

Pinch of fine salt

Filling:

1/2 cup cornstarch

1 1/4 cups plus 3 tablespoons sugar

One 750-milliliter bottle dry red wine
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Three 4-ounce bars bittersweet chocolate, chopped

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

Pinch of fine salt

2 cups cold heavy cream

Chocolate curls or sprinkles, for topping, optional

Directions:

For the crust: Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
Toss together the cookie crumbs, butter, sugar and salt in a medium bowl. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch deep-dish pie pan. Bake until dry and set, 15 to 18 minutes. Let cool completely on a wire rack.
For the filling: Combine the cornstarch and 1 1/4 cups of the sugar in a medium saucepan and very slowly whisk in the wine to prevent lumps from forming. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it has come to a simmer and is very thick, about 8 minutes. Remove from the heat and stir in the chocolate, butter and salt until smooth. Pour the filling into the cooled crust and refrigerate until chilled and set, about 4 hours and up to overnight.
Right before serving, whip the cream with the remaining 3 tablespoons sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Top the pie with the whipped cream. Scatter the chocolate curls or sprinkles over the top, if using.

As posted on THEKITCHN.COM by Molly Allen.

This black chocolate cake is made using black cocoa powder. It’s rich, moist and naturally deep in color from the cocoa powder.  It is made without using any dyes, just a specific cocoa powder called black cocoa. It has the perfect spooky vibes for Halloween.

INGREDIENTS:

Black Chocolate Cake:
2 cups all-purpose flour
¾ cup black cocoa powder
¾ cup brown sugar
1 cup granulated sugar
1½ teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ cup oil canola or vegetable
3 large eggs room temperature
1 cup buttermilk room temperature
2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup hot water or coffee

Black Chocolate Buttercream:
1½ cups butter room temperature
¾ cups cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
¼ teaspoon salt
2-4 tablespoon milk

INSTRUCTIONS:

To make the cake:
Preheat the oven to 325 F. Spray three 8-inch round cake pans with non-stick cooking spray, and then line the bottom of the pans with parchment.
In a large bowl, sift or stir together flour, cocoa powder, sugars, baking soda, baking powder, and salt.
In a mixing bowl, beat oil, eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla together until completely mixed. About 1 minute.
Slowly add dry ingredients into wet ingredients while mixing.
Pour in hot water or coffee and mix together another minute. It’s ok if the batter seems extra liquidy.
Pour batter evenly into all three pans. Bake for about 25-29 minutes. When toothpick placed in the center of the cakes comes out clean, you know it is done. If doing cupcakes you will bake in 24 cupcake liners for abour 20-22 minutes.
Let the cakes completely cool before taking out of the pans and frosting.
To make the black chocolate buttercream:
In a large mixing bowl, cream together butter and black cocoa powder until it comes together. Add in powdered sugar, vanilla, salt and milk. Beat until light and fluffy.
You may end up needing to add more powdered sugar or cream to get your desired consistency.
To assemble cake:
Place one of the cake layers, top side up, on a cake plate or serving stand. Frost with a thin layer of chocolate buttercream frosting.
Place the second cake layer, top side up, on top of the buttercream. Repeat the same frosting.
Place final cake layer, top side down.
Frost the entire cake, top and sides, with a thin crumb coat layer of the chocolate buttercream. Place in the fridge or freezer for about 10-15 minutes to chill.
Pull the chilled cake out, and frost the cake with the remaining chocolate buttercream. I added black sugar sprinkles and a few ghost peeps to make it more Halloweeny.

 

NOTES
Cake will have the best results if made with room temperature ingredients. I like to pull my eggs, buttermilk, and butter out of the fridge an hour or two before I start baking.
You may need to add more or less powdered sugar and milk to get the desired consistency for the buttercream.
Cake will stay fresh for a few days if kept in an airtight container. You can also freeze it with or without frosting.
I have given both cups and grams as measurements. Grams will be more precise, especially when measuring flour. If you don’t have a kitchen scale, no problem! Just lightly spoon flour into your measuring cup to insure its not packed in there. Light and fluffy is the key.
NUTRITION
Calories: 520kcal
Carbohydrates: 70g
Protein: 5g
Fat: 27g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Polyunsaturated Fat: 3g
Monounsaturated Fat: 10g
Trans Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 83mg
Sodium: 483mg
Potassium: 196mg
Fiber: 3g
Sugar: 53g
Vitamin A: 610IU
Calcium: 66mg
Iron: 2mg

As posted on THESALTEDSWEETS.COM by Brooke Hemec.

When you’re lucky enough to be blessed with a beautiful slice of chocolate cake the worst thing to discover is that the cake is tired and bored with itself. Nothing can ruin the excitement of chocolate cake like ho-hum flavor, icing that tastes like Mondays, a texture like a brick of boardwalk fudge, with the grittiness of a chocolate sand castle. Mmm, yummy. In reality, what you really want is a classic chocolate cake you can whip out of your back pocket like you were born at Le Cordon Bleu, Paris. The one everyone requests for their birthdays. “Oh really? This old thing? I mean, I guess!” A flawless confection, with the ultimate chocolate flavor. Perfectly moist, and iced like it’s headlining Fashion Week. Whether it’s a $1.79 box mix, the secret recipe grandma passed down for generations, or even if you’ve never made a chocolate cake in your entire life, it’s time to step up your game and have some fun doing it. You could be mixing in wine, cookies, sauerkraut, and diamonds! And, yes, you can eat everything. Gemstones included. So, party on (click HERE).

