Chocolate Cake - Vegan

Ingredients:
1 1/2 Cups All Purpose Flour
1 1/2 Tsp Baking Soda
3/4 Tsp Sea Salt
1 1/2 Tsp Espresso Powder
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa
1/2 Tsp Cinnamon
1 1/2 Cups Dark Brown Sugar
1 1/2 Cups Hot Water
2 Tsp Vanilla Extract
6 Tbsp Coconut Oil
1 1/2 Tsp Apple Cider Vinegar

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line a springform baking pan (bottom and sides) with parchment paper. I used a 9" pan. * I ball up the parchment paper and then unfold and mold to fit the pan. Not the smoothest for the sides, but also not a big deal if you're not entering it into a contest. Spray parchment with cooking spray.

In a bowl, add the flour, baking soda and salt. Stir to combine.

In another bowl, pour in the hot water.  Add the coconut oil, espresso powder, cocoa, and cinnamon.  Stir to combine and melt the coconut oil and bloom the espresso, cocoa and cinnamon.  Let sit for about 1 minute, then add in the brown sugar, cider vinegar & vanilla and mix to combine.

Slowly whisk the dry ingredients into the wet.

Pour into baking pan and bake in oven for about 30-35 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

This is a very wet batter and produces a very fudgy cake.

Let cool in the baking pan for about 1 hour on a wire rack. At this point I like to put it in the fridge for at least an hour to set up.

Remove from baking pan and serve.  You can serve as is (which is great) or you can top with a frosting. I like to melt 1/3 cup of peanut butter in the microwave and pour over cake, then place back in the fridge to continue to set up for about an hour.  You could also frost with a ganache or powdered sugar, sea salt, coconut, etc.

* You can play around with this recipe a bit as far as flavors, for example, you can spice it up by adding in cayenne pepper to the batter or substituting some of the water with cherry juice or another flavor.

This is a single layer, very fudgy cake, yet also quite light. You will want to slice it on the smaller side for a slice.

Enjoy.
#Cheftainment

Blueberry Lemon No Bake Cheesecake Bites

Ingredients:
Crust:
1 1/2 Cups Chocolate Sandwich Cookie Crumbs (about 12 cookies)
3 Tbsp Butter - Melted
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
Pinch of Salt

Filling:
2 - 8 oz Packages of Neufchatel Cheese (can substitute cream cheese) - Room Temp
1 - 5.3 oz Greek Yogurt - Pour out excess liquid
3 Tbsp Honey
2 Tbsp Vanilla
1 Tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
1/4 Cup Confectioners Sugar

Blueberry Topping:
18 oz. Fresh Blueberries (can be made with frozen)
6 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice (about 1 1/2 lemons)
Pinch of Salt
1 Tbsp Lemon Zest
1 Tsp Grated Ginger

In a food processor add the sandwich cookies, butter, coconut oil and salt.  Pulse until turned into crumbs, like a wet sand.

Place mini muffin wrappers in the muffin pan. Take a tsp of the cookie crumb mixture and place in each of the wrappers. (this should be enough crumbs for 48 muffins but might need a few more cookies if you come up short).  Press down to firmly pack the crumbs into the bottom of the tray and come slightly up the sides.  Place in refrigerator (or freezer) for at least 1/2 hour.

Using a stand or hand mixer, add in the cream cheese, yogurt, honey, vanilla, salt, lemon zest and confectioners sugar.  Start on low to combine everything then turn it up to whip everything until it's light and airy, about 2-3 minutes.  Taste for seasoning, you may need a bit more sugar or lemon or even salt.

Take a small ice cream scoop (the size used to make cookies, about 1") and scoop the filling into the muffin tins.  Smooth out the filling and carve a slight indentation in the center to form a small well to hold the topping.

Place the muffin tins back in the fridge to set up.

While the filling is setting up, start on the blueberry topping.  Pick through the blueberries to make sure there are no stems or bad berries.  Rinse the blueberries and then place in a pan with lemon juice, salt, lemon zest and ginger.  Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 45 minutes or until most of the liquid is absorbed and the blueberries have become thick, almost like a jam.

Pour blueberries into a bowl and stir occasionally, allowing to cool completely.  When cooled, scoop about 1 tsp of the blueberry topping onto each cheesecake bite and place back into the fridge for at least 2 hours.

When ready to serve garnish with lemon zest.

Enjoy!  #Cheftainment

* To make these slightly healthier, I use coconut oil in the crust and neufchatel cheese in the filling. It's essentially cream cheese but sort of healthier, you honestly can't taste the difference. I also use Greek yogurt where other recipes call for cream. Again, slightly healthier but also helps keep the filling firmed up and not as loose. As for the topping, you can use cherries, peaches, whatever you want to make it delicious.

Citrus Olive Oil Cake

Ingredients:
1 3/4 Cups Flour
1 Tsp Baking Powder
3/4 Tsp Salt
3 Large Eggs
1 1/4 Cups Sugar + 2 Tbsp (keep separate)
1 Tsp Lemon Zest (or Orange or a combo of both)
3/4 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO) (the good kind - it makes a difference)
3/4 Cup Milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Grease and line the bottom with parchment paper of an 8" spring form pan.

