Easy Chocolate Fudge

This super fast and easy chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie platters or anytime you need a quick chocolate fix.

The post Easy Chocolate Fudge appeared first on Budget Bytes.

If you’re looking for an easy addition to your Christmas cookie platters, or maybe just a quick way to get your chocolate fix, you’ve got to try this easy homemade chocolate fudge recipe. It’s seriously easy, only takes a few minutes, and makes the most deliciously rich melt-in-your-mouth fudge. And you won’t need a candy thermometer or any other special equipment to make this amazing chocolate fudge. Just melt everything together, let it cool, slice, and serve!

Side view of a pile of chocolate fudge squares with walnuts on top.

Ingredients for Chocolate Fudge

This chocolate fudge is incredibly simple and at its core only requires three ingredients. I’ve added a couple more items just to take it to the next level, but it’s up to you! Here’s what you’ll need for this awesome chocolate fudge recipe:

  • Sweetened Condensed Milk: This gives the fudge its rich and sweet flavor and texture and helps soften the chocolate just enough to achieve that thick, fudgy texture.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips: Chocolate chips bring all of that chocolatey flavor to the fudge and help firm the mixture up into sliceable squares.
  • Vanilla Extract: Vanilla gives the fudge a more dimension and a richer flavor.
  • Butter: A little bit of butter thrown into the mix gives this fudge an extra rich melt-in-your-mouth finish. Many people skip this ingredient, but I think it’s worth adding for a silkier texture and richer flavor.
  • Nuts: Nuts are completely optional, but I love how the flavor contrasts the rich fudge and they offer visual appeal. You can skip the walnuts or swap in your favorite nut in its place.

How to Store Homemade Fudge

Once cooled and sliced, you can keep this homemade fudge at room temperature in an air-tight container for about two weeks. It can also be held in the refrigerator, if desired, but the cold air can cause it to slowly dry out. The same goes fro freezing. This fudge is freezer safe, but make sure it’s wrapped very well and in an air-tight container to prevent drying and freezer burn.

More Flavor OPtions

This easy fudge recipe is quite flexible and can be modified to include different ingredients. Here are some ideas for other homemade fudge flavors:

  • Flavor Extracts: try swapping the vanilla extract with other flavors like peppermint, almond, or orange.
  • Toppings: Try topping the fudge with different nuts, crushed candy canes, marshmallows, pretzels, graham crackers, or sprinkles.
  • Chocolate Chips: Try different flavored morsels, like peanut butter, white chocolate, or butterscotch.

Microwave Instructions

You can make this style of homemade fudge using a microwave, but I find using a pot on the stovetop to be much easier. The stovetop method only takes a few minutes more and it’s easier to control the heat and how evenly the ingredients cook. To make this chocolate fudge in the microwave simply add everything to a bowl and microwave on high for one minute, then stir. Continue heating and stirring in 30-second intervals until everything is melted and evenly combined, then transfer to a dish to cool and slice.

Overhead view of chocolate fudge with walnuts cut into squares on a wooden surface, one with a bite taken out.
Overhead view of chocolate fudge with walnuts cut into squares on a wooden surface, one with a bite taken out.
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Easy Chocolate Fudge

This super fast and easy chocolate fudge recipe is perfect for Christmas cookie platters or anytime you need a quick chocolate fix.
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Total Cost $6.88 recipe / $0.43 serving
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 10 minutes
Servings 16
Calories 312kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 14oz. can sweetened condensed milk $1.99
  • 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips $3.14
  • 2 Tbsp butter $0.25
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract $0.25
  • 1/2 cup chopped walnuts (optional) $1.25

Instructions

  • Add the sweetened condensed milk, chocolate chips, butter, and vanilla to a medium saucepot.
  • Heat the ingredients over medium-low, stirring constantly, until everything is melted and evenly combined. The mixture will be quite thick and glossy when it's ready (see photos below).
  • Spread the fudge into a 8×8-inch pan lined with foil or parchment paper. Sprinkle the chopped nuts over top and press them lightly into the surface.
  • Place the fudge in the refrigerator, uncovered, for about two hours or until fully chilled and firm. Remove the fudge from the refrigerator and slice into 16 pieces, then serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1square | Calories: 312kcal | Carbohydrates: 32g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 19g | Sodium: 46mg | Fiber: 3g

How to Make Chocolate Fudge

Fudge ingredients in a saucepot.

Add one 14oz. can of sweetened condensed milk, 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips, 2 Tbsp butter, and 1 tsp vanilla extract to a saucepot.

Melted fudge being stirred in the sauce pot.

Heat the mixture over medium-low while constantly stirring, until everything has melted and evenly combined. The mixture will be quite thick and glossy when it’s ready.

Fudge being spread into a lined baking dish.

Spread the fudge into a 8×8-inch baking dish lined with foil or parchment paper.

Chopped walnuts pressed into the top of the fudge.

