Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Chocolate

Previously posted in June 2008

A man was walking down the beach and found a bottle floating in from the ocean.  He opened it and out popped a genie, who gave him three wishes. The man said, "I wish for a million dollars!"  Poof!  There was a million dollars. Then he wished, "I would love a red convertible!"   Poof!  There was a convertible. And then, he said, "I want to be irresistible to all women!"   Poof!  He turned into a box of chocolates.

I love chocolate, but, I confess that I'm not a die-hard chocolate fan.  I do love milk chocolate anything but I'd much prefer strawberry pie to  chocolate cake or a peach milkshake over a bowl of chocolate ice cream.  However, there are some chocolate desserts that just can't be beat!  Ever! All of the popular chocolate desserts are great, but, in my opinion, they don't come any better than these basic few ways to get a healthy dose of chocolate!

There's nothing like a great chocolate chip cookie!  BUT, I have issues.  My issue with chocolate chip cookies is that if you use butter, which Mr. GranolaMan, my husband, prefers in everything, they are paper thin with chocolate bumps in them.  So, shhhhh.  Don't tell Doug.  This is the only time that I use shortening anymore for anything other than greasing my pans.

My chocolate chip cookies:

3/4 cup sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup butter-flavored Crisco
2 1/2 cups flour
2 large eggs
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. salt
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup flaked coconut
1 cup chopped nuts
1 1/2 cups milk chocolate chips or 1 cup of mini-chocolate chips

Mix and cream the sugar and wet ingredients.  Add the dry.  Bake about ten minutes at 375°. 

And then, there's the best, most moist and delicious chocolate cake recipe ever!  Some people call this the "Family Reunion Cake" because that's the one that always makes it to family gatherings.

Wacky Cake 

2 cups sugar
3 cups flour
2 tsp. salt
2 tsp. baking soda
2 cups cold water
1 Tbsp. vanilla
3/4 cup oil
2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1/3 cup cocoa  OR 2 - 3 mashed bananas to plus the water to equal the above listed 2 cups OR shredded fresh zucchini plus water to equal the above listed 2 cups OR carrots and add spices to go with carrot cake.

You can literally mix this cake right in the ungreased 9x13 pan.  If you do it this way, mix the dry ingredients, make a well and add the mixed liquids.  (I just do it in a bowl with a mixer to make sure it's well mixed and not lumpy.) Bake at 350° for about 25-30 minutes or until done.  All those variations and it turns out delish every time...hmmmmm.... go figure!  But, the chocolate is the best!  I frost it with chocolate cream cheese frosting or sometimes, I'll add some peanut butter to that frosting, for a tasty change!  Anyway around it, this is chocolate at it's best!

S'mores

What's summer without S'mores, and often!?  The most simple outdoor treat imaginable but can also be made even more simply in the microwave.  One package of graham crackers.  A box of Hershey Bars, the regular original thin ones with no frills.  A bag of marshmallows and you are in business!   Some people choose to use Keebler Fudge Stripe cookies instead of graham crackers.  A bit more messy but oh my!  AND finally, the most amazing S'more ingredient ever.... instead of the Hershey Bar, use a Reeses Peanut Butter Cup!  Can you say "died and gone to Heaven"!?!?!?

Brownies

And for me, my personal favorite form of chocolate is Turtle Brownies by Duncan Hines, even though my own secret brownies are claimed to be the best ever!  I've been baking my secret brownie recipe since I came up with it in the early 80s, but they lost their appeal to me long ago.  I can bake them five times and maybe eat one.  When I crave chocolate, these tasty lovely babies are what I want.  Quick, simple, inexpensive.  (My own brownies cost almost $15 a pan to bake but cream cheese and a pound of butter are the main ingredients.  What could you expect?)  I've been craving chocolate all week.  Nothing did the trick!  Until last night!  Satisfaction achieved!  I'm good for another six months, I'm sure!    Enough said!

There's nothing better than a good friend, except a good friend with CHOCOLATE!

Comments

[Holly F.]

I need to give you my chocolate chip cookie recipe. It has butter AND ground up oats, which should make Doug very happy. Let me know a day or two before you will be at Carol's sometime and I'll make some and you can try them. I use a cookie scoop and they always turn out nice and chubby. Not thin at all.