Cocoa powder is an important ingredient in the making of chocolate ice cream. Derived from the solids left over after much of the cocoa butter is removed from the bean, cocoa powder has perhaps the most concentrated chocolate flavor of any chocolate product. A little goes a long way, but nothing provides you with the deep and rich chocolate flavor that is ideal when you’re making chocolate ice cream. And there is no better cocoa powder for this task than Dutch-process cocoa powder. Read more, HERE.

When it comes to baking with chocolate, a box grater is truly a baker’s best friend. Whether you’re shaving a sweet garnish over hot chocolates and lattes, grinding up a good bark for your black forest cake, or just grating chocolate to melt and temper, a grater is all you need to get it done. The problem is, it’s not always the easiest or most straightforward task. If you’re trying to grate an entire block of chocolate, it might take you more than a minute — and at room temperature, chances are it’s going to go soft and hard to work with before you’re halfway done. The next time you plan on putting yourself through the messy process of it all, place the chocolate and your grater in the freezer for at least 10 minutes first to skip the headache. to learn more, click HERE.

Melting chocolate is an essential part of making a few different treats. It can be turned into a sweet ganache to pour over your cakes. You can buy silicone molds to pour the chocolate in, and once it’s hardened again, it can create fun decorations for your treats. You can also add other ingredients to the melted confection to turn it into a sweet dip for cookies, fruits, and marshmallows. When you’re melting chocolate, it should not be heated above 133 degrees Fahrenheit or you run the risk of ruining the treat. If you do accidentally burn your chocolate, it might not be a total loss. All you’ll need to do to salvage the scorched chocolate is add in a little bit of coconut oil. Read more about the benefits of using coconut oil with chocolate, HERE.

These soft Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cookies, made with pumpkin puree, pumpkin spice, and cream cheese, have a cake-like texture and lots of pumpkin flavor!

Ingredients:

▢4 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened
▢2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
▢3/4 cup monk fruit brown sugar, Lakanto or use regular brown sugar if you prefer
▢1/4 cup monk fruit sweetener, Lakanto or regular sugar
▢1 large egg
▢1/2 cup canned pumpkin puree
▢1/4 cup 1% buttermilk
▢1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢1-3/4 cup all purpose flour
▢1 teaspoon pumpkin spice
▢1/2 teaspoon baking soda
▢1/2 teaspoon salt
▢1/4 teaspoon baking powder
▢3/4 cup sugar-free chocolate chips, such as Lily’s

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350F. Line 3 baking sheets with a silicone mat or silpat (or bake in batches).
In a large bowl, beat cream cheese, butter and sugars together until light and fluffy, about 2 minutes.
Add the egg; beat well. Mix in pumpkin, buttermilk and vanilla.
In another bowl combine flour, pumpkin spice, baking soda, salt and baking powder; gradually add to pumpkin mixture; mix well. Fold in chocolate chips.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls, 1 ounce each, 2 inches apart onto the silicone lined baking sheets.
Bake 14 to 15 minutes or until golden, rotating the baking sheets halfway.
Remove to wire rack to cool.

Nutrition:
Serving: 2 cookies, Calories: 95 kcal, Carbohydrates: 25.5 g, Protein: 2.5 g, Fat: 3.5 g, Saturated Fat: 2 g, Cholesterol: 15 mg, Sodium: 107 mg, Fiber: 3 g, Sugar: 1 g

As posted on SKINNYTASTE.COM

Whether or not cacao percentage matters when baking with chocolate has long been debated. Some bakers swap percentages regularly, while others always stay within the exact recipe details. The truth is, cacao percentage does matter when baking with chocolate if you want a recipe to turn out exactly as intended, but there are times when using chocolate interchangeably can work. So, when does cacao percentage make a difference? If you’re melting chocolate for molds, making homemade chocolate, creating a mousse, or working on a fussy ganache, it’s best not to stray too far from the suggested percentage. To learn more, click HERE.

 

This new go-to chocolate cake recipe, rich and moist Dark Chocolate Fudge Cake! Delicious, easy to make, and extra decadent. It’s the perfect cake for any chocolate lover. Picture a dense, but still fluffy, moist, chocolate cake with a rich and intense chocolate flavor! Though, the goodness doesn’t stop there…After baking, the cake is frosted with the easiest and most delicious chocolate fudge frosting. Every bite is intensely chocolate-y, ultra rich, and oh-so decadent! Truly the perfect dessert for any chocolate lover.