Sprinkle ½ cup chopped walnuts over top then press them lightly into the surface.

Sliced chocolate fudge on a wooden background.

Chill the fudge for two hours in the refrigerator to make sure its very firm before slicing it into 16 pieces. Enjoy chilled or room temperature!

Side view of chocolate fudge squares stacked into a pile.

The post Easy Chocolate Fudge appeared first on Budget Bytes.

The Best Banana Cookies

This banana cookies recipe is the best, hands down! Each bite is soft and chewy, infused with the rich flavor…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This banana cookies recipe is the best, hands down! Each bite is soft and chewy, infused with the rich flavor of brown butter and spiced with warm cinnamon.

Banana Cookies on a tray with bananas and cinnamon sticks

Forget everything you thought you knew about banana cookies. These are the absolute best, hands down! The brown butter infuses them with a rich, nutty flavor, while the warm cinnamon adds a touch of spice that takes them to the next level. Every bite is soft, chewy, and bursting with the delicious taste of ripe bananas. You won’t be able to resist them!

Why these are the best banana cookies

These banana cookies are the absolute best, and here’s why: they have the best banana-scented flavor and chewy, buttery texture. We had one ripe banana on hand and wanted cookies, but didn’t want to create just another blob-like cakey cookie like many cookies with banana. No, this had to be buttery, chewy, and crinkly (if possible). And we achieved it! Here’s what make these cookies great:

  • They have a chewy, soft and crinkly texture. When adding fruits like banana and pumpkin to cookies, they can get very cakey instead of buttery. Like our pumpkin cookies, these banana cookies have just enough butter to make the perfect texture.
  • Brown butter adds rich, caramel undertones. Brown butter adds nuanced flavor notes that take these cookies over the top.
  • Our friends and family can’t resist them! When we made these, our friends and family couldn’t stop talking about them. (Wow, that is good!) So we knew this recipe was a winner.
  • They store well. Cookie storage is important, since you’re likely not going to eat them all at once. These hold up very well at room temperature, refrigerated, or frozen.
Banana Cookies

The most important part: a ripe banana!

This banana cookies recipe requires just one ripe banana, which is nice for when you don’t have enough bananas on hand for banana bread or banana muffins.

As with any banana baked good, you’ll want a very ripe banana: the blacker the better! Bananas with a blackened peel bring added moisture, sweetness, and pure fruity flavor to baked goods like bread, muffinspancakes, cookies, cake, and more. Don’t try making this recipe with anything but an extremely ripe banana.

Banana Cookies

Tips for baking banana cookies

Cookies can be temperamental, and banana cookies are no different. It’s challenging to get cookies that look perfectly identical. Here are a few tips for upping your baking game:

  • Use a cookie scoop. If you have a 1 ½ tablespoon cookie scoop, it’s helpful for portioning the dough perfectly.
  • If you have high quality non-stick cookie sheets, you can bake both sheets at once. This has become our preferred method for cookies. We recommend using two of these non-stick cookie sheets for the most even bake (keep reading for more).
  • If not, bake each tray separately. Refrigerate the cookie dough while the first tray bakes.
  • Remember, the crinkles happen while the cookies cool. You’ll remove the cookies when they are puffed, then they will cool and settle into crinkles.

Another tip for this banana cookies recipe is the quality of pans matters! We’ve experimented and when we used shiny aluminum pan with parchment paper, the size and shape of the cookies was completely off. However, baking on this non-stick cookie sheet worked great.

So, we recommend using two of these non-stick cookie sheets for the most even bake! The entire batch baked on these, rotating the sheets in the middle of baking, should come out out beautifully consistent.

Banana Cookies Recipe

Optional: add a glaze

Want to step up these banana cookies? You can add a glaze or icing! Keep in mind that the glaze adds additional moisture so the cookies don’t hold up as well during storage. You’ll want to store the cookies refrigerated for best results with a glaze. You can either add an icing drizzle with a fork or dip the cookies into the glaze. Here are a few ideas:

Storage for banana cookies

These banana cookies hold up well over time. This is a must for cookies in our opinion, since you’re making them in such a big batch. Here’s what to note about storing these cookies:

  • Store in a sealed container at room temperature for 1 week. The texture holds up well: no need to add anything to the container.
  • Store refrigerated for 2 weeks. Allow to come to room temperature before serving.
  • Store frozen for up to 3 months. 

More banana recipes

Want more with ripe bananas? Here are our favorite ways to use them?

This banana cookies recipe is…

Vegetarian.

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Banana Cookies

The Best Banana Cookies


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 15 minutes
  • Total Time: 35 minutes
  • Yield: 24 to 26

Description

This banana cookies recipe is the best, hands down! Each bite is soft and chewy, infused with the rich flavor of brown butter and spiced with warm cinnamon.


