MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES

http://cookienameddesire.com/mexican-chocolate-cupcakes-recipe/

MEXICAN CHOCOLATE CUPCAKES
Made these for Cinco De Mayo 2017.  Didn't do the witches hat part.  They crumbled for me - not sure why.  I baked in silicone with no liners. But they tasted super yummy!  Loved the frosting.

INGREDIENTS

• 5 oz dark or semisweet chocolate
• ⅓ cup Dutch processed cocoa powder
• ¾ cup hot brewed coffee (did hot chocolate)
• ¾ cup all-purpose flour
• ¾ cup granulated Dixie Crystals sugar
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• 2 large eggs, room temperature

Witch's Hats

• 12 small gingersnaps
• marshmallow (I used the recipe for homemade marshmallows divided in half)
• 5 oz semisweet chocolate
• candy bones (optional)

For the Mexican Chocolate Buttercream (used handheld mixer)

• 1 stick unsalted butter, room temperature
• ⅓ cup Dutch processed cocoa
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ¼ teaspoon, plus ⅛ teaspoon cayenne pepper (didn't add)
• pinch of salt
• 3½ cups powdered sugar (did 3 cups)
• 4 - 5 tablespoons heavy cream

1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a muffin tin with cupcake liners.
2. Mix together the chocolate, cocoa powder, and hot coffee together and stir until the chocolate is completely melted and the ingredients are well combined. Set aside to cool.
3. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and baking soda together and set aside.
4. Add the oil and eggs to the chocolate mixture and whisk until well combined.
5. Stir the chocolate mixture into the flour mixture and mix until combined and there are no lumps. Do not overmix.
6. Pour the batter into the cupcake liners and bake for 18 - 20 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Remove from the oven and allow to cool completely.
7. Make the hats. Lay out the ginger snaps spaced evenly apart. Fill a piping bag fitted with a large round tip with unset marshmallow.
8. Pipe kisses on top of the gingersnaps. Allow the marshmallow to set for at least an hour or two.
9. Melt the chocolate for the hats and dip each into the chocolate. Shake off any excess. Leave on a parchment sheet to dry. Once dry, add a drop of chocolate to the hat and adhere a candy bone to it if desired.
10. Make the buttercream. Whip the butter until soft and creamy. Add the cocoa powder, cinnamon, cayenne pepper, and salt to the butter and mix well. The mixture will look dry and crumbly. Add the powdered sugar one cup at a time and mix well between each cup. Keep mixing the buttercream and drizzle in the heavy cream until the buttercream reaches a smooth, creamy consistency.
11. Fit a piping bag with a large round tip, then fill with the buttercream.
12. Pipe the buttercream onto the cupcakes. Top with the witch hats.

LUMPS OF COAL

LUMPS OF COAL
Scott saw this recipe on Facebook and wanted to try it.  We had it for FHE.  They were pretty good and easy to make.

16 oz Oreos
5 cups large marshmallows (small would work too)
4 T butter, cubed or sliced

Crush Oreos in food processor.  Microwave butter and marshmallows for 1 1/2 minutes.  Mix in crushed oreos.  Put in a 8x8 lined with tin foil pan.

FIVE CUP SALAD

FIVE CUP SALAD
This is a super yummy and easy salad to make.  Found in Pima cookbook pg. 33.

1 cup pineapple chunks
1 cup mandarin oranges. drained
1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup coconut
1 cup sour cream

Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for several hours.

MOUNDS CAKE

This cake is really good and rich!  Would be a good one to make when taking a meal and keep half and give the other half away.  Abagail didn't like all the coconut (maybe less next time).  She gave it a 5, Jackson gave it an 8, Scott a 9 and me a 9.  I think it would be fun next time to try with dark chocolate. 

MOUNDS CAKE heart emoticon

***Not Diet**** Chocoholics BEWARE!!!! Highly addictive!

You will Need :
1 Devil's Food Cake Mix
2 cups sugar (divided)
24 large marshmallows
1 1/2 cups milk (divided)
14 oz pkg. coconut
1 stick of butter
1 1/2 cups of chocolate chips

Mix and bake cake according to package directions. Combine 1 cup of sugar, marshmallows and 1 cup of milk in a med. saucepan...cook over low heat until marshmallows are melted..... Stir in coconut and spread on top of warm cake
Mix butter 1 cup sugar and 1/2 cup milk in a small saucepan.. bring to a boil...stir in chocolate chips and spread over coconut mixture.
Also Good refrigerated!
Enjoy~

S'MORES CUPCAKES

I am not a huge fan of cupcakes, but these are so, so good.  I couldn't get enough of them and have made them again.  Found recipe in LDS Living Magazine.

