Fresh 'n Minty Choco-Cupcakes

One of Mike's favorite types of ice cream is mint and chocolate chip. This inspired me to make some minty cupcakes that provide some chocolatey goodness. They are super fast and easy too because everything is plopped into one bowl... and they bake up just like decadent brownies! I didn't frost them, but you could do a simple chocolate ganache-type coating for the top.

Enjoy.

2 cups chocolate chips- (1.5 cups semi-sweet chips and 1/2 cup mint chocolate chips)

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

3/4 tsp salt

3 large eggs

1/2 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup cocoa powder

1/2 tsp peppermint extract

Preheat oven to 350

1. Prep a 12-spot muffin tin with paper liners

2. Over a pot of boiling water, in a large bowl, melt the chips and butter (double boiler).

3. When melted remove from heat, whisk in sugar and salt, and 3 eggs until well-blended.

4. Add sifted cocoa powder and flour mixture.

5. Add peppermint extract.

6. Scoop into your cupcake liners and bake for 35 minutes !

Moolicious 'n Minty!

Marguerita Pizza

Before Christmas meal madness on the 24th and 25th, I like to do a pizza. Something classic. So last night, on the 23rd, I made a simple pizza using: crust, fresh mozzarella ball, homemade sauce and fresh basil....with the colors of Christmastime in mind.

For the sauce: Simmer 1 can San Marzano tomatoes with a handful of fresh basil leaves, 3 cloves smashed garlic- (to be removed before spreading the sauce), salt, pepper and a drizzle of olive oil. When the liquid has reduced, add a shot of white wine and stir in some tomato paste. Let that reduce, then cool (total time: 20 minutes).

For the dough: I made home made, but you can use one ball of frozen/store bought.

1. Preheat oven to 425.

2. Roll out dough, and place on pizza stone (or sheet pan) drizzle olive oil.

3. Cook the crust for about 12 minutes, (sans toppings!) then remove from oven.

4. Add sauce, fresh mozzarella and basil. Then bake for another 10-15 minutes or so, until the cheese starts melting!

5. Remove from oven, place on a nice wood cutting board and serve right at the table!

This whole pizza was eaten last night! Merry Christmas!

Moolicious!

Marble Loaf Cake

It's our official anniversary today. We had a nice dinner out last night and today I wanted to make a turkey, with green beans, garlic mashed potatoes and stuffing. I also wanted an anniversary cake ...but couldn't decide on chocolate or vanilla, so I went with a mix of both.

Dry:

1 & 3/4 cup sifted cake flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Wet:

1/2 cup butter- room temp

1 cup sugar

4 eggs

1/3 cup milk

3 tbsps sour cream

1 tsp vanilla extract

Chocolate marble part:

Once you have your batter made, in a medium sized bowl, mix together 1 cup of the cake batter, 1/4 cup hot water, 1/3 cup cocoa powder.

-Grease your loaf dish

-Preheat oven to 350

1. Sift together dry ingredients in a bowl.

2. For wet mix, beat butter and sugar, then add eggs one at a time, followed by vanilla.

3. In a seperate bowl, whisk together sour cream and milk until frothy.

4. Add dry to wet mix, alternating with the milk mix.

5. Mix well, then don't forget to RESERVE YOUR 1 CUP of BATTER for CHOCOLATE PART and make it (see above).

6. Add half white mixture to loaf dish, then half choco mix, followed by the rest of the white batter, then rest of the choco part. Use a long skewer to make your marbling pattern.

7. Bake for 1 hour (test with your skewer).

8. Let rest for 5 minutes, then remove from loaf dish and allow to cool on a wire rack.

Serve with fresh/frozen berries ...

Moolicious dessert!