Ingredients

  • 10 tablespoons unsalted butter
  • 2 cups (280 g) all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 1 tablespoon cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1 cup granulated sugar, plus more for rolling
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • ½ cup mashed very ripe bananas

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Slice the butter into pieces and place it in a skillet over medium heat. Heat for about 5 minutes until it melts, turns foamy, and then becomes golden brown in color and smells nutty. Immediately remove from the heat and transfer to a bowl. Transfer to the freezer for 15 minutes to cool (you can also do this in advance and cool it to room temperature).
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt.
  4. Add the cooled browned butter to the bowl of a stand mixer. Add the sugar and mix on High speed for 1 minute, until light and fluffy. Add the egg yolk and vanilla extract, and beat on High speed for 1 minute. Add the mashed banana and mix just until incorporated, scraping once. Pour in the bowl of dry ingredients and mix on Low speed until just combined.
  5. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Place ¼ cup granulated sugar on a plate. Roll the dough in 1 ½ tablespoon balls, using a cookie scoop if possible, then roll the ball into the plate of sugar. Repeat to make 2 trays of 12 cookies (24 to 26 total).
  6. Add the trays to the oven and bake 12 to 13 minutes, until puffed, reversing the trays at the 7 minute mark (the cookies will settle into the crinkles when the cool.) Allow to cool on the pan 5 minutes before removing to a baking rack.
  7. Store at room temperature for about 1 week, refrigerated for 2 weeks (bring to room temperature before serving), or frozen for 3 months (un-iced cookies freeze best).
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: Cookies
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Banana cookies, banana cookies recipe, banana cookie recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

White chocolate macadamia blueberry bars

For a friend’s birthday last year, I made a batch of my mom’s raspberry bars. The tangy raspberry jam matched with the rich white chocolate and the buttery cake-like foundation…
Source

For a friend’s birthday last year, I made a batch of my mom’s raspberry bars. The tangy raspberry jam matched with the rich white chocolate and the buttery cake-like foundation...

Source

Gingerbread Cake

This gingerbread cake recipe is moist and cozy-spiced! Its rich molasses flavor tastes like a soft and fluffy version of…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This gingerbread cake recipe is moist and cozy-spiced! Its rich molasses flavor tastes like a soft and fluffy version of the iconic cookie.

Gingerbread Cake

Here’s the perfect easy holiday dessert: try gingerbread cake! This soft, moist version of the iconic cookie is so easy to whip up: no rolling or cutting out down required! You don’t even need a mixer. Stir up the batter and bake it into this beautiful moist and spiced cake. The rich molasses flavor tastes like a soft and fluffy version of the cutout cookies, and it’s made in a big pan to feed a crowd. We became obsessed with the concept and have now perfected it into our new favorite Christmas dessert.

Why to make this gingerbread cake recipe

There are lots of gingerbread cake recipes out there: so why make this one? Here are a few things we love about the recipe:

  • It’s quick and easy. This recipe uses melted butter, so you don’t need stand mixer or to wait for room temperature butter. Just mix together all ingredients by hand!
  • It has just the right flavor without a topping. Many gingerbread cake recipes are pretty bitter on their own, intended to be served with a hard butter sauce or cream cheese frosting. This one is sweet enough so you can top it simply with either powdered sugar and/or whipped cream.
  • It serves a crowd. This gingerbread cake is intended for celebrations, so make it in a big 9 x 13-inch pan to serve a crowd. Plus, leftovers!
Gingerbread Cake

Ingredients in gingerbread cake

Gingerbread is centuries old: in fact, gingerbread cookies were sold in European markets as early as the 17th century! The hallmark flavors of this baked good are the spices ginger, cinnamon and cloves and the sweetener molasses, which adds rich, bittersweet undertones and a dark brown color.

Everyone knows gingerbread cookies, of course: but what about a soft gingerbread cake? This version tastes just like the cookie, but it’s soft, moist and fluffy. You can top it with just powdered sugar if you like, or serve with whipped cream or cream cheese frosting. Either way, you will fall for it just like we did! Here’s what you’ll need:

  • All purpose flour: All-purpose flour makes the backbone of this classic cake. Weigh the flour if you can for the most accurate measurement.
  • Baking powder, baking soda, and salt: Two leaveners make this fluffy cake rise.
  • Ginger, cinnamon, and cloves: The classic combination of these three spice heavy-hitters are required for this cake. Make sure the spices are fresh so they pack a flavor punch.
  • Molasses: Use unsulphured molasses here. We’ve adjusted the molasses flavor to make sure it’s enough to come through but not so much that it leaves a bitter aftertaste.
  • Boiling water: Boiling water helps to make a moist cake and help the molasses to dissolve.
  • Butter: Melted butter brings rich body to the cake.
  • Granulated sugar and brown sugar: A combination of granulated and brown sugar brings nuance in flavor and just the right sweetness.
  • Eggs: Eggs make a smooth batter and fluffy crumb.
Gingerbread Cake

Tips for making the cake

This gingerbread cake recipe is so simple, there aren’t many things to know related to technique. However, there are a few best practices to keep in mind when making it:

  • A 9 x 13″ pan with square edges makes the best look. We like when the pieces look nice and squared-off, and this 9 x 13″ pan does the trick.
  • Bake until the top is set and springs back lightly to the touch. You can use the toothpick test, but this cake is done when it’s fully set and springy to the touch in the center. If you use a toothpick to judge, it can be either clean or have a few clinging crumbs.
  • Allow to cool to room temperature before dusting with powdered sugar. Otherwise, the powdered sugar melts into the cake.

