chocolate – Page 11 – The Pajama Chef

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins

August 2, 2013August 2, 2013 Sarah

Well, I wish I had a fun story to tell about these muffins, but I don’t. These Double Chocolate Banana Muffins are pretty much out of this world, so that’s the story itself, I suppose. They are utterly chocolately, perfectly fluffy, and even a smidge on the healthy side. You should totally make them, stat. Need I say more?

Like any banana bread or baked treat, these are best made with ultra ripe, almost too disgusting to look at, much less touch bananas. These are nowhere near ready… they should be almost completely black. The darker the banana, the sweeter the flavor, I say. [Even though I basically have to have Ben deal with the grossness.]

These muffins get their amazing, rich flavor from not one, not two, but THREE kinds of chocolate. I know I called them Double Chocolate, but I may have lied a bit. Cocoa powder, white chocolate chips, and mini chocolate chips are ALL necessary for success here, folks. In a cupcake, I’d pretty much never use all three things at once. But in these muffins? Totally works. Especially because these muffins are a bit on the healthy side thanks to the use of applesauce, flax seed, and whole wheat flour. What more could you ask for?

a year ago… Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
two years ago… Recipe Repeat: Crock Pot Santa Fe Chicken
three years ago… Potato Soup

Double Chocolate Banana Muffins [from Amy’s Cooking Adventures]
click to print

Ingredients:

3 ripe bananas, mashed
1/4 cup canola oil
1/4 cup applesauce
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup all purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat flour
1/4 cup ground flax seed
6 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup white chocolate chips
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line muffin tins with paper liners or grease well with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine bananas, oil, applesauce, brown sugar, eggs, and vanilla. In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, flax seed, cocoa powder, and baking soda.

Fold dry ingredients into the wet, then add chocolate chips and gently mix until just combined. Batter will be lumpy.

Spoon into muffin cups, filling about 2/3 full, then bake for 20-25 minutes or until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Time: 30 minutes.

Yield: 14-16 muffins.

Notes: Use or freeze within 3 days. These muffins freeze well!

LInked up with: Foodie Friday, Weekend Potluck.

Cakes, Desserts, Recipes

Coconut Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Crumb Cake

June 28, 2013July 18, 2017 Sarah

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Sometimes in the summertime, chocolate can be given the heave-ho as berries and other summer fruits take center stage. Even so, a cake can come along to change this. Cause a girl’s gotta have her chocolate, right?!? Especially when it comes in the form of Coconut Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Crumb Cake. I know that’s a mouthful, and normally I shy away from giving food loooooong names, but in this case, it is totally worth it. I promise. 🙂

This cake! Ohhh this cake. Crumb cakes just can’t be beat, can they? Well, a plain ‘ole crumb cake could get beat by this Coconut Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Crumb Cake, for sure. This cake is a buttery, flavorful masterpiece with a hint of sweet, tropical coconut. Using buttermilk in the cake itself just makes the batter so tangy and irresistible, and it bakes up soft and fluffy every. single. time. To lighten up the cake, I used the ‘ole half applesauce/half butter trick. For an even more decadent cake, use a full cup of butter, but really, the applesauce doesn’t affect the texture one single bit. I’m not a fan of applesauce in quick breads because the texture tends to get a little wonky, but here, the butter and buttermilk balances it out.

Mixed into the batter are some mini chocolate chips and a touch of shredded coconut–see them? Mini chocolate chips > regular chocolate chips any day. Better chocolate to batter ratio, if you will. 🙂 Then, as a topper of this already amazing cake we have some crumbs. Normally, crumbs are a bad thing. A messy thing. [Think toast.] Not so with cake! These crumbs are delectable bits of sugar and butter and coconut emulsion that just melt in your mouth. I couldn’t get enough of them. Seriously folks, when I cut the cake a few crumbs happened to fall off the knife onto the floor or the countertop or even the bottom of the pan, guess where they ended up? If you guessed the trash can, you are dead wrong. If you guessed my mouth… then, well, we’re kindred spirits. For good measure, I threw some more mini chocolate chips and shredded coconut on top. This makes one heck of a cake, friends.

