Joy in the Kitchen!

  I don't know that it's fair to call this a pound cake, nothing was measured by pounds!   But it is moist and dense and delicious, just like old fashioned pound cake!  And chocolate to boot!  Can't beat that.  This is lovely in a Bundt pan but would work well in 2 loaf pans as well.  The smooth chocolate ganache on top is my favorite but you can just sprinkle with powdered sugar as it's cooling for a lightly sweet touch. I made this recently for an auction at church.  It was fun to see all of the fun desserts that others brought to auction off as well!  We went home with a delicious German Chocolate cake. Mmm! Triple Chocolate Pound Cake 1 chocolate cake mix (I prefer fudge or rich chocolate) 1 6oz box of instant chocolate pudding 1/2 cup white sugar 2/3 cup water 3/4 cup oil 1 cup sour cream 4 large eggs 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips Ganache 3/4 cup heavy cream 2 cups chocolate chips, semi sweet or milk 2 tsp. coconut oil, optional Prehe...

Today feels like a baking day.  It's chilly outside and nothing warms the house up like the aroma from a busy oven. Especially when that aroma includes chocolate! These chocolaty cookies are delicious!  I don't often put nuts in my recipes because my children don't love them.  However, I DO love them and did you know that pecans are a pretty healthy nut?  We'll focus that direction and forget about the cup of butter in these that might offset the health benefits! Every bit as easy to mix up as regular chocolate chip cookies, but a nice change of pace when you're in a nutty mood. Double Chocolate Chip Pecan Cookies 1 C. butter, softened 1 C. brown sugar 3/4 C. white sugar 1 tsp. vanilla 1 T. water 2 eggs 2 1/2 C. flour 1/3 C. cocoa 1/2 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. baking soda 2 C. semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 C. chopped pecans Preheat oven to 375. Blend the butter, sugars, vanilla and water until light and fluffy.  Add the eggs and beat until w...

This bar cookie recipe comes from Grandma Evelyn, my husbands grandmother.  She sure had the best cookie recipes ever!  These are actually on the healthy side of cookies.  The base is mainly oats, sugar, and butter.  (And if you count the butter as a dairy serving, all the healthier, right?!)    These are quick and easy to make.   My sister makes a similar cookie but hers has a different name.   I would venture a guess that these are as healthy as your average chocolate covered granola bar and MUCH tastier! O'Henry Bars 6 C. quick oats 1 C. melted butter  1 1/2 C. brown sugar 1 tsp. vanilla Mix together well and press into an 11 x 17 inch pan.  Bake 15 minutes at 375. Mix in double boiler or carefully in microwave: 3/4 C. corn syrup 1  1/4 C. chocolate chips (I like semi-sweet) 3/4 C. chunky peanut butter Heat and stir until melted, spread on hot cookie bar crust.    Cool, cut, and serve!

It seems that certain recipes come and go in our menu's and some things that we just loved for a while get pushed aside by new loves and forgotten. I was hunting through my piles of recipes today and came across one I haven't made for several years.  I mixed up a batch of these Easy Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies this morning and my kids love them!  And they were so easy!  I don't know why I set this recipe to the back of the cupboard!  I love bar cookies and brownies partly because you just mix them up and bake all at once rather than changing out pans of cookies every 10 minutes.   I like to double this recipe and spread it in a large 18x13 baking sheet with sides. Easy Chocolate Chip Bar Cookies 3/4 C. butter or margarine 1 C. brown sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 2 C. buttermilk pancake mix (just add water kind) 1/2 C. chocolate chips 1/4 C. chopped walnuts In a large bowl cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla and mix well.  Stir in remai...

I made these for my daughters wedding reception.  They are super easy and delicious!  I don't have a picture with these but I love to do a variety of coatings to make a pretty plate of treats.  Coatings are easy to coordinate with the current holiday so you can make these year-round.  It's almost shameful how easy they are to make.  (and honestly, they're even easier to eat!) Decadent Chocolate Truffles 8 oz. Cream Cheese, softened 3 C. powdered sugar, sifted 3 C. Semi-sweet chocolate chips 1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract or other flavoring coatings of choice:  ground nuts, cocoa powder, coconut, powdered sugar, sprinkles, candy melts of any color, melted. Beat cream cheese until it is smooth.  Gradually beat in powdered sugar until well blended.  Stir in melted chocolate and vanilla flavoring until well mixed. Refrigerate about an hour.  Shape into 1 inch balls.  Roll truffles in desired coating.  Makes about 60 truffles....

