Intense Chocolate Cheesecake

 Chloe's choice of cake for her birthday- cheesecake

Baker By Nature

For the Crust:

• 1 and 1/2 cups (24 chocolate cookies) like oreos
• 1/4 cup (57g/2 ounces) unsalted butter, melted

For the Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake:

• 2 cups (340g/12 ounces) bittersweet dark chocolate chips (A)
• 1 and 1/2 pounds (680g/24 ounces) full-fat cream cheese, at room temperature
• 1 cup (198g/7 ounces) granulated sugar
• 1/4 cup (53g/1 and 7/8 ounces) light brown sugar, packed
• 3 Tablespoons unsweetened natural cocoa powder
• 4 large eggs plus 2 egg yolks, at room temperature
• 3/4 cup (170g/6 ounces) heavy cream, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Ganache:

• 1 and 1/3 cups (226g/8 ounces) semi-sweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 1 and 1/4 cups (12 ounces) heavy cream
• 1/4 cup (57g/2 ounces) unsalted butter, at room temperature, cut into cubes

Instructions

 

For the Crust:

• Preheat oven to 325°F (163°C). Grease the bottom and sides of a 9-inch springform pan. Wrap the outside of the pan in layers of heavy duty aluminum foil. You’ll be placing this pan in a water bath, so be sure the pan has been wrapped from every angle.
• In a medium mixing bowl, combine the chocolate wafer crumbs and melted butter. Pat the mixture firmly into the bottom of the prepared pan. Bake the crust for 10 minutes. Set the pan on a wire rack and cool the crust completely. Leave the oven on.

  For the Ultimate Chocolate Cheesecake:

  • Fill a medium pot one-third full with water and bring it to a low simmer over medium heat.
  • Place a heatproof bowl that will fit on top of the pan snugly, but will not touch the simmering water, on top of the pan. Reduce the heat to low and add the chopped chocolate into the bowl over the pot. Heat until the chocolate is completely melted, stirring occasionally with a silicon spatula. Remove the pot from the heat, leaving the bowl of chocolate over the hot water. Set aside until needed.
  • In the bowl of a food processor (or high-powered blender), pulse the cream cheese until completely smooth, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, about 2 minutes. Add in both sugars and cocoa powder and beat smooth. Add in the eggs, egg yolks, and heavy cream and mix until just combined, about 20 seconds. Fold in the chocolate. Finally add in the vanilla and pulse for another 20 seconds.
  • Remove the bowl from the food processor and, using a rubber spatula, stir the filling several times to ensure it’s evenly blended.
  • Scrape the filling over the partially baked crust in the prepared pan.
  • (B) Place the springform pan in a roasting pan or large baking pan. Place the roasting pan in the preheated oven and pour enough hot water into the pan to come 1-inch up the sides of the springform pan.
  • Bake the cheesecake in the water bath for 1 hour and 30-40 minutes, or until the center of the cake is set but still slightly jiggly. The cake will set completely as it cools.
  • Remove the cake from the water bath and  place the pan on a wire rack. Carefully loosen the foil, then immediately run the tip of a knife around the sides of the pan, to prevent the top from cracking. Cool completely (in the pan), then transfer cheesecake to the refrigerator to chill for at least 6 hours before removing from the pan and slicing. 

  For the Chocolate Ganache:

  • Add chopped chocolate to a medium bowl; set aside.
  • In a small saucepan over medium-heat, bring the cream to a low simmer. Pour half of the cream on top of the chocolate pieces and set aside for 1 minute. With a whisk, begin to incorporate the melted chocolate into the cream. Slowly add the remaining cream and continue carefully whisking until smooth and glossy.
  • Add in the butter and use a spatula to stir until the butter is completely melted. The mixture will be dark and glossy. Set aside, at room temperature, until needed.
  • Pour ganache over cooled cheesecake. Set aside until ganache is set, about 1 hour.
  • To serve, slice the cheesecake with a thin-bladed sharp knife, wiping the knife clean between each cut.
  • Store, loosely covered, in the refrigerator, for up to 5 days. 

  (A) I used one 10oz bag of dark chocolate chips. I turned on the stove to cook the cookie crumb crust and I put the new bag of chocolate chips right where the oven emits heat so the oven would melt the chocolate chips so I wouldnt need to do a double boiler or melt the chocolate chips in the mirco.