INGREDIENTS
Cake

▢⅞ cup all purpose flour
▢½ cup natural process cocoa powder
▢⅞ cup granulated sugar
▢¾ teaspoon baking powder
▢¼ teaspoon baking soda
▢⅛ teaspoon salt
▢1 cup bittersweet chocolate
▢2 large eggs, room temperature
▢½ cup whole milk, room temperature
▢7 Tablespoons vegetable oil
▢1 teaspoon vanilla extract
▢½ cup water

Frosting

▢3 Tablespoons salted butter, room temperature
▢1 cup powdered sugar
▢¼ cup cocoa powder
▢2 ⅔ Tablespoons whole milk
▢½ teaspoon vanilla extract
▢½ cup bittersweet chocolate, melted

INSTRUCTIONS
Cake

Heat oven to 350℉.
Spray 8 inch x 3 inch round cake pan with baking spray. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Set aside.
Place bittersweet chocolate in a medium microwave safe bowl.
Microwave in 15 second increments, stirring well after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together eggs, milk, oil, vanilla, and water.
Mix in melted chocolate.
Add dry ingredients to chocolate mixture.
Whisk until smooth.
Pour into prepared pan.

Bake for 55 minutes, or until cake tests done.

Frosting
In a medium bowl, beat butter, powdered sugar, and cocoa together.
Add milk and vanilla.
Beat until smooth and fluffy.
Mix in melted chocolate.
Spread on top of cooled cake.
NOTES
Be careful to not over-mix the cake batter! If it’s mixed too much, the cake may become tough and not rise properly.
If you’re unsure the cake is baked after the time listed below, you can use a cake tester or tooth pick. If it comes clean, the cake is baked through!

Let the cake cool COMPLETELY before frosting it.
Make sure the butter and milk are room temperature before mixing the frosting.
Remember to sift the cocoa powder and powdered sugar!
If frosting is too thick, you can add a little more milk.
You can divide this cake into 2 layers. If you do, double the frosting for middle filled and top covered. Triple the frosting if you want to frost the whole cake.
EQUIPMENT
Pyrex Glass Mixing Bowl Set
9-Inch Better Wire Whisk
8×3 Inch Round Cake Pan
Cake Tester
Hand Mixer
Small Offset Spatula

As posted BY CAYLIE on BakersTable.net

This easy brownie cake is for all of the brownie lovers out there! It has all of the wonderful flavor of brownies in the form of a two layer cake. This cake is made from a doctored brownie mix, which is why it has the flavor and texture of a cake-like brownies. It has delicious chocolate brownie flavor without being overly rich. At two layers, it doesn’t stand quite as tall as the usual cakes (approximately an inch shorter), but is every bit as impressive! Keep this brownie cake in mind the next time you need a great birthday cake recipe, potluck dessert, holiday cake, and more!

 

PREP TIME: 15MINUTES MINS
COOK TIME: 30MINUTES MINS
COURSE: DESSERT
SERVINGS: 15

Ingredients
▢1 Box Brownie Mix (We like Duncan Hines Double Fudge Brownie Mix- 17.6 oz) *See Notes
▢½ cup (60g) All Purpose Flour
▢½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
▢1 teaspoon (4g) Baking Powder
▢2½ Tablespoons (15g) Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
▢½ cup (108g) vegetable oil
▢1 cup sour cream (we use full fat)
▢½ cup water
▢3 large eggs
▢Fudge Packet (if your brownie mix comes with one)
FOR THE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM
▢2 sticks (226g) unsalted butter, softened (Do not microwave)
▢6 cups (690g) powdered sugar
▢¾ cup (70g) unsweetened cocoa (measure then sift)
▢⅓ -½ cup (72g) milk (adjust amount for desired consistency)
▢2 teaspoons 8g vanilla extract 8 grams
▢½ teaspoon 3g salt
Instructions
Preheat oven to 350℉. Grease two 8 inch round cake pans. We also added circles of parchment to the bottom of each pan (as usual).
This recipe can be prepared in a large mixing bowl, just as when making brownies from a mix. No mixer needed.
Combine dry ingredients in large bowl and whisk together until combined. (This is the brownie mix, flour, sugar, cocoa powder, and baking powder.)
Add the remaining ingredients (eggs, sour cream, fudge packet (if your mix has one), water, and vegetable oil) and stir until well combined. I find it easiest to use a rubber spatula for this step.
Divide the cake batter between two 8 inch cake pans. (This recipe makes about 5 cups of batter.)
Bake at 350℉ for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick can be inserted into the cake layers and comes out clean or with just a few crumbs attached.
Cool the cake layers in the cake pans (preferably on a cooling rack) for 5 minutes before turning out. Cool completely before frosting.
FOR THE CHOCOLATE BUTTERCREAM
Add butter and mix on low to medium speed until smooth. Add vanilla and blend into the butter.
Add powdered sugar, salt, and cocoa powder.
Add most of the milk and mix on low speed, increasing to medium as the ingredients become incorporated.
Continue to mix adding remaining milk as needed. It may take 3-5 minutes to reach the smoothness and consistency you like. It will take longer if using a hand mixer. As you mix, the frosting will become very smooth. You can add additional milk (1 Tablespoon at a time) if the frosting is too thick or additional powdered sugar if too soft.
DECORATING THE CAKE
Place the first cake layer on a cake pedestal and spread with frosting. Top with the second cake layer and frost the cake around the sides and top with a thin layer of frosting. (This is the “crumb coat”.)
At this point, we like to chill the cake in the freezer for 15 minutes (or longer in the refrigerator) to firm everything up. (Chill the bowl of frosting in the refrigerator during this time if needed).
Frost the cake with a second layer of frosting. Decorate however you like! At this point, we added texture around the sides of the cake using a small offset spatula, making diagonal strokes from bottom to top.
We added additional piping on top of the cake, piping large frosting shells using a large star (1M) piping tip.
Keep the cake in an airtight container or under a cake dome in a cool room in your house for 1-2 days or in refrigerator for longer. If refrigerating, you should remove the cake a couple of hours before serving so that it has time to warm and soften.
Notes
This recipe makes a beautiful two layer cake but it is not as tall as most of the cakes on our site site. (Probably stands approximately 3 inches tall rather than 4.) We experimented with adding even more flour, etc. to extend it, but doing this made it taste less like brownies. So, a shorter cake is better in this case. (However, you can always double the recipe if you need to!)
These cake layers can be tightly wrapped with plastic wrap, aluminum foil, and frozen for up to three months if baking in advance.
Brownie Cake Mix: So far, our favorite mix for this recipe has been Duncan Hines Double Fudge Brownie Mix (17.6 oz). We also tried Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix (18 oz), but it tasted more like chocolate cake than brownies.

