Category Archives: Chocolates

Orange Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

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For me, the taste of chocolate and orange brings back a lot of childhood memories.  One of my favourite treats when I was young was Jacob’s Club Orange Chocolate Bar.  It’s a orange-flavoured wafer biscuit coated with chocolate.  It’s absolutely delicious !  So when I was thinking about a cupcake recipe, this combination came to my mind.

For the cupcakes

  • 1+1/2 cups cake and pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup (120g) unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 tablespoons orange juice
  • zest of one large orange
  • 4 tablespoons milk
  • 1 +1/2 teaspoon pure orange extract
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside
  3. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
  4. Add eggs, orange juice, orange zest, milk and the 2 extracts, mix until blended
  5. Mix in flour mixture in 2-3 portions
  6. Pour into baking tins lined with baking cups, about 2/3 full
  7. Bake for about 20 minutes
  8. Cool completely before frosting

 

For the chocolate frosting

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (150 g), at room temperature
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  1. Sift together icing sugar and cocoa powder
  2. Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water, cool slightly
  3. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy
  4. Add milk and vanilla
  5. Add sugar and cocoa powder in 2-3 portions, mix well after each addition, scraping sides of bowl
  6. Add melted chocolate, mix until smooth

Simple Chocolate Mousse

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I just can’t get enough of chocolate, even after Christmas and New Year !  Most mousse recipes contain raw eggs which I don’t feel too comfortable with, especially with kids in the house. This recipe only uses 5 ingredients, it is much easier and doesn’t involve raw eggs.  Hope you enjoy it !

Makes about 4 servings

  • 3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, plus about 1/2 ounce for toppings, finely chopped 
  • 1 cup heavy or whipping cream
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • pinch of salt
  • 1 tablespoon of granulated sugar to adjust sweetness if desired
  1. Heat cream in a non-stick pot over medium heat
  2. Add chopped chocolate, sugar and salt, stir until smooth and chocolate all melted
  3. Turn heat off, mix in vanilla extract 
  4. Pour mixture through a fine strainer
  5. Let cool, cover and refrigerate overnight
  6. Before serving, whisk mousse using an electric mixer until soft peak is formed 
  7. Spoon or pipe into glasses then top with chopped chocolate

Peppermint Chocolate Cups

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These cute chocolate cups are perfect for a party dessert or as Christmas gifts and they are so easy to make.  You can put them in any moulds you want and decorate them.

Makes about 12 mini cups

  • 12 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate
  • 5 drops peppermint oil
  • 6 mini candy canes
  1. Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water at medium heat
  2. When chocolate is melted, remove from hot water, add peppermint oil, stir until smooth
  3. Spoon or pour into silicone moulds
  4. Let cool for about 30 minutes
  5. Crush candy canes and sprinkle on top of chocolate
  6. Cool until completely set, remove from moulds

Chocolate Macarons

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Macacron is one of the trickiest recipe I have ever made. My first time was a disaster ! The shells were flat and stuck to the cookie sheets ! The color was dull and uneven. After reading many many recipes and trying a number of times, I finally succeed ! It helps if you plan and organize what you need before you start. Here are some tips:

  1. Some recipes recommend aging the egg whites, I tried both aging and using them straight from the shells and didn’t really notice a big difference. One important thing though, they must be at room temperature before whisking.
  2. Colouring can be tricky. I just used cocoa powder here. If you want other colours, do not add the cocoa powder and add colouring powder or paste.
  3. Prepare the piping bag, line a medium bowl with the bag. This helps to pour the batter into the bag.
  4. Print or draw some circles on a piece of paper, about 1+1/2 inch in diameter, place it underneath the parchment paper on the cookie sheet to help piping the batter. Just make sure you remove it before baking.
  5. For easy fillings, you can use Nutella or any kind of jam.