(B) I did wrap the cheesecake springform pan with a crockpot plastic liner so the cheesecake wouldn't get wet by the water bath. it worked out perfect

Lily chocolate Muffins

Baker Bettie 

• 1 1/2 cups (180 gr) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (50 gr) cocoa powder (dutch processed preferred but natural cocoa powder can be used)
• 2/3 cup (130 gr) granulated sugar
• 1 TBSP (14 gr) baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1 cup (235 ml) whole milk
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil or canola oil
• 1 cup (170 gr) chocolate chips + more for topping if desired

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 425 F (220 C). Line a muffin tin with muffin liners or spray with nonstick spray.
2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, cocoa powder, granulated sugar, baking powder, and salt.
3. Mix the Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, milk, vanilla, and oil until well combined.
4. Combine Wet & Dry Ingredients: Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir with a spoon or rubber spatula until just combined. This process will go quickly, and should only take about 10 stirs to complete. Fold in the chocolate chips at this point. Do not over-mix your batter or your muffins will be dense and dry.
5. Divide the batter between the muffin cups filling them almost all the way up. Top with more chocolate chips if desired.
6. Bake at 425 F for about 10 minutes and then turn the oven heat down to 350 F (175 C) for about 5 more minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with moist crumbs.

Muddy Buddies

All Recipes 

9 cups Rice Chex®, Corn Chex®, or Chocolate Chex® cereal (or combinbation)
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup peanut butter
¼ cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 ½ cups powdered sugar

Into large bowl, measure cereal; set aside.

In 1-quart microwaveable bowl, microwave chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave about 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth. Stir in vanilla. Pour mixture over cereal, stirring until evenly coated. Pour into 2-gallon resealable food-storage plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar. Seal bag; shake until well coated. Spread on waxed paper to cool. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

No bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars



No Bake Chocolate Oatmeal Bars

My friend Jessica henshaw, hosted a yoga event and served this mouth watering bars.

Serves 16-20

 

Ingredients:

1 c butter

½ c brown sugar, packed

1 tsp vanilla

3 c rolled oats

1 cup chocolate chips

½ c peanut butter

 

Directions:

1.     Line an 8 or 9 inch square baking dish with parchment paper and set aside.

2.    Melt butter and brown sugar in a large saucepan over medium heat until the butter has melted and the sugar has dissolved.

3.   Stir in vanilla. Mix in the oats. Cook over low heat 3-4 min or until ingredients are well blended. Remove from heat.

4.   Pour ½ of the oat mixture into the prepared baking dish. Spread out the mixture evenly and press down.

5.    Prepare the filling by melting the peanut butter and chocolate chips together in a small microwave safe bowl for 1-2 min and stir until smooth.

6.    Pour the filling over the crust in the pan, reserving about ¼ for the top. Spread evenly.

7.    Pour the remaining oat mixture over the filling. Drizzle with the remaining filling.

8.    Refrigerate 2-3 hours or overnight.

9.    Bring to room temperature and cut into bars.$#&

Yoga Protein Bites

 Jessica Henshaw hosted a yoga retreat in New Harmony, UT. It was so rejuvinating and fun.

1 T chia seeds

1 t vanilla

1/3c honey

1c oatmeal

2/3c coconut

1/2c peanut butter

1/4c flaxseed

1.2c chocolate chips

Directions-

1. Mix chia, flax, honey, vanilla and let sit for 5 min

2. Add oatmeal, peanut butter, coconut, chocolate chips

3. place in fridge for 30min

4. roll into small balls about 1 inch in size

5. store in fridge or freezer

Gluten free Brownies

One Lovely Life

2/3 cup semi-sweet or dark chocolate chips (I use dairy free chocolate chips)
5 Tbsp coconut oil (can sub butter, avocado oil, vegan butter, ghee)
2/3 cup coconut sugar (can sub white, brown, or maple sugar)
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla extract
2/3 cup blanched almond flour
2 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 tsp baking soda (if paleo) or baking powder
1/4 tsp salt
TO MIX IN:
2/3 cup additional chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (can sub nuts)
OPTIONAL: COARSE SEA SALT TO SPRINKLE ON TOP

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line an 8×8 baking pan with parchment paper or spray with nonstick spray.
In a small saucepan, gently melt chocolate and oil over low heat until smooth and glossy. Remove from heat and set aside to cool slightly.
In a small bowl, whisk together sugar and eggs until slightly lighter in color and until they pass the ribbon test (when you lift the whisk the mixture should stream down evenly in “ribbons”). Set aside.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the dry ingredients–almond flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
Working slowly, whisk the egg/sugar mixture into the saucepan of melted chocolate. Whisk until smooth. Stir in vanilla and mix in.
Stir in the dry ingredients and fold until just mixed.
Fold in the additional chocolate chips.
Pour batter into your prepared pan and smooth the surface.
Bake at 350 degrees 20-24 minutes, or until edges are set and the center is still ever so slightly underdone. (The remaining heat should set the center as it cools)

• Sprinkle with coarse salt, if using, and allow brownies to cool before slicing.

