Mexican Hot Chocolate Slice & Bake Cookies

I remember having my first Mexican Hot Chocolate in Austin, Texas at a coffee shop we used to go to to study at (it was open all night long). I remember it having a kick of spice that hit the back of my throat, but it was still so nice. Well, I tried making cupcakes first and they turned out rather "messy". I had leftover frosting from the cupcakes, so the next day I tried making cookies and they turned out much better (and prettier). Take a look at these Mexican Hot Chocolate Slice & Bake Cookies with the complimenting Cocoa and Cinnamon Frosting.

*Makes: 30+ cookies

Ingredients

For cookies:

• 1 1/2 cups (230g) all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup (60g) cocoa powder
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1/4 tsp fine salt
• 8 tablespoons butter (1 stick), at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (110g) packed dark brown sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) granulated sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1/2 tsp vanilla 

For frosting: 

• 1 cup (230g or 2 sticks) butter, softened
• 4 1/2 cups (500-600g) confectioners sugar
• 2 tsp vanilla
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup (60g) heavy cream

Chocolate Chip Banana Biscotti Dipped in Dark Chocolate

Baking biscotti is something that I have always wanted to do, but ended up putting it on the back burner. I had a couple leftover bananas that were going bad and so I decided to make some chocolate chip banana biscotti (that sounds lovely doesn't it?) Biscotti intimidated me previously because I thought in order to make these delicious snacks, that you had to be a pro. Nope! It is simply baking the "cookie" twice! That's all it is. Check out these delicious chocolate chip banana biscotti with step by step instructions (and pictures!)

*Makes: 22-24 pieces

Ingredients:

• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (120g) butter
• 1-2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 2 eggs
• 3 cups (400g) all-purpose flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1 cup (175g) semisweet chocolate chips 

Homemade Chocodiles (Chocolate Covered Twinkies)

If you were born in the U.S. before 2012 (when Twinkies went out of business), then you remember buying that beautiful red, white, and blue box filled with the infamous 10 Twinkies, and then gobbling them down before mom or dad noticed. Now, Chocodiles are another story. A CHOCOLATE COVERED TWINKIE?!? You had me at "Chocolate covered Twinkie. Who wouldn't want a chocolate covered twinkie?? Well I am a little late posting this, but with the holidays back to back and the parents visiting, I haven't been on much. I made these Chocodiles a couple weeks back and they were just to die for (I mean if you love chocolate and love Twinkies, and they're homemade!) Go ahead and give them a try!

*Makes: 9 chocodiles

Ingredients:

For the sponge cake:

• 2 cups (260g) flour
• 1 cup (250ml) milk, at room temperature
• 1 cup (200g) granulated sugar
• 8 tablespoons butter, at room temperature
• 2 eggs, at room temperature
• 1 tbsp baking powder
• 2 tsp vanilla extract

For filling:

• 1/2 cup (110g) marshmallow fluff
• 2 tbsp butter
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

For chocolate glaze:

• 10 oz. (300g) chocolate (milk & dark mixed)
• 1/2 cup (120g) double cream

Hostess Cupcakes From Scratch

If you haven't noticed already, I am completely obsessed with copycat recipes at the moment. I have dabbled with nutter butters, thin mints, tagalongs, peanut butter cups, and so much more. It is the best feeling to bake something in your very own kitchen, and it taste better than the store bought version. Today, I made Hostess cupcakes and boy were these guys tricky AND time consuming. But, the end result is what makes it all worth it. Go ahead, take a look!

*Makes: 14 cupcakes

Ingredients

For the cupcakes:

• 3 ounces (90g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped 
• 1/3 cup (50g) cocoa powder
• 3/4 cup (180ml) brewed coffee, still hot
• 3/4 cup (100g) strong bread flour
• 3/4 (150g) cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 6 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 2 teaspoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

For the filling:

• 1 cup (250g) marshmallows
• 1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
• 1/2 cup (60g) powdered sugar, sifted

For the ganache frosting:

• 2 1/2 ounces (90g) bittersweet chocolate, chopped
• 1/4 cup (60g) heavy cream

For the pink icing:

• 1 cup (130g) powdered sugar
• 1/4 cup (60g) butter, at room temperature
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon of red food coloing (optional)