Sometimes a nice, hot fudge sundae hits the spot perfectly!  This Classic Cocoa Sauce is so easy to make and delicious on ice cream!  Truth be told, once it's in the fridge in a jar, a spoonful here and there is pretty awesome too! My sister-in-law Susy passed this recipe on to me. It uses ingredients that I always have on hand and takes minutes to make.  It is our family favorite! Classic Cocoa Sauce 6 T. cocoa powder 1 C. sugar 3/4 C. evaporated milk 1/4 C. butter 1/8 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. vanilla Mix cocoa and sugar.  Blend in milk.  Add butter and salt and cook over medium heat stirring constantly until mixture comes to a boil.  Remove from heat and add vanilla.  Cool slightly before serving.  Sauce thickens as it cools. Joy's Notes:   I prefer to double this recipe mainly because it will use the full can of canned milk rather than leaving me with 3/4 C. of milk to figure out a way to use.  This stores in th...

Chocolate Eclairs are an elegant dessert fit for a special occasion.  Valentine's Day is coming up and I've been investigating possibilities for a special meal to share with my special Valentine. (Unless he has something better planned this year!)  These chocolate eclairs would be delicious!  Of course you don't have to reserve them just for Valentine's Day, or even for special occasions as they're pretty easy to make and even easier to eat! Today I am filling these with some Bavarian Creme filling I purchased from Alison's Pantry, but if you were so inclined you could make your own cream filling from scratch, or use a box of instant vanilla pudding.   I love the ease of the bavarian creme filling today. (and the flavor of it is amazing for a pre-made filling!) You will want to make these ahead because the shells need some time to cool, but I prefer to fill them right not too long before eating.  I'll have to decide what the rest of the men...

My husband's Grandma was such a cookie maker.  Each Christmas for years she baked cookies and made candy.  Lots of it!  She packaged it in boxes and sent to her children and grandchildren.  These O'Henry Bars often made it into those packages. They're really similar to a granola bar. At least those chocolate covered granola bars.... which I think are just a glorified candy bar most of the time.   I don't think you'd be out of line (much) to eat one of these for breakfast or a keep you going sort of snack.  Sometime I'm going to try adding craisins or rice crispies in the dough. These are easy and quick to make.  We did have a hard time getting them to cool in the house though so we put them in the freezer for a bit to speed things up.  Perfect!   You will want to have a glass of milk close by, they are rich! O'Henry Bars 6 C. quick oats 1 1/2 C. brown sugar 1 C. butter, softened 3/4 C. corn syrup 1 tsp. vanilla...

Is there really anything better than a good chocolate chip cookie , Other than TWO good chocolate chip cookies?  That's an emphatic NO!  There are so many recipes for chocolate chip cookies out there and I've tried quite a few of them.  I've posted a few already on my blog.  This is one of my favorites.  I got the recipe at a church dinner from Margaret.  Margaret has 7 children... 5 of those are boys.  They're all grown now, but I'd bet you that when they were all home, she knew how to cook a big batch of a lot of foods to keep those tummies happy!   This makes at least 6 dozen average sized cookies. (I use a normal sized cookie scoop - or about a walnut sized piece of dough rolled into a ball)  If you don't need to EAT 6 dozen cookies today, go ahead and roll the dough into balls and freeze.  If you'd rather, you can roll the dough into logs and freeze.  When you're ready to bake, just thaw a few minutes and sl...

Time to start making cookies for Christmas!   I don't know why Double Crunchers are reserved for Christmas treats around here, but that's almost the only time we make them.  These have a cream cheese chocolate filling spread between 2 oatmeal crunchy cookies.  Delicious!   This recipe comes from Dave's Grandma McKinnon.  She made all sorts of cookies and candies!  An amazing cook.   Double Crunchers 1 C. flour  1/2 C. shortening 1/2 C. brown sugar 1/2 C. sugar 1/4 tsp. salt 1/2 tsp. vanilla 1 egg 1 C. quick oats 1 C. crushed cornflakes 1/2 C. shredded coconut (optional) Cream shortening, sugars, and egg.  Add vanilla and all other ingredients.  Mix well.  The dough will be a little crumbly.  Using 1 tsp. of dough each, shape 2/3 of the dough into balls.  Put on greased cookie sheet.  Flatten with the floured bottom of a glass.  Bake 8-10 minutes at ...

