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Chocolate Malt Bread Pudding for Two | alidaskitchen.com

Chocolate Malt Bread Pudding #SundaySupper

February 9, 2014 ·

Chocolate Malt Bread Pudding is studded with chopped Whoppers candies, chocolate chips, drizzled with chocolate syrup and drenched in a light custard. This fun dessert for two takes minutes to mix together and then bakes for about 30 minutes.

One of Mike’s favorite treats are Triple Chocolate Malted Cookies. He also loves Whoppers candies. Actually, he is pretty much crazy for anything chocolate malt, so I thought it would be fun to make a special dessert with this favorite in mind. I wanted to make a dessert for two, and Chocolate Malt Bread Pudding jumped to the top of the list…for obvious reasons….

Filed Under: dessert, Recipes Tagged With: candy, chocolate, cream cheese, easy, holiday, make ahead, malt, quick, valentine's

Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes

February 13, 2013 ·

While Valentine’s Day isn’t a huge deal at our house, it does give me a reason to bake up something extra special…usually involving chocolate. Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes are definitely something special. They are a simple yet decadent dessert that is pure comfort food. They are also surprisingly quick and easy to make and can even be made a day in advance (great for entertaining!). The recipe can easily be halved to serve only two, OR make the full recipe and enjoy one set of cakes one day and enjoy them again the next day. Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes are delicious as-is, or topped with your favorite ice cream. I had vanilla bean on hand, which was classic and tasty, but I am drooling over the idea of a salted caramel ice cream topping these cakes.

Since I made the full recipe for the two of us, we got to enjoy Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes two nights in a row. I’m pretty sure Valentine’s Day is going to become one of our favorite holidays now, if it means special desserts like this!

Warm Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 ounces semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped
4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) butter
4 tablespoons granulated sugar, divided
2 eggs, whites and yolks separated
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
Cooking spray

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees (if not making ahead). Spray four 6 to 8 ounce ramekins with cooking spray, place on a baking sheet and set aside.
In a double boiler (or a mixing bowl placed over simmering water), melt chocolate and butter, stirring occasionally. Once melted, remove from heat and mix in 2 tablespoons sugar and then egg yolks and vanilla, stirring until until combined. Set aside.
In a medium bowl, beat egg whites and salt until soft peaks form. Add 2 tablespoon sugar and beat until stiff and glossy.
Fold ⅓ egg white mixture into chocolate mixture, gently stirring to combine. Add the rest of the egg whites, gently folding until combined. Divide evenly among prepared ramekins. (If making ahead, stop here. Cover cakes with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to bake).
Bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until the cakes puff up and the tops begin to crack. Be careful not to over bake. A toothpick inserted in the center should come out gooey. Serve warm or at room temperature, topped with ice cream, if desired.

Source: Everyday Food, December 2006

Filed Under: dessert, Recipes Tagged With: chocolate, easy, entertaining, make ahead, valentine's

easy warm chocolate pudding cakes with a toasted marshmallow

Marshmallow-Topped Chocolate Pudding Cakes

February 10, 2012 ·

Now I always strive to share healthier recipes with you, but when I saw Marshmallow-Topped Chocolate Pudding Cakes in the latest issue of All You, I could not resist. Chocolate pudding cake is enough to make me swoon, but add a melty toasted marshmallow on top…are you kidding me? Must make pronto!

Fortunately I had everything on hand, and it all seemed easy enough. I have 7-ounce ramekins instead of 6-ounce per the original recipe, but figured that wouldn’t be a big deal. Then I decided it was necessary to test the make-ahead capability of this recipe. Let’s just say when I told Mike that we would be having pudding cakes with a marshmallow on top two days in a row, there was very little arm-twisting involved.

To be honest, I cannot remember what we had for dinner that night, what I did the next day or anything in between, but I do remember every single little bite of these pudding cakes. The chocolate is perfectly dark and decadant. The marshmallow oozes and provides a nice sweetness to complement the chocolate. Plus, they’re cute. For a special occasion, such as Valentine’s Day, or any celebratory occasion, Marshmallow-Topped Chocolate Pudding Cakes will rock your world. Perfect to make-ahead for guests, for yourselves, for whatever reason suits you.

Marshmallow-Topped Chocolate Pudding Cakes

Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

4 tablespoons (1/2 stick) unsalted butter
5 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet choocolate, finely chopped
1½ tablespoons all-purpose flour
¼ cup packed brown sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
pinch of salt
4 large marshmallows

Instructions

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 4 6-ounce (or 7-ounce) ramekins with cooking spray and place on a baking sheet. Set aside.
Put butter and chocolate in a large, microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high until almost melted (about 1 to 2 minutes). Stir until smooth. Mix in flour and set aside to cool.
With an electric mixer (hand or stand) on medium-high, beat sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt for about 5 minutes, until smooth and frothy. Fold in chocolate mixture. Divide batter among ramekins.
Bake until cakes have risen and cracked on top but wet in center (12 to 15 minutes). Do not overbake.
Press a marshmallow in the top of the cake. Set your oven to broil and broil cakes until marshmallow is puffy and starts to brown (keep an eye on it, but about 2 minutes). Put on wire rack to cool for 5 minutes before serving.