As posted on My Cake School, by Melissa and Bebe.

Decadent, moist, and insanely rich, chocolate cake might just be one of the greatest desserts of all time. One bite of an amazing chocolate cake can transport you to a world of flavorful fancy, but not all chocolate cake recipes are created equal. There are tons of tips for including yummy, bonus ingredients in chocolate cake, like adding mashed banana to chocolate cake batter to prevent dryness or mixing in some coffee to enhance the flavors of cocoa. But sometimes the best secret ingredient isn’t what you’d expect. For truly terrific texture, add vinegar to your next chocolate cake recipe. Adding vinegar to a delicious dessert might sound like a major taste bud turnoff, but it’s actually a key ingredient for getting that perfect bite of cake. Vinegar elevates the moistness in a cake, and it’s also a great boost for leavening agents, helping the cake rise properly to achieve that light-as-air texture. Plus, if you add vinegar to the frosting as well, you’ll have the perfect balance of sugary sweetness and a smooth frosted finish on your cake. Even though it’s normally associated with tangy salad dressings or salted chips, vinegar is the secret weapon pantry staple you need for a divine dessert. For more ideas, click HERE.

A chocolate pudding pie is noteworthy because of the creamy richness that comes from a homemade pudding base and chopped dark chocolate.

Ingredients:
2 1/2 cups whole milk

5 tablespoons cocoa powder

1 teaspoon instant coffee granules

3/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

1/2 teaspoon salt

5 large egg yolks

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

1/2 tablespoon vanilla extract

2 ounces finely chopped semisweet chocolate, plus more for garnish

1 premade graham cracker piecrust

Whipped cream for garnish

Directions:
Combine milk, cocoa powder, and instant coffee in a saucepan. In a separate bowl, whisk together sugar, cornstarch, and salt. Add egg yolks to sugar mixture and whisk until lightened in color, 1 to 2 minutes.

Place saucepan with milk over medium-high and heat while whisking until just beginning to steam but not boiling. Remove from heat. Slowly stream 1 cup of the warm milk mixture into the egg yolk mixture while whisking. When completely combined, return saucepan to medium heat, and whisk milk while slowly streaming in the egg mixture. Whisk constantly until mixture thickens and a few bubbles break the surface while whisking, about 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in butter, vanilla, and 2 ounces chopped chocolate until fully melted and combined.

Pour pudding filling into graham cracker crust and spread evenly with a spoon. Refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Garnish with whipped cream and chopped chocolate.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

This decadent Chocolate Water Cake calls for ingredients you likely have in the cupboard, and the cake doesn’t use any butter, milk, or eggs, making it dairy-free and vegan.

Ingredients:
Cake

1 1/3 cups all-purpose flour

1 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar

3/4 cups cocoa powder

2 teaspoons instant espresso powder (optional)

1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda

3/4 teaspoon kosher salt

1 3/4 cups hot water*

6 tablespoons vegetable oil

1 1/2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar

Frosting

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

4 tablespoons butter

1 tablespoon strongly brewed coffee

4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature

1/3 cup powdered sugar

Directions:
Make the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease an 8-inch cake pan with vegetable oil and line bottom with a circle of parchment paper. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together flour, brown sugar, cocoa powder, espresso powder, baking soda, and salt until homogenous. Add water, oil, and vinegar. Whisk until no pockets of dry ingredients remain. Pour batter into prepare pan and bake until the cake pulls away slightly from the pan and a toothpick inserted in the center comes back with a few dry crumbs, 50 to 55 minutes. Allow to cool completely before inverting out of pan.

Make the Frosting: Place chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds; stir until chocolate and butter are completely melted and combined (if chocolate is still not fully melted, microwave for 10 seconds more and stir again). Using the whisk attachment of a mixer, combine chocolate mixture and cream cheese until fully incorporated. Add coffee and beat until combined. Add powdered sugar and incorporate on low; increase speed to medium-high and beat until glossy, about 3 minutes.

Place cake on serving plate, scoop frosting on top of cake and spread to edges. Use a spoon to make decorative swirls and finish with a sprinkling of flake salt.