If you like coconut and chocolate, then this is for you. I’ve been on a serious coconut kick over the past year plus and I think… I THINK… that this is the best coconut recipe that I have ever tasted. And I’ve tasted a lot of coconutty treats–candy, muffins, cookies, rice, even chicken. But this cake beats ’em all. I am extremely tempted to throw my day aside right now and head to the store for the few ingredients I need for this delightful cake. I’m starting the training for my fourth marathon soon, so I need the fuel, right? 🙂 Have a great weekend! Enjoy!

Coconut Chocolate Chip Buttermilk Crumb Cake [adapted from The Spiced Life]

click to print

Ingredients:

for the cake

1 cup unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup unsweetened natural applesauce
1 1/2 cups sugar
3 eggs
1 tablespoon coconut emulsion [or extract]
1 cup low-fat buttermilk
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cake flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup mini chocolate chips
1/2 cup shredded coconut

for the crumb topping

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar, packed
1/3 cup unsalted butter, cold & cubed
1 teaspoon coconut emulsion [or extract]

for finish

1/3 cup shredded coconut
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 baking dish with cooking spray [or your butter wrapper!].

In the bowl of a stand mixer, cream butter on high for 1 minute. Then add applesauce and beat on medium for 1 minute to incorporate. Then add sugar and beat again until fully incorporated, scraping the sides as needed.

Add eggs one at a time, mixing between additions.

Then, stir together coconut emulsion and buttermilk. In a separate bowl, whisk together flours, baking powder, and baking soda.

Alternately add buttermilk and flour to mixing bowl, beating on low in between additions and frequently scraping the sides. Fold in the chocolate chips and coconut.

Pour cake batter into prepared pan and set aside.

Next, prepare the crumb topping. Stir together flour and sugars, then cut in cubed butter with a pastry blender or two forks. Drizzle on coconut emulsion, then mix in with pastry blender. Sprinkle topping evenly over the batter, including the corners.

Bake for 50 minutes, then remove from oven and sprinkle with coconut. Return to oven for another 5 minutes then check for doneness with a toothpick. If toothpick does not come out clean, cover with foil and bake for another 5 minutes and check again. Bake until toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Immediately top with mini chocolate chips, then cool completely before cutting.

Time: 75 minutes [15 minutes active].

Yield: 16-20 servings, depending how you cut it.

Linked up with: Weekend Potluck.

Cakes, Desserts, Recipes

Double Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes

June 14, 2013June 14, 2013 Sarah

So, not only do I have a working laptop again [yay! even though things weren’t so hard work-wise because I had a wonderful loaner laptop from some generous church friends], I also got my act together enough to share this amazing recipe I found for DOUBLE CHOCOLATE STRAWBERRY SHORTCAKES! And on the most amazing day, too.

Why the shouting? Well, because chocolate and strawberry are things to shout about, duh. And because today, June 14th, is National Strawberry Shortcake Day [side note: I never know food holidays. So I’m psyched about this. Really psyched!]. But it’s also Flag Day, which leads me to the most important thing about today… it’s my grandparents’ 70th wedding anniversary. 70! Seven zero. Seventy. Years. Oh my goooooodness. That takes the cake today, right? Not buttery, chocolatey, shortcake that is just full of about a bazillion layers [even though it’s tasty]. Can you even believe it? This is one of my favorite pictures of them, dancing the ever-so-cheesy-yet-hopelessly-sentimental anniversary dance at our wedding. They won, even though at that point they had *only* been married for 66 years. Only. What an example, huh?