Oh my!  This is one of my favorite cakes!   When we first were married, Dave's Mom gave me a bunch of old Idaho Farmer-Stockman magazines.  I'd guess they were from the 70's.  This recipe was featured in one of those.  I love homemade cakes so much better than cake mixes - they're just bit more dense and have so much more flavor. (in my opinion, which is what counts when I'm eating it!  lol )  I've used this recipe many times for birthdays and special occasions.   Yes, this does take a bit more work that baking a cake with the help of Betty Crocker, but there are occasions that really are worth it! Devil's Food Cake 3 1-ounce squares unsweetened chocolate 3/4 C. boiling water 3/4 C. margarine or butter 1 3/4 C. packed brown sugar 3 eggs, beaten 1 tsp. vanilla 2 C. sifted flour 1 1/2 tsp. baking soda 3/4 tsp. salt 3/4 C. buttermilk Pour boiling water over chocolate; stir until melted and smooth.  Cool slightly.  Cream m...

Hot Chocolate in the summer?  Must be time for CAMPING!!!  We're heading to a family reunion soon and I just found that I'm out of hot chocolate mix.  We love to make our own... we can make it creamier, or more chocolaty, and as we use quite a bit, homemade makes a good amount.   I have never really checked the cost of this against pre-made hot chocolate mix.  This is so handy for mixing up a double sized mug of hot chocolate to sip around the campfire in the summer, or for family to mix up as they want it all winter long. Usually I make a double batch of mix and keep it in a 2 gallon ice cream bucket.  I have to make the mix a couple of times through the winter.  This morning, my younger girls mixed this up in just a few minutes.  Hot Chocolate Mix 11 C.  Instant Milk Powder 3 C. powdered chocolate drink mix (like Nesquik) 3 C. powdered creamer 2 C. powdered sugar 2 tsp. powdered vanilla (optional) Mix all together in a large bow...

Here is a fabulous recipe that combines all the yummy goodness of ooey-gooey, sticky, chocolatey S'Mores eaten around the campfire!  The best part of this recipe though, is that you don't have to wait for a campfire to enjoy them!  (and you don't have to worry about people waving flaming marshmallows over your head!) I doubled this today as I need treats to take to Girls Camp with me AND I wanted to leave some treats here for the family.   S'Mores Bars 3/4 C. butter or margarine 2/3 C. sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 18 whole graham crackers, crushed (abt. 3 cups) 1/2 C. all-purpose flour 1/2 tsp. salt 1 1/2 - 2 C. chocolate chips 3 1/2 C. mini marshmallows Heat oven to 350 Beat butter and sugar with electric mixer on medium speed until light and fluffy.  Beat in egg and vanilla.  Stir in crushed graham crackers, flour, and salt.  Reserve about one-third of the dough and press remaining dough onto the bottom of a greased 9x13 pan. Sprinkle chocolate ...

Oh my goodness!  These cookies are fantastic!  Audra has been making these cookies for several years.  She knows they're one of my favorites.  They're just so chewy, and chocolatey, and DELICIOUS!   In case you're following my blog and don't know my family, Audra is my oldest experiment - ooops - I mean CHILD. LOL  She's married now and has her own family, with 2 of the cutest children *I've* ever seen. (next to my son Brett, who has the other 2 cutest children!)  She is a fabulous cook when she has time, and contribute here on my blog once in a while. Considering she is going to college full time, working part-time, and raising a family, it's surprising she has time to contribute at all right now!  Love you Audra! Today Jaylyn, who is 10, was remembering the yummy chocolate, chocolate chip cookies she's had at Subway.  Particularly, I think she likes that those cookies are HUGE!  I thought I'd try making giant cookies with this r...

Much to my kids' dismay, I've been avoiding baking a lot the past few weeks because I'm watching calories.  BUT today I've got 5 extra kids for afternoon snacks AND I volunteered to bring treats for my 8 year old daughters basketball game tomorrow.  I've been craving chocolate, and since I KNOW I'll sneak some of whatever I make, I figured I just as well tend to that craving. :)  (We know it's important for Mom's to take care of their needs so they can tend to the needs of the family, right?  At least that's how I'm justifying it today. LOL ) These cookies are an adjustment to another recipe I have for plain chocolate chip cookies.  I just added the cocoa, adjusted the eggs and flour.  This makes a large batch - about 6 dozen cookies.  (I've never heard any of the kids complain about that.) Triple Chocolate Chip Cookies 2 C. butter or margarine 2 C. brown sugar 1 1/2 C. white sugar 3/4 C. baking cocoa 4 eggs 2 tsp. vanilla 3 tsp. baking p...