Chef’s Notes
If you don’t have espresso powder but still want to enhance the chocolate flavor with coffee, substitute the 1 3/4 cups hot water for 1 3/4 cups strong coffee—in our test, this worked just as well and didn’t overwhelm the cake with coffee flavor.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

Dessert lasagna is a thing, and once you discover it, your kitchen will never be the same.

Ingredients:
1 package chocolate sandwich cookies (such as Oreos), crushed

6 tablespoons butter, melted

1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup granulated sugar

3 1/4 cups plus 2 tablespoons cold milk, divided

1 12-ounce tub Cool Whip

1 5.9-ounce package Instant chocolate pudding

1 1/2 cups chocolate chips, semisweet or milk

Directions:
Add 36 chocolate cookies to a large zip-top plastic bag and crush, using a rolling pin or meat mallet, until fine crumbs form.

Transfer crumbs to a large bowl. Stir in melted butter. Transfer the mixture to a 9×13 baking dish. Press crumbs into the bottom of pan. Place in refrigerator to chill while working on other layers.

Mix the cream cheese with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add granulated sugar and 2 tablespoons milk and mix well. Stir in 1 1/4 cups Cool Whip. Spread mixture over cookie crust.

In a bowl, combine chocolate instant pudding with 3 1/4 cups cold milk. Whisk for several minutes until pudding begings to thicken. Spread mixture over previous layer. Allow the dessert to rest for 5 minutes so the pudding can firm up further.

Spread the remaining Cool Whip over the top. Sprinkle evenly with mini chocolate chips. Place in freezer for 1 hour or in refrigerator for 4 hours before serving.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

This mile-high chocolate pie is inspired by a Southern classic: the MoonPie.

Ingredients:
Graham Cracker Crust

1 ½ cups graham cracker crumbs

½ cup unsalted butter, melted

⅓ cup granulated sugar

Marshmallow Layer

1 ½ cups miniature marshmallows

Chocolate Filling

12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips

10 ounces milk chocolate chips

1 cup heavy cream

1 tablespoon unsalted butter

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 tablespoons (1 oz.) Tennessee whiskey (optional)

Marshmallow Meringue

2 large egg whites

1 cup granulated sugar

¼ cup light corn syrup

¼ teaspoon cream of tartar

¼ teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste or vanilla extract

Directions:
Prepare the Graham Cracker Crust: Preheat oven to 350°F. Place graham cracker crumbs, melted butter, and granulated sugar in a medium bowl. Stir until mixture is well combined and resembles damp sand. Press on bottom and up sides of a 9-inch deep-dish glass pie plate.

Bake in preheated oven until crust is firm, dry, and lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack, and cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Prepare the Marshmallow Layer: Spread marshmallows in an even layer on bottom of baked Graham Cracker Crust. Return crust to preheated oven, and bake just until marshmallows begin to melt, about 3 minutes. (Do not let marshmallows turn brown or crisp.) Remove from oven, and spread melted marshmallows into an even layer using a small offset spatula or the back of a teaspoon. Cool to room temperature, about 20 minutes.

Prepare the Chocolate Filling: Combine chocolate chips in a large bowl. Bring cream to a simmer in a medium saucepan over medium-high. Cook until cream is very hot and bubbles start to form around edges of pan. Remove from heat, and immediately pour over chocolate chips. Let stand 1 minute. Add butter and salt, and whisk until chocolate is completely melted and mixture is smooth. Gently whisk in vanilla, and, if desired, whiskey. Cool to room temperature, 15 to 20 minutes. (Filling should be thickened but still pourable.)

Spoon Chocolate Filling over melted marshmallow in piecrust, and spread in an even layer. Loosely cover pie with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature 8 hours or overnight. (No need to refrigerate the pie. It is best left at room temperature.)

Prepare the Marshmallow Meringue: Fill a medium saucepan one-third full of water, and bring it to a simmer over medium-high. Reduce heat to low, maintaining a simmer.

Whisk together egg whites, sugar, light corn syrup, cream of tartar, and salt in a large heatproof bowl. Set bowl over saucepan of simmering water. (Or use a double boiler instead of saucepan and heatproof bowl.) Cook, whisking constantly, until sugar completely dissolves. Remove bowl from heat.

Beat mixture with an electric mixer on medium speed until mixture begins to thicken, scraping down sides of bowl often to maintain a smooth texture, 3 to 4 minutes.

Increase mixer speed to high, and continue beating and scraping down sides as mixture thickens and becomes smooth and shiny. Continue beating until mixture becomes a glossy meringue that holds its shape, clings to a spoon, forms curly peaks, and leaves tracks from beaters in surface, 5 to 10 minutes.

Add vanilla bean paste. Beat on high speed, scraping down sides of bowl often, until meringue starts to lose its glossy shine and develops a sheen, 1 to 2 minutes.

Spoon Marshmallow Meringue over top of pie. (Use meringue within 2 to 3 hours for fluffiest texture, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Meringue will lose a little of its puffiness and loft but remain beautiful, usable, and delicious.)

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

This dreamy recipe will satisfy every sweet tooth at your table.

