Gluten Free Chocolate Brownies

Total time:  35mins

Servings: 11

Image & Recipe @http://www.yummly.com/recipe/external/Gluten-free-chocolate-brownies-310689

"You can use salted or unsalted butter for these brownies. If you use unsalted butter and want to add some salt, use 1/8 teaspoon fine sea salt. I also like to add 2 to 3 tablespoons of roasted cocoa nibs along with the nuts for added chocolaty crunch.

Use very low heat for melting the chocolate and butter. A good trick is to add the butter to the pan first, which melts faster than the chocolate, so you don’t burn the chocolate. You can use a flame-tamer if you’re concerned but I always melt it right over the lowest heat possible and never have had any problems."

Ingredients:

• 6 tbsps butter, salted (or unsalted, see headnote)
• 8 ozs semisweet chocolate (or, 225g bittersweet, chopped)
• 3/4 cup sugar
• 2 large eggs (at room temperature)
• 1 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder (natural or Dutch process)
• 3 tbsps starch (corn)
• 1 cup nuts (toasted and coarsely chopped)

Method:

1. Line the inside of an 8-inch (23 cm) square pan with foil so that it goes up the sides to the rim. Lightly grease the foil with butter or non-stick cooking spray. Preheat the oven to 350º (180ºC).
2. Melt the butter and chocolate (and salt, if using) in a medium saucepan over very low heat on the stove top, stirring constantly until smooth.
3. Remove from heat and stir in the sugar, then the eggs, one at a time.
4. Sift together the cocoa powder and corn starch in a small bowl then stir them into the chocolate mixture. Beat the batter vigorously for at least one minute, until the batter is no longer grainy and nearly smooth. It will pull away from the sides of the pan a bit.
5. Add the nuts, if using, then scrape the batter into the prepared pan.
6. Bake for thirty minutes, or until the brownies feel just set in the center. Do not overbake. Remove from oven and let cool completely before removing from the pan and slicing.

Storage: The brownies can be stored at room temperature for up to 4 days, or frozen for at least 1 month.

Troubleshooting: If the finished brownies are crumbly, that means you didn’t beat the batter long enough in step #4. You can use the brownie bits to fold into just-churned ice cream.

Cars; Lightning McQueen Cupcakes

image & recipe @spoonful.com

What you'll need

• Batch of frosted cupcakes
• White chocolate candy bar or bar of white baking chocolate
• Red cupcake icing
• Toothpick
• Mini chocolate chips
• Chocolate candies with brown shells (such as M&Ms
• Small chocolate candies with yellow shells (such as M&M Minis)

How to make it

1. 
   For the windshields, cut small rectangles (about 1- by 1.75-inches) from the white chocolate. Pipe a line of red icing trim along the side and top edges of each rectangle. Then use the tip of a toothpick to "drill" shallow holes where the eyes will go, and gently press mini chocolate chips (tips down) in place. Set the windshields aside until the icing hardens.
2. Working with one cupcake at a time, frost the top with red icing. Gently press a windshield partway down into the center of the cupcake. chocolate. Pipe a line of red icing trim along the side and top edges of each rectangle. Then use the tip of a toothpick to "drill" shallow holes where the eyes will go, and gently press mini chocolate chips (tips down) in place. Set the windshields aside until the icing hardens.
3. Press two sets of brown-shelled candies into the frosting on the sides of the cupcake for tires.
4. Add headlights by turning yellow-shelled candies on edge and pressing them into the frosting (a toothpick comes in handy for this). For a mouth, press a small curve of white chocolate into the frosting at the front of the cupcake.

Cars; Tow Mater Cupcakes

image & recipe @spoonful.com

What you'll need

• 1 box cake mix
• 2 16 oz cans of milk chocolate frosting
• 16 oz can of vanilla frosting
• 6 cup large muffin baking pan
• 12 cup regular size cupcake baking pan
• 4.44 oz box of Keebler Fudge Shoppe Grasshopper Cookies (100 Calorie Right Bites)
• Ziploc bag
• 12 White M&M's candies (headlights)
• 12 Green M&M's candies (eyes)
• 6 Eclipse gum pieces (teeth)
• 6 inch cardboard cake boards
• Black edible ink pen
• Toothpicks