Scott made them to take to his parents and put the chocolate on top of the marshmallow.  They still tasted good but didn't look as nice (my opinion).  But we love, love the frosting.  It is so good.  

I am going to use this recipe for Jackson's birthday cake (10th).  Going to make 2 8x8 then do the frosting in between the layers.  Then going to top with a genache.  I think it will taste a lot like the almost too much chocolate cake.  Then put roasted marshmallows around the edge.  Maybe a 10 out of M&M's?  Not sure.  UPDATE: made the cake.  It is yummy and very rich!  Liked it better the 2nd time I had it (maybe because it was a day old or maybe because I knew how sweet it would be???).  I didn't use the whole amount of frosting.  Next time I could probably 1/2 it.  I didn't put all the chocolate genache on it either.  Abagail had the suggestion to do a 10 out of marshmallows.  That is what we did.

UPDATE: These are Kambria's favorite.

http://www.ldsliving.com/7-Decadent-Desserts-You-Won-t-Believe-Were-Made-with-a-Cake-Mix/s/76289?page=1%3Fpage%3D1

S'MORES CUPCAKE

Chocolate Cake: 

1 box devil’s food cake mix

3 eggs

½ cup melted butter, cooled

½ cup sour cream

1 cup buttermilk or milk

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1 ½ cups mini chocolate chips

Graham Cracker Frosting:

1 cup butter, softened

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

½ teaspoon cinnamon

1–3 tablespoons milk, as needed

½ cup graham crackers, finely crushed

3–5 cups powdered sugar

Decoration

Large marshmallows for decoration

Melted chocolate for decoration

1.   Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line pans with cupcake liners.

2.   Sift cake mix into a small bowl; set aside.

3.   In a large bowl, combine eggs, melted butter, sour cream, buttermilk, and vanilla extract until smooth.

4.   Stir in cake mix and chocolate chips.

5.   Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 17–22 minutes or until a knife inserted in the center comes out clean.

6.   Graham Cracker Frosting: Beat butter for 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract, cinnamon, 1 T. milk, and graham cracker crumbs (Note: I crush and then put my graham cracker crumbs through a strainer to make sure they are crushed enough and none is too large. It helps to give the frosting a smooth texture.) Add powdered sugar until the frosting reaches the desired consistency; add more milk if needed.

7.   Line a cookie sheet with tin foil and place large marshmallows on the foil. Broil in the oven but watch them carefully! They should be slightly brown, which takes only 2–3 minutes; watch them like a hawk or they will burn. Let cool before using.

8.   Pipe frosting onto cooled cupcakes. Top with melted chocolate and toasted marshmallows.

FANCY INDOOR S'MORES

FANCY INDOOR S'MORES

This recipe came with a shipment I got from zulily.  We had it New Year's Eve 2014.  Yum!  Would be a great special after school snack or a FHE treat.  Made it in our individual little cookie pan.  I lined the bottom of each pan with parchment paper (tin foil would work too).  We had a huge (bigger than king size) Hershey bar.  We put two squares that were broken up and about 1/8-1/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips.  Then about 1-2T nutella on top of that.  Then we cut up 4 big marshmallows (into 4 sections) per pan.  Could have put more marshmallows.  Could either dip with graham crackers or Ritz crackers.  Abagail didn't like it with the crackers - she ate it with a spoon.  Only cooked about 4 minutes - so watch it.

1 bag of chocolate chips
8 large marshmallows
a jar of Nutella
a box of graham crackers - Ritz crackers good too


Here is the original recipe.

Preheat oven to 450.

Cover the bottom of a 6" skillet with chocolate chips and drop spoonfuls of Nutella on top of the chocolate chips.

Cut marshmallows in half and place over chocolate chips until mixture is completely covered.

Bake for 6-8 minutes until marshmallows are golden brown on top.

Scoop out gooey s'mores with graham crackers.

RESURRECTION ROLLS

RESURRECTION ROLLS
http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4281&Itemid=5
We do these sometime during the week before Easter (see link above- where I get a lot of ideas).  Read the notes. It does work better if you cut the marshmallow and cook in a muffin tin.  The kids love it.

Crescent rolls
melted butter
large marshmallows
cinnamon
sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Give each child  a triangle of crescent rolls. The crescent roll represents the cloth that Jesus was wrapped in.

Give each child a marshmallow, this represents Jesus. Have them dip the marshmallow in melted butter, which represents the oils of embalming. Then dip the buttered marshmallow in the cinnamon and sugar which represent the spices used to anoint the body.