Makes about 12 macarons

  • 3/4 cup icing sugar
  • 100 g finely ground almond
  • 1+1/2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 75 g egg whites (from 2 large or 3 small eggs)
  • 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • Powder or paste food coloring if desired
  • Fruit jam (I used raspberry jam) or Nutella for fillings
  1. Preheat oven to 325ºF
  2. Sift ground almond, icing sugar and cocoa powder
  3. Using an electric mixer with whisk attachment, whisk egg whites and cream of tartar at medium speed until frothy
  4. Add sugar slowly
  5. Increase speed to high, whisk until a stiff peak is formed (the meringue at the tip of the whisk should be glossy and won’t drip back)
  6. Gently and quickly, fold in almond mixture in 2-3 portions until just blended, don’t over mix (batter should flow like lava)
  7. Pour mixture in a piping bag with 3/8″ round tip
  8. Pipe batter into circles on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper, about 1+1/2 inch in diameter and 2 inches apart
  9. Tap cookie sheets on counter a couple of times to remove air bubbles
  10. Let sit at room temperature for at least about 30 minutes (remember to remove paper with pre-printed circles)
  11. Bake for about 8 minutes
  12. Let cool for 5-10 minutes on cookie sheets then completely on rack
  13. Sandwich with your favourite fillings

Peppermint Mocha

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I love my coffee. Not only because I need a little caffeine boost, I actually love the aroma of it. But it can get costly if I have to buy a coffee everyday, especially the fancy ones. Why not try making them at home! It maybe easier than you think! This peppermint mocha is just in time for the holiday season too!

Makes 2 servings
Total time = 10 minutes

  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 tablespoons instant coffee
  • 2 -3 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
  • 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Whipped cream and crushed candy cane for topping
  1. Heat milk in a non-stick pot over medium heat
  2. Stir in cocoa powder, coffee and sugar until dissolved, turn heat off
  3. Add peppermint and vanilla extract
  4. Top with whipped cream and crushed candy cane if desired

Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Muffins

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Pumpkin is very nutritious and healthy. It is a good source of vitamin A, vitamin C, potassium and fibre. And best of all, it is low in calories ! So….I have an excuse to add more chocolate chips in this recipe ! Wow ! My kitchen smells so good today with these delicious muffins…..

Makes about 12-14 muffins

  • 1+1/2 cup cake and pastry flour
  • 1+1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
  • pinch of nutmeg
  • pinch of cloves
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoons brown sugar
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 8 oz pumpkin puree,preferably homemade
  • 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt and the four spices Mix in brown sugar
  3. Add eggs, vanilla, milk, butter and pumpkin, mix until just blended
  4. Add chocolate chips
  5. Spoon into muffin tins lined with slightly greased paper muffin cups
  6. Bake for about 20 minutes

Vanilla Cupcakes with Chocolate Frosting

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It is my daughter’s birthday today! She has been my biggest helper and biggest fan for my baking. Can’t believe she is 8 now ! Where does the time go? This is what she specifically ordered, vanilla cupcakes with chocolate frosting. Happy Birthday my little baby!

For the cupcakes

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (150 g), at room temperature
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1+1/2 cups cake and pastry flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
  2. Sift together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt, set aside
  3. Add lemon juice into milk, let sit for 5 minutes
  4. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy
  5. Add eggs and vanilla, mix until blended
  6. Mix in half the milk, then half the flour mixture
  7. Add the remaining milk and flour mixture, mix until just blended, scraping sides of bowl, 
  8. Pour into lightly greased paper cups, only up to about 2/3 full
  9. Bake in tins for about 18-20 minutes, toothpick should come out clean when inserted in the middle
  10. Cool completely before frosting
  11. Decorate with sprinkles

For the chocolate frosting

  • 3/4 cup unsalted butter (150 g), at room temperature
  • 2 cups icing sugar
  • 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 2 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
  1. Sift together icing sugar and cocoa powder
  2. Melt chocolate in a bowl over a pot of simmering water, cool slightly
  3. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, beat butter until creamy
  4. Add milk and vanilla
  5. Add sugar and cocoa powder in 2-3 portions, mix well after each addition, scraping sides of bowl
  6. Add melted chocolate, mix until smooth

Oatmeal Raisin Chocolate Chip Cookies

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My mom loves to cook, and her dishes are very tasty. As my kids call it “grandma’s extreme cooking” ! Because it is extremely good ! I am more of a dessert gal, and my mom always says my stuff is too sweet for her. Guess what… she ate two of these cookies right out of the oven today and she wanted more ! So, I guess I can call this recipe my “extreme baking ” ! 
I used just raisins and chocolate chips just because my kids like them. You can pick your own favourites like shredded coconut, walnuts, cranberries, etc.

