Tag Archives: valentine’s day

Red Velvet Blondies

Chewy red velvet blondies with white chocolate chips are a perfect Valentine’s Day treat! They are chewy, fudgy and delicious.

*This post is sponsored by T-Sugars. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*

Ultra chewy and fudgy RED VELVET blondies make the best Valentine's Day treat!!

Chewy, gooey, red velvety perfection. If you are looking for an easy but ultra delicious recipe to celebrate Valentine’s Day, this is for you. Thanks to being spiked with cocoa powder and red food coloring, I’ve turned your traditional blonde hued dessert into a festive holiday treat.

Crazy good red velvet blondies (from the blondie expert!)

You might argue that this is no longer a blondie based on its shade, but I beg to differ. That important base of butter and brown sugar is intact. In fact, I used T-Sugars’ Belgium Cassonade Sugar in this recipe and thanks to its ultra soft texture and caramelized flavor, the blondie feel and flavor is not only there, but actually prominent in a very good way. Chewy but crackly, Sweet but flavorful. And while there is cocoa powder in the recipe, the hint of chocolate is like a treat to the palate, not an overbearing forethought.

My friends were obsessed with these red velvet blondies!

The blondies have been filled with white chocolate chips which add a nice texture and sweetness to the mix. And that powdered sugar dusting? It’s a special touch for appearance made easy with the Icing Sugar Mill I received in my T-Sugars package. Gourmet finely powdered sugar without the massive mess? Yes!

We all went crazy over these red velvet blondies!

Wondering what’s so special about T-Sugars? The company specializes in gourmet high-quality sugars and while traditional brown sugar can be used in this recipe, I found that the T-Sugars’ Belgian Cassonade Sugar resulted in a stronger caramel flavor and better chewy texture in this blondie. It wasn’t even a contest.

Red Velvet Blondies have my heart!

Red Velvet Blondies
 
Chewy red velvet blondies with white chocolate chips are a perfect Valentine’s Day treat! They are chewy, fudgy and delicious.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 12 servings
Ingredients
  • 350 grams (~1½ cups firmly packed) T-Sugars' Cassonade Sugar (gourmet brown sugar)
  • 113 grams (1/2 cup) unsalted butter
  • 130g (1 cup) all-purpose flour
  • 20g (¼ cup) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 5 grams (1 teaspoon) salt
  • 21/2 grams (1/2 teaspoon) baking powder
  • 110 grams (2 large) whole eggs
  • 5 milliliters (1 teaspoon) vanilla extract
  • 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) red food coloring
  • 170 grams (1 cup) white chocolate chips
  • T-Sugars' Icing Sugar
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper; set aside
  3. In a medium saucepan, heat Cassonade Sugar and butter over medium heat and stir constantly until melted into a thick golden brown mixture; set aside
  4. Whisk flour, cocoa powder, salt and baking powder in a medium bowl; set aside
  5. In a large bowl, whisk eggs vanilla, and red food coloring until combined
  6. Whisk in brown sugar butter mixture
  7. Slowly whisk in flour mixture just until combined
  8. Stir in chips
  9. Pour batter into prepared pan and bake for 30-34 minutes or until top begins to crack and a knife or toothpick comes out clean
  10. Allow to cool; sprinkle with Icing Sugar before serving

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

You might also like:

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Blueberry Cream Cheese Icing

Red Velvet Cupcakes with Blueberry Cream Cheese Icing

Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Buttercream

Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Buttercream

Vanilla M&M Shortbread Cookies

Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them! These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!

Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them!

I love that there are plenty of excuses to bake around Valentine’s Day. Kid’s class parties, sweet treats for friends, and of course something special just for two. I’ve been spreading the love to some neighbors, doormen and even real estate brokers. And you know what, I don’t hear any complaining;-)

These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!

These cookies are fairly easy to make and appear so simple (while pretty), but I assure you they are anything but boring. The vanilla bean paste adds an extra special flavor element to the buttery shortbread cookie and then of course, there are M&Ms. I don’t know what it is about an M&M cookie that is so appealing but they never, ever disappoint. Make these to spread some Valentine’s Day love in your world.