Ingredients:
PUDDING

3/4 cup granulated sugar

3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

2 tablespoons cornstarch

1/4 teaspoon table salt

1 cup buttermilk

1 1/4 cups heavy cream

2 large egg yolks

1 large egg

1 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bar, finely chopped

1 tablespoon butter

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

BUTTERMILK CREAM

3/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1/4 cup buttermilk

Directions:
Prepare Pudding: Whisk together first 4 ingredients in a large saucepan. Slowly whisk in 1 cup buttermilk to make a smooth paste. Whisk together 1 1/4 cups cream, egg yolks, and egg in a 2-cup glass measuring cup. Slowly add cream mixture to buttermilk mixture, whisking constantly until well blended. Cook pudding over medium heat, whisking constantly, about 10 minutes or until mixture begins to boil and thicken. Remove from heat. Add chopped semisweet chocolate; whisk until smooth. Add butter and vanilla, and whisk until butter melts and pudding is smooth. Transfer to a bowl, and place plastic wrap directly on warm pudding (to prevent a film from forming). Chill 4 to 24 hours.

Prepare Buttermilk Cream: Beat 3/4 cup cream, 1/4 cup powdered sugar, and 1/4 cup buttermilk at high speed with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. (Do not overbeat.)

Divide pudding among 6 (6- to 8-oz.) bowls; dollop with buttermilk cream.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

This three-tiered beauty is so much easier to make than it looks. The frosting is best made the day before you need to use it, as it sets to the right spreading consistency when left to cool overnight at room temperature. A splash of bourbon enhances the caramel flavors in the creamy frosting, but it can be left out without causing any problems.

Ingredients:
CHOCOLATE-CARAMEL GANACHE

1 1/2 pounds bittersweet (60% cacao) chocolate chips

1/4 cup light corn syrup

2 tablespoons bourbon (optional)

2 cups granulated sugar

1/4 cup cold water

1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar

2 cups heavy cream

1/8 teaspoon salt

1/4 cup unsalted butter

CAKE

3 cups cake flour

1 cup unsweetened cocoa

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon salt

3 cups granulated sugar

1 cup sour cream

1 cup canola or vegetable oil

4 large eggs

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 1/2 cups hot, strong coffee

Directions:
Prepare the Chocolate-Caramel Ganache: Stir together chocolate chips, corn syrup, and, if desired, bourbon in a large bowl. Set aside.

Stir together sugar, cold water, and cream of tartar in a large, heavy saucepan. Cook over medium, swirling pan occasionally, until sugar dissolves and starts to change color. Increase heat to high, and cook, swirling pan occasionally, until mixture is a rich, golden caramel color, 4 to 5 minutes.

Remove pan from heat. Using a long- handled wooden spoon, carefully stir in heavy cream. (Be careful: Hot caramel can spit and bubble as the cream hits it.) Reduce heat to low, and return pan to heat. Cook, stirring constantly, until caramel thickens slightly and any lumps of hardened caramel have melted, about 4 minutes. Pour warm caramel sauce over chocolate chip mixture, covering chips completely. Let stand 1 minute. Stir until mixture is completely smooth. Stir in salt. Add butter, 1 tablespoon at a time, stirring until melted and combined after each addition. Let ganache cool until lukewarm. Cover loosely with plastic wrap, and let stand at room temperature 8 hours or overnight.

Prepare the Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Lightly coat 3 (9-inch-round x 2-inch-deep) cake pans with cooking spray, and line bottoms with parchment paper. Sift together flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt in a large bowl. Set aside.

Beat sugar, sour cream, oil, eggs, and vanilla in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until thick and smooth, about 2 minutes. Add flour mixture, one-third at a time, to butter mixture. Beat on low speed just until combined after each addition. (Do not overbeat or the cake will be tough.) Add 3/4 cup of the hot coffee, and beat just until smooth. Add remaining 3/4 cup coffee, and beat just until smooth. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans.

Bake in the middle of preheated oven until a long wooden pick or cake tester inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 20 to 25 minutes. Cool in pans on a wire rack 10 minutes. Invert layers onto wire rack, and peel off parchment paper. Cool completely, about 45 minutes.

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate; spread evenly with about 1 heaping cup of Chocolate-Caramel Ganache. Top with second cake layer, and spread evenly with 1 heaping cup of ganache. Top with remaining cake layer, and frost top and sides of cake with remaining ganache. Let stand at room temperature until ready to serve, or cover and refrigerate overnight.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

The cake might seem like an extravagant baking endeavor because it takes time, but trust us—the recipe is easy to follow and the end result is worth it. In keeping with a long history of French-style pastries, the cake is both stunning and simple, and we can assure you that any sort of celebration would welcome this three-tiered marvel as a fitting centerpiece for the spread.

Ingredients:
Pastry Cream

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 cup cornstarch

2 cups whole milk

4 egg yolks

3 unsalted butter, divided

1 teaspoon vanilla

Pastry Decorations

4 tablespoons butter

1 teaspoon sugar

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup water

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

2 large eggs

Powdered sugar for dusting

Cake Layers

3 cups cake flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1 teaspoon kosher salt

6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature

1/2 cup vegetable shortening

2 cups granulated sugar

5 eggs

3/4 cup buttermilk

1/2 cup vegetable oil

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Eclair Buttercream

3/4 cup butter, room temperature

3 cups powdered sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

pinch salt

6 tablespoons Pastry Cream

Chocolate Ganache

6 ounces (60%) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped and divided

8 unsalted butter, divided

Directions;
For Pastry Cream:Whisk together sugar and cornstarch in a medium saucepan. In separate bowl, whisk together milk and egg yolks until combined. Add milk mixture to saucepan with 2 Tbsp. butter. Place saucepan over medium-high and whisk constantly until mixture begins to boil. Continue whisking for 30 seconds until mixture is thick. Remove from heat, and stir in 1 Tbsp. butter and vanilla. Transfer mixture to refrigerator.

