Olde Tyme Chocolate Cookies Perfect With An Ice Cold Glass Of Milk

VANILLA CHOCOLATE CRACKLE COOKIES
2 1/2 tsp good vanilla
1/2 cup butter or shortening
1 2/3 cup brown sugar (packed)
2 large eggs
2/3 cup chopped pecans
2 squares melted chocolate (bitter-sweet)
2 cups flour
2 tsp baking powder
1/3 cup milk
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Beat vanilla, butter, and brown sugar together until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, one at a time. Stir in melted chocolate. Sift together flour, salt, and baking powder. Add to creamed mixture slowly with the milk. Stir in pecans. Chill the dough 2-3 hours. Shape into small balls. Roll in confectioners sugar and place on greased baking sheet. Bake 20 minutes. The cookies will be soft and the texture will be similar to cake.

CHOCOLATE NUT BALLS
1 6 ounce can evaporated milk

6 ounces chocolate bits
2 1/2 cups vanilla wafers (crushed)
1/2 cup confectioners sugar
1 1/4 cup chopped nuts
1/3 cup brandy (optional)
In heavy pan, heat milk and chocolate bits over medium heat. Stir the mixture until the chocolate is melted. Remove from heat, add rest of the ingredients and mix well. Let stand for 30 minutes. Then shape into balls and cover in nuts, confectioners sugar, or sprinkles. Chill

NANAMIA BARS
1/2 cup butter (soften)
1/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp cocoa powder
1 large egg
2 cups graham cracker crumbs
1/2 cup nuts (chopped)
1 cup coconut flakes
3 tbsp milk
2 tbsp dry vanilla pudding mix (not instant)
2 cups confectioners sugar
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
1 tbsp butter
First layer:
Mix together in bowl over hot water the butter, sugar, cocoa and egg. When it looks like custard remove from heat and stir in the graham cracker crumbs, nuts, and coconut. Press mixture into 9x13 baking pan.
Second layer:
Mix the milk with the vanilla pudding and confectioners sugar. Spread over the coconut mixture and let sit for 15 minutes. Meanwhile melt the chocolate and butter together over hot water.Spread over cookie mixture and refrigerate for a couple of hours until set. Cut into bars.

PEANUT BUTTER BALLS
1 stick of butter
2 cups peanut butter (I use creamy)
3 cups rice cereal
3 1/2 cups confectioners sugar
1/2 bar paraffin wax
10 ounces milk chocolate
6 ounces semi-sweet chocolate
Mix butter,peanut butter,cereal, and confectioner sugar. Melt the paraffin wax, milk chocolate,and semi-sweet chocolate in double boiler. Roll the peanut butter mixture into small balls and dip in chocolate mixture. Place on wire rack until set.

Deanna not only loves to make chocolate desserts but loves to share her cooking and recipes with everyone. If you want more chocolate dessert recipes and a very special chocolate cake recipe visit her website at http://deannamartin.us/?page_id=30 From here you can get different recipes for all occasions not just chocolate or desserts. If you want to turn your passion for chocolate into something more check out her website at http://deannamartin.us/?page_id=24 Enjoy

Original article

The Perfect Valentine's Day Fudge Recipes

Nothing satisfies a sweet tooth better than a piece of fudge. Decadently intense chocolate fudge recipes to the sophisticated and elegant vanilla fudge recipes, they are all delicious. Fudge is a creamy, silky smooth treat that is easy to prepare and makes the perfect Valentine's Day gift. Your love will be so impressed with you after making these simple recipes for them.

Double Chocolate Fudge:

Ingredients:

2 cups (12 oz) semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 (11 1/2 oz) package milk chocolate chips
1 (14 oz) can sweetened condensed milk
2 Tbsp. heavy cream
2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions:

1. In saucepan, over low heat, melt semi-sweet chocolate chips with 2/3 cup sweetened condensed milk, 1 Tbsp. cream and 1 tsp vanilla.
2. Remove from heat. Spread evenly into foil-lined 9-inch square pan.
3. In another saucepan, over low heat, melt milk chocolate chips with remaining sweetened condensed milk, 1 Tbsp. cream and 1 tsp vanilla. Remove from heat.
4. Spread over fudge in pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Makes about 2 1/2 pounds.