In a stand mixer or medium bowl, beat the eggs until frothy, about 1 minute.

Add in the sugar and zest and beat on high for about 3 minutes or until pale in color.

Mix in the EVOO and beat to combine. 

Add in 1/2 the flour mixture and mix on low to combine.

While mixing, add in the milk and combine.

Add in the 2nd 1/2 of the flour and combine.

Pour batter into spring form pan and sprinkle 2 tbsp of sugar across the top.  This will form a crust on top and lift up and separate from the cake. Don't worry, this is supposed to happen.

Bake for 40-45 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.  * Ovens vary so start checking around 35 minutes.

Cool for 15 minutes, then remove from pan and remove parchment and place on to a wire rack for 90 minutes.

The cake can be served as is or with a nice compote or whipped cream.

Enjoy.  #cheftainment

Angel Food Cake w/ Strawberry Compote

Ingredients:

1 1/4 Cups Cake Flour

1 1/2 Cups White Sugar

1/4 tsp Salt

1 1/2 Cups Egg Whites (about 11 large eggs)

1 tsp Cream of Tartar

1 tbsp Vanilla

Sift together flour, sugar & salt.

Beat egg whites until they form stiff peaks.  Add cream of tartar and vanilla.

Gently combine eggs and dry ingredients and pour into un-greased baking pan.

Place cake in cold oven, then heat oven to 325 degrees and bake cake for about 50-60 minutes. (mine was closer to 50).

Invert cake on a cooling rack and let cool for about 1 hour then remove from pan.

Strawberry Compote:

1 lb Strawberries - Green tops cut off and diced.

2 tbsp White Sugar

1 tsp Lemon Zest (or 3 tbsp lemon juice)

Pinch of Salt

1/4 Cup Water

Combine strawberries, sugar, salt, lemon and water in a pan over high heat. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for 10 minutes or until strawberries start to break down and liquid becomes thicker.

Let cool then serve.  Enjoy!

#cheftainment

Chocolate Chocolate Chip Bundt Cake

Ingredients:
2 Sticks Unsalted Butter - Room Temp.
2 1/4 Cups Flour
3/4 Cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Salt
1/2 Cup Milk
1/2 Cup Sour Cream
1 1/2 Cups White Sugar
4 Large Eggs - Room Temp.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
3 tbsp Brewed & Cooled Coffee
1 tsp Espresso Powder
1 Cup Dark Chocolate Chips - Dusted in flour.

Glaze:
3 oz. Dark Chocolate Chips
1/2 Cup Heavy Cream
2 tbsp Unsalted Butter
1 tbsp Brewed & Cooled Coffee
Pinch Salt

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Butter a bundt pan generously.

In a large bowl whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, salt.  Mix milk & sour cream in a separate bowl.

In another bowl, using an electric mixer, beat together the butter & sugar until pale and flurry (about 3-5 minutes).  Add the eggs one at a time.  Add vanilla, coffee, espresso powder.  Mix throughly.  Add in the flour in 3 batches alternating with the milk mixture. Fold in chocolate chips.

Pour mixture into the bundt pan and bake about 55 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean.  Transfer to a wire rack to cool.

For the glaze, add the chocolate chips & coffee to a bowl.  In a pan, bring the cream to a simmer and pour over the chips. Let stand for about 2 minutes.  Add butter and salt and mix until smooth.  Let sit to thicken for about 1-2 minutes stirring occasionally.  Pour over cake.

Can be served by itself or with a strawberry fruit compote and vanilla whipped cream.

Enjoy.
#cheftainment

(Tastykake) Tandy Cake

4 Eggs
2 Cups White Sugar
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
2 Cups Flour
1 tsp Baking Powder
1 Cup Milk
2 tbsp butter
2 Cups Peanut Butter (+2 tbsp confectioners sugar)
2 Bags Chocolate Chips (1 Milk, 1 Dark) (+1 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp brewed coffee, 2 tbsp milk)
Sea Salt

Sift together the flour and baking powder and set aside.

In a large bowl, combine eggs, sugar, vanilla.  Beat on high until light and almost a lemon color. Slowly beat in flour mixture.  Heat milk and butter (until melted).  Stir into mixture.

Line a 10x15" pan w/ parchment paper and spray w/ cooking spray.  Pour batter into pan and spread evenly.  Place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean.

Cool cake at least 1/2 hour.  In the microwave heat peanut butter and confectioners sugar until melted). Spread the peanut butter evenly over cake.  Refrigerate about 1 hour.

In the microwave, melt the chocolate, butter, coffee, milk in 30 second intervals until fully melted.  Spread evenly over peanut butter layer.  Sprinkle w/ sea salt. Refrigerate about 1/2 hour.  Cut and serve.

