Chocolate Dipped Strawberries

Chocolate dipped strawberries, a glass of champagne and a bubble bath...
Cliche? Maybe. Delightful? Definitely.

To make this delectable treat you will need...
-10 straberries
-5 ounces good quality milk chocolate

Directions
Line a pan with parchment or wax paper.
Wash and thoroughly dry strawberries.
Coarsely chop chocolate (if using chocolate chips you can skip this step).
Melt chocolate in a double boiler, stirring until smooth.
Once chocolate is completely melted, remove from heat.
Holding the strawberry by the stem dip into the melted chocolate and twist as the chocolate drips off.
Set strawberry on parchment or wax paper.
Repeat with the rest of the strawberries.

Once all the strawberries have been dipped, set aside for 30 minutes to allow chocolate to set.

Cherry Chocolate Brownies

This week, Baking Me will be full of Valentine's Day treats! First up, Cherry Chocolate Brownies. These brownies are quite rich and best enjoyed with a glass of milk.

Ingredients

Brownies
- 12 Tablespoons unsalted butter
- 3 Large eggs
- 1 Cup all purpose flour
- 1 Teaspoon vanilla
- 1/4 Teaspoon salt
- 3/4 Cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 Cup sugar

Cherry Buttercream
- 1/3 Cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1 1/2 Cups powdered sugar
- 1 Tablespoon whole milk
- 1/4 Teaspoon imitation cherry extract
- 1/4 Teaspoon vanilla

Chocolate Frosting
12 Ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 Cup powdered sugar
3/4 Teaspoon vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon imitation cherry extract
1/4 Cup unsalted butter
1/3 Cup whole milk

To Make the Brownies
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line a 9"x13" pan with parchment paper hanging slightly over the sides (this makes it easier to remove the brownies from the pan).
Melt the butter and the chocolate together in a small sauce pan over low heat. Once melted remove from heat and set aside to cool.
In the bowl of an electric mixer beat together the eggs, sugar, and vanilla. Mix in the chocolate mixture once it has cooled.
Whisk together the flour and salt then add to the chocolate mixture and mix well.
Pour into prepared pan and bake for 30-35 minutes.

When brownies are done remove from pan and cool on a wire rack, leaving the parchment paper under the brownies.

To Make the Cherry Buttercream
In the bowl of an electric mixer beat butter and sugar until well mixed. Then add the milk and extracts and beat well. Spread evenly over the cooled brownies and refrigerate to allow frosting to set, about 20-30 minutes.

To Make the Chocolate Frosting

In a small sauce pan heat butter and milk over medium heat until butter has melted. Pour butter mixture over chocolate and allow to sit for five minutes. Then add the extracts and stir until smooth. Pour chocolate mixture in the bowl of an electric mixer, add powdered sugar and mix until smooth.

Spread a thin layer of chocolate frosting over the cherry buttercream, just enough to cover. There will be chocolate frosting left over. Refrigerate leftovers to reserve for another use, such as dipping fruit or pouring over ice cream.

Once chocolate frosting has been spread over buttercream refrigerate for one hour to allow frosting to set. Cut brownies as desired.

These brownies taste best at room temperature.

TGIF

This is Lou, we met in kindergarten. We became friends because we had the same red shoes and that was all it took, friends for life. We spent the day together shopping, eating and then getting the most amazing massages at Sego Lily Spa. It was a great day.

To top off this great day, D and I had homemade white pizza, wine, and cupcakes from The Sweet Tooth Fairy!

I hope you all have a wonderful weekend! See you Monday for a week of Valentine's Day inspired treats!

A Wee Bit Healthier Tiny Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookie

I make D's lunch in the mornings. It's much healthier than going out to eat and cheaper too! I try to make him a nutritious lunch but I know sometimes it can be a bit dull so I usually make some sort of treat to pack along with all of the wholesome goodness.

His lunch (and mine) usually goes something like this...
- Spinach salad with kidney beans and a hard boiled egg with a vinaigrette made of olive oil, lemon juice, and a light sprinkle of kosher salt
- An orange (here's a tip: if you peel an orange using a spoon it is much easier and it doesn't hurt your fingers)
- Homemade whole wheat bread
- Special treat

So to spice it up a little I decided to make some tiny oatmeal chocolate chip cookies

Makes 40 tiny cookies

For this recipe you will need...
3/4 Cup Whole Wheat Flour (to make it a wee bit healthier)
3/4 Cup Bread Flour
1 Cups Old Fashioned Oats
1 Cup Packed Brown Sugar
1 Stick Unsalted Butter, Softened
2 Eggs
3/4 Teaspoon Baking Soda
1/4 Teaspoon Baking Powder
1/4 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Vanilla
1/2 Teaspoon Cinnamon
3/4 Cup Chocolate Chips

Now to make the cookies...

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

Line two baking sheets with parchment paper or a Silpat if you have one

In the bowl of an electric mixer beat the butter and sugar together until light and fluffy, then add the eggs and vanilla and beat again till well mixed

In a separate bowl whisk together the flours, baking soda, baking powder, cinnamon, and salt, then add the flour mixture to the egg mixture and mix until just combined

 Stir in the oats and chocolate chips

Next scoop 2 teaspoon sized portions of the cookie dough and drop on to the prepared baking sheets (I like to use a small ice cream scoop for this)

Bake for 12-15 minutes and cool on rack

Store cookies in your cookie jar or an air tight container

I'm So Excited!

I just bought Ree Drummond's new book, The Pioneer Woman: Black Heels to Tractor Wheels - A Love Story!

Not only do I have her new book, but she is coming to The Salt Lake City Main Library downtown on Thursday February 10, at 6 P.M. and I got tickets!

I'm taking my sweetie with me!

Stay tooned, Tiny Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Cookies up next!