Tag: entertaining

Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Truffles

We have been programmed to believe that “Nothing says Love like Chocolates [and flowers]”. I really enjoy chocolate more than anything – so that is the type of love we are featuring here today! In honor of Valentines Day, I share my love with you!

[last minute] New Years Suggestions Wrap-Up

[last minute] New Years Suggestions Wrap-Up

I’m taking some of the best Appetizers and Goodies that I have made over the past year or so and sharing them here with you, just in case you are still looking for some last minute ideas!   Fondue Spinach Parmesan Balls DIY Ranch Dressing 

Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

Think “Blondie Brownie” with all sorts of goodies added in!

Coconut + Chips = Chocolate Coconut BarI guess these are called “Congo Bars” – but I had never heard them called that (I do not think I have ever had them before either). These bar cookies are a perfect way to use up some of those 1/2 bags of sweets you have left over from other sweets. I did not have plain chocolate chips, so used a mix of plain/peanut butter. My mom hates coconut, so for her I would replace that with something else. You could make this with dried fruits to pretend to be healthier.

photographed by NJ Wedding Photographer: Rich Alborn

We recently brought these to a pot-luck (that we showed up late to) and even though most people had already eaten & had dessert – these still ended up disappearing!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Bars

Congo Bars

(as adapted from The Curvy Carrot, check out the “Congo Bars“)

  • 1 and 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 12 tablespoons (1 and 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter, melted/cooled
  • 1 and 1/2 cups packed light brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 and 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
  • CHIPS: 1 cup total, mix it up with chocolate, white chocolate, caramel, & peanut butter
  • 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips, plus an additional 1/2 cup for topping the bars
  • 1/2 cup white chocolate chips, plus an additional 1/2 cup for topping the bars
  • 1 and 1/2 cups shredded unsweetened coconut, toasted, plus more for garnish
  • [1 cup almonds, toasted and chopped coarsely] – skip for the “no-nut” crowd

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9 x 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray.  Fold and fit two large pieces of foil perpendicular to one another in the baking pan, making sure to leave about 3 inches of overhang on each side.  ***This will help you remove the bars from the baking pan. Spray the foil with cooking spray.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, and salt. In the bowl of your standing mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, mix the melted butter and brown sugar until combined. On medium-low speed, add the eggs and vanilla, mixing well. Stop the mixer and manually fold in the flour mixture with a rubber spatula, mixing until just combined. Add the chocolate chips, nuts, and coconut to the batter. Spread the batter evenly in the prepared baking pan.

Bake for at least 22-25 minutes (until the top is slightly cracked and the bars feel firm to the touch).  *I ended up baking mine for at least 30 minutes – but be sure to check frequently to avoid over-baking. Remove the bars from the oven, garnish with the additional chocolate chips and coconut (if desired) and cool on a wire rack. Remove the bars from the pan by holding on to the overhanging foil edges and cut into bars.

And I leave you with this… these bar cookies are made with your “sweets leftovers” – so the next time you meet someone who tells you they don’t like leftovers (even though I’m not sure how that is possible) you should direct them to these bar cookies & then ask them how they feel about leftovers!

S’mores Cupcakes

S’mores Cupcakes

“Please sir, may I have s’more” Welcome to the summer season! There is nothing that screams summer more than some warm roasted marshmallows (ok – maybe grilling screams summer pretty loudly too, but I grew up in a house where dad grilled in a winter 

Fondant Fun for a Sweet 16

Fondant Fun for a Sweet 16

These may look really pretty (ok, really pretty for my first time – at least maybe give me that?) but the taste is just ‘eh’. I was not a fan of any of the “boxed” flavors and the fondant tastes like worn out bubble gum. I am usually a taste over looks kinda girl (you can’t just be a pretty face) so overall, I give these a thumb down… even though they did look nice on the dessert part of the table.

Chocolate Balloon Cups with Peanut Butter Mousse

Chocolate Balloon Cups with Peanut Butter Mousse

Can we take a moment to enjoy the beauty of these perfect little cups made from chocolate…

By a show of hands, how many of you remember the chocolate mousse cups I made at Christmas? … ok – you can put your hands down. Now that we have in mind where we are starting from, please erase all memories of the disaster of creating those cups and kindly turn your attention again toward these beautiful cups made of chocolate filled with a light peanut butter mousse cream!

chocolate mousse cups made from balloon molds

Now please wipe the drool from  your face! These look so much harder than they are. Start with mini balloons, melt some chocolate, add some filling & you are dressed to impress!

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