Then wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in the crescent roll (not like a typical crescent roll up, but bring the sides up and seal the marshmallow inside.) This represents the wrapping of Jesus' body after death.

Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes. The oven represents the tomb.

When the rolls have cooled slightly, the children can open their rolls (cloth) and discover that Jesus is no longer there, He is risen. (The marshmallow and the crescent roll is puffed up, but empty.)

NOTE: I had problems the first time I made them. I re-did them last night and they worked. What I did was I cut the large marshmallow in half. Then instead of baking them on a cookie sheet I put them into cupcake papers and baked them in the muffin tin. They worked MUCH better and they were hollow inside. When I did it the first way with the whole marshmallow and on a cookie sheet, they oozed marshmallow everywhere and were not hollow).



Just for reference - this is what the kids love and look forward to doing on Saturday night before Easter:

My mother-in-law came up with this when she was teaching seminary and we've been doing it with the whole family ever since (never mind the fact that we're all adults!).
 

She buys a ton of candy.  The only specific candy you have to buy is 3 Cadbury eggs which will represent the Godhead.  The rest of the candy can be whatever your family likes.  Other required supplies include a bag and a blindfold for each participant.  We've never been fancy with this - we've just used grocery bags and strips of fabric or t-shirts for blind folds.
 

We always waited until it was dark for this activity because it symbolizes the darkness the Nephites experienced after the Savior's death.  The scriptures say absolutely NO light could be seen and so we used the blindfolds to make the darkness absolute.
 

My mother-in-law would send us all out on the front porch while she prepared the house.  While we waited she would turn furniture upside down and move things all around to symbolize the destruction of the land after the Savior's death.  Then she would scatter the candy, which symbolized our family members, everywhere.  When the house was sufficiently wrecked, she would come on the porch and tell us what had happened using the story from the Book of Mormon.  (It might be a good idea to read it and bring out whatever points you think are important for your family.) 

She would say things to the effect of "there's been terrible destruction.  The whole face of the land has been changed.  You have been separated from your family members.  You must find them."  She would continue to narrate the story and end by telling us that there were 3 special eggs that represented Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  We were to try and find them, our family and then try and get to the highest place (usually a stack of couch pillows) which represented the temple (this is, of course, where the Nephites gathered).  Then she would blind fold us and give us our bags.  We would go into the house and get down on our hands and knees (it's much safer this way!) and crawl around stuffing candy (family) in our bags.  When we had been at it a while and we were pretty sure most of the candy had been collected we would all make our way to the "temple".  This has been a GREAT activity that seems to appeal to ALL ages.My mother-in-law came up with this when she was teaching seminary and we've been doing it with the whole family ever since (never mind the fact that we're all adults!).

 

She buys a ton of candy.  The only specific candy you have to buy is 3 Cadbury eggs which will represent the Godhead.  The rest of the candy can be whatever your family likes.  Other required supplies include a bag and a blindfold for each participant.  We've never been fancy with this - we've just used grocery bags and strips of fabric or t-shirts for blind folds.
 

We always waited until it was dark for this activity because it symbolizes the darkness the Nephites experienced after the Savior's death.  The scriptures say absolutely NO light could be seen and so we used the blindfolds to make the darkness absolute.
 

My mother-in-law would send us all out on the front porch while she prepared the house.  While we waited she would turn furniture upside down and move things all around to symbolize the destruction of the land after the Savior's death.  Then she would scatter the candy, which symbolized our family members, everywhere.  When the house was sufficiently wrecked, she would come on the porch and tell us what had happened using the story from the Book of Mormon.  (It might be a good idea to read it and bring out whatever points you think are important for your family.) 

She would say things to the effect of "there's been terrible destruction.  The whole face of the land has been changed.  You have been separated from your family members.  You must find them."  She would continue to narrate the story and end by telling us that there were 3 special eggs that represented Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  We were to try and find them, our family and then try and get to the highest place (usually a stack of couch pillows) which represented the temple (this is, of course, where the Nephites gathered).  Then she would blind fold us and give us our bags.  We would go into the house and get down on our hands and knees (it's much safer this way!) and crawl around stuffing candy (family) in our bags.  When we had been at it a while and we were pretty sure most of the candy had been collected we would all make our way to the "temple".  This has been a GREAT activity that seems to appeal to ALL ages.My mother-in-law came up with this when she was teaching seminary and we've been doing it with the whole family ever since (never mind the fact that we're all adults!).

 

She buys a ton of candy.  The only specific candy you have to buy is 3 Cadbury eggs which will represent the Godhead.  The rest of the candy can be whatever your family likes.  Other required supplies include a bag and a blindfold for each participant.  We've never been fancy with this - we've just used grocery bags and strips of fabric or t-shirts for blind folds.
 