Toppings for gingerbread cake

This gingerbread cake recipe is unique because it’s sweet enough to enjoy without an elaborate topping. Some types of gingerbread cake are intended to be served with a hard butter sauce or cream cheese frosting to bring in the sweetness. You can do that here, but this cake can also be enjoyed simply. Here are a few of our top topping ideas:

  • Powdered sugar: Simply dust the entire cake with a generous helping of powdered sugar.
  • Whipped cream (recommended): We love this dessert with a dollop of homemade whipped cream.
  • Bourbon sauce: If desired, you can top with a hard sauce like this bourbon sauce. This will make the entire dessert much sweeter, so we recommend decreasing the granulated sugar in the cake to ½ cup.
  • Cream cheese frosting: This cream cheese frosting adds quite a bit of sweetness to the cake, but it does make a nice counterpoint to the bittersweet molasses notes in the cake.
Gingerbread Cake Recipe

More holiday deseserts

We love serving gingerbread cake as a Christmas dessert: it’s like an easier version of our Christmas cranberry pudding and goes over well with everyone! Here are a few more holiday desserts to enjoy:

This gingerbread cake recipe is…

Vegetarian.

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Gingerbread Cake

Easy Gingerbread Cake


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 50 minutes
  • Yield: 12 large or 16 small pieces

Description

This gingerbread cake recipe is moist and cozy-spiced! Its rich molasses flavor tastes like a soft and fluffy version of the iconic cookie.


Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cups [350 g] all-purpose flour
  • 2 teaspoons baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking soda
  • 2 teaspoons ground ginger
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • ½ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¾ cup unsulphured molasses
  • 1 cup boiling water
  • ½ cup butter, melted
  • 2/3 cup granulated sugar
  • ½ cup brown sugar
  • 2 large eggs
  • Powdered sugar, to top
  • Homemade whipped cream, for serving (optional but recommended!) or cream cheese frosting

Instructions

  1. Preheat the oven to 350°F.
  2. Butter a 9 x 13″ baking dish.
  3. In a medium bowl, whisk the all-purpose flour, baking powder, baking soda, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and kosher salt.
  4. In a separate medium bowl, whisk together the molasses and boiling water. Whisk in the melted butter and sugar. Then whisk in the eggs and vanilla extract.
  5. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and whisk until smooth.
  6. Pour the batter into the prepared pan. Bake 30 to 35 minutes until the center is set and feels springy, and an inserted toothpick is clean or has moist crumbs. Allow to cool until room temperature before dusting with powdered sugar. Serve with whipped cream.
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Baked
  • Cuisine: American
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Gingerbread cake, gingerbread cake recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These chocolate crinkle cookies are a must-have Christmas cookie and the perfect companion to a cup of coffee or hot cocoa!

The post Chocolate Crinkle Cookies appeared first on Budget Bytes.

It wouldn’t be Christmastime without cookies, and these Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are one of the best. Their fluffy, melt-in-your-mouth texture is to die for and the powdered sugar coating really gives them that snowy, wintry feel. Chocolate Crinkle Cookies are an absolute must on any Christmas cookie platter!

Overhead view of chocolate crinkle cookies lined up on an aqua background.

What Are Chocolate Crinkle Cookies Like?

I love chocolate crinkle cookies because they have a fairly unique texture. They’re light and cakey, but they kind of melt into a rich and fudgy texture in your mouth. The powdered sugar instantly dissolves on your tongue, giving them an almost cooling wintry effect. They’re SO GOOD!

Ingredients for Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

The ingredients for these cookies are super basic, making them really easy to make without much planning. Here’s what you’ll need to make chocolate crinkle cookies:

  • Butter: All cookies need a good dose of butter for that rich, dessert-like finish! A lot of chocolate crinkle cookie recipes use oil, but I wanted that all-butter flavor. We use salted butter because we always have that on hand.
  • Sugar: The combination of butter and sugar is what makes cookies so irresistible. You’ll need granulated sugar for the batter and some powdered sugar to get that cool crinkle effect.
  • Eggs: Eggs help the cookies puff up in the oven and give them strength to stay that way once baked.
  • Vanilla: Vanilla extract always helps chocolate taste much richer.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Flour gives the cookies body and strength to hold their shape.
  • Baking Powder: A little baking powder gives the cookies extra power to puff up in the oven, giving them that nice airy, cakey texture.
  • Cocoa Powder: Unsweetened cocoa powder gives these cookies all the chocolatey goodness they need.
  • Salt: A little salt helps the individual flavors in the cookies stand out so every bite is delicious!