Some great add-ins to make this fudge even sweeter:

1 cup of walnuts
1 cup of chocolate sandwich cookies crushed
1 cup of pecans
1 cup of chocolate candies
Or you can get really creative and show your love by topping the fudge with conversion hearts. Be sure to let the fudge sit for 30 minutes before topping it with the hearts.

If you love really isn't into chocolate then try this wonderful vanilla fudge recipe or try some of the great flavors you can make with this simple recipe.

Vanilla Fudge Recipe:

Ingredients:

4 cups sugar
2 Tbsp. butter
1 large can evaporated milk
1 small jar marshmallow fluff
1 teaspoon Vanilla

Directions:

1. Cook sugar, butter and evaporated milk, stirring constantly, until a medium firm ball is formed when dropped in cold water (about 25 minutes). Cool slightly.
2. Add marshmallow fluff and vanilla. Beat until cool and creamy.
3. Pour into a buttered 8 inch square pan. Chill until firm.

Make it Coffee
Add 2 Tablespoons of instant coffee dissolved in 1 tablespoon of warm water along with the vanilla.

Make it Maple Walnut
Add 1 cup of chopped walnuts and 2 tablespoons of maple extract.

Make it Raspberry Swirl
After pouring the fudge into the pan drop 5 rounded tablespoons all over the top of the fudge and using a knife gently swirl it around.

Whatever fudge recipe you choose to try homemade gift make the best gifts on Valentine's Day.

Looking to find the best deal on homemade fudge, then visit http://www.84countrystore.com/ to find the best fudge gift basket, for you.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Brenda_L_Hopkins

Original article

Order Chocolates Online When You Want to Send the Perfect Gift

Once you hear the word chocolates, you can't help but get a sweet taste in your mouth. Absolutely! People love the smooth creamy taste. Regardless of age, anyone will relish gourmet chocolates. In fact, among many choices the best gift tends to be chocolate gifts. Send a chocolate gift and wish your closest friend with "a very happy birthday". You can give them as gifts for any good reason like wishing them luck on their exams. If you want to make anyone happy or say sorry for something sending chocolates would be a great idea.

People feel special and extraordinary when you send them chocolate gifts. You can send them with a get well soon card, to your friend or just to wish anyone the best for the exams or to celebrate over some victory. Of course, you have to know the person's favorites before you send them.

Your loved one or friend may prefer bitter, dark or unsweetened chocolates. There are those who like mildly sweet chocolates which are often used for cooking. White and milk chocolates are generally the kids' favorite, so pay attention when giving chocolate gifts to kids. For most people around the world, some with liquor are a hit.

Various chocolates gift options have flooded markets. If you decide to send some to that special someone, you can never go wrong. The soothing taste of chocolates is something everyone likes. With wonderful choices of gift baskets, you can send someone chocolates with cards or flowers. Some people like them filled with nuts, white chocolates or with caramel stuffing. Finding chocolates that everyone will love isn't really that hard.

All of us love the delicious taste and no doubt a chocolate gift basket is the top choice when it comes to gifts. The major consumers of chocolates are kids. You can also personalize your gift basket by getting a rose shaped or heart shaped chocolate for a girlfriend whom you want to impress. It's your choice to add a bottle of champagne or wine to your gift basket as well. You can go on a long drive with your special someone and make it an unforgettable evening. When you're having chocolates with your loved one, wine is the best option to have. In the end, chocolates and diamonds are a girl's best friend.

Every year, there are several special occasions. Send a chocolate gift basket to your father on Father's day or to your mother for Mother's day. You can even send some on your brother or sister's birthday, a wedding day, Valentine's day, anniversary day or congratulate someone on a special day. Of course, you get to choose wonderful gourmet chocolate gifts and order chocolates online to send and show you truly care for any day of the year!