New Jersey Childhood memories are brought back with this dessert.  Enjoy.  #Cheftainment

Apple Spice Cake

1/2 Stick Unsalted Butter
3 1/2 Granny Smith Apples - Peeled & Small Dice (keep the 1/2 apple separate)
1/2 Lemon - Juiced
1 Cup Apple Cider
1 3/4 Cups Flour (+3 tbsp for dusting)
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/2 tsp Nutmeg
1 tsp Baking Soda
3/4 Cup Brown Sugar
3/4 Cup White Sugar
Pinch of Salt
1 Egg - Beaten
1 tsp Vanilla

In a medium sized sauce pan over medium heat, melt the butter and add the 3 apples, lemon juice and apple cider.  Stir to combine, reduce to low/medium heat and cook until apples are softened and the liquid has reduced by 1/2.  About 30 minutes.

Add the apple mixture to a blender or food processor and pulse until the mixture becomes coarse.  You do not want to puree it.

In a large bowl combine the flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, baking soda, both sugars and salt.  Make a well in the center of the bowl and add the cooked apple mixture, the reserved 1/2 apple, egg and vanilla.  Stir to combine.

Butter and flour (the 3 tbsp reserved) a loaf pan.  Pour out excess flour from pan.  Pour batter into the pan and place on a cookie sheet as there will be over spill.  Place in a pre-heated 350 degree oven for 40-45 minutes or until a tooth pick comes out from the center clean.

Let sit for about 10 minutes then turn out onto a cooling rack.  Really good by itself or warm with butter.  This cake comes out so moist and delicious and perfect for school bake sales.

Enjoy.  #Cheftainment

German Chocolate Cake Cookies

1 Box Devils Food Cake Mix

2 Eggs

3/4 Cup Crisco

1/2 Tsp Salt

1 Tsp Espresso Powder

Filling:

3/4 Cup Evaporated Milk

1/2 Cup Brown Sugar

1/4 Cup Butter

1/2 Tsp Vanilla

1/2 Tsp Salt

3/4 Cup Coconut Flakes

1/2 Cup Chopped Almonds

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a large bowl add the eggs, crisco, salt and espresso powder.  Mix to combine then add the cake mix.  Mix to combine.  It will become thick and almost like a dough.

Using a small ice cream scoop (size of a mellon baller) scoop out the batter onto the lined baking sheets.  Lightly press each ball into about a 2” diameter and about 1/4 high.  They will not spread so you can put them fairly close together.

Bake for about 7-10 minutes.  Mine took 9 minutes.  Cool completely.

In a saucepan over medium heat add the evaporated milk, brown sugar, butter, vanilla and salt.  Whisk together and bring to a boil.  Once it boils cook for about 4 minutes whisking constantly until thickens.  Remove from heat and add the coconut and almonds.  Stir to combine then cool completely.

The cookies should pretty much be the exact same size but if not, try to match up accordingly.  Take about 1 tbsp of the filling and spread on one side of the cookie then place the other cookie on top and press gently to even out the filling and smoosh the cookie together.  Enjoy.

Coconut Cream Pound Cake

Ingredients:
2 cups white sugar
1 cup butter – room temperature
5 eggs – room temperature
2 cups all purpose flour
1 ½ tsp baking powder
½ cup coconut milk
4 oz. cream cheese - softened

Frosting:
1/2 cup coconut milk
1/2 cup water
1 cup confectioners sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and butter and flour a loaf pan. The traditional recipes that I got the inspiration from used a 10 inch tube pan but I didn’t have one so my cooking time was a little off and I had to wing it.

In a large bowl, cream together the sugar, cream cheese and butter. Whip it till it’s light but not over beaten. Add in the eggs 1 at a time, fully incorporating the egg before you add the next. Add in coconut milk and blend till light and creamy.

In a separate bowl sift together the flour and baking powder.

Add the flour in 3rds to the creamed mixture, fully incorporating the flour before adding the next 3rd. Pour into the prepared baking pan. *Fill to the rim but you might have a little extra left over.

Here’s where it gets tricky. Because I changed the baking pan to a loaf pan and ovens vary in temperatures, here’s what you do: Bake for about 50 minutes.  I saw the middle still hadn’t set so I kept increasing the time in 5 minute increments. All in all I baked it for almost an hour. Keep checking till you can insert a wooden skewer in the center and it comes out clean.

For the icing, combine coconut milk, water and confectioners sugar in a sauce pan. Whisk and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to a simmer and occasionally whisk until it turns into a syrup like consistency. You may have to add a little more water or sugar depending.

Once cake is out of the oven, flip out of the pan and place on a cooking rack. After about 10 minutes when the cake is not hot, but still warm, take a pastry brush and basically baste the cake (top and sides) and continue to let cool. You will have icing left over but that’s ok. You can drizzle it over slices or use it in the whip cream like I did:

Take an 8oz container of whipping cream and beat till (almost) stiff peaks in a chilled glass bowl. Just before you fully beat it, add in a little of the icing mixture. I added in about 2 tbsp. Then finish whipping until stiff peaks.

Slice the cake, top with whipped cream and maybe some strawberries like I did and enjoy.