Leader Enterprise - Valentine's Recipes - Feb. 13, 2019

(Sorry this was posted late...I saw it in my drafts after it was in the paper, and thought I'd share the chocolate recipes, good all year long=)

Happy Valentine's Day to all of my family and friends! 

Here's a few easy ideas to help you celebrate Valentine's Day with someone...no matter what...and no matter who.  You don't have to have a 'sweetie' to celebrate this day of love. Showing a good friend or family member by giving them some personalized time can make a difference in their day...their world. And in yours too!

- Have dinner and a movie in. (Kind of a no-brainer huh?) Enjoy some candy conversation hearts after the meal to get some conversation going. Make time to reminisce. 

- If staying in with family, eat by candlelight and have everyone dress up in their best. The kids will get a kick out of seeing you in your 'fancy dancies'.

- Have guests make their best dish and enjoy a potluck with friends or family. Tie a ribbon around a few (red of course) lollipops to make a 'bouquet' to send home with each person. 

This luscious dessert is 'the bomb'! Great for serving guests. Don't forget the ice cream.  

CROCKPOT HOT FUDGE (PEANUT BUTTER) CAKE 

1-1/4 c. packed brown sugar, divided

1 c. all purpose flour

6 TB. baking cocoa, divided

2 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 c. milk

2 TB. butter, melted

1/2 tsp. vanilla

1-1/2 c. semisweet chocolate (or peanut butter) chips

1-3/4 c. boiling water

vanilla ice cream for serving

Coat a 3-qt. crockpot with nonstick cooking spray. In a bowl, combine 1 c. brown sugar, flour, 3 Tb.cocoa, baking powder and salt.  In another bowl, combine milk, butter, and vanilla; stir into dry ingredients just until combined. Spread evenly into prepared crockpot. Sprinkle with chocolate (or peanut butter) chips. In a bowl, combine remaining brown sugar (1/4 c.) and baking cocoa (3 TB.); stir in boiling water. Pour over batter; DO NOT STIR. Cover and cook on high for about 4 hours or until a toothpick inserted near center of cake comes out clean. Allow to set 15 minutes, covered, before serving. Serve warm with ice cream. Yield: 6-8 servings (Hint: lay a couple of paper towels over top of crockpot before placing on lid to catch any moisture).

GERMAN CHOCOLATE CHEESEBALL

1 pkg. (8 ozs.) cream cheese, softened

(please don't use fat free as it won't hold very well) 

1/4 c. butter, softened

1 sm. box (4-serv. size) instant chocolate (fudge) pudding mix

1-1/4 c. powdered sugar 

2 Tb. milk

1/2 c. unsweetened, shredded coconut

1/2 c. pecans, chopped 

(toasted makes them even better!)

Chocolate or regular graham crackers, vanilla wafers

pretzels, or apple slices for serving

In a large mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, butter, instant pudding mix, powdered sugar and milk for several minutes on high. Line a qt. bowl with plastic wrap.  Place half the coconut and half the pecans in the bottom.  Gently mix them together (your fingers work great for that).  Add the cheeseball mixture (sticky at this point). Roll around so the coconut and pecans coat the cheeseball mixture. When covered; fold plastic wrap around the cheeseball and refrigerate until time to serve.  

Here's a special treat for one...or two! Recipe is easily doubled and divided into 2 mugs. 

DECADENT CHOCOLATE MUG CAKE

1/4 c. all purpose flour

2 Tb. baking cocoa powder

1/4 tsp. baking powder

2 Tb. white sugar

dash of salt

1/4 c. + 1 Tb. milk

2 Tb. vegetable (or coconut) oil 

1 Tb. Nutella chocolate spread (or mini chocolate chips)

In a small or medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder

and sugar (or sweetener) Add milk and oil; whisk until blended and smooth. 

I quickly sprayed a large mug (mine was 12 ozs.) with non stick cooking spray.  Pour batter into prepared microwave safe mug. Add Nutella (or choc chips) in the middle of the batter..plopping it off the spoon with another spoon if need be. 

You may want to add a paper towel to the bottom of the microwave if you're not sure your mug is large enough.  Microwave for 60-70 seconds.  Allow to stand a minute before enjoying....(I know it's hard to wait but it will need to finish 'cooking' before you dive in).  Enjoy straight from the mug (It will be warm!) or dump into a bowl and add some ice cream...

“There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate.” ― Linda Grayson