How to make it

1. Coat both pans with non-stick spray. Prepare cake batter and fill both pans about 2/3 full. Bake as directed on the package and let cool.
2. 
   Count out 60 cookies and set aside. Place the remaining cookies in a Ziploc bag and finely crush them with a rolling pin or glass.
3. 
   Set aside 12 green and 12 white M&M's. (Use yellow if you can't easily find the white ones.)
4. 
   For Mater's teeth, cut each piece of gum into two pieces so one piece is larger than the other.
5. 
   Cut the tops off of 6 of the cupcakes so you can place them upside down for the truck bed. Before turning upside down, frost the sides and bottom (now top) with milk chocolate frosting and sprinkle with cookie crumbs
6. 
   Place the cupcakes, cut side down toward the back of a 6-inch cake board. Place a dollop of frosting on the board to help the cupcakes stay in place.
7. 
   Frost the sides of the larger muffin-size cupcakes. Sprinkle some of the crushed cookie pieces on the sides and then place on the cake board right in front of the other cupcake. Frost the top and sprinkle with more cookie crumbs. Attach one cookie to the front of each muffin-size cupcake for the mouth.
8. For each tire, attach two cookies together using frosting and then attach two tires to the larger cupcake and two in back to the smaller cupcake.
9. 
   Place one more cookie on the top for the tire on Mater's hood. Attach the teeth to the cookie mouth with a small amount of frosting.
10. 
    For the top of the trucks, first frost about half of each of the remaining cupcakes with vanilla frosting. You can place these in the freezer for a few minutes for the frosting to harden and then it will be easier to frost over the vanilla edges with chocolate frosting to finish Mater's face. Frost the sides and top with chocolate and sprinkle with cookie crumbs.
11. 
    Attach two green M&M's in place for eyes and two white M&M's in place for headlights. Use a black edible ink pen to draw pupils on the eyes and when dry, you can use a toothpick to dot a small amount of vanilla frosting for extra detail. Heat it slightly in the microwave and it will be easier to dot on.

Aladdin; Abu Cupcakes

image & recipe @spoonful.com

What you'll need

• A chocolate cupcake

• Chocolate frosting

• A caramel candy

• Waxed paper

• Rolling pin

• Toothpick

• 2 white chocolate chips

• 2 mini chocolate chips

• Red decorator's frosting or gel

• A gum drop candy

• 2 almond slices

How to make it

1. Frost the cupcake and set it aside while you create the monkey's facial features.
2. 
   Microwave a caramel candy for up to 6 seconds to slightly soften it. Then sandwich the candy between two pieces of waxed paper and use the rolling pin to flatten it to about 1/8 inch thick.
3. 
   Cut two ovals (about 1 1/2 inch by 1 inch) out of the flattened caramel. Trim the upper edge of one oval to resemble the top of a heart. Now create the monkey's face by arranging the two ovals so that the upper edge of the untrimmed one overlaps the bottom of other, as shown.
4. 
   Use the tip of a toothpick to poke holes through the caramel where the eyes and 
   the nostrils should go.
5. 
   Press two white chocolate chips, tips down, onto the caramel where the eye holes are. Top each white chocolate chip with a mini chocolate chip, using dabs of frosting to stick them in place.
6. 
   Now place the face on top of the cupcake and use red decorator's frosting or gel to add a mouth.
7. 
   Cut a small strip from the remaining scraps of flattened caramel and scrunch one edge slightly to resemble a bit of fur for the top of the monkey's head. Gently press it in place. Then slice a gum drop down through the center and use one half for a hat.
8. 
   For the finishing touch, add a pair of almond sliver ears.

Mexican Chocolate Cake

(gluten, dairy, egg & refined sugar-free, vegan recipe)

Prep time: 20 mins

cook time: 40  mins

Serves: 10 people

image & recipe @taste.com.au

Dry:

• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose gluten-free flour
• 3/4 cup coconut flour
• 1 1/2 cups raw cacao powder, sifted
• 1 tbs baking soda
• 1 1/2 tsp Himalayan pink salt 
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 3/4 tsp ground cinnamon 
• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

Wet:

• 1/2 cup extra virgin coconut oil
• 1/2 cup apple sauce
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 cups coconut nectar
• 2 tbs orange zest 
• 1 banana mashed
• 1 tbs coconut oil (to grease the baking tin)

Frosting:

• 1 cup raw cacao powder, sifted
• 1/4 cup orange juice
• 1/2 cup coconut nectar
• 1 tbs orange zest
• 1/4 tsp cayenne powder
• Pinch Himalayan pink salt
• 2 tbs orange zest, to serve
• 1/2 cup slivered almonds, to serve

Equipment:

You will need a 22cm springform tin.

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180° fan-forced).
2. Prepare the springform cake tin by greasing with coconut oil and lining base and sides with baking paper.
3. Combine all dry ingredients in a large bowl. In a separate bowl, combine all wet ingredients. Gradually add the dry mixture to the wet mixture, whisking as you go, until thoroughly combined and smooth. Pour the batter into the prepared cake tin and bake for 40-45 minutes or until a skewer comes out clean. Leave to cool completely at room temperature and turn out onto a serving platter.
4. In a large bowl, whisk all ingredients for the frosting until smooth. Pour over cooled cake and spread evenly with a spatula. Top with orange zest and slivered almonds.

Divine gluten free chocolate cookies

image & recipe @yummly.com / Food 52

Serves a crowd

• 2.5cups powdered sugar
• 1/2cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/2teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/4teaspoon kosher salt
• 3egg whites
• 1teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2.5cups semisweet chocolate chips

1. Preheat the oven to 180'C (350'F) and line baking sheet(s)with parchment paper
2. In a bowl of standing mixer or large bowl with hand held mixer , mix powdered sugar, cocoa powder, cinnamon, and salt on low. Stir in the egg whites with a stand or hand mixer until the batter is well mixed. Stir in the vanilla extract and chocolate chips by hand. The batter will look weird. Don't worry about it.
3. Using a small cookie scoop or spoon blob batter onto the baking trays, about an inch apart. They will spread a bit.
4. Bake until the cookies are cracking on the surface, about 15 minutes.
5. Let cool for ten minutes on the trays then carefully remove to cooling rack.
6. These will keep in covered container for three days but you'll never keep them that long.