What Else Can I Add?

This chocolate crinkle cookie recipe can be modified in several different ways. Try adding a ½ tsp peppermint extract to make a chocolate peppermint cookie, or rolling the cookies in some crushed candy canes after rolling in powdered sugar. You can also stir some mini chocolate chips into the batter for a double-chocolate crinkle! Or, add a Tablespoon or two of instant coffee to the batter to make cafe mocha-flavored crinkles!

Make them Ahead

You can make the dough for these chocolate crinkle cookies and refrigerate up to 2 days before portioning, shaping, and baking, making them a great option if you have several types of cookies you want to bake for Christmas!

How to Store Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

Allow the cookies to cool to room temperature, then store them in an air-tight food storage container at room temperature for about 5 days, or you can freeze them for up to three months.

A stack of chocolate crinkle cookies with the one on top broken in half exposing the inside.
A hand holding a chocolate crinkle cookie close to the camera with others in the background
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Chocolate Crinkle Cookies

These chocolate crinkle cookies are a must-have Christmas cookie and the perfect companion to a cup of coffee or hot cocoa!
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Total Cost $2.67 recipe / $0.13 each
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 24 minutes
Chill Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 44 minutes
Servings 20 cookies
Calories 126kcal

Ingredients

  • 8 Tbsp salted butter, room temperature $1.00
  • 1 cup granulated sugar $0.36
  • 2 large eggs $0.18
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract $0.25
  • 1.25 cups all-purpose flour $0.19
  • 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder $0.44
  • 1 tsp baking powder $0.06
  • 1/4 tsp salt $0.02
  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar $0.17

Instructions

  • Beat the butter an granulated sugar together on high until light and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the eggs and vanilla extract and beat on high again until the mixture is light and creamy (another 2 minutes).
  • In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, and salt until evenly combined.
  • Pour half of the flour mixture into the butter mixture and beat on low until incorporated. Add the remaining flour mixture and beat or stir until incorporated again. The dough should be very thick.
  • Cover the bowl of cookie dough with plastic and refrigerate for two hours or up to two days.
  • Once ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF. Place the powdered sugar in a bowl for rolling and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Scoop the cookie dough in 2 Tbsp portions, roll into a ball, then roll to coat in powdered sguar. Place the rolled and coated cookies on the baking sheet 2-3 inches apart. You'll likely need to cook in batches, so keep the remaining dough chilled until ready to roll and bake. Avoid coating the cookies in powdered sugar until just before they go into the oven.
  • Bake the cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they're puffed and the powdered sugar is cracked on top. Allow the cookies to cool, then enjoy!

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1cookie | Calories: 126kcal | Carbohydrates: 19g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 5g | Sodium: 94mg | Fiber: 1g
A hand holding a chocolate crinkle cookie that has been broken in half.

How to Make Chocolate Crinkle Cookies – Step by Step Photos

Creamed butter and sugar with two eggs added.

In a large bowl, cream together 8 Tbsp salted butter and 1 cup granulated sugar with a mixer until light and fluffy. Add two large eggs and 1 tsp vanilla, and beat together again until the mixture is light and creamy.

Dry ingredients for crinkle cookies in a white bowl.

In a separate large bowl, whisk together 1 1/4 cups all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ¼ tsp salt, and ½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder.

Dry ingredients being poured into the bowl with the butter and eggs.

Add half of the dry ingredients to the butter mixture and beat on low speed until combined, then add the remaining half and beat again over low until a batter forms.

Finished cookie batter in the bowl with a spatula.

The batter should be very thick and fairly stiff. Cover the bowl with plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours. This will stiffen the batter even further, making it much easier to shape and it will help the cookies bake without flattening out so much.

Chocolate crinkle cookies being shaped and rolled in powdered sugar.

When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350ºF and place ½ cup powdered sugar in a bowl. Take the chilled dough out of the refrigerator and, working quickly, scoop it up in 2 Tbsp portions rolling each portion into a ball, then rolling in the powdered sugar.

Chocolate crinkle cookies ready to bake on a parchment lined baking sheet.

Place the rolled sugar-coated cookies on a parchment-lined baking sheet with 2-3 inches between each (they will spread quite a bit when baked). You’ll likely need to bake them in two batches, so keep the dough chilled between each batch. Do not roll the cookies in powdered sugar until just before they go into the oven

Baked chocolate crinkle cookies on the baking sheet.

Bake the chocolate crinkle cookies for 10-12 minutes, or until they’re puffed and the powdered sugar has “cracked” all over their surface. Allow the cookies to cool before serving and enjoying.

A hand holding a chocolate crinkle cookie close to the camera with others in the background

The post Chocolate Crinkle Cookies appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Peanut Butter Balls

This chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is the best easy dessert! A handful of ingredients makes an irresistible treat. Chocolate…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

This chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is the best easy dessert! A handful of ingredients makes an irresistible treat.