We always waited until it was dark for this activity because it symbolizes the darkness the Nephites experienced after the Savior's death.  The scriptures say absolutely NO light could be seen and so we used the blindfolds to make the darkness absolute.
 

My mother-in-law would send us all out on the front porch while she prepared the house.  While we waited she would turn furniture upside down and move things all around to symbolize the destruction of the land after the Savior's death.  Then she would scatter the candy, which symbolized our family members, everywhere.  When the house was sufficiently wrecked, she would come on the porch and tell us what had happened using the story from the Book of Mormon.  (It might be a good idea to read it and bring out whatever points you think are important for your family.) 

She would say things to the effect of "there's been terrible destruction.  The whole face of the land has been changed.  You have been separated from your family members.  You must find them."  She would continue to narrate the story and end by telling us that there were 3 special eggs that represented Heavenly Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost.  We were to try and find them, our family and then try and get to the highest place (usually a stack of couch pillows) which represented the temple (this is, of course, where the Nephites gathered).  Then she would blind fold us and give us our bags.  We would go into the house and get down on our hands and knees (it's much safer this way!) and crawl around stuffing candy (family) in our bags.  When we had been at it a while and we were pretty sure most of the candy had been collected we would all make our way to the "temple".  This has been a GREAT activity that seems to appeal to ALL ages.

MARSHMALLOW POPCORN

MARSHMALLOW POPCORN
This was yummy & easy to make.  A little sticky.  Abagail ate it with a fork.  The kids liked mini chocolate chips & mini m&m's sprinkled on top.

Microwave for 2 min (stir about every 30 seconds):
1/2 c brown sugar
1/2 c butter

Add & microwave 1 1/2 min or until melted:
9-10 big marshmallows (I did about 1 1/2 cups mini)

Pour over 12 cups popped popcorn. (I did 1 cup kernals in whirly pop)

EASIEST CARAMEL CORN EVER!
http://fabulesslyfrugal.com/easiest-caramel-corn-ever/
Got this from Fabulessly Frugal:

Seriously the easiest recipe. And as a bonus it is delicious!

1 10 oz bag of marshmallows
2 cubes margarine or butter
1 cup brown sugar
3 1/2 bags popcorn (I use buttered cause I like the salty/sweet combo!)

Bring brown sugar and butter to a boil. Add marshmallows & reduce heat. Stir until combined. Pour over popcorn. Toss. Cool.

You can also microwave this mixture too. I combine the sugar & butter & melt that completely first & then add the marshmallows & cook for 1-2 minutes.

OREO NO BAKE

These are incredibly easy and very good!  I didn't use the parchment or wax paper and it worked fine.

http://picky-palate.com/2011/03/17/no-bake-chewy-cookies-and-cream-bars/

Ingredients:

• One 16 oz package of Oreo Cookies
• 5 cups large marshmallows
• 4 tablespoons butter

Directions:

1. Butter an 8X8 inch baking pan. Line the baking pan with parchment paper letting the paper extend up two sides of the pan and overhang slightly on both ends. Butter paper; set pan aside.
2. In the bowl of a food processor fitted with the metal blade, pulse Oreos  until ground.
3. In a large, microwave safe bowl, melt butter and marshmallows in the microwave until puffed, about 1½ – 2 minutes. Stir in ground Oreo Cookies until combined. Transfer to prepared baking pan. Using a piece of wax paper, press mixture evenly into prepared pan.
4. Let set up for at least 10 minutes. Cut into bars and serve.

Yields: 16 bars

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE

FROZEN HOT CHOCOLATE
http://tastykitchen.com/recipes/drinks/frozen-hot-chocolate-2/?print=1
So after being outside most of the day in 90 degree weather - we were outside again and the wind started to blow and small rain drops started to fall, but it was still 85 degrees out.  So Abagail says, "Can I have some hot chocolate?"  Are you kidding me?  I said no, but I will make frozen hot chocolate.  

We all loved it - it is so yummy!!!!  It took about 10 minutes to make.  I didn't wait for it too cool to room temperature.  Make sure and use a good blender (I used the Bosch)

• 3 Tablespoons Granulated Sugar
• 1 package Hot Cocoa Mix (about 3 Tablespoons)
• 2 Tablespoons Unsalted Butter
• ⅓ cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
• ⅓ cups White Chocolate Chips
• 12 ounces, fluid Can Evaporated Milk, Divided
• 4-½ cups Ice
• Whipped Cream, To Taste
• Mini Marshmallows, To Taste

Preparation Instructions

Combine sugar, cocoa mix, and butter in the top of a double boiler that is set over gently boiling water. Stir often until melted and a smooth paste forms. Add semi-sweet & white chocolate chips; stir. When chips begin to melt, slowly stir in 1/2 cup of evaporated milk. Stir until smooth. Cool to room temperature.

