Dark Chocolate Espresso Cupcakes by Rachel

It's been a while since I baked because I've been sick, but now that I'm feeling much better I had to break out some chocolate and make something.

Cupcakes!  Of course!

For Christmas, my future mother-in-law bought me a frosting set, so it was time to break that out and practice.

Ingredients

1 cup flour
1/4 tsp baking soda
1 tsp baking powder
1/4 salt
1/4 unsweetened cocoa powder
4 oz. strong espresso, room temperature
1 tbsp whole milk
1 tbsp olive oil
1 cup sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 stick unsalted butter, softened, not melted
dark chocolate to taste (I used 1/2 a bar, crushed)

Frosting
1 stick unsalted butter, softened
1/2 cup powdered sugar
2 tbsp whole milk

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding by Heather

If you want a quick and easy but healthy chocolate-y dessert, look no farther!  This dish takes just about 5 minutes to make, and you probably already have most of these ingredients in your pantry.  If you've never had chia seed pudding before, it's kind of like eating tapioca pudding, but crunchier.

Ingredients for 1 Ramekin:
2 Tbs. chia seeds (or enough to generously cover the bottom of the ramekin)
3 Tbs. almond milk (you can use any other type of milk you have on hand)
1 Tbs. unsweetened cocoa powder
dash cinnamon
small dash cardamom
1/2 tsp. honey, plus more for drizzling
1/8 tsp. vanilla extract
2-3 almonds
a couple of frozen berries of your choice
sprig of mint for garnish

Chocobites by Rachel

I've developed this terrible habit of really wanting to have something sweet after every meal so, naturally, I needed to find something healthier to have for dessert rather than cookies and cakes all the time.  Well, I think I've found just the thing!

Dark chocolate has just enough sweetness and fruit and nuts have just the right texture.  Combining the two make a delicious dessert!

Ingredients
100 grams of dark chocolate (1 bar of Lindt)
1/4 cup of raisins
1/4 cup of golden raisins
1/4 cup of almonds
1/4 cup crushed walnuts
1/4 cup halved peanuts
1/4 cup dried apricots, diced

Mexican Hot Chocolate Cookies by Heather

Brandon and I make these cookies every Christmas.  They're really chocolate-y and have an unexpected spiciness to them.  This recipe is adapted from a Martha Stewart recipe.

Ingredients:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

1/2 cup high quality unsweetened cocoa powder 

2 tsp. cream of tartar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. coarse salt

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, room temperature

1 3/4 cups sugar

1 1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

2 large eggs

2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp chipotle chile powder

Dark Chocolate Ganache and Hazelnut Praline Tart by Rachel

The reason why I love baking so much is because you can create such beautiful desserts if you put your mind to it.  Of all the desserts I've made, tarts are my favorite.  I love the way that tarts look they are really a very easy dessert to make.  Don't get scared off by having to make your own crust- you can do it!

I went home to North Carolina for Thanksgiving and my mom gave me a ton of Lindt chocolate that she happened to have (not sure why...), but I took it and turned it into a beautiful tart!  

Ingredients 

For the chocolate crust (8 inch tart pan)

10 tbsp unsalted butter

1 cup all purpose flour

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 pinch of salt

1/4 unsweetened cocoa powder

1 egg

1 tbsp ice water

Soft Center Chocolate Cookies by Rachel

For my dear friend, Dana-

I know you love sweets.  You are one of my favorite people to cook for because the smile you get when you taste my food is so gratifying to me.  So, it's probably no surprise to you that I decided to make you a little something special from my kitchen on your special day.  May the next year be extremely happy for you- filled with hugs and kisses from all the people that you love and all the people that love you.  Happy, happy birthday to you!!  :)

xo,
Rachel

Ingredients:
 1 1/2 cup all purpose flour
1/2 cocoa powder
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup dark brown sugar
10 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
Caramel sauce (recipe found here)