Wacky is a fun term to use for this deliciously different chocolate cake!  Wacky Cake is heavier than regular chocolate cake... gives you something to bite into.  The texture is similar to the One Egg Cake Mom used to make - or maybe a little lighter than shortcake.  I don't know when my Mom started making Wacky Cake, but in doing a little research, rumor has it, that Wacky Cake could have been popular during the depression because it doesn't use eggs or milk.  It was quite a treat when I was growing up - and SUPER easy to make!  I've also seen this same recipe called Crazy Cake or Egg-less Cake.  Personally I like Wacky cake the best.  :) The directions call for mixing this cake right in the pan you're baking it in, eliminating having to wash a mixing bowl.  If you'd rather mix it in a mixer the results are the same.... AND you can lick the bowl without any fear of salmonella from raw eggs.  (not that I let that stop me on other batters HA...

Here's another brownie recipe!   You can never have too many, though I have a few that are favorites, and this is one of them.  Mmmmm!  It is similar to the recipe I grew up baking, but they use oil instead of margarine (heart healthier), uses 5 eggs instead of 4, and adds a teaspoon of salt.  Dave got this recipe from a guy he works with.    When I asked for the recipe & Dave brought home a 3x5 card titled "Good Brownies"  I really had to laugh... good brownies - as opposed to those yucky ones. LOL   The name is a good description, but they are so good they deserve a fancier name - I just haven't thought of it yet.  Anyway - Thanks to Einar for these delicious brownies! Einar's Good Brownies 2 C. sugar 1 3/4 C. flour 1/2 C. baking cocoa 1 tsp. salt 5 eggs 1 C. vegetable oil 1 tsp. vanilla 1 C. chopped walnuts (optional) Mix the first eight (or seven if you're not using the walnuts) ingredients and beat until ...

Mmmmm!   Gooey cream cheese filled chocolate cupcakes were one of my favorite treats growing up.  Mom didn't make them often, but when she did....  YUUUMMMYY!  :)  I prefer these without frosting, but they look nice with it & the kids like them frosted.  My energy level decides whether they're frosted or not most of the time.  Filled Cupcakes 1 cake mix mixed as directed on box OR 1 recipe of cake batter of your choice (I prefer chocolate, but you probably knew that by now, didn't you!) Filling: 1 8 oz. brick of cream cheese, softened 1/3 C. sugar 1 egg 1 tsp. vanilla 1/2 C. chocolate chips Mix everything but the chocolate chips until smooth.  Stir in chocolate chips.  Fill your cupcake liners with the cake batter just as if you were doing regular cupcakes.  Drop 1-2 tsp. of filling on top of the batter in the center of each cup.  Bake at 350 for about 20 minutes.  Cool and frost if desired. Joy's Notes:...

These showy little cookies are actually pretty easy to make.  Even better, the dough can be frozen in rolls for a quick and easy treat.  Christmas baking is coming up and having this dough in the freezer will make for some quick additions to cookie and candy plates for friends and neighbors.  These cookies are not too sweet and turn out fairly thin and crisp.  My 14 year old son says to be sure and mention how good they are dipped in milk!  Yummy! The original recipe is from an old Betty Crocker Cookbook.  The basic recipe is chocolate, but to make pinwheels or other contrasting creations, you'll mix up the batch without the cocoa first, take out half, and then add the cocoa to the second half.  Honestly, I find it easiest to just make 2 batches.  One chocolate and one vanilla.  Refrigerator Pinwheel Cookies 1 3/4 C. powdered sugar 1 1/4 C. margarine or butter, softened 1 egg 1/2 tsp. vanilla 3 C. flour 1/4 C. cocoa...

My family loves No-Bake Cookies .  I have recipes for both chocolate and peanut butter.  They prefer chocolate, but we love both.  (I have seen recipes out there for cookies that are chocolate with peanut butter in them - I haven't tried those yet but I'll bet they're great!) The chocolate cookies can be a little finicky about heat.  If they're overcooked, they crumble (chocolate granola! lol ) and if they are undercooked they will stay sticky.  Have all of your ingredients ready when you begin, and have that timer handy as well. Chocolate No-Bake Cookies 2 C. sugar 2 T. baking cocoa 1/4 C. margarine 1/2 C. water pinch of salt Mix the above in a 3 quart pan.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly and boil 3 minutes. (use the timer!)  Quickly remove from heat and add: 3 C. quick oats 2 tsp. vanilla Quickly drop by heaped spoonfuls onto waxed paper.  Cool.  Makes about 2 dozen smallish cookies. Joy's Notes:   IF your pa...