Combine the chocolate base mixture, the remaining evaporated milk and ice in a blender (you can do this in batches) and cover. Blend until smooth. Pour into frosty glasses. Top each with whipped cream. Sprinkle with additional chopped chocolate chips & mini marshmallows, if desired.

NORTH POLE COOKIE DOUGH

NORTH POLE COOKIE DOUGH
http://www.bhg.com/recipes/recipedetail.jsp?recipeId=R153917
http://www.recipegoldmine.com/chrgift/north-pole-cookie-dough.html

These are so, so so, good.  We just did a pizza cookie (1/2 recipe just right for one pizza stone)

A ready-to-bake treat such as North Pole Cookie Dough is the perfect hostess gift. Consider presenting it in disposable pint-size ice cream containers. You can find them online or simply ask for a few from your local ice cream shop. Just don't forget to add a festive tag with baking instructions!

North Pole Cookie Dough recipe

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
1 2/3 cups all-purpose flour
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 1/4 teaspoons baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup (two sticks) butter, softened
1/2 cup dark brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup granulated sugar
1 1/4 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large eggs
1 cup semisweet chocolate chunks
1 cup roasted almonds or toasted walnuts, roughly chopped
1 1/2 cups mini marshmallows

Place 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in microwave-safe dish. Microwave 30 seconds on high, stir and continue to microwave in 10 to 20-second intervals, stirring after each, until chocolate is melted and smooth. Set bowl aside and cool to room temperature.

In medium bowl, whisk together flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt. In large bowl, beat butter and both sugars using electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add melted, cooled chocolate and vanilla, blend until fully incorporated. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Add flour mixture slowly; mixing until incorporated. Fold in chocolate chunks, nuts and mini marshmallows.
Fill pint containers with cookie dough and refrigerate up to four days or freeze up to one month.

When giving as a gift, attach following baking instructions:

Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Drop dough by rounded tablespoons, or using small cookie scoop, onto parchment-lined baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Flatten dough slightly using back of spoon.
Bake 10 to 12 minutes, until edges are lightly cracked but centers are still soft.
Remove from oven and cool slightly on baking sheet before transferring cookies to wire rack to cool completely.

Makes 3 "pints" of dough or 2 dozen cookies.

S'MORES

S'MORES ON THE GRILL

Found this in the coupons. For more recipes you can go to www.puresmores.com

-Preheat grill to medium-hot

-Build S'more

-Wrap in aluminum foil

-Grill wrapped S'more for 1-2 minutes per side

Peanut Butter Toasted Marshmallow Smore’s

http://www.justgetoffyourbuttandbake.com/?p=2017

These are so, so easy to make and so yummy!  Perfect after school snack!

Ritz Crackers

Peanut Butter (or Nutella)

Large or small marshmallows (large work better)

Toasted Coconut (optional)

Chocolate - any kind, melted (I did a mixture of white and semi-sweet)

Top Ritz cracker (generously) with peanut butter.  Then top with a marshmallow.  Broil until brown.  Top with drizzled chocolate and toasted coconut.  

ROLO SMORE

Put Ritz crackers on a cookie sheet.  Top with a rolo and a small marshmallow if want (didn't add marshmallow)  Bake at 350 for 3-5 minutes.  Top with another Ritz cracker. Can dip in chocolate and cover with sprinkles if want.

RICE KRISPIES

3T butter

4C miniature marshmallows

6C rice crispies

Scoop 1/2 cup mixture out in a measuring cup that has been sprayed with Pam. Cover hands in butter. Shape into a ghost. Let cool on wax paper. After cooled (watch while they are cooling sometimes you have to reshape) put a little bit of frosting and then place an eye (I used mini M&M's). Best if eaten that day.

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM

ROCKY ROAD ICE CREAM
Very yummy!

1 - 14 oz. condensed milk
1/2 cup cocoa
2 cups heavy whip
1 cup light cream, 1/2 1/2 or whole milk
1 T vanilla
1/2 cup pecans (walnuts good too)
1 cup marshmallows

Over low heat, cook condensed milk and cocoa until smoooth and thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and allow to cool somewhat. Stir in cream and vanilla. Refrigerate in a bowl for 1/2 to an hour or more. Freeze and churn according to instructions of machine, adding nuts and marshmallows after about 20 minutes (halfway through the freezing process).