MM Cookies for your Valentine

5.0 from 1 reviews
Vanilla M&M Shortbread Cookies
 
Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them! These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients
  • 227g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 150g (~3/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 120g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or replace with additional teaspoon of vanilla extract)
  • 2g (1/2 teaspoon) salt
  • 265g (~2 cups) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 320g (1⅓ cups) M&MS
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or slipat; set aside
  3. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy
  4. Add vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste and salt and beat until well combined
  5. Stir in flour; stir in M&Ms
  6. Scoop dough with a medium cookie dough scoop (~2 tablespoons each) onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart
  7. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until very light brown around the edges (bake for less time if looking for a slightly chewier cookie)
  8. Allow cookies to cool on cooling rack
  9. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week or in the freezer for up to two months

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

You might also like:

Mini M&M Cookies

Mini M&M Cookies

Mega M&M Cookies

Mega M&M Cookies

Salted Brown Butter M&M Cookies

Salted Brown Butter M&M Cookies

Vanilla M&M Shortbread Cookies

Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them! These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!

Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them!

I love that there are plenty of excuses to bake around Valentine’s Day. Kid’s class parties, sweet treats for friends, and of course something special just for two. I’ve been spreading the love to some neighbors, doormen and even real estate brokers. And you know what, I don’t hear any complaining;-)

These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!

These cookies are fairly easy to make and appear so simple (while pretty), but I assure you they are anything but boring. The vanilla bean paste adds an extra special flavor element to the buttery shortbread cookie and then of course, there are M&Ms. I don’t know what it is about an M&M cookie that is so appealing but they never, ever disappoint. Make these to spread some Valentine’s Day love in your world.

MM Cookies for your Valentine

Vanilla M&M Shortbread Cookies
 
Vanilla bean shortbread cookies are even better when there are M&Ms in them! These shortbread cookies are easy to make and delicious to eat. Use pretty pink M&Ms for a Valentine’s Day treat!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients
  • 227g (1 cup) unsalted butter, softened
  • 150g (~3/4 cup) granulated sugar
  • 120g (3/4 cup) powdered sugar, sifted
  • 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste (or replace with additional teaspoon of vanilla extract)
  • 2g (1/2 teaspoon) salt
  • 265g (~2 cups) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 320g (1⅓ cups) M&MS
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Line baking sheets with parchment paper or slipat; set aside
  3. Cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy
  4. Add vanilla extract, vanilla bean paste and salt and beat until well combined
  5. Stir in flour; stir in M&Ms
  6. Scoop dough with a medium cookie dough scoop (~2 tablespoons each) onto prepared cookie sheets about 2 inches apart
  7. Bake for 13-15 minutes or until very light brown around the edges (bake for less time if looking for a slightly chewier cookie)
  8. Allow cookies to cool on cooling rack
  9. Store cookies in an airtight container at room temperature up to one week or in the freezer for up to two months

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

You might also like:

Mini M&M Cookies

Mini M&M Cookies

Mega M&M Cookies

Mega M&M Cookies

Salted Brown Butter M&M Cookies

Salted Brown Butter M&M Cookies

Valentine’s Day Brownie Pops

Fudgy delicious brownie pops made from scratch! These heart-shaped treats are perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Brownie pops from scratch! Cute hearts are so easy to make, too!

I was in the mood to make something pretty, fun and ultra delicious for Valentine’s Day this year. And while I love cake pops, the idea of brownie pops came to mind for a change. So instead of making a cake AND buttercream I made the ultimate fudgy brownies and turned them into pops. The texture of the brownies is actually perfect for molding (they are that fudgy) so no frosting needed! Plus, dipping the pops in chocolate really seals in the moisture. It makes them ideal for when you need to make a treat ahead of time. Class parties, Valentine’s Day soirees, or even bridal showers would be perfect excuses for these pretty heart-shaped pops.

Unbelievable brownie pops for Valentine's Day! NO cake mix;-)

When I started making them, I actually made balls at first. And then in a moment of déjà vu, I remembered that my mom and I had made hundreds of heart-shaped cake pops a few years ago for an Anthropologie event. And what do you know, making a ball shape into a heart is actually super easy. You just have to pinch the bottom, press a thumb into the top and voila. Something extra festive for a love-themed occasion.

The Fudgiest ever brownie pops! All from scratch from Valentine's Day

And a little confession so you know just how much we loved these. The recipe makes about 50 heart-shaped brownie pops and I only shared a few of them. Maybe a dozen at most? I just couldn’t bring myself to give any more away. Oops.

