Chocolate truffles are one of my most favorite things in the world. Just one of the rich balls of chocolate, for me, satisfy even the most intense craving, and I don’t feel bad because I haven’t downed an entire candy bar or half a batch of chocolate chip cookies when that particular craving hits!
This series of videos by professional party caterer Lauren Taylor show the step by step process of making chocolate truffles at home. They’re really very easy to do, and the variations — from coatings to fillings — are practically endless.
In the second part, she …read more

I was doing one of my weekly searches on Youtube this morning to see what I could find for chocolate, and came across the just-uploaded video by Isa Chandra on how to make vegan Mexican Hot Chocolate Snickerdoodles. I was instantly intrigued!
First, why had it never crossed my mind to add chocolate to snickerdoodles? (This must be remedied immediately.) Second, not only is chocolate added to the sugar-cookie-y snickerdoodles, but she also adds cayenne for the Mexican hot chocolate kick, and then manages to make the whole thing vegan by using almond milk and no eggs!

After doing a little more …read more

Chocolate with a spicy kick has been a trend for a couple of years now, and though it’s nothing new in some parts of the world, the novelty for the rest of us still hasn’t worn off!
This video is from a news station in Wisconsin that featured a segment with pastry chef Lindsay Brooks. Her recipe is a silky chocolate mousse with chipotle caramel sauce, and as soon as I find some chipotle powder I’m making this for my husband!
Lindsay managed to come up with a chocolate mousse that is both sugar- and egg-free, but her version does contain …read more

It’s not a secret that I’m a sucker for any kind of dessert with a non-traditional chocolate pairing. Paula Deen’s Chocolate Pecan Pie does just that with the classic southern dessert and decadent chocolate.
Chocolatier Max Brenner joined Paula for the episode of Paula’s Best Dishes, and though pecan pie is usually too rich for me this is one I might have a hard time pushing away from! Paula adds about four ounces of chopped chocolate and a couple tablespoons of bourbon as well.
Chocolate Pecan Pie
from Paula Deen
1 (9-inch) unbaked pie shell
2 cups pecan halves
3 large eggs, beaten
3 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 …read more

Baker Katie Banks shares her recipe for Southern Chocolate Cupcakes in the video below. What makes them special? The addition of beaten egg yolks gives the cupcakes a very light, moist texture. You can even add your favorite frosting when you’re done!
Southern Chocolate Cupcakes
6 oz semisweet chocolate pieces
1 cup butter
8 egg yolks
4 egg whites
1 1/3 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 cups sifted cake flour
2 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
~ Pre-heat oven to 375 degrees. Melt chocolate and butter in the microwave and mix until combined; set to the side to cool.
~ Separate egg yolks …read more

This is such a cute video! Jeanne Hill’s son videotaped her back in 1991 as she prepared a batch of chocolate fudge.
In the Youtube information for the video, her son says:
“Her chocolate fudge recipe was a family favorite so we made this video of her preparing it in her kitchen. In addition, Jeanne was an avid photographer and owned some of the early VHS video equipment including one of the first portable “camcorders.” She thoroughly enjoyed making this video and we’re happy to share it with anyone interested. Even 12 years after her passing, we all miss her greatly! Although …read more

Though my familly and I aren’t vegan (or vegetarian) we do like to experiment with different types and styles of food and have come across a few recipes that we’ve permanently added to our recipe collection.
This video and recipe for Vegan Chocolate Peanut Butter Torte are from Hippie Chick Bakery. They recommend using organic, unrefined ingredients if you can find them.
Brownie Shell
3/4 C flour
1/4 C cocoa powder
3/4 C sugar
1/2 tsp salt
3/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 tsp baking powder
3/4 C soy milk
2 1/2 TBSP apple sauce
~ Preheat oven 325. lightly grease 9″ spring form or cake pan, or just line bottom with …read more

We may not be anywhere near Thanksgiving, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make and enjoy a decadent pecan pie, complete with chocolate!
This video from HolidayKitchen demonstrates how to make a Chocolate Pecan Pie, which is a twist on the traditional version that I can really get behind!
Chocolate Pecan Pie
4 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 cup dark corn syrup
3 (1 oz) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted
2 cups pecan halves
Combine eggs, sugar and corn syrup and mix for one minute. Add melted chocolate and beat for one more minute. Add pecan halves and stir until just combined. Pour mixture into unbaked pie shell. Bake …read more

I was recently contacted by Paul, who did a commissioned animation video for UK chocolatier My Chocolate.
The video is clever and very cute! It features a delicious-looking selection of truffles and covered chocolates, as well as nuts and candies as they go from little slabs of chocolate to hand-dipped and sprinkled confections.
My Chocolate is a London workshop where you can cut, dip and decorate your own chocolate treats, and they’ll even bring the chocolate to you. Someone needs to get on this stat and bring it to the US!

I really love this idea — instead of having just a plain cup of coffee in the morning, get in some protein with it and make a healthy mocha smoothie. I also really like that it’s a cold drink, since it’s getting toasty here in the southwest and a hot cup of coffee in the morning isn’t as appealing as it is in the cooler months.
Making the mocha smoothie from the video above is pretty easy. All you need is ice, coffee, chocolate whey protein powder, milk, and yogurt. I think the biggest obstacle for me would be running the …read more