Peanut butter balls

Chocolate and peanut butter are one of those classic flavor combinations that will never go out of style. Here’s our one of our favorite easy treats starring these flavor besties: peanut butter balls. They’re simple to make, requiring no special equipment and under 30 minutes of your time. Whip up a batch and enjoy that crunchy chocolate coating covering an irresistibly creamy and chewy peanut butter interior. Here’s how to make this irresistibly tasty treat!

Ingredients for this peanut butter ball recipe

There’s a short ingredient list for peanut butter balls, making it a quick and easy way to a decadent treat! The recipe is similar to buckeyes, those traditional Christmas cookies with a rich peanut butter interior and crisp chocolate coating.

These peanut butter balls are rich, chocolaty, and please anyone. They also happen to be vegan, using coconut oil in the filling instead of the typical butter. If you don’t have coconut oil, you can substitute melted butter. The filling also uses pure maple syrup for a nuance in flavor, which brings in caramel and vanilla notes. Here are the ingredients you’ll need:

  • Creamy peanut butter: Creamy peanut butter with a drippy consistency is best; you can add a bit more oil if the dough doesn’t come to the correct texture.
  • Pure maple syrup: This is the key to the nuanced filling flavor! You can also use honey or agave syrup.
  • Refined coconut oil: Coconut oil helps add richness to the filling: use butter if you don’t have coconut oil on hand. Refined coconut oil is preferred since it has a neutral flavor (unrefined has a stronger coconut flavor).
  • Powdered sugar: Powdered sugar mixes with peanut butter to create a play doh like filling consistency.
  • Salt and vanilla extract: These two seasonings round out the rich filling flavor.
  • Semi sweet baking chocolate: We like 64% Guittard baking chocolate. You can also use dark chocolate for a richer, more bitter flavor.
peanut butter balls recipe

Tips for making the filling

Peanut butter balls are simple to make: all you have to do is mix the filling ingredients together and roll them into balls. Here are a few tips for the process:

  • The dough should be Play Doh consistency. The consistency can vary based on the brand of peanut butter and the measurement of powdered sugar. If necessary, add a teaspoon or so more coconut oil to come to the correct consistency.
  • Using a food scale to weigh the dough is easiest for rolling the balls. This way, all the balls are exactly the same size. Use 15 to 16 grams per ball.
  • Or, use a 1 tablespoon measure. A tablespoon works if you don’t have a food scale.
  • Freeze the balls while melting the chocolate. They’ll become chilled in about 5 minutes while you melt the chocolate. If desired, you can also refrigerate the balls until you’re ready to coat them in chocolate, up to 2 days.
Peanut butter balls

Melting chocolate for the peanut butter balls

There are a few important things to note about how to melt chocolate for these peanut butter balls! Chocolate can be temperamental, so it’s key to observe best practices when melting chocolate. Here are a few notes on this recipe:

  • Use the microwave to heat the chocolate in short bursts. Go to How to Melt Chocolate in a Microwave to read all our tips on the process.
  • Or, melt the chocolate on the stovetop. Fill a large saucepan halfway with water and bring to a simmer. Once the water is simmering, turn off the heat and place a large heat proof bowl over the saucepan. Add the chocolate and butter to the bowl, and stir until the chocolate is fully melted.
  • Don’t let any water touch the chocolate or it will seize! That means your glass measuring cup or bowl must be 100% dry before placing the chocolate chips inside. If you’re using the stovetop method, don’t let any water splash inside.
  • Don’t overheat the chocolate! Scorched chocolate also seizes up and can become grainy. When you’re microwaving chocolate, it’s easy to get it too hot. So you’ll need to be very careful when you’re microwaving not to go too far. Follow the instructions in the recipe below carefully.
  • Once the balls are covered in chocolate, refrigerate to let the balls set. The chocolate should set in about 30 minutes.
Peanut butter balls

Variations and add-ins

There are so many ways you can vary these peanut butter balls! Add a few different touches to the outside, or add other flavors to the interior. Here are some ideas:

  • Sea salt. Sprinkle the balls with flaky sea salt before the chocolate sets.
  • Chocolate drizzle. Use leftover or additional chocolate to drizzle over the top with a fork.
  • Sprinkles. Make holiday-ready peanut butter balls by coating them in festive sprinkles.
  • Crushed peanuts or pistachios. Add a shower or crushed nuts to the top for a different look.
  • Half dip. Dip only half the peanut butter ball for a unique look.
  • Rice cereal. Add rice cereal to the interior to add a crunch.
Peanut butter balls

Storage for peanut butter balls

Because they are covered in chocolate, it’s best to store peanut butter balls refrigerated. They store this way for up to 2 weeks. You should also be able to store them up to 3 months frozen (we have not tested this, since they get eaten much faster at our house!).

