Creamy Mayan Mocha (Caffeine-Free Option!)

Anyone else have an awkwardly long list of modifications when ordering drinks from coffee shops? Welcome to the club. Sometimes we spare ourselves the embarrassment and make them at home.
Inspired by the dangerously delicious Mayan Mocha from Picnik, t…

Creamy Mayan Mocha (Caffeine-Free Option!)

Anyone else have an awkwardly long list of modifications when ordering drinks from coffee shops? Welcome to the club. Sometimes we spare ourselves the embarrassment and make them at home.

Inspired by the dangerously delicious Mayan Mocha from Picnik, this creamy, dreamy drink is a little sweet, spicy, and chocolaty. It’s also dairy-free and can be made with dandelion root for a low-caffeine, coffee-free option. Let us show you how it’s done!

Creamy Mayan Mocha (Caffeine-Free Option!) from Minimalist Baker →

Chocolate Martini

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and…

A Couple Cooks – Recipes worth repeating.

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and Baileys for a flavor explosion.

Chocolate Martini recipe

Looking for a cocktail to please a chocoholic? Try this chocolate martini recipe! This drink is rich and creamy, basically a dessert in a glass. It stars Irish cream and creme de cacao for maximum flavor, like the liquid version of your favorite chocolate bar. Mix this up as an after dinner drink to impress guests, or anytime you need a sweet treat in cocktail form. You’ll be smitten, we promise!

Chocolate martini ingredients

The chocolate martini is a vodka martini made with Irish cream and a chocolate liqueur or syrup. Legend has it that the classic Chocolate Martini was invented by Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor in 1955 while filming the Hollywood classic movie Giant together, adding chocolate syrup and chocolate liqueur to the vodka martini. 

It’s become a concept that all bartenders riff on, so there’s no “official” definition like the Espresso Martini. You’ll find chocolate martinis with just vodka and chocolate liqueur, but many add chocolate syrup, Baileys Irish cream, or other ingredients. Here are the ingredients you’ll need for this chocolate martini recipe:

  • 2 oz Irish cream (like Baileys)
  • 1 oz creme de cacao or other chocolate liqueur
  • 1 oz vodka

Preparing the glass

The chocolate martini is all about presentation! For decorating the glass, there are three different elements you can add to maximize the visual and flavor impact:

  • Chocolate syrup: Drizzle chocolate syrup into the inside of a martini glass in a swirl pattern.
  • Cocoa powder and brown sugar: Wet the rim of a martini glass, then dip and rotate it in a plate of 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar. This adds a chocolaty crunch to each sip. Another option is drawing a circle of chocolate syrup on a plate and dipping in the rim.
  • Grated chocolate: If desired, top the drink with grated chocolate (optional).
Creme de cacao

What’s creme de cacao?

Creme de cacao might not be something you’re used to stocking in your liquor cabinet. It’s most famous for its use in the Brandy Alexander and the Grasshopper, but it’s also popular in a chocolate martini!

  • Creme de cacao is a cocoa bean flavored liqueur, available in both white (clear) and dark varieties. It’s one of the older alcoholic beverages, made in the 1600’s by monks after cocoa beans were brought back to Europe from America.
  • What does creme de cacao taste like? White creme de cacao, the clear variety, tastes like milk chocolate with notes of vanilla.
  • Is it worth buying Creme de cacao costs between $10 to $20 for a 750 ml bottle. It’s worth buying if you like sweet cocktails! You can use leftovers to make creme de cacao drinks like the Brandy Alexander, Grasshopper, or Bushwacker.
Chocolate martini recipe

More about Irish cream

Irish cream is a liqueur made with Irish whiskey and cream. The most popular Irish cream is Baileys, but there are other brands of Irish cream (we used a different brand for this recipe). The most popular Irish cream cocktail is the Mudslide, which is a variant of the classic creamy White Russian.

How to make a chocolate martini

Got those specialty liquors? Then you’re good to go! There are lots of ways to make a chocolate martini recipe, like with melted chocolate or chocolate syrups. This one works well with just straight up cocoa powder. Here’s what to do:

  • Shake in a cocktail shaker: Add 2 oz Baileys, 1 oz vodka and 1 oz creme de cacao into a cocktail shaker and add 2 handfuls of ice. Shake 15 seconds until cold.
  • Strain and garnish. That’s it! Strain it into the prepared martini glass and garnish with a little grated chocolate.

More martinis

There are so many more flavored types of martinis to try! Here are some of our favorites:

When to serve a chocolate martini

The chocolate martini recipe works before dinner, after dinner, or anytime in between. Serve it as a:

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Chocolate Martini recipe

Best Chocolate Martini


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink

Description

Dive into the rich creamy bliss of this Chocolate Martini recipe! This decadent cocktail blends rich chocolate liqueur, vodka, and Baileys for a flavor explosion.