Soft Granola Bars

Rachel Williams

3/4 c (1 and 1/2 sticks) softened butter or coconut oil, could substitute any kind of nut butter
1/2c honey
1/3c brown sugar
1 t vanilla
1 c whole wheat flour
1 t baking soda
4 1/2c rolled oats
optional- can add nuts, seeds, dried fruit (raisins, cherries, cranberries), chocolate chips
I had added ground flax, chia seeds or protein powder

Instructions-
1. preheat oven 325 degress. Grease 9x13 pan,  In medium size bowl cream butter, honey, sugar, vanilla
2.  Add flour, baking soda, and oats, Stir well.  Mixture will be soft, fluffy and crumbly. Stir in any optional additions
3. Press mixture into pan.   Bake 18-22 min, until edges are tan/brown. Let cool
4. After the bars have cooled for 10min, use a smooth-bottomed measuing cup or glass to press the bars flat.  (Pressing while too hot will smear chocolate everywhere).  Allow to finish cooling, then cut into 18 bars with a pizza cutter. Store in sealed container for a week or freeze.

Can use  crushed up leftover cereal in place of 1/3c of whole wheat flour.

Can double this recipe and freeze some for quick snacks.

4/6/25

-I made these today- i put mostly nut butter (sunflower seeds, peanut butter, almond butter- put them all in a blender and puree) in the place of the butter, I did add 1/4 c coconut oil

-I added more 1/4c peanut butter b/c the mixture it was so dry

- I added 1 T more of honey and regular pancake syrup (1 T)

-I added 1/4c of molasses b/c the mixture was still dry after I added peanut butter, the molasses really helped

- I didnt bake it b/c I wanted soft and goeey granola bars

- I put down on e layer on the cookie sheet of freezer paper ( or you can use aluminum foil or parchment paper). I spreaded out the granola bar ingredients and then laid another piece of freezer paper on top of the mixture and rolled it out  flat and thin

Tagalongs

Chocolate Covered Katie

Ingredients

• 2 cups raw whole almonds and grind in food processor (Or make your own by grinding slivered almonds in a vitamix, blender, or coffee grinder until very finely ground) (200g)
• just over 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/4 tsp baking soda (I accidentally used 1 t instead, but turned out fine)
• 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
• 2 tbsp pure maple syrup or honey
• 1/2 cup peanut butter OR allergy-friendly sub, thinned out with milk of choice until spreadable
• 1/2 cup carob powder. choco chips work too (80g) melted with 1 tsp oil, OR use healthy chocolate sauce (recipe below)

Total Time: 20m

Yield: 12-16 bars

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment, and set aside. In a measuring bowl, stir together the almond meal, salt, baking soda, vanilla, and sweetener (and water, if using) to form a dough. Transfer the dough to the prepared pan, and use a second sheet of parchment to smush the dough out evenly, pressing down again and again until it covers the bottom of the pan. Bake 12 minutes on the center rack, then let cool at least 20 minutes before either frosting right in the pan or removing from the pan and then frosting with the peanut butter. Spread the chocolate on top, then chill to set the chocolate layer.

Healthy Chocolate Sauce or Hot Chocolate Butter

• 4 tablespoons (60g) virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup plus 1 tablespoon (52g) carob/cocoa powder. (For a sauce, decrease to 1/4 cup)
• 2-4T honey

Melt the coconut oil and honey  in the microwave. My honey was old and granulized, but the micro smoothed it out. Add the cocoa. Stir stir stir! Stir until it gets thick like Artisana Cacao Bliss.

For Magic Shell or Healthy Chocolate Sauce:

Decrease cocoa powder to 1/4 cup and keep all other measurements the same. Also, if you re-heat it for a few seconds, it’ll get thinner. And if you freeze it, you can make incredible chocolate bars… or even chocolate chips! Just break up the chocolate bars into little pieces.

Chocolate Peanut Butter patties

Paleo peanut butter patties

Christi made this and said they were delicious!!!

• 2 cups blanched almond flour (not almond meal)
• ¼ teaspoon celtic sea salt
• ½ teaspoon baking soda
• 2 tablespoons palm shortening
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup sunbutter
• 1 cup chocolate chips

Instructions

1. In a food processor, combine almond flour, salt and baking soda
2. Pulse in shortening, honey and vanilla until combined
3. Roll out dough between 2 pieces of parchment paper to 1/4-inch thick
4. Chill dough in freezer for 20 minutes
5. Using a 2-inch cookie cutter, cut out dough
6. Press your thumb in center of each circle to make indentation
7. Bake at 350° for 4-6 minutes
8. Cool cookies for 1 hour
9. Place one teaspoon of sunbutter on top of each cookie
10. Freeze for 10 minutes
11. Melt chocolate over very low heat
12. Dip cookies in chocolate
13. Place on a parchment lined baking sheet
14. Freeze for 30 minutes
15. Serve