More chocolate peanut butter recipes

This peanut butter balls recipe is a delicious vegan dessert that works for anytime, from Christmas to Valentine’s Day! Here are a few more chocolate and peanut butter recipes to try:

This peanut butter balls recipe is…

Vegetarian, vegan, plant-based, dairy-free and gluten-free.

Print
Peanut butter balls

Easy Peanut Butter Balls


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 25 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 25 minutes
  • Yield: 15

Description

This chocolate peanut butter balls recipe is the best easy dessert! A handful of ingredients makes an irresistible treat.


Ingredients

  • ½ cup creamy peanut butter*
  • 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup (or honey or agave syrup)
  • 1 tablespoon plus ¼ teaspoon refined coconut oil**
  • ¾ cup powdered sugar
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 3 ounces semi sweet baking chocolate (64%; we like Guittard)
  • Flaky sea salt, if desired

Instructions

  1. In a medium bowl, mix the peanut butter, maple syrup, 1 tablespoon melted coconut oil, powdered sugar, salt and vanilla extract until a uniform dough forms. (If the dough is too sticky, you can add a teaspoon or so more oil to get it to come together; it should have a playdough consistency.)
  2. Roll the peanut butter dough into 1 tablespoon sized balls (it’s easiest to weigh them, using 15 to 16 grams for each ball).
  3. Place the balls on a parchment lined baking sheet and freeze them for at 5 minutes while you melt the chocolate.
  4. Meanwhile, break the chocolate into pieces. Place it in a dry glass bowl or liquid measuring cup with the ¼ teaspoon coconut oil. Microwave on High power for 20 seconds, then stir. Microwave another 20 seconds, stir, and 20 seconds more and stir. At this point it should be mostly melted with a few chunks: keep stirring until all the chocolate chunks disappear and the chocolate is perfectly smooth.
  5. Use two forks to place each peanut butter ball into the chocolate, rotating it to evenly cover, then remove from the chocolate, gently shake off any excess, and place it back onto the parchment lined baking sheet. If desired, top with flaky sea salt. 
  6. Refrigerate for 30 minutes until set. Store up to 2 weeks refrigerated (or 3 months frozen). 

Notes

*Double this recipe for a total of 30 peanut butter balls; click the 2x recipe button for easy doubling.

**Or, substitute melted butter and omit the ¼ teaspoon butter in the chocolate. Refined coconut oil is preferred since it has a neutral flavor (unrefined has a stronger coconut flavor).

  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: No Cook
  • Cuisine: Dessert
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Peanut butter balls, peanut butter balls recipe, chocolate peanut butter balls

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Cranberry Orange Bread

This Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is a sweet dessert loaf featuring tart cranberries, sweet orange, and a citrus zest glaze.

The post Cranberry Orange Bread appeared first on Budget Bytes.

Cranberry Orange Bread is a wintertime classic. The tart cranberries and sweet citrus are both in season and they offer such a bright and welcome contrast to the usually heavy foods of winter. In our house, this was a staple every Thanksgiving and Christmas morning, but it’s great to have a slice with coffee any day of the year. And since this Cranberry Orange Bread freezes beautifully, you can take a slice out and warm it up whenever you need a little taste of sunshine. :)

Front view of a sliced loaf of cranberry orange bread.

If you love to have a little sweet baked treat along with your homemade cup of coffee, this cranberry orange bread recipe is going to be your new fav. The loaf is sweet, rich, filled with orange essence, and dotted with fresh tart cranberries. The sweet glaze on top makes the perfect juxtaposition to the tart cranberries and the whole thing is absolutely addictive!

Ingredients for Cranberry Orange Bread

Here’s what you’ll need to make a loaf of this delicious cranberry orange bread:

  • Butter: Butter keeps the loaf rich, moist, and dessert-like. We use salted butter because it’s easier to keep just one kind of butter in your fridge!
  • Sugar: This recipe uses granulated sugar in the bread to sweeten everything up, and powdered sugar to create the thick orange glaze on top.
  • Eggs: Eggs help leaven the loaf and give it strength so it doesn’t collapse after baking.
  • Sour Cream: Sour cream is added to give the loaf moisture, richness, and even more flavor.
  • Orange: We use both the orange juice and zest in this bread, in the batter and in the icing that is drizzled over top.
  • All-Purpose Flour: Would it be “bread” without flour? Regular all-purpose flour is used to give the loaf body and strength.
  • Baking Powder & Baking Soda: Because of the acidic ingredients in the batter (sour cream, orange juice, and cranberries), we use a combination of both baking powder AND baking soda to leaven the bread.
  • Salt: A little salt always helps make the individual flavors pop and allows you to taste every element.
  • Cranberries: You can use fresh or frozen cranberries for this bread. If using frozen, allow them to thaw before folding into the batter.

How to Store Leftovers

This cranberry orange bread will stay good in the refrigerator for about five days, or you can freeze it for longer storage. To freeze, slice the bread and then stack the slices with parchment between each slice. Place the stacked bread in an air-tight container, like a freezer bag, and then store it in the freezer. You can take out one or as many slices as needed and thaw at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving or microwave until warm.