You don’t see commitment and longevity to marriage and relationships like this everyday, and my family is so blessed and thankful for their example. These Double Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes are definitely something to celebrate with–whether it’s a regular Tuesday night [like it was when I made these for our small group this week], National Strawberry Shortcake Day, or your grandparents’ 70th wedding anniversary, these are the perfect treat.

Chocolate and strawberry are a timeless match made in heaven [just like my grandparents] and I think you should definitely make these! And oh, if you do–don’t skimp on the good stuff: use quality dark chocolate, and make your own whipped cream. It’s ridiculously easy and so much better than anything out of a can. Trust me. I wish I lived close enough to my grandparents to make this for dessert for them tonight, but this blog post will have to suffice. I’ll email it to them later today [my grandpa is super tech savvy :)] so maybe you can do me a favor and leave ’em some anniversary love too? 🙂 Happy Anniversary, G&GY! Love you!

Double Chocolate Strawberry Shortcakes [from Lauren’s Latest]

click to print

Ingredients:

for the shortcakes

1 cup all-purpose flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3 tablespoons sugar
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1/4 cup cold butter, cut into small pieces
2/3 cup buttermilk
1 ounce dark chocolate, cut into small pieces

for the whipped cream

1 cup whipping cream or heavy cream
2-4 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 tablespoon cornstarch

for the strawberries

1 pound strawberries, washed and sliced
1 tablespoon sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Grease baking sheets with cooking spray or line with silpats or parchment paper.

In a large bowl, stir together flour, baking powder, sugar, and cocoa powder, then cut in butter with two knifes or a pastry blender until mixture resembles coarse crumbs. Stir in buttermilk and chocolate, then spoon out onto prepared baking sheets. Bake for 10-12 minutes, rotating halfway through, watching closely to make sure they don’t burn. Remove from baking sheets immediately to cooling rack to cool completely.

Meanwhile, prepare whipped cream and strawberries.

To make whipped cream, add whipping cream, sugar, vanilla, and cornstarch to stand mixer and whip on high until firm peaks form. [Cover mixer with a kitchen towel to prevent splatters.] Refrigerate until serving.

For strawberries, mix together berries and sugar. Sugar isn’t necessary but it will make a yummy syrup!

To serve, top cooled chocolate shortcakes with a generous amount of whipped cream and strawberries. Enjoy!

Time: 30 minutes + time to cool.

Yield: 8 servings.

P.S. If you wanna trust me on another important strawberry and chocolate matter, be sure to order a Chocolate Dipped Strawberry Blizzard next time you’re at Dairy Queen. It’s one of those off the menu recipes, circa early 2000s, but most stores know how to make it. It is so good.

Linked up with Weekend Potluck.

Cakes, Desserts, Recipes

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

April 26, 2013May 2, 2018 Sarah

As I write this post, my husband is in the kitchen whipping up this cake for my birthday. What a nice guy!!

My birthday is actually on Saturday, but we’re celebrating a little early because he’s running in a Spartan Race with my sister, brother-in-law, and my brother-in-law’s sister [what a mouthful] tomorrow. I was a nice wife and agreed to let him do his manly muddy obstacle course thing on my birthday. I love to run, but not in that craziness. I’m going shopping with my mom instead. I think I get the better end of the deal, but I digress. In reality, anyone who gets a piece of this cake gets a pretty good deal because it’s just so darn good!

This is the third time I’ve made this sweet, moist, banana-y cake studded with a bunch ‘o mini chocolate chips. Each time I’ve made it before it’s been for parties and I have to say that part of the reason I chose this for my birthday cake was so I could eat it all by myself with no guilt. Truth. Truth? Wellllll maybe not. I’ll probably wrap up some slices for my family tomorrow because I’m nice like that, even on my birthday. The rich, creamy frosting is just too good not to share.

This cake is fruity and ridiculously chocolately and absolutely delicious. The only way it could be better would be with sprinkles on top, but since I’m almost the birthday girl, I think that can be arranged. I think you should definitely make this asap. It’s my favorite favorite favorite cake! I can’t wait for a piece tonight. YUM!