Ingredients

  • 2 ounces* Irish cream (like Baileys)
  • 1 ounce creme de cacao
  • 1 ounce vodka
  • 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar, for the rim (optional)
  • Chocolate syrup, for the glass
  • Grated chocolate, for the garnish (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wet the rim of a martini glass. Spread 1 tablespoon each cocoa powder and brown sugar on a plate, stir them together and spread into a single layer. Dip the outside of the rim of the glass into the plate. If desired, pour a swirl of chocolate syrup into the martini glass.
  2. Add the Irish cream, creme de cacao and vodka to a cocktail shaker. Fill it with 2 handfuls of ice and shake it until cold.
  3. Strain the drink into the prepared glass. If desired, garnish with grated chocolate.

Notes

*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons

  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Shaken
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Keywords: Chocolate martini, chocolate martini recipe

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

Betty’s Pots de Crème

We served this dessert at our wedding over three years ago, and it’s high time to share the recipe with you! Our family has been calling this…

The post Betty’s Pots de Crème appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

pots de creme recipe

We served this dessert at our wedding over three years ago, and it’s high time to share the recipe with you! Our family has been calling this recipe “chocolate mousse” for years but it’s much closer to a French recipe called pots de crème, which translates to jars of cream. 

These chocolate pots de crème are luscious, creamy, rich, and decadent. They are such fun desserts to offer at a party in individual servings. A little goes a long way, and that’s why I love them. I’d rather have a small portion of incredible dessert than a large portion of so-so dessert. 

pots de creme ingredients

This miniature dessert comes from my husband’s Great-Aunt Betty. I wonder how many times Betty has whipped up this recipe in her vibrant 97 years. My husband’s mom makes them now, and you’re almost guaranteed to find these little treats in their freezer at any given time. We were thrilled when our wedding bakery agreed to make the family recipe to serve alongside our wedding cake!

This foolproof recipe comes together quickly in the blender—no baking, no straining, no fussing. Blend it up and chill it (you can even freeze these cups for the months ahead). I hope this recipe becomes one of your family traditions, too.

Continue to the recipe...

The post Betty’s Pots de Crème appeared first on Cookie and Kate.

Peppermint Mocha Marshmallow Cookies

I make a lot of cookies during the holiday season and have several favorites…brown butter salted caramel snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms, chocolate crinkle cookies, and chocolate kiss cookies…just to name a few. They are all FANTASTI…

I make a lot of cookies during the holiday season and have several favorites…brown butter salted caramel snickerdoodles, peanut butter blossoms, chocolate crinkle cookies, and chocolate kiss cookies…just to name a few. They are all FANTASTIC. But when I think of holiday cookies, my mind usually goes to chocolate and peppermint. You can’t beat that…

Candy Cane Cake Roll with Chocolate Peppermint Whipped Cream

Here’s a perfect addition to your Christmas table: a light and fluffy chiffon cake roll made with red and white striped batter, and filled with a spiral of chocolate peppermint whipped cream for a festive cake that’s dressed to impress. This peppermint roll cake looks and tastes like a giant candy cane (if candy canes […]

The post Candy Cane Cake Roll with Chocolate Peppermint Whipped Cream first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

Here’s a perfect addition to your Christmas table: a light and fluffy chiffon cake roll made with red and white striped batter, and filled with a spiral of chocolate peppermint whipped cream for a festive cake that’s dressed to impress.

This peppermint roll cake looks and tastes like a giant candy cane (if candy canes were soft and fluffy and filled with chocolate peppermint whipped cream). While patterned cake rolls can be challenging to bake, the work can be split up into a few days (making them a perfect make-ahead dessert!)

Plus, I’ve included lots of tips and tricks and how-to photos in this post to help you succeed in making this impressive looking dessert for your holiday celebration!

Red and white striped cake roll with one slice cut off to show a perfect spiral of chocolate peppermint whipped cream filling, with candy canes, red ornaments, and Christmas lights out of focus in the background.

A festive holiday cake roll is quickly becoming a household tradition around here. My own version of the yule log, if you will (this one not quite as obviously log-like as my chocolate chestnut cake roll which has a literal wood grain design baked right in).

I love Japanese-style cake rolls like this because they aren’t overly sweet (not to mention they’re just gosh darn cute). If you are the kind of person who finds most buttercream-frosted cakes far too sweet, chances are you’ll love this style of cake!

The cake itself is lightly sweetened and pillowy soft, with a hint of vanilla and peppermint in the cake itself, and then filled with a chocolate peppermint whipped cream filling with an ultra rich chocolate flavor while still remaining incredibly light (I think it tastes like a decadent peppermint hot chocolate that’s been whipped to a cloud-like fluff).

Red and white Peppermint cake roll with two slices cut off and laying down to show a perfect spiral of chocolate peppermint whipped cream filling, with candy canes, ornaments, and Christmas lights out of focus in the background.

