Get Your Chocolate Chip On #NationalChocolateChipDay

Today is National Chocolate Chip Day!
I know you must love chocolate chips as much as I do. How do I know? You showed up here, didn’t you? 🙂
That’s okay. You’re in the right place. Enjoy some bits of chocolaty goodness while you’re here!

Marshmallow Chocolate Chip Cookie Wedges

chocolate marshmallow cookie slice
Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies
chocolate chocolate chip cookie plate
Cinnamon Zucchini Brownies (There’s chips in there!)
cinnamon zucchini brownies
Smore For Me!

Do you have a favorite recipe using any flavored chips that you would like to share?
Leave a link in a comment below! I’m sure it will be chiptastic! Okay, technically not a word but it should be!

Posted in brownies, chocolate, cookies, dessert, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

On the Go with Mario #SnackOlives

Mario snack olives logo

I was introduced to Mario Snack Olives at the 2013 Food and Wine Conference. They were part of our re-energizing break snacks. I confess that I had to try every kind out of curiosity. I’m glad I did.
These olive snack packs are a great idea for quick energy, naturally. Low calorie, low carbs and zero cholesterol.
They come in exciting flavors:
PITTED SEASONED W NATURAL SEA SALT, BLACK
PITTED SEASONED W ROASTED RED PEPPER, BLACK
PITTED SEASONED W NATURAL SEA SALT, GREEN
PITTED SEASONED W SEVILLIAN SPICES, GREEN
PITTED W A HINT OF SAVORY PEPPER, GREEN
PITTED W A HINT OF GARLIC, GREEN
PITTED W A HINT OF THYME, KALAMATA
Find out more about Mario Snack Olives at their website: Mario Snack Olives
Keep up to date on contests and promotions at Mario Foods on Facebook and twitter at @MarioFoods

Stay tuned for my adventures with Mario Snack Olives the Olives for on the go!
mario olives on the go promo water
I was given Mario Foods Snack Olives as part of a contest promotion. I received no monetary compensation for this post. Opinions are my own.

Posted in olives, snacks | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Black Forest Brownies

Black Forest Brownies
Black Forest Torte was one of the first cakes we were taught to make at school. We used Bing cherries. I was already very familiar with these sweet, dark jewels.
I grew up blessed with all kinds of fruit growing around the neighborhood. There were wild raspberries and mulberries. Our next door neighbors had a strawberry patch, apple and pear trees too. There was an apricot tree on a nearby abandoned lot. The bonus was that most of it was free for the picking. That was the neighbors’ policy. As long as you didn’t waste it. One particular neighbor had a Bing cherry tree. These were always a late summer treat.
Since making that first torte, I’ve loved the taste of chocolate and cherries together. I lost that recipe a long time ago, but I’ve toyed with other combos like chocolate cherry ice cream and even pudding.
Brownies are a go-to dessert for me. They’re quick, versatile and always crowd pleasing. So combining rich dark chocolate and sweet, dark cherries sounded like a great tasting brownie possibility to me. A touch of rum and a dollop of chocolate whipped cream made these Black Forest Brownies a new favorite at my house.
If you love brownies and food as much as I do, I have an opportunity you will love!
Brownie-Dessert-Contest-2014-GC- (1)
The 2014 Food and Wine Conference held in Orlando, Florida July 18th-20th has an exciting way you can enter a brownie contest with a chance to win a free conference pass and more!
Find out more about this opportunity and how to enter: Dixie Crystals Brownie Dessert Contest 2014 .