For Pastry Decorations:Preheat oven to 400°F. Prepare 1 piping bag with plain 1/2-inch piping tip. Combine butter, sugar, salt, and water in a saucepan over medium-high. Bring to boil, add flour, and stir vigorously until dough comes together and a dry film coats the bottom of the pan, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside for 3 minutes. Add one egg, and stir vigorously until fully incorporated. Add another egg and stir again until smooth, shiny, and thick. Place in piping bag, and pipe 1 1/4-inch-diameter rounds on a parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Using a damp finger, press down any peaks of dough so the surface of each round is perfectly domed. Bake for 10 minutes, lower oven temperature to 350°F and bake until golden brown, 15-18 minutes. Cool completely before cutting each puff in half horizontally, removing tops and dusting with powdered sugar. Set aside. Place bottoms in a food processor, and pulse until pastry becomes fine crumbs. Transfer to a baking sheet, and bake at 400°F until toasted and brown, about 5 minutes. Set aside for later use.

For Cake Layers:Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease three 9-inch round cake pans. In a medium-sized bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer, cream together butter, shortening, and sugar until light in color, about 3 minutes. Add eggs one at a time, waiting until each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. Beat on medium-high for 3 minutes. In a separate bowl, combine buttermilk, oil, and vanilla. With mixer on low, slowly stream buttermilk mixture into butter mixture. Increase to medium speed and beat until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add flour mixture and mix until combined, about 1 minute. Pour into prepared cake pans, and bake until lightly golden and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 30 minutes. Cool in pans for 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

For Eclair Buttercream:Cream together butter and powdered sugar until lightened in color, about 3 minutes. Add vanilla and salt. Then add 6 Tbsp. prepared Pastry Cream and the toasted pastry crumbs from Step 2. Beat until combined. Place buttercream into piping bags.

For Assembly:Place 3 oz. chopped chocolate and 4 Tbsp. unsalted butter in a medium saucepan. Place over medium heat and stir until just melted. Remove from heat. Use a serrated knife to remove any domes from the Cake Layers so they are even and flat. Pipe a ring of Eclair Buttercream around the edge of the surface of the first Cake Layer, creating a border. Pour half of the melted chocolate inside the ring of buttercream, spreading across the top of the Cake Layer. Remove pastry cream from the refrigerator, mix with a fork until smooth, and spread half of the pastry cream on top of the chocolate. Place second Cake Layer on top of the first, and repeat process of piping buttercream border and spreading remaining chocolate ganache and pastry cream. Top with final Cake Layer, putting it face down so the smooth bottom of the layer forms the top surface of the cake. Pipe remaining buttercream on top and sides of cake. Smooth with a spatula. Refrigerator until firm, about 1 hour. Heat remaining 3 oz. chopped chocolate with remaining 4 Tbsp. butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir until melted, then set aside until just above room temperature (about 90°F). Pour over top of chilled cake and use a spatula to gently push chocolate across the surface, allowing chocolate to drip over the edges of the cake. Place Pastry Decorations reserved from Step 2 around the perimeter of the top of the cake. Let chocolate set before serving, 15 minutes.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

With 23 different flavors, no wonder people started adding Dr Pepper to their cakes.

Ingredients:
Sheet Cake

1 ½ cups spicy, fruity cola soft drink (such as Dr Pepper)

1 cup butter

½ cup unsweetened cocoa

2 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups granulated sugar

1 ½ teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon salt

2 large eggs, lightly beaten

½ cup whole buttermilk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Rich Fudge Icing

½ cup butter

¼ cup unsweetened cocoa

¼ cup spicy, fruity cola soft drink (such as Dr Pepper)

2 tablespoons whole milk

4 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Additional Ingredient

1 ½ cups coarsely chopped toasted pecans

Directions:
Prepare the Sheet Cake: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 17 ½- x 12 ½-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Bring cola, butter, and unsweetened cocoa to a boil in a medium sauce-pan over medium-high, stirring often. Remove from heat.

Whisk together flour, sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt in a large bowl. Add cola mixture; whisk until blended. Whisk in eggs, buttermilk, and vanilla. Pour batter into prepared baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean, 16 to 20 minutes. Remove from oven.

Prepare the Rich Fudge Icing: Cook butter and cocoa in a medium saucepan over medium-low, whisking often, until butter melts and mixture is smooth, about 1 minute. Reduce heat to low; whisk in cola and milk until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, whisking constantly until blended. Whisk in vanilla.

Pour warm icing over warm cake; gently spread in an even layer. Sprinkle with pecans. Cool completely in baking sheet on a wire rack, about 1 hour.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

A cake this good doesn’t need a frosting. Full of rich chocolate flavor and with a deeply moist texture, this recipe is truly the ultimate chocolate pound cake of all chocolate pound cakes. With just a handful of simple ingredients and 30 minutes of hands-on time, this cake is a great recipe for experienced and novice bakers alike. Since pound cakes feed a crowd and save well, this chocolate pound cake is a great make-ahead dessert recipe for potlucks or holidays.

