Yummy Chocolate Frosting

Everyone has their favorite chocolate frosting, right? Well...here’s mine. I used this for my grandson’s birthday cake a while back. I used it on a chocolate cake....chocolate and more chocolate. Can’t go wrong with that, right?

Yummy Chocolate Frosting

1 1/2 cups butter ~ room temperature

3/4 cup cocoa powder

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla

7 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1/2 cup milk

In a large mixing bowl, combine the butter and cocoa powder. Mix in the vanilla.

Add the powdered sugar, one cup at a time, until it’s all added.

Drizzle in the milk and beat on high until light and fluffy.

This recipe makes a lot but is easily reduced by half. This amount frost a 3 layer 9-inch cake, two 9x13 cakes or 30 cupcakes.

Mmmmm......frosting!

Combine the butter and cocoa 

then add the vanilla.

Gently add the powdered sugar, 

one cup at a time.

Next add the milk and whip until fluffy.

Couldn't you just dive right in?

Frost your cake then chill 

it until ready to serve.

Here's what we did! Cute, huh?

Now go make a cake!

Chocolate Caramel Swirl Ice Cream

I haven’t made much homemade ice cream this year and shame on me! We love homemade ice cream especially because I get to use my 40 year old ice cream maker. My mother-in-law bought it for us at TG&Y (who remembers that store?) when IT Guy and I first married and I’ve used it ever since. It makes THEEEEE best ice cream! So the other day I got a wild hair to try some chocolate ice cream and since I also love caramel, I decided to throw a caramel swirl in for good measure. Oh my...simple but oh so good! You could put some marshmallow cream in there, too and I would have had I had any but the grandkids came over and ate it all. (Sad face.) IT Guy would have loved some chopped pecans in it but I’m not a huge fan of nuts and ice cream and since I was making it, I used my Power of Veto (Ha! Can you tell we watch Big Brother?) and nixed the nuts! Overall...this ice cream is super yummy and so simple!! Try it before the summer runs out!

Chocolate Caramel Swirl Ice Cream

4 eggs

2 cups sugar

1 cup cocoa powder

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 quart heavy cream

Half & half

1 14-ounce jar caramel ice cream topping

In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs, sugar and cocoa.

Place the bowl over a pan of water and bring water to a boil. Cook mixture for about 10 minutes. (Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the bowl. You’re essentially creating a double-boiler for this mixture.)

After mixture has cooked, pour it into a 3-4 quart ice cream freezer.

Add the sweetened condensed milk and the heavy cream. Stir to combine.

Pour in enough half & half to fill the container.

Freeze according to the directions.

After ice cream is done, remove to a large plastic container.

Drizzle in the jar of caramel ice cream topping. Swirl through with a butter knife but do not mix in.

Cover with a lid and freeze several hours or overnight.

Let's make some ice cream!

In a medium bowl, whisk together 

the eggs, sugar and cocoa. Place 

the bowl over a pan of water and 

bring water to a boil.

Cook mixture for about 10 minutes. 

(Do not allow the water to touch the bottom of the bowl. You’re essentially creating a double-boiler for this mixture.)

After mixture has cooked, pour it into a 3-4 quart ice cream freezer. Add the sweetened condensed milk 

and the heavy cream. Stir to combine.

Pour in enough half & half 

to fill the container.

Churn!

Transfer the ice cream to a plastic container then pour the caramel 

topping over the top.

Swirl through with a knife but 

don't mix it in! Freeze overnight.

Scoop, serve, savor!

Turtle Rice Krispie Treats

Here’s a fun twist on regular Rice Krispie Treats...which happen to be a weakness of mine. IT Guy loves caramel, chocolate and pecans so I knew he would love these. When you’re in the mood for something a little jazzier than the ones with marshmallows...or you don’t like marshmallows, then this is for you! Pretty easy and stinkin’ good!

Turtle Rice Krispie Treats

Spray a 9x13 inch baking pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to 350 degrees THEN TURN OFF.

1 12-ounce box of Rice Krispies

3 11-ounce bags of caramels ~ reserve 15 caramels

1 12-ounce bag chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

3 tablespoons of water ~ divided use

Unwrap all but 15 of the caramels and place in a large bowl.

 Pour 2 tablespoons of the water over the caramels.

Microwave caramels at 30 second intervals until melted, stirring each time.

Pour in the cereal and stir until evenly coated.

Press cereal mixture into the pan, packing it down firmly.