Black Forest Brownies
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 9 to 12 brownies
Ingredients
  • 2 squares unsweetened chocolate
  • ½ cup unsalted butter
  • 1 cup Dixie Crystals sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • ½ cup flour
  • ½ tsp baking powder
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ¼ cup diced black sweet cherries or Bing cherries (fresh or frozen)
  • ½ tsp rum or rum extract
  • ¼ tsp vanilla extract
Chocolate Whipped Cream
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 1 tablespoon cocoa
  • ¾ cup Dixie Crystals powdered sugar
  • ½ tsp vanilla
  • ½ cup black sweet cherries or Bing cherries cut in half for garnish.
Instructions
  1. Melt butter and chocolate in a double boiler or microwave. Set aside to cool. Add diced cherries, rum, vanilla extract.
  2. Whisk eggs and sugar together.
  3. Slowly incorporate cooled, chocolate/butter/cherry mixture into the eggs and sugar.
  4. Mix together flour, baking powder, salt and in a separate bowl. Stir dry ingredients into wet mixture.
  5. Spread into a well-buttered 8×8-inch baking pan.
  6. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes and until inserted toothpick comes out clean. Let cool before cutting and serving.
Chocolate Whipped Cream
  1. Pour cream into a well-chilled mixing bowl
  2. Mix powdered sugar and cocoa
  3. Add vanilla and powdered sugar mixture
  4. Beat on med-high until stiff peaks form.
  5. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a cherry.

This recipe was entered in a #FWCon contest sponsored by Dixie Crystals where I have a chance to win selected prizes. I was not compensated for writing this post.

Posted in brownies, chocolate, contest, dessert, fresh ingredients, fruit, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , | 3 Comments

Black-Eyed Susan for #SundaySupper

Black-eyed Susan slice
Black-Eyed Susan is one of my favorite flowers, It turns out, its also one of my favorite cakes.
This cake was my Mom’s go-to cake. Its chocolate and orange flavor combination was always a hit. Now keep in mind, Black-Eyed Susan Cake, also known as Brown-Eyed Susan Cake was popular 40 years ago. Cakes back then tended to be drier than today’s offerings. If you are looking for a moist, fudge-like cake I can get you the recipe here .

Today the day is all about Mom!

A Mother can be your best friend, strict teacher and loving parent, all rolled into one. This is how it was for me. My Mom was my greatest supporter and protector. At times she may have overdone the protecting part. Thanks Mom! Love and miss ya!

For our Mother’s Day Sunday Supper we’re showcasing Mom; her cooking, favorite dinners, stories, tips and techniques. Thank you Liz from That Skinny Chick Can Bake for hosting this awesome event!

Sunday Supper Movement

HAPPY MOTHER’S DAY!

Black-Eyed Susan whole cake

Whimsical watercolor Black-Eyed Susans!

Black-Eyed Susan Cake unfrosted

Black-Eyed Susan Cake
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Ingredients
base batter
  • ½ cup butter, softened
  • 1 cup plus 2 Tablespoons sugar
  • 2 eggs, beaten
  • 1¾ cups cake flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup milk
Instructions
  1. Grease and flour 2 8-inch cake pans
  2. Cream together, butter and sugar. Add eggs.
  3. In a separate bowl, add flour, baking powder, salt
  4. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk until both are incorporated.
  5. Divide batter into 2 bowls.
  6. Add 1½ squares melted chocolate, ⅛ teaspoon baking soda, 1 Tablespoon milk
  7. Add 2 Tablespoons orange juice, 1 Tablespoon orange zest and 1 teaspoon orange extract
  8. Alternate dropping spoonfuls of chocolate and orange batter into prepared pans as evenly as possible. Lightly tap pan on the counter to level. This will keep the flavors from blending.
  9. Bake at 350 degrees for about 25 minutes or until cake tests done when a toothpick inserted comes out clean.
  10. Frost and decorate as desired.

Enjoy all these great Mother’s Day Tribute recipes from the Sunday Supper Group!
Sunday Supper Movement
Mother’s Day Breakfast:

Mother’s Day Appetizers, Soups and Salads:

Mother’s Day Main Dishes:

Mother’s Day Desserts:

Join the #SundaySupper conversation on twitter on Sunday! We tweet throughout the day and share recipes from all over the world. Our weekly chat starts at 7:00 pm ET. Follow the #SundaySupper hashtag and remember to include it in your tweets to join in the chat. Check out our #SundaySupper Pinterest board for more fabulous recipes and food photos.

Would you like to join the Sunday Supper Movement? It’s easy! You can sign up by clicking here: Sunday Supper Movement.

Posted in #SundaySupper, breakfast, cake, chocolate, dessert, Mother's Day, What's For Dinner? | Tagged , , , , | 67 Comments