5.0 from 1 reviews
Valentine's Day Brownie Pops
 
Fudgy delicious brownie pops made from scratch! These heart-shaped treats are perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 4 dozen pops (easily doubles)
Ingredients
  • ½ pan of The Ultimate Fudgy Brownies, cooled
  • 4-dozen 6-inch lollipop sticks
  • 600g semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped or in disks
  • ½ - 1 cup colored sprinkles
Instructions
  1. Line a baking sheet with wax paper and set aside
  2. Cut sharp edges and corners off of brownies; break remaining brownie into pieces and place in a large bowl; mush together into a fudgy consistency
  3. Use a small cookie dough scoop or large spoon to scoop balls (about 1 tablespoon each) of dough onto wax paper
  4. Use your hands to roll the scoops into balls
  5. Cover with another sheet of wax paper and place in freezer for at least two hours
  6. Prepare another baking sheet with wax paper for finished pops, alternatively, have a large piece of styrofoam available for drying brownie pops
  7. Once balls are frozen, you can make the pops
  8. Put chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and place in over a pot of simmering water; stir chocolate constantly until melted (you can also melt in the microwave)
  9. Remove balls from freezer; dip the top of each lollipop stick about ¼ of an inch into the melted chocolate and immediately press into brownie ball two thirds of the way through
  10. (Optional) To make hearts: Pinch the bottom of each ball together with your fingers to form a rounded upside down triangle. Then, press your thumb into the top of the pop to create a dip for the top of the heart. Smooth out any imperfections by carefully using your fingers to mold the shape. Chill pops in freezer for an additional 15- 30 minutes or until firm again
  11. Once complete, dip each pop, one at a time, into melted chocolate; lightly tap off excess chocolate and place cake pop on wax paper or stick into styrofoam; decorate with sprinkles immediately before chocolate hardens
  12. Repeat until all pops are dipped and decorated
  13. Allow to cool and for chocolate to harden before serving
Notes
Brownie can be made one day before making pops; just make sure it is wrapped tightly with seran or tin foil (can also freeze well-wrapped up to one month)
Cake pops can be made up to one week in advance of serving

5.0 from 1 reviews
Valentine's Day Brownie Pops
 
The fudgiest brownies ever.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: One 9x13 pan of brownies
Ingredients
  • 256g unsweetened chocolate, roughly chopped
  • 340g (1½ cups / 3 sticks) unsalted butter
  • 415g (~2 cups) granulated sugar
  • 400g (~1¾ cups, packed) light brown sugar
  • 275g (~5 large) whole eggs, at room temperature
  • 89 milliliters (6 tablespoon) strong brewed espresso (4 grams (1½ tablespoons) espresso + 89 milliliters (6 tablespoons) water))
  • 10 milliliters (2 teaspoons) vanilla extract
  • 290g (~2 cups + 2 tablespoons) all-purpose flour
  • 2g (1/2 teaspoon) salt
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees;
  2. Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper; set aside
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour and salt; set aside
  4. Melt butter and chocolate in large pot over low to medium heat; remove when melted
  5. Stir in sugar until combined; stir in eggs, espresso and vanilla until smooth
  6. Whisk in flour mixture just until combined; do not overmix
  7. Pour batter into prepared baking dish and bake 40-45 minutes or until a knife comes out clean
  8. Set brownies aside to cool completely before using

 

adorable heart-shaped brownie pops! would also be great for a bridal shower!!

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

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Pink Champagne Cake Pops

Pink-Champagne-Cake-Pops-12_thumb.jpg

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

Fudgy brownie bites full of mini chocolate chips and topped with a pretty in pink marshmallow buttercream, perfect for Valentine’s Day!

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

This weekend completely flew by!  I’ve had a lot going on lately (work-wise and personally) so I feel like my weekend relaxing and me-time is extra precious.  I know myself, and I really need to get a chance to refresh and recharge when possible to stay motivated and keep working hard.

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

This weekend was fun, though.  We celebrated my mother-in-law’s birthday (which is today, happy birthday Marcia AND Sara!) by seeing Motown on broadway.  What a fun show! The music was fantastic and the entire thing was so entertaining.  Yesterday we went to a housewarming party for friends and brought these brownies.  It was so nice to see some of our friends and steal time with their baby.  She is an adorable 9-month old that is happy ALL the time. It is amazing.

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

And these brownies?  What brownie doesn’t do well with a little buttercream on top?  You could of course leave out the food coloring and eat them any time of year, but the pink is perfect for Friday’s holiday.  If you do nothing else for Valentine’s Day, I’m pretty sure that eating chocolate is required.