Colleen Maguire -
Writer, Traveler and Chocolate Lover
For More Delicious Gourmet Chocolate Ideas and Tastes:
http://www.ultimatechocolateshoppe.com/

Original article

Classic Candy Bars That Are Perfect For The Holidays

Candy has existed in one form or another for thousands of years. Ancient peoples enjoyed honey right out of the hive and later combined it with nuts and fruits to create tasty confectionary treats. Sweets were typically served at the end of a meal for dessert or were eaten as a snack. For most of its history, candy made from sugar was too expensive for commoners. It was a delicacy only the rich could afford.

After the Spanish rediscovered cacao, from which chocolate is made, in Mexico in 1519, the price of candy fell precipitously. By the 17th century, hard candy was wildly popular in North America and chocolate was all the rage in Europe. Large factories were suddenly springing up on both sides of the Atlantic. Though the chocolate bar was invented in England in 1847, it was popularized by an American company at the dawn of the twentieth century.

The Hersey Company introduced the first wrapped chocolate bar in 1900. Its success encouraged countless candy makers to develop their own candy bars. The Hershey Bar has been one of the best-selling candies on earth for most of its history. However, it is not the company's most popular product. Miniature chocolate droplets called "Kisses" were introduced in 1907. The Hershey Company ships about sixty million of them each day! Their diminutive chocolate bars, Hershey's Miniatures, are also extremely popular with chocolate lovers everywhere.

Holiday Candies

Chocolate bars have never been particularly popular during the holiday season. As you might expect, the nearly ubiquitous candy cane is the most common holiday treat. According to reliable estimates, about 1.76 billion of them are made each year! But chocolate bars and candies have gained a loyal following of late.
Hershey's Kisses

As we mentioned, Hershey's Kisses are one of the most popular products in the history of chocolate. Tens of billions of them are shipped and sold each year. Though annual sales peak just before Halloween, they also spike during the holiday season. They are so popular, in fact, that Hershey's produces a special holiday edition of its famous candies wrapped in festive red, silver and green foil. With 7 ounces of milk chocolate, the Giant Hershey's Kiss has also become a trendy stocking stuffer and holiday gift.

Hershey's Holiday Miniatures

Modeled after their original chocolate bar, Hershey's Miniatures are a common holiday gift. Whether deposited into stockings or left out in bowl, miniatures make for a tasty treat when the weather gets cold. Just like their more famous cousins (the Kisses), Hershey's Miniatures are wrapped in festive foils for the holiday season. They are sold in variety packs at most major supermarkets and department stores.

Advent Calendars

The holidays are a hectic time of year for any parent. Crowded stores, annoying in-laws, and boring office parties make the season a chore for most. Of course, most parents forget all about those minor frustrations when their kids open their presents. An easy and affordable way to prolong the air of magic and mystery that surrounds the holiday season is to give your little angel an advent calendar.

The standard advent calendar contains twenty-four doors, and behind each one is a tasty milk chocolate treat. Most calendars also include information about the holiday, so that your child can learn the story and meaning of Christmas as the big day approaches.

Chocolate Ornaments

As popular as candy canes are, they are rarely eaten. Sure, the kids might have one or two of them. But if you decorate your tree with dozens of cane-shaped candy treats, most of them will probably end up in the trash. We're not saying that candy canes have fallen out of fashion, but a little variety never hurt anyone. Chocolate ornaments wrapped in festive foils are an attractive and tasty accessory for any tree. And don't worry, they will not melt!

Chocolate Dreidel

A dreidel is a popular toy Jewish children play with during the holiday of Hanukkah. The four-sided spinning top is used in a gambling game where contestants bet raisins, chocolate, pennies or candies. Chocolate dreidels may not spin like their wooden brethren, but they are far tastier!

Holiday-inspired chocolate candy bars can be purchased from reputable sellers on the internet.

David Shirey is a freelance writer who writes about shopping and food products including candy bars.

Original article