Sprinkle chocolate chips over cereal mixture.

Place pan in the warm oven (it’s been turned OFF!!) for 10 minutes.

Remove pan from the oven and spread chocolate chips with the back of a spoon to make a frosting.

Sprinkle with pecans.

In a small bowl, melt the reserved 15 caramels with the remaining 1 tablespoon of water in the microwave, stirring every few seconds.

Drizzle melted caramel over the pecans.

Allow to cool and set up before cutting.

Here we go...let's make some treats!

Set aside 15 caramels from the 

stash and melt the rest with 2 

tablespoons of water.

Mix the Rice Krispies with 

the melted caramel.

Sprinkle with the chocolate chips 

then place in the warmed oven.

Spread the melted chocolate chips 

with a spoon to create a frosting.

Sprinkle with the chopped pecans 

then drizzle with the remaining 

caramels that have been melted 

with the remaining tablespoon of water.

Allow to set up then eat!

Chocolate Lava Cake

The first time I had this was years and years ago at a restaurant. It was a new thing then and I was in love. Now everyone and their brother is making them and I bet they’re all wonderful. It doesn’t matter what you call it...Molten Chocolate Cake, Chocolate Cobbler, Chocolate Lava Cake...they’re basically the same thing and delicious. The inside is filled with melting chocolate but the outside is cake! It’s like magic! And then the ice cream gets all soft and melty into the chocolate....yum! These are a snap to throw together. But don’t forget that vanilla ice cream...you’re going to need it.

Chocolate Lava Cake

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup cocoa ~ divided use

1 cup flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup milk

4 tablespoons butter ~ melted

1 egg yolk

2 teaspoons vanilla

1/2 cup chocolate chips

1 cup boiling water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

In a small bowl, whisk together the 1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup of the cocoa. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt.

In a small bowl, whisk the milk, melted butter, vanilla and egg until smooth. Pour into the flour mixture and stir until combined.

Add the chocolate chips.

Spread the batter into the prepared pan.

Sprinkle the reserved sugar/cocoa mixture evenly over the batter.

Gently pour boiling water over the sugar/cocoa mixture. DO NOT STIR!

Bake for about 25 minutes until top is crackled and sauce is bubbling. Test with a toothpick in the cake part to ensure done-ness.

Serve warm with vanilla ice cream.

Okay.....let's get serious about this!

In a small bowl, whisk together the 

1/2 cup of the sugar and 1/4 cup 

of the cocoa. Set aside.

In a medium bowl, whisk together 

the flour, remaining 1/2 cup sugar, remaining 1/4 cup of cocoa, baking powder and salt. (I took the picture before I added the cocoa to this. 

ADD THE COCOA!!)

In a small bowl, whisk the milk, 

melted butter, vanilla and egg 

until smooth.

Pour into the flour mixture and stir 

until combined. See? I told you to 

add the cocoa! I remembered!

Dump in the chocolate chips!

Spread the batter into the prepared 

pan. then sprinkle with the 

reserved cocoa/sugar mixture.

Gently pour the hot water over 

the batter. DON'T STIR!! DON'T!!!

Then bake!

Let it sit for a few minutes then 

scoop out all that chocolate goodness into a bowl and add the ice cream. Do you hear it? Those are angels singing!

Chocolate Caramel Pecan Oatmeal Bars

Holy cow but these are good! IT Guy walked in the door from work and dove right in and could not stay out of them. These are so easy to whip up and makes a nice pan full of yumminess. Great for lunches or an evening snack. And I bet you can’t eat just one.

Chocolate Caramel 

Pecan Oatmeal Bars

 

1 box yellow cake mix

2 1/2 cups quick oats

3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter ~ melted

Dash of salt

1 11-ounce package chocolate chips

1 cup chopped pecans

25 caramels ~ unwrapped

1 tablespoon water

 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

 

Pour chopped pecans in a 9x13 inch pan and toast in the oven for 5 minutes.

 

Place pecans on a plate to cool.

 

Spray the 9x13 inch pan REALLY well with cooking spray. 

 

Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees.

 

In a large bowl, combine the cake mix, oatmeal and melted butter. 

 

Stir with a fork until well mixed.

 

Place half of the oatmeal mixture into the prepared pan. Press down.

 

Sprinkle with chocolate chips and toasted pecans then scatter the remaining oatmeal mixture on top.

 

Bake for 30 minutes or until lightly browned around the edges.