Let’s talk about our feelings for a second. Excuse me, I meant fillings, not feelings, because let’s face it, that spiral of whipped chocolate goodness is really the star of the flavor train here, packed with chocolate and a lovely peppermint flavor courtesy of Amoretti’s Peppermint Extract.

For chocolate lovers, you’ll be chuffed to know that it’s not just a whipped cream with some cocoa powder added. No, I’ve used dark chocolate in addition to Dutch process cocoa powder, for a rich and chocolately cream filling that falls somewhere between a whipped ganache and a whipped cream in terms of texture (it’s denser and silkier than plain whipped cream, but lighter and airier than a mousse or whipped ganache).

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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

A Couple Cooks - Recipes worth repeating.

A Holiday-Ready Espresso Martini (& More Festive Drinks to Savor This Season)

December is like a game of Jenga. I start off strong, ready to accept every holiday invitation and family commitment. But as I attend each holiday dinner, party, and gift exchange, a little piece of me diminishes, until I finally crumple into a pile of…

December is like a game of Jenga. I start off strong, ready to accept every holiday invitation and family commitment. But as I attend each holiday dinner, party, and gift exchange, a little piece of me diminishes, until I finally crumple into a pile of exhaustion—otherwise known as Dry January.

One obvious way to keep it together this season is to be more mindful about drinking, not necessarily by cutting out booze, but by building in time to savor every festive drink. Re-centering yourself with a cup or glass in hand is a universal tradition: The Italians enjoy apertivo hour, Scandinavians make time each day for fika—coffee and cake—and millions of people from England to Japan have rituals around tea, be it a late afternoon cuppa or a ceremony.

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olive oil brownies

I did not intend to disappear for so long! In early October I was putting the finishing touches on a cake that manages to incorporate 2.5 pounds of apples (perfect for people like me who show no self-control nor willingness to learn from the p…

I did not intend to disappear for so long! In early October I was putting the finishing touches on a cake that manages to incorporate 2.5 pounds of apples (perfect for people like me who show no self-control nor willingness to learn from the previous season’s excess at orchards) when the world went to hell, our thoughts were not with food, and by the time I emerged it was November, a month I’ve spent mostly on a mini book tour when there is never enough time to come up for air. I need my sofa, some quiet, and a window with a view of the last bits of golden leaves clinging to trees to stare through, which brings me at last to today. Please know: Life gets busy, my schedule goes off the rails, but I will always come back to this space because I like it here, I like hanging out with you, and 17 years hasn’t changed this. The longer I’m away, the more delicious the backlog — it’s going to be a fantastic December.

olive oil brownies-1
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Homemade Peppermint Oreos

During the holiday months, I bake A LOT of cookies. One of my favorite holiday flavor combinations is chocolate and peppermint. I love making Andes Mint Cookies, Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies, and Oreo Whit…

During the holiday months, I bake A LOT of cookies. One of my favorite holiday flavor combinations is chocolate and peppermint. I love making Andes Mint Cookies, Peppermint Bark Chocolate Chip Cookies, Chocolate Peppermint Crunch Cookies, and Oreo White Chocolate Pudding Peppermint Cookies. These Homemade Peppermint Oreos are also a favorite. These cookies are inspired…

Chocolate Nutella Feuilletine Crunch

This easy and delicious crunchy candy is a textural delight: made with just 3 ingredients, this no-bake recipe comes together in under 15 minutes (plus a bit of patience while you wait for it to set, which, to be honest, is probably the hardest part of the whole process). While it may not be the […]

The post Chocolate Nutella Feuilletine Crunch first appeared on Love and Olive Oil.

This easy and delicious crunchy candy is a textural delight: made with just 3 ingredients, this no-bake recipe comes together in under 15 minutes (plus a bit of patience while you wait for it to set, which, to be honest, is probably the hardest part of the whole process).

While it may not be the fanciest or most elegant looking treat, this homemade candy is like a gourmet version of a classic crunch bar, with a fudgy texture and a lovely, delicate crunch that comes from an ingredient you’ve probably never heard of before called feuilletine.

Bars of Nutella Chocolate Crunch Candy Bark scattered on a gray background, three bars stacked on a plate with one broken bar to show the crispy texture.

Now that you’ve made your own Homemade Feuilletine, you may be wondering, what do I do with it? Well, there are lots of ways, but I figured I’d share my absolute favorite quick and easy candy recipe that uses feuilletine. It’s basically a thicker version of the crispy croustillant base from my Chocolate Raspberry Mousse Cake, cut into bars.

With only 3 ingredients—chocolate, Nutella, and feuilletine (and maybe a sprinkle of flake salt if that floats your boat)—this homemade crunch candy is so simple I almost feel like I’m cheating even calling it a recipe. If anything, it’s more of a jumping-off point for your own experimentation and flavorful explorations.

The result is a textural delight: rich, dark chocolate softened mixed with Nutella for an almost fudge-like consistency, then folded with crispy flakes of feuilletine for a light and delicate crunch.

(more…)