Notes

Cakes can be made ahead through step 3 and stored (covered) in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Baking time does not need to be adjusted, just keep an eye on the cakes.

Adapted from All You, Feb 2012

Filed Under: dessert, Recipes Tagged With: cake, chocolate, easy, entertaining, holiday, make ahead, marshmallow, pudding, valentine's

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

February 8, 2012 ·

I have never been one to do much for Valentine’s Day, but I am happy to have any reason to cook or bake something special. Or in the case of these truffles, to mix, roll, and chill something special. These tasty truffles are not only easy and a healthier option, but are made using a few simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.

We all know that chocolate and peanut butter are wonderful together. Add pretzels, and you have the ultimate salty-sweet combination. Toss in a little flaxseed for good measure, and voila! Delicious little Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles. These are the perfect little treat for your sweetie this Valentine’s Day, or for yourself any day simply because you are worth it!

Peanut Butter Pretzel Truffles

Yields: 16 truffles

Ingredients

½ cup chunky natural peanut butter
½ cup pretzels, crushed (this yields approx. ¼ cup once crushed)
2 tablespoons flaxseed meal
½ cup chocolate chips, melted
sprinkles (optional, for topping)
chopped peanuts (optional, for topping)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, mix peanut butter, crushed pretzels and flaxseed until combined. Put in the freezer for 45 minutes to 1 hour (until mixture is solid).
Roll a small rounded teaspoonful of peanut butter mixture in your hands to form a ball. Place ball on small tray (or plate) lined with parchment or waxed paper. Repeat until all mixture is used. Put tray in freezer until firm, at least 1 hour (I often do this overnight).
Working quickly, dip the frozen balls in melted chocolate and place back on parchment-lined tray. (Note: using 2 forks to dip and pass the balls in the chocolate works well). Top with sprinkles or chopped peanuts, if desired. Refrigerate until chocolate is set, at least 30 minutes. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator.

Notes

1) When working with natural peanut butter, I recommend microwaving it in the jar (as long as the jar is glass) for about 30 seconds. All natural, easily stirred peanut butter.
2) When melting chocolate chips in the microwave, always remember less is more. Cook it on low power in 30-second intervals until chips just start to melt. Then stir to finish melting. Work quickly to dip the truffles.

Adapted from Eating Well

Filed Under: dessert, gluten free, healthy, kid-friendly, Recipes Tagged With: candy, chilled, chocolate, easy, flaxseed, holiday, no bake, peanut butter, pretzels, snack, truffle, valentine's

Double Chocolate Chip Muffins

February 6, 2012 ·

In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, I will be featuring a few chocolate recipes this week. Of course a little breakfast chocolate is the perfect way to start off any week. These muffins are more than just a little breakfast chocolate though. They are chocolate on chocolate. A chocolate muffin studded with chocolate chips topped with chocolate chips. What could be better? Well, they come in under 200 calories and are low fat – a true breakfast treat!

The original recipe uses red wine vinegar and water, which I thought was intriguing. Red wine vinegar in baked goods? I had to try it! I did, and it was good. BUT…I have since revised the recipe to replace the vinegar/water with buttermilk. Nothing compares to the flavor and texture that buttermilk gives to baked goods, and in these muffins that is no exception. I also replaced some of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat in order to bump up the nutrition level a bit.

For a little variety, it is fun to change up the chips with different flavors (peanut butter chips anyone?) but I always find myself coming back to the mini chocolate chips. Mini chips give the illusion of more chocolate per bite since there are more bits throughout. A little more for less kind of thing.

Chocolate-Chocolate Chip Muffins
Yields 12 muffins

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup buttermilk
1/4 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 egg, lightly beaten
1/2 cup semi-sweet mini chocolate chips, divided

Directions

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 12 muffin cups with paper liners (or spray muffin tin with cooking spray).
In a large bowl, mix flours, sugar, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
In a medium bowl, whisk together the buttermilk, oil, vanilla and egg. Stir in 1/4 cup chocolate chips.
Add buttermilk mixture to flour mixture, gently folding until just combined.
Divide batter evenly among 12 muffin cups. Sprinkle tops with remaning 1/4 cup mini chocolate chips. Bake for 15 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and then move to a wire rack to cool completely.

Adapted from Cooking Light