 

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream

Mini Chip Brownie Bites with Pink Marshmallow Buttercream
 
Fudgy brownie bites full of mini chocolate chips and topped with a pretty in pink marshmallow buttercream, perfect for Valentine’s Day!
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 18 brownie bites
Ingredients
Brownie Bites
  • 3 ounces unsweetened chocolate
  • 4 ounces (1/2 cup / 1 stick) unsalted butter
  • 9 ¾ ounces(~1⅓ cups) sugar
  • 2 large eggs  at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 2⅞ ounces (2/3 cup) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 3 ounces (~1/2 cup) mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
Pink Marshmallow Buttercream
  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup / 1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 7 ounces marshmallow fluff (1 small jar)
  • 7 ounces (~1½)  cups powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 2 drops red food coloring (optional)
Instructions
Make the brownies
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees
  2. Grease or line mini muffin pan
  3. In a small bowl, whisk together flour and salt; set aside
  4. Melt butter and chocolate in large sauce pan over low to medium heat; stir in sugar; stir in eggs and vanilla until smooth
  5. Whisk in flour mixture just until combined; do not overmix; fold in chocolate chips
  6. Use a small ladle or medium cookie dough scoop to evenly distribute batter into muffin tin
  7. Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until tops are puffed up slightly and knife comes out clean
  8. Set brownies aside to cool
Make the buttercream
  1. Beat butter with an electric mixer for several minutes or until light and creamy; add marshmallow fluff and beat on medium high speed until creamy
  2. Add sugar, vanilla and food coloring; mix on low and then increase speed to high, mixing for several minutes until light and fluffy
  3. Remove brownies from pan and pipe buttercream onto cooled brownie bites
Notes
Brownies can be stored in a covered container at room temperature up to two days or frozen up to one month
Brownie adapted from Baker’s

 

This post contains affiliate links.

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

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Fudgy Mocha Chip Brownies

Fudgy Mocha Chip Brownies with Espresso Sea Salt

Espresso Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

Espresso Salted Caramel Brownie Bites

Fudgy Double Creme de Menthe Brownies

Fudgy Double Creme de Menthe Brownies

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies

These Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies are the ray of sunshine you need in the middle of winter.  They are chewy in the middle, crispy around the edges, and rounded out with the flavors of fresh meyer lemon zest.

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies

I’m going to fast forward past the winter-hating rant that you could probably spew out yourself and / or have heard a million times.  You know the one… we can just skip to the part where I tell you that these cookies are the bright and fresh comfort food that you need to channel your inner sunshine.  Because while we still need lots and lots of cold weather comfort food, we are craving things that remind us of spring and summer.  The brightness of the lemon zest does just that.  Pack the cookies with the brightest colored sprinkles you can find (pink for Valentine’s Day perhaps?) and they will instantly make you smile.

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies

I’m not a huge lemon lover, in fact citrus is not my go-to dessert flavor, but there is something about a these cookies that is pretty addicting.  But then again, I find most cookies addicting…

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies
 
These Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies are the ray of sunshine you need in the middle of winter. They are chewy in the middle, crispy around the edges, and rounded out with the flavors of fresh meyer lemon zest.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 3 dozen cookies
Ingredients
  • 8 ounces (~1 cup) granulated sugar
  • 1 tablespoon meyer lemon zest (~2 meyer lemons)
  • 9.25 ounces (~2 cups) all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons table salt
  • ½  teaspoon baking soda
  • 6 ounces (3/4 cup / 1½ sticks) unsalted butter, softened at room temperature
  • 4 ounces (~1/2 cup packed) light brown sugar
  • 1 x-large egg + 1 x-large egg yolk at room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 cup bright colored sprinkles
Instructions
  1. Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees; line baking sheets with parchment paper or a slipat and set aside
  2. In the large bowl of an electric mixer, use your fingers to rub the meyer lemon zest into the granulated sugar; set aside for five minutes
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, table salt and baking soda; set aside
  4. Add butter and brown sugar to granulated sugar / zest mixture, cream high speed until light and fluffy
  5. Scrape sides of the bowl with a spatula; add egg, egg yolk and vanilla; beat at medium speed until well-combined
  6. Reduce speed to low and slowly add flour mixture just until combined; stop mixer and scrape sides of the bowl with spatula
  7. On low speed, add in sprinkles
  8. Use a medium cookie dough scoop and place scoops of cookie dough on prepared baking sheets 1-2 inches apart
  9. Bake cookies 11-12 minutes or until edges are a light golden brown
  10. Set aside to cool before eating
  11. Store in an airtight container for several days at room temperature or freeze for up to one month

 

Meyer Lemon Sprinkle Cookies
This post contains affiliate links.