Gluten Free Jumbo Size Tagalongs (Girl Scout Cookie Copycat)

I have been interested in making tons of "copycat" cookies and baked goods recently. I mean who wants to buy them at the store when you can make them from your own home? I have already made thin mints (which turned out great), nutter butters (again, great), and yesterday I made Keebler fudge stripe cookies (which were probably my favorite...wait I say that about everything...). Today I decided to stick with one of my favorite Girl Scout Cookies. A simple cookie with peanut butter and chocolate. Doesn't that sound like heaven? I was once a Girl Scout and I remember eating so many boxes of cookies rather than selling them (don't tell my mom). I wanted to re-live my childhood in my kitchen today. I decided to make these gluten free for those who have a sensitivity. Check them out. Oh, and these guys are huge!

*Makes: 24 cookies (depending on size)

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (320g) gluten free plain flour
• 1 tbsp xanthan gum
• 16 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup (220g) milk & dark chocolate, chopped
• 8 tbsp peanut butter (at least)
• 4 tsp powdered sugar, sifted 

Gluten Free Keebler Copycat Fudge Stripe Cookies

Keebler Fudge Stripe Cookies are my dad's favorite cookies in the whole world. I remember staying up late watching TV with him and he would go grab them out of the fridge (because anything chocolate is always better cold rather than at room temperature) and we would devour the entire package. It was kind of like my dad and I were bonding. Yes, my dad and I bonded over sports and cookies, so what? Anyway, I decided to make my very own fudge stripe cookies, gluten free style. Overall, it took me a little over 3 hours for them to be complete (and in my mouth), and it was worth it (I got some stuff done while waiting, don't worry). You should definitely give these a try, gluten free or not. Go!

*Makes: about 36 cookies

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (300g) gluten free plain flour
• 1 tbsp xanthan gum
• 16 tbsp butter
• 3/4 cup (150g) granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (70g) powdered sugar
• 1 egg
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/4 cup (220g) milk & dark chocolate, chopped

Homemade Tootsie Rolls

Every memory I have of tootsie rolls takes me back to Halloween. Whenever I was a kid, and we would go trick-or-treating, people would almost throw candy at us. I remember getting home and emptying out our bags. The majority of the candy was tootsie rolls. Why? Maybe because they are the cheapest and smallest? Or is it because everyone enjoys a tootsie roll from time to time? I am not quite sure, but, I thought to myself "let's give them a try". So, I did! Here is the recipe for the simple and easy tootsie roll, have fun!

*Makes: Roughly 50 pieces 

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup (170g) golden syrup (or honey)
• 1/3 cup (50g) cocoa powder, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 teaspoon orange flavoring 
• 1 tablespoon butter, melted
• 1/4 cup (30g) powdered sugar, sifted
• Pinch of salt
• 1 1/4 cups (160g) instant non-fat dry milk powder, sifted

Double Chocolate Raspberry Brownies

I have had the biggest urge to bake with fruits lately. For instance my mini apple pies I made the other day, and just this morning I attempted to make homemade fruit roll-ups (not a success). Then, my fiance requested that I make raspberry brownies (these are not gluten-free) and I thought "why not?". I thought to myself, that those two ingredients combined could make a killer brownie, so I did it. Once again I caved in to my husbands' needs (ladies stay strong!). I present to you, my chocolate raspberry brownies, with more raspberries on top. Enjoy!

*Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients

• 1 1/4 cup (220g) semi-sweet chocolate chips 
• 3/4 cup (80g) milk chocolate, broken into pieces
• 1 cup (250g) butter
• 2 cups (400g) dark brown sugar
• 4 large eggs
• 1 cup (140g) plain flour
• 10 tbsp (50g) cocoa powder
• 1 1/2 cup (240g) raspberries, chopped

Easy Homemade Nestle Crunch Bars

I love chocolate and I love Rice Krispies. Luckily, Nestle created Crunch bars which contain both ingredients! If it only contains 2 ingredients, why can't these be made by the consumer? Well, they can. These bars were probably the easiest treats I have made since I started experimenting in the kitchen. What's better than saving money and making things out of your own kitchen? Nothing! I love knowing what is in the foods that I eat, and if you do too, go ahead and whip these right up! 