Makes about 2 dozens
Total time = 30 minutes

  • 1 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup unsalted butter,  at room temperature
  • 3/4 cup brown sugar
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1/2 cup quick oats
  • 1/2 cup raisins
  • 1/2 semi-sweet chocolate chips
  1. Preheat oven to 350ºF
  2. Sift together flour, baking soda and salt
  3. Using an electric mixer with the paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until light
  4. Add eggs and vanilla, mix well
  5. Add flour mixture in 2 portions, mix until blended, scraping sides of bowl
  6. Stir in oats, raisins and chocolate chips
  7. Place about 2 teaspoonfuls each on baking sheet lined with parchment paper
  8. Bake for about 8 minutes
  9. Cool on baking sheets for about 10 minutes,  then completely on rack

Butter Cookie Sandwich with Chocolate Ganache

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This cookies are so fun to make. You can use any of your favourite cookie cutters to make different shapes and decorate any way you want. Get the kids involved ! They would love it. For the fillings, I used chocolate ganache just because I love chocolate. You can actually sandwich these cookies with any fillings, e.g. fruit jams, nutella, peanut butter, vanilla cream….even ice cream!

Makes about 20-25 sandwiches

For the cookies

  • 1 cup unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 3 cups pastry flour
  • 1 + 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 egg
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 3 tablespoons milk
  1. Preheat oven to 350°F
  2. Sift flour, baking powder, salt together, set aside
  3. Using an electric mixer with paddle attachment, cream butter and sugar until fluffy
  4. Add egg, vanilla and milk, mix well
  5. Add flour mixture in 2 – 3 portions
  6. Mix until a dough is formed, scraping sides of mixing bowl
  7. Roll dough flat on flour surface, about 2-3 mm thickness
  8. Cut with cookie cutters
  9. Bake on cookie sheets lined with parchment paper for about 8-9 minutes until edges turn brown
  10. Cool on cookie sheets for about 5 minutes,  then completely on rack

If the dough is too soft to roll, you can put it in the fridge for about 1 hour before rolling.

For the chocolate ganache filling

  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate,  finely chopped
  • 1 cup whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  1. Heat whipping cream in a non-stick pot just until starting to boil
  2. Pour hot cream over chopped chocolate
  3. Wait 1 minute, add vanilla, then stir until smooth
  4. Let cool to room temperature

To assemble, spoon chocolate ganache between 2 cookies and decorate

Chocolate Truffles

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I am a big chocoholic, and I do mean BIG! One thing my house never runs out of is chocolate. Whether I am in a good or bad mood, I have to eat it!  Maybe that’s not a very good thing……but it makes me happy!  That’s all that matters!

Makes about 16 -20 truffles

  • 8 ounces semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup whipping cream
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • Unsweetened cocoa powder or coatings of choice (e.g. shredded coconut, crushed nuts, sprinkles)
  1. Pour whipping cream in a non-stick pot over medium heat until simmering 
  2. Pour hot cream over chocolate, let sit for one minute, add vanilla
  3. Stir until chocolate melted and smooth
  4. Cool, then put in fridge for about 2 hours
  5. With the help of a melon scooper or a teaspoon, roughly shape about 2 teaspoons each into balls
  6. Put them back in the fridge for another 2 hours or overnight
  7. Shape into round balls with hands, then roll over unsweetened cocoa powder or other coatings of choice
  8. Keep in fridge

If the chocolate doesn’t melt completely with the hot cream, you can put it over a pan of simmering water for a few minutes