Cream Cheese Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

Getting ready to leave China, I had 1/2 cup of butter and 8 ounces of cream cheese to use up.  I found a recipe that was similar to this, but I had to make changes for exactly what I had left to use up.  I was pleased with the results.

Cream Cheese Filled Chocolate Cupcakes

1 1/2 c. flour
1 c white sugar
1/3 cup cocoa
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt

Mix these all together in a large bowl.  Make sure it is well blended.

In a small bowl:

2 eggs, beaten
3/4 cup cold water
1/2 cup softened butter (this must be butter!  no margarine)
1 tsp vanilla
1TBS apple cider vinegar

Blend together and then add to the flour, sugar, cocoa mixture.  Mix until well blended
Fill lined cupcake pan with about 1/2 inch of batter.  You will have a total of 18-20 cupcakes with batter left over for just a minute.

Mix together:

8 oz of cream cheese
1/3 cup sugar
1/8 tsp salt

Mix with a mixer until the sugar is well blended in. 

Add:

1/2 to 3/4 cup chocolate chips

Put a TBS of the cream cheese/chocolate chip mixture in the batter that is in the cupcake tins.  When all the cream cheese mixture has been added to the batter in the cupcake tins, finish putting the rest of the batter over the top, using up all the rest of the batter. 

If you want, you can add chopped walnuts or pecans to the top of the cupcakes.

Bake for 25-30 minutes at 350 degrees.  Test with a toothpick to see if they are done.  No batter will be sticking to the toothpick if they are done.

Brookies (Half cookie, half brownie!)

Brookies

This was inspired by the fact that I had left over chocolate chip cookie dough and it wasn't going to make enough cookies for the group I was making a dessert for, so I quickly looked up for a recipe on Allrecipes.com  and up pops THE perfect solution.  I used my own chocolate chip cookie recipe that is on my blog and it is a little different than the one on the recipe page mentioned earlier.  So I would use half of that recipe for the cookie base and then the following to make the Brookie.

Use half of this recipe http://step-by-stepcooking.blogspot.com/2012/10/chocolate-chip-cookies.html  for the cookie base.  Spread it in the bottom of a 9 x 13 pan make it no more than 1/2 inch think.

Then for the brownie part:

Mix together:
1 cup of sugar
1/2 cup of butter that has been melted
1 tsp vanilla

Add:
2 eggs

Beat well.

Mix together:
1/2 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/8 tsp salt

Add to the egg, butter, sugar mixture.
Stir to combine all ingredients.

Pour the brownie batter over the cookie dough in the pan.

Bake at 350 degrees (175 C), for 20-25 minutes.  Use a toothpick poked in the center to check it, if the toothpick comes out clean, it is ready.

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

Mix together:

1 cup oil  (to make a low fat version, use 1/2 cup oil and 1/2 cup applesauce)
2 cups sugar
3 eggs

Mix well and add:
1/2 cup of cocoa
2 1/2 cups flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1 Tbsp vanilla

Stir in 2 cups of shredded zucchini.

Pour in a greased 9 x 13 pan.  Sprinkle chocolate chips on top if you want.

Bake at 325 degrees for 40-45 minutes.  Check that the top springs back with you touch it in the middle to make sure it is done.

Soccer Practice Bars

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sugar
1 egg
1/3 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup flour
1 cup Old Fashioned Oatmeal
1 cup chocolate chips

Icing:
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 Tbsp. peanut butter
2 Tbsp. milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Cream butter and sugar.
Add egg and peanut butter.  Mix well.
Stir in baking soda, salt, flour and oatmeal.
Press into a 9 x 13 baking pan.
Sprinkle chocolate chips over the top (add nuts if you want ;)   )
Bake 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
Remove from oven and drizzle with icing.

Cool completely.  Cut into squares and serve.

Makes 24 squares.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

This recipe is from my sister-in-law, Merrilee.  She is a great cook and I can guarantee any recipe from her is going to be a winner!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 lb butter
2 1/2 cups brown sugar

Cream butter and sugar until smooth.  Add:

3 eggs

Beat well and then add:

6 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 teaspoons vanilla

Mix thoroughly, but not too much.

You can add any of the follow to make them even better!

2 cups nuts
2 cups chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups oatmeal
2 cups raisins
1 1/2 cups toffee chips

Make one inch balls of dough or use an ice cream scoop to put on a cookie sheet.  Bake at 350 degrees for 8-12 minutes. Look for a little golden color on the bottom of the cookie.  If it is golden, take them out of the oven.  If you want the cookie flatter, you will need to flatten them with your hand or a spoon before you bake them.  Let them sit on the baking sheet for a few minutes after you take them out of the oven to finish baking.

Peanut Butter Finger (School Recipe)

This is the recipe that was given to me by a person that used to work in the school cafeteria (in the days when they actually made things from scratch).  My family has fond memories of this dessert.

Peanut Butter Fingers

Peanut Butter Fingers

In a large bowl:

1 1/2 cups Butter
1 1/2 cups Peanut Butter
1 1/2 cups White Sugar
1 1/2 cups Brown Sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
3/4 salt
1 Tablespoon Vanilla

Mix all ingredients well with a mixer.

Stir in:
3 cups rolled oats
3 cups flour

Mix well.

Spread a thin layer of butter in a large baking sheet (13x18) or two 9x13 pans.  Evenly spread the batter into the pan.  You will probably have to use your hands and try to get it as even as possible.

Bake at 350 for 15 - 20 minutes, until the edges are golden brown.  Immediately sprinkle 2 bags of chocolate chips on the hot bars.  Spread around with a knife as it melts.

Optional frosting:
2-4 cups powdered sugar
1 1/2 cups peanut butter
4-8 Tablespoons evaporated milk.

Start with 2 cups powdered sugar and all of the peanut butter.  Gradually add the milk, starting with 4 Tablespoons.  If you happen to add too much milk and it is too runny, go ahead and add more powdered sugar.

Oh Henry Bars

Here is a blast from the past for my kids.  They used to crave this dessert.

Oh Henry Bars

1. Mix together 4 cups of oatmeal and 1 cup brown sugar.  I make sure it is really mixed together well so the rest of the recipe turns out well.

2. Pour 3/4 cup melted butter, 1/2 cup corn syrup, and 3 teaspoons over the oatmeal/sugar mixture and mix really well.  Spread in the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch pan and bake at 450 degrees for 10 minutes.  Don't let it burn because it gets hard and not as much fun to eat.

3. While it is baking, melt 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips and then add 1 cup peanut butter and mix well.

4.  Carefully spread the chocolate/peanut butter over the warm bars.  Let it cool and then cut up in about 1 1/2 inch square size pieces.   Makes about 30 squares.