Overhead view of sliced cranberry orange bread on a cooling rack.
Front view of a sliced loaf of orange cranberry bread.
Print

Cranberry Orange Bread

This Cranberry Orange Bread recipe is a sweet dessert loaf featuring tart cranberries, sweet orange, and a citrus zest glaze.
Course Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine American
Total Cost $5.91 recipe / $0.59 serving
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 15 minutes
Servings 10 (1 slice each)
Calories 315kcal

Ingredients

  • 1 orange $0.99
  • 8 Tbsp salted butter, room temperature $1.00
  • 1 cup granulated sugar $0.36
  • 1 large egg $0.09
  • 1/2 cup sour cream 0.63
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour $0.38
  • 1 tsp baking powder $0.06
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda $0.02
  • 1/2 tsp salt $0.03
  • 2 cups fresh cranberries $1.33
  • 1 cup powdered sugar $1.02

Instructions

  • Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Zest and juice the orange. You'll need about ⅓ cup juice (divided) and a ¼ tsp zest for this recipe. Wash and slice the cranberries in half.
  • In a large bowl beat together the butter, sugar, and ¼ tsp orange zest with a hand mixer or stand mixer on high until the mixture is soft and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add the egg and beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy (about 2 minutes).
  • Add the sour cream and ¼ cup of the orange juice to the batter and beat again for about 2 minutes. Save the remainder of the orange juice to make the glaze later.
  • In a separate bowl, stir together the flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda.
  • Add about half of the flour mixture to the butter mixture and beat with low speed until combined. Add the rest and beat until combined again. Finally, fold the sliced cranberries into the batter.
  • Grease an 8.5 x 4.5-inch bread pan and then dust lightly with flour. Spread the cranberry bread batter into the bread pan and smooth out the surface.
  • Bake the cranberry orange bread for 60 minutes in the preheated 350ºF oven, or until it is browned on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay, just no wet batter).
  • Allow the bread to cool in the bread pan while you make the glaze. Combine the powdered sugar with just enough orange juice to create a thick glaze (about 1.5 to 2 Tbsp). You can add a pinch of orange zest to the glaze, if desired.
  • When the bread has mostly cooled, use a knife to loosen the edges, then remove it from the bread pan. Drizzle the glaze over top, then slice and serve.

See how we calculate recipe costs here.

Nutrition

Serving: 1slice | Calories: 315kcal | Carbohydrates: 54g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 10g | Sodium: 294mg | Fiber: 1g
Side view of slices of cranberry orange bread fallen like dominos.

How to Make Cranberry Orange Bread – Step by Step Photos

One orange zested and juiced on a cutting board.

Preheat the oven to 350ºF. Zest and juice one orange. For the bread batter and icing you’ll need about ⅓ cup juice (divided) and about ¼ tsp zest (or more if desired). Wash and slice 2 cups of fresh cranberries in half.

Creamed butter and sugar in a bowl with eggs added.

Use a hand mixer or stand mixer to beat together 8 Tbsp room-temperature salted butter, 1 cup granulated sugar, and ¼ tsp orange zest on high until soft and fluffy (2-3 minutes). Add one large egg and beat together until smooth and creamy (another 2 minutes).

Orange juice and sour cream added to egg, sugar, and butter.

Add ¼ cup orange juice and ½ cup sour cream, then beat together until smooth and creamy once again.

Dry ingredients for cranberry orange bread in a bowl.

In a separate bowl, whisk together 2 cups of all-purpose flour, 1 tsp baking powder, ½ tsp baking soda, and ½ tsp salt.

Dry ingredients folded into batter.

Add about half of the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and beat them together on low speed until incorporated. Add the remaining dry ingredients and beat on low speed until a smooth batter forms. Do not overmix.

Sliced cranberries being folded into the bread.

Fold the sliced cranberries into the batter.

Cranberry bread batter being smoothed into a bread pan.

Grease an 8.5 x 4.5 inch loaf pan, then dust it lightly with flour. Spread the bread batter into the loaf pan.

baked cranberry orange bread in the bread pan.

Bake the bread in the preheated 350ºF oven for 60 minutes or until it is golden brown on top and a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean (it may have a few crumbs but should not have wet batter coating it). Allow the cranberry bread to cool in the pan.

Icing being poured over the cranberry orange bread.

When the bread is mostly cool, prepare the icing. Stir together 1 cup powdered sugar with 1.5-2 Tbsp orange juice, and a pinch of orange zest if desired. Add just enough orange juice to create a thick glaze. Remove the bread from the pan, then drizzle the glaze over top.

Overhead view of a sliced loaf of cranberry orange bread on a cooling rack.

Slice, serve, and enjoy!

The post Cranberry Orange Bread appeared first on Budget Bytes.

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Chocolate Energy Bites: The Concept

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chocolate energy bites topped with all sorts of pretty, delicious ingredients

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