 

In a small bowl, combine the unwrapped caramel and the 1 tablespoon of water. Microwave for 1 minutes stirring every 15 seconds until smooth.

 

Drizzle caramel on top of oatmeal bars.

 

Cool, slice and eat!

Here we go!!!

Toast the pecans!

Combine the cake mix, 

oatmeal and melted butter.

Crumbly!

Add half of the crumble mixture 

to the pan then add the chocolate 

chips and pecans.

Then the rest of the crumble mixture.

Bake!

Melt the caramels with the water and stir until smooth. then drizzle over the cooked bars.

Cool, slice and eat!

Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies

Okay....so you guys know that I am not opposed to using box mixes. Cake, brownie...whatever...if it suits my need in the moment, I’m not afraid to use it. BUT...you just canNOT go wrong with a pan of homemade brownies. And this recipe is SO good and SO simple that you’ve gotta try it. The fun thing about brownies is that you can add your preference of fun stuff inside. I added mini chocolate chips but feel free to add some nuts, too! And don’t forget the milk! Or ice cream and hot fudge...whatever floats your boat!

Homemade Chocolate Chip Brownies

1 cup butter

2 cups sugar

4 eggs ~ beaten

2 teaspoons vanilla

2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa

1 cup flour

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon baking powder

3/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9x9 inch baking pan with cooking spray then line with parchment paper, leaving paper hanging over two sides.

In a medium sauce pan, melt the butter over medium heat.

Add the sugar and stir until combined. Remove from heat.

Add the vanilla and beaten eggs and stir.

In a medium mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa, salt and baking powder.

Add flour mixture to the butter/egg mixture and gently stir until just combined.

Mix in the chocolate chips.

Pour batter into the pan and bake for 30 - 40 minutes until toothpick comes out clean.

Cool before cutting.

Turtle Poke Brownies

Poke CAKES are fun, right? How about a poke BROWNIE? Yeah...that's right, you heard me. Chocolate, caramel, pecans...what's not to love? I saw a picture of this run through my Pinterest feed but the brownies were homemade. I decided to switch it up to a box mix because hey...this IS SIMPLE FARE, right? So starting with a basic brownie mix, you can soon have something decadent and wonderful. Richness galore....you're going to hate me. HAHAHA! To top off the whole she-bang, serve it with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. That seals the deal right there. You're welcome.

Turtle Poke Brownies




1 fudge brownie mix (plus the ingredients to make it)
1 1/2 cups mini chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
1 to 1 1/2 cups caramel ice cream topping
Chocolate frosting ~ recipe follows

Spray the bottom of a 9x13 inch pan with cooking spray. Preheat oven to temp on the brownie mix box.

Prepare brownie mix using the directions for CAKE LIKE brownies. Usually that means adding one extra egg.

Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 1 cup chopped pecans to the batter.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Bake for amount of time directed on the box.

Allow pan to cool for 15 minutes.

Poke holes all over brownie with the end of a wooden spoon.

Pour 1 cup of the caramel sauce over the holes and on top. Spread to smooth.

Frost with chocolate frosting.

Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips and pecans over frosting then drizzle with remaining caramel sauce.


Chocolate Frosting

6 tablespoons softened butter
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons cocoa powder
2 tablespoons light corn syrup
1 teaspoon vanilla
2-3 tablespoons milk

In a medium bowl, combine the butter, powdered sugar, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla.

Pour in enough milk to thin the chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.

Frost brownies.

 

Let's make some brownies!

 

Prepare brownie mix using the 

directions for CAKE LIKE brownies. 

Usually that means adding one extra egg.

 

Add 1 cup mini chocolate chips and 

1 cup chopped pecans to the batter.

 

Pour batter into the prepared pan. 

Bake for amount of time directed 

on the box.

 

Allow pan to cool for 15 minutes. 

Poke holes all over brownie with 

the end of a wooden spoon.

 

Pour 1 cup of the caramel sauce over 

the holes and on top. Spread to smooth.

 

Now let's make the frosting. In a 

medium bowl, combine the butter, 

powdered sugar, cocoa, corn syrup and vanilla.

 

Pour in enough milk to thin the 

chocolate mixture and stir until smooth.

 

Frost the brownies with chocolate 

frosting. Sprinkle remaining chocolate 

chips and pecans over frosting then 

drizzle with remaining caramel sauce.

 

Slice and eat! Don't forget the milk!