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it on Instagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

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Easy Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Easy Meyer Lemon Shortbread Cookies

Meyer Lemon Shortbread Bars

Meyer Lemon Shortbread Bars

Lemon Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Strawberry Buttercream

Lemon Cookies with White Chocolate Chips and Strawberry Buttercream

Valentine’s Day for Chocolate Lovers

Well, Valentine’s Day is just a few days from now and what says I love you better than chocolate?  I have plenty of recipe inspiration for you, but if your sweetheart is too far to bake for, there is still time to order a chocolate sweet from Keep It Sweet Desserts!

Chocolate Sweets for Valentine’s Day from Keep It Sweet Desserts:

Brownies & Blondie Pack

Chocolate Lover’s Cookie Box

KISD Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookies

Triple Chocolate Cookie Sandwiches

Valentine’s Day Gourmet Gift Basket

Peanut Butter Cup Stuffed Triple Chocolate Cookies from Keep It Sweet Desserts

And for those of you showing some love in the kitchen, here are some of my favorite chocolate recipes!

Brownies:

Fudgy Double Crème de Menthe Brownies

Oreo Crusted Brownie Pie with Cream Cheese Icing

Peanut Butter Caramel “Baked Brownies”

peanut butter caramel brownies

Candy:

Blueberry Pretzel Clusters

Oreo Mallow Clusters

Cheesecake:

Salted Caramel & Brownie Cheesecake Bars

Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Vanilla Bean and Chocolate Cheesecake Bars

Cupcakes:

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Cupcakes

Cookie Bottomed Cupcakes with Chocolate Cream Cheese Icing

Low Fat Vegan Chocolate Cupcakes

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ice Cream:

Black Bottom Ice Cream Cupcakes

Salted Caramel and Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

Salted Caramel Cookie Dough Ice Cream Bars

Other:

Magic [cookie bar] Pie

M&M Cookie Dough Cups

M&M Cookie Dough Cups

Looking for more chocolate inspiration? Check out my “I Dream In Chocolate” Pinterest board!

Make something from the blog? Be sure to share it onInstagram with the tag #KeepItSweetDesserts.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Ever since I saw Lori’s Chocolate Cheesecake Cake, I have been dreaming of making something that could satisfy my desire to lock myself in a room with the cake and a fork.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

And while the last thing I need is an entire cake on my hands (oh wait, I do have an entire cake in my freezer… er…), cupcakes just seem so innocent.  Individual portions, easy to share with friends, harder to eat all at once since you have to unwrap each one… you get the drift.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Well, unfortunately, or fortunately, these cupcakes are anything but innocent.  Light chocolate cake, creamy and mousse-like chocolate cheesecake and a hard chocolate glaze, well, you get my drift.

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

So if you want to find a husband, get laid be the husband of the year, or turn your children into perfect angels, you might want to make a batch of these not-so-innocent cupcakes.
Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes
Makes 24 cupcakes

Ingredients:
Cake Layer:
3 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
6 tablespoons unsalted butter
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 x-large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/8 teaspoon salt
3/4 cups water
Cheesecake Layer:
1 8-ounce packages light cream cheese softened at room temperature
3/4 cups granulated sugar
1 x-large egg
1 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
2 tablespoons unsalted butter
Glaze:
3/4 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
3 tablespoons unsalted butter
1 tablespoon light corn syrup
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:
Pre-heat oven to 350 and line 24-cupcake tins with foil or paper cupcake liners
Prepare cake layer; microwave choc and butter in a bowl in 30-second increments stirring in-between until butter and chocolate are completely melted
Stir sugar into melted choc mixture until well blended; beat in eggs one at a time with a whisk
Beat in vanilla
Add 1/2 cup of flour, baking soda and salt and mix well
Add remaining flour alternating with water (starting and ending with flour) stirring in-between each addition just until smooth
Pour into prepared tins, ~2 tablespoons of batter per cup, and bake ~5 minutes or until cake layer is set but still wet
Reduce oven temperature to 325 and prepare cheesecake filling; beat cream cheese with an electric mixer until light, creamy and lumps are gone (about 5 minutes)
Add granulated sugar and combine on medium-high speed well until light and creamy
Beat in egg, on medium speed
Stir in flour
Add vanilla extract and salt and beat until mixture is thick and creamy
Melt chocolate chips and remaining 2 tablespoons of butter in the microwave using the same method as above with 30-second increments; mixture will get very thick
Add chocolate to the cheesecake filling and combine thoroughly
Pour chocolate batter over cake layer and bake for 6-8 minutes or until cheesecake is set
Once cupcakes are cool, prepare glaze; combine chocolate chips, butter and corn syrup in a small pot over low-medium heat and stir constantly until mixture is completely melted
Stir in vanilla and remove from heat; pour glaze over pie
Chill cupcakes in fridge for at least 2 hours and until ready to serve; they will keep in the fridge for a few days