*Makes: 12 large bars or 36 mini bars

Ingredients

• 24 oz (680g) of chocolate (I used about 480g of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 200g of milk chocolate)
• 4 cups (100g) Rice Krispies ( I added double the amount of krispies because I wanted them extra crunchy)
• 1/2 cup (100g) of white chocolate to spread on top (optional)

Gluten Free Thin Mints

I remember growing up and usually in the Fall, the Girl Scout Cookies would be available to purchase (not to mention I was one as a child). We would always buy so many boxes of cookies because everyone in my family loved them. Now, I am currently in the UK and unless I want them shipped to me, I can't get them. I am also eating gluten free at the moment, which wouldn't allow me to eat them even if they were available here. So I decided to make my own! Check out my Gluten Free Thin Mints, which are super fun and easy to make. 

*Makes: 32 cookies

Ingredients

For the cookies:

• 5 tablespoons butter
• 4 ounces (120g) semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3/4 cup (120g)  gluten-free plain flour
• 1/4 teaspoon xanthan gum 
• 1/2 cup (40g) cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 cup (100g) sugar

For the glaze:

• 1/2 pound (300g) total of dark chocolate (150g) & milk chocolate (150g), chopped
• 1 tablespoon peppermint extract (or more, to your liking)

Three Layer Rice Krispies Treats

I am a huge fan of Rice Krispies treats. I have made plenty of different kinds of Rice Krispies treats with different ingredients. I saw someone make some with two layers and so I decided to do three! Three is always better than two, especially when we are talking about food, right? Here is my three layer Rice Krispies treats. Enjoy!

*Makes: 24-30 pieces (depending on size)

Ingredients

For the Vanilla Layer

• 3 tablespoons butter 
• 10 oz. (about 25 big marshmallows or 40 regular sized ones)
• 6 cups (120g) Rice Krispies cereal
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

For the Chocolate Layer

• 3 tablespoons butter 
• 10 oz. (about 25 big marshmallows or 40 regular sized ones)
• 6 cups (120g) Coco Pops cereal
• 3/4 cup (100g) of chocolate chips

For the last layer  

• 3 tablespoons butter
• 10 oz (about 25 big marshmallows or 40 regular sized ones)
• 6 cups (120g) Rice Krispies cereal
• food coloring of your choice

Easy Chocolate Truffles

This is a super easy recipe on how to made simple chocolate truffles. I decided to cave in and make them because my fiance had requested it. He took one bite and said they tasted perfect, so I guess they were a success. They are also gluten and wheat free, how about that! I used three different coatings. You can use what I used or choose your own. Have fun with it!

*Makes: 2 dozen truffles

Ingredients

• 2 1/4 cups (285ml) double or heavy cream
• 1 1/2 cups (300g) chocolate chips or chunks
• 6 tbsp of cocoa
• 6 tbsp of butterscotch, chopped
• 6 tbsp of gluten free pretzels, chopped

Nutella Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Treats with Lucky Charms

Rice Krispies Treats have to be one of my favorite snacks to make. It requires very few ingredients and you don't even have to turn on the oven (you do however have to use the stove). I added a few things to my Rice Krispies to make them extra special and extra tasty. Take a look! 

*Makes: 16 pieces

Ingredients 

• 4-6 cups (150g) Rice Krispies cereal
• 3 tablespoons (40g) unsalted butter 
• 10 ounces (285 grams) marshmallows
• 2 teaspoons vanilla 
• 1 cup (260g) peanut butter
• 1 cup (140g) nutella
• 1/2 cup (90g) chocolate chips (or a chocolate bar broken up into pieces)
• a handful of Lucky Charms Marshmallows

Chocolate Covered Peanut Butter Pretzel Sandwiches

This recipe is simple and tasty. It would be perfect for dinner parties or just to have at home.

*Makes: 12 big pretzels or 24 small pretzels

Ingredients

• 1 cup/ 260g creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup/60g confectioners' (powdered) sugar
• 3/4 cup/ 130g light brown sugar
• 60 pretzels
• 8 oz/ 230g chocolate chips, melted
• 1 tablespoon of Nutella (optional)
• flour (just in case your final product isn't thick enough)