Banana Chocolate Chip Cake with Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

Servings: 20
Time: 45 minutes
Print

[from Rachel Cooks]

Ingredients:

for Banana Chocolate Chip Cake

2 cups all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
3/4 teaspoon baking soda
3 medium bananas, mashed
1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup shortening [or unsalted butter]
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup mini semi-sweet chocolate chips

for Chocolate Cream Cheese Frosting

8 ounces cream cheese, softened [regular or Neufchatel]
1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
2-3 teaspoons milk [perhaps more]
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup cocoa powder
4 cups powdered sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking dish and set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine together flour, sugar, baking powder, and baking soda. Then add bananas, buttermilk, butter, eggs, and vanilla and mix on low until incorporated. Increase to medium speed and beat for 3 minutes. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour into prepared pan, then bake for 30-35 minutes until golden brown or when a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Cool completely, then frost.

To make frosting, beat together cream cheese, butter, milk, and vanilla. Add in cocoa powder and powdered sugar gradually–just 1/2 to 1 cup at a time, beating in between additions. Mix on low until smooth, adding more milk if necessary.

Spread on cooled cake, then top with more chocolate chips. Store covered in the refrigerator.

Linked up with: Weekend Potluck.

Bars, Desserts, Recipes

Dark Chocolate Crumb Bars

April 5, 2013April 5, 2013 Sarah

So, I used to post once a month on a blog called Today’s Housewife. Last fall, the group decided together to stop posting due the busyness of life and families and such. Though sad, I enjoyed being part of the group. As of early January, the blog was officially taken down. But I don’t want to lose my recipes, so periodically I will be reposting them on here. Enjoy!

this post is originally from June 14, 2012

I first had the pleasure of enjoying these rich, flavorful, awesome bars at Thanksgiving last year. My sister-in-law made them (I think), and Ben and I just couldn’t stop eating them. I mean, could you??

Dark Chocolate Crumb Bars | The Pajama Chef

After we got home, I was saddened by the thought that all the Dark Chocolate Crumb Bars were gone… but then it was Christmas cookie time and Girl Scout Cookie time and more desserts came and went. Then, one fateful day… I pulled out a bag of dark chocolate chips and saw the recipe right on the side of the bag! I knew it was meant to be, and so I made a batch of Dark Chocolate Crumb Bars. They are salty and sweet… absolutely perfect for chocolate cravings!

These layered bar cookies begin with a basic buttery crust, then are topped with a layer of ooey gooey dark chocolate goodness, and covered with more buttery crumbs and more dark chocolate chips. If you want, you can even add nuts to the topping–I didn’t, because I don’t really like nuts with chocolate, but if you do… go right ahead! This simple dessert looks impressive, but you don’t have to tell anyone that the recipe came from the side of a bag of chocolate chips and they come together in no time at all. I know these are a treat we’ll be making for years to come, and I hope you will give them a try too!

Dark Chocolate Crumb Bars [from Very Best Baking]
click to print

Ingredients:

3/4 cup butter, softened
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 teaspoon salt <— I usually leave salt out of recipes, but this is an integral part of this one!
1 2/3 cups (10 ounce package) dark chocolate chips, divided
1 can (14 ounce) sweetened condensed milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

Add butter to a mixer bowl and beat until creamy. Gradually add in flour, sugar, and salt, beat until crumbly. Press 2 cups mixture into bottom of prepared pan to form the crust. Set remaining crumb mixture aside.

Bake crust for 10-12 minutes or until edges are golden brown.

In a small saucepan set over low heat, combine 1 cup dark chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk. Stir continually until chocolate is melted, then add vanilla extract. Pour over crust.

Top with remaining dark chocolate chips and nuts, if using.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan until completely cool, then cut into bars.

Time: 50 minutes [15 minutes active].

Yield: 30 bars.