Inspired by Recipe Girl, cake layer from Baker’s, glaze from All Recipes

Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Cupcakes

Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Filling

Chewy and flavorful red velvet cookies with creamy white chocolate frosting.

Amazing red velvet cookies with a white chocolate buttercream!

This post was originally published November 2010. The photos were updated November 2015.

After I saw Jessica’s post of red velvet chocolate chip cookies, I knew I had to make them.  As I’ve mentioned before, red velvet is currently my favorite kind of cake, so how could I not try the cookies?  Jessica promised dense and chewy and she does not disappoint.  I didn’t just make cookies, though, I made cookie sandwiches, Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches with White Chocolate Buttercream to be exact.

So in love with these cookies!!!

So far, for my upcoming dinner party, I’ve made Chocolate Chunk Almond Butter Bars and Gooey Caramel Butter Bars.  In the past I’ve made a mix of cakes, cookies, pies and other desserts, but this year I am going with pick-up desserts only.  However, I still want to have a wow factor, so I have some big plans for upcoming desserts.  These cookie sandwiches definitely fulfill the wow piece.

The cookie itself is dense and chewy as I mentioned above, but it also has a nice mild flavor that isn’t too sweet.  A silky smooth white chocolate buttercream worked as the perfect complement.

Red Velvet White Chocolate Heaven
 
Chewy and flavorful red velvet cookies with creamy white chocolate frosting.
Author:
Recipe type: Dessert
Makes: 22 cookie sandwiches
Ingredients
Cookies:
  • 3 cups all purpose flour
  • ⅔ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 2 teaspoons baking soda
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 cup granulated sugar
  • 1 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
  • 2 eggs
  • 1½ teaspoons vanilla
  • 2 teaspoons red food coloring
  • 1 cup white chocolate chips
  • Buttercream:
  • 4 ounces baking white chocolate
  • ½ cup heavy whipping cream
  • ⅓ cup milk (any type is fine)
  • 1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1¾ cups confectioners’ sugar
Instructions
Make the Cookies:
  1. Pre-heat oven to 375
  2. Whisk together dry ingredients (flour, cocoa, baking soda and salt); set aside
  3. Beat together butter and sugars until fluffy
  4. Add eggs and vanilla and combine
  5. Add red food coloring and beat until well mixed
  6. Slowly add dry ingredients
  7. Stir until well combined
  8. Stir in chocolate chips
  9. Drop even tablespoons of cookie dough on baking sheet lined with parchment paper about 2 inches apart
  10. Bake for ~8 minutes or until slightly firm
  11. Set your cookies aside on a wire rack to cool
Make the Buttercream:
  1. Combine the white chocolate and whipping cream in a medium saucepan on low-medium heat, stirring continuously
  2. Remove from heat and stir in milk
  3. Refrigerate for mixture for half hour
  4. When white chocolate mixture is cool, finish making the buttercream
  5. Beat the butter until creamy
  6. Beat in confectioners’ sugar until butter and sugar are light and fluffy
  7. Now beat in the cooled white chocolate mixture until buttercream is creamy and light
  8. Build Sandwiches
  9. Spread 1-2 tablespoons of buttercream on the bottom half of a cookie (more or less icing depending on your taste)
  10. Place second cookie on top and lightly push together
Notes
I basically used Jessica’s recipe for the Red Velvet Cookies with White Chocolate Chips. Her recipe is easy and definitely worth a try!
The recipe for White Chocolate Buttercream makes twice as much frosting as you will need. Start thinking of other ways to eat it, you won’t want this deliciousness to go to waste (well, you could always freeze it too)
Cookies store well in a tightly sealed container for up to 3 days, or in freezer for a few weeks
I don’t even like white chocolate and I love these cookies; the flavor in the icing is subtle enough and i made myself a sample cookie without chips:-)

 

Do you have a favorite pick-up dessert?

Red Velvet Cookie Sandwiches with White Chocolate Buttercream!

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