Ingredients:
1 cup (8 oz.) salted butter, softened

2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup whole buttermilk

3 cups (about 12 3/4 oz.) all-purpose flour, plus more for pan

1/2 teaspoon table salt

2 (4-oz.) semisweet chocolate baking bars, melted

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Vegetable shortening, for pan

Powdered sugar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 325˚F. Beat butter with an electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, 2 to 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating well. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition.

Stir together baking soda and buttermilk in small bowl until baking soda is dissolved. Stir together flour and salt in a large bowl; add to butter mixture alternately with buttermilk mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Beat well on medium speed after each addition. Add melted chocolate, beating well. Beat in vanilla on low speed. Pour batter into a greased (with shortening) and floured 10-inch tube pan.

Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean, about 1 hour and 25 minutes. Cool in pan 15 minutes; remove cake from pan, and let cool completely, about 1 1/2 hours. Sprinkle with powdered sugar.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

Don’t think twice about these ingredients. Mayonnaise is the surprise baking ingredient you didn’t know you needed. When you’re in need of a delicious layer cake that is easy to make, look no further than this Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake. The deep flavor of this dessert, which is enhanced with coffee, contrasts nicely with the light and fluffy buttercream. This cake will be a hit on birthdays or a random Tuesday.

Ingredients:
1 1/2 cups hot strong brewed coffee

1 cup unsweetened cocoa

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking soda

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon plus 1⁄4 tsp. salt, divided

2 1/2 cups granulated sugar

4 large eggs

1 cup mayonnaise (such as Duke’s)

2 teaspoons vanilla extract, divided

1 1/4 cups bittersweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons light corn syrup

3 – 4 tablespoons heavy cream, divided

3/4 cup unsalted butter, softened

4 cups powdered sugar, divided

Directions:
Whisk together hot coffee and cocoa in a bowl. Let stand until room temperature, about 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour 3 (9-inch) round cake pans.

Whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, and 1⁄2 teaspoon of the salt in a bowl. Combine granulated sugar and eggs in a large bowl. Beat with an electric mixer on medium-low speed until light and fluffy, about 4 minutes. Beat in mayonnaise and 1 1⁄2 teaspoons of the vanilla on low speed. Alternately add flour mixture and coffee mixture to egg mixture in 5 additions, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Divide batter evenly among prepared pans. Bake in preheated oven until a wooden pick inserted in center comes out with moist crumbs, 22 to 25 minutes.

Cool cake layers in pans on a wire rack 20 minutes. Remove cake layers from pans; cool completely on rack, about 30 minutes.

Place chocolate chips, light corn syrup, and 3 tablespoons of the heavy cream in a microwavable bowl. Microwave on HIGH until smooth, about 1 minute, stirring every 15 seconds. Let stand until room temperature, 10 minutes.

Combine butter, remaining 1⁄4 teaspoon salt, 2 cups of the powdered sugar, and remaining 1⁄2 teaspoon vanilla in bowl of a heavy-duty stand mixer; beat on low speed until smooth. Beat in chocolate mixture on low speed until smooth. Beat in remaining 2 cups powdered sugar and, if needed, remaining 1 tablespoon cream, 1 teaspoon at a time until spreadable consistency is reached.

Place 1 cake layer on a serving plate. Spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with second layer; spread 1⁄2 cup frosting over top. Top with third layer. Spread remaining frosting over sides and top of cake.

As posted on SouthernLiving.com.

Tahini gives this cookie a subtle sesame flavor!

Prep Time:
15 mins
Additional Time:
45 mins
Total Time:
1 hr
Servings:
45
Yield:
45 cookies

Ingredients:

2 cups rolled oats

½ cup whole-wheat pastry flour

½ cup all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

½ teaspoon baking soda

½ teaspoon salt

½ cup tahini

4 tablespoons cold unsalted butter, cut into pieces

⅔ cup granulated sugar

⅔ cup packed light brown sugar

1 large egg

1 large egg white

1 tablespoon vanilla extract

1 cup chocolate chips

½ cup chopped walnuts

Directions:

Position racks in upper and lower thirds of oven; preheat to 350°F. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

Whisk oats, whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, cinnamon, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl. Beat tahini and butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until blended into a paste. Add granulated sugar and brown sugar; beat until well combined. Beat in egg, then egg white, then vanilla. Stir in the oat mixture until just moistened. Stir in chocolate chips and nuts.

With damp hands, roll 1 tablespoon of the dough into a ball, place on a prepared baking sheet and flatten until squat, but don’t let the sides crack. Continue with the remaining dough, spacing the flattened balls 2 inches apart.

Bake the cookies, switching pans back to front and top to bottom halfway, until golden brown, about 16 minutes. Cool on the pans for 2 minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool. Let the pans cool for a few minutes between batches.

Tips
Make Ahead Tip: Store in an airtight container for up to 2 days or freeze for longer storage.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
105
Calories
5g
Fat
14g
Carbs
2g
Protein

As posted online at EATINGWELL.COM. Check out the other low carb desserts here!