White chocolate parfait with Kahlua

image @http://www.taste.com.au

Ingredients:
Serves 4

• 50g caster sugar
• 120g good-quality white chocolate, chopped
• 3 egg yolks
• 300ml thick cream
• 80ml (1/3 cup) Kahlua

Method:

1. Place the sugar and 4 tablespoons water in a pan over medium heat and boil for about 4 minutes.
2. Place the chocolate in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add the syrup and egg yolks and process until smooth. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.
3. In a separate mixing bowl, lightly whip the thick cream, then fold into the chocolate. Divide the mixture between 4 freezer-proof serving dishes, leaving room for the topping. Freeze for at least 4 hours. Remove from fridge 30 minutes before serving. Serve with white chocolate parfaits with about a tablespoon of kahlua poured over the top.

Mojito Cheesecake Parfaits with Finger Lime Caviar

image @http://www.yummly.com

Ingredients

• 20 grams unsalted butter (melted)
• 150 grams biscuits (crushed)
• 150 grams white chocolate
• 150 grams caster sugar (raw)
• 60 mls water
• 3 limes (plus 1 extra lime, sliced, to garnish)
• 100 mls white rum
• 1 cup mint leaves (plus extra to garnish)
• 400 grams cream cheese
• 250 grams mascarpone cheese
• 1 lime (finger, split)

Method:

1. Combine the sugar and water in a saucepan over a medium heat. Stir until the sugar dissolves and bring to the boil before reducing the heat to low and simmering for 5 minutes. Remove from the heat, add the mint leaves, lime juice and zest, and rum and cover and set aside to infuse for 20 minutes. Strain and set aside.
2. Place the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water and stir until melted.
3. Place the cream cheese and mascarpone in a food processor and process until smooth. Add the strained syrup and melted chocolate and process to combine.
4. Combine the crushed biscuits and melted butter and stir to combine. Divide half the mixture between 6 glasses and press into the base. Top with half the cheesecake mixture. Top this with the remaining biscuit mixture and then layer with the remaining cheesecake mixture. Refrigerate for 1 hour to set.
5. When ready to serve top with a dollop of cream, mint leaves and finger lime caviar.

Profiteroles with Coffee Whipped Cream

image & recipe @yummly.com / myrecipes.com

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1 1/2 teaspoons sugar 
• 1/3 cup butter 
• 3 large eggs, beaten
• Parchment paper
• Coffee Whipped Cream
• Hot fudge topping

Preparation

1. 1. Preheat oven to 400°. Stir together flour and sugar.
2. 2. Bring butter and 3/4 cup water to a boil in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally. Immediately remove from heat, and quickly stir in flour mixture all at once. Beat with a wooden spoon until mixture is smooth and leaves sides of pan, forming a ball of dough. Gradually add eggs, beating until mixture is smooth and glossy.
3. 3. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
4. 4. Bake at 400° for 20 minutes or until puffy and golden brown. Remove from oven to a wire rack. Pierce 1 side of each cream puff with a knife to allow steam to escape. Cool completely on baking sheet (about 20 minutes).
5. 5. Cut each cream puff in half horizontally. Dollop Coffee Whipped Cream onto bottom halves; top with remaining halves. Cover and chill until ready to serve. Drizzle with hot fudge topping just before serving.
6. Try this twist!
7. Profiteroles with Coffee Ice Cream: Substitute 1 1/2 cups coffee ice cream for Coffee Whipped Cream.

Hot Chocolate Chip Cookie Pies

image & recipe @yummly.com/PickyPalate

image & recipe @yummly.com/PickyPalate

image & recipe @yummly.com/PickyPalate

Ingredients:

1 roll Pillsbury Pie Crust, thawed and cut into 12 2 1/2 inch circles (I used a cup to press out all the circles)
1 batch of your favorite cookie dough

1 egg white plus 1 teaspoon water
3 Tablespoons Turbinado sugar or normal granulated sugar
Powdered sugar for dusting on top

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place all 12 pie crust circles onto a baking sheet. With a small cookie scoop, place a heaping teaspoon of cookie dough into the center of each pie round, pressing cookie dough down slightly without touching edges of pie crust. DO NOT overfill each pie, if too full the dough breaks through the pie.

2. Dip your finger in water and brush bottom 1/2 of the pie crust edge with water and fold top crust over to seal. Using fork tines, press to seal around edges. Continue until all crusts are sealed. Poke each little pie on top once or twice for steam holes. Lightly brush each pie with egg white whisked with a teaspoon of water then sprinkle with turbinado sugar (normal sugar is also fine). Bake for 20-22 minutes or until pie crust is just barely golden. Note that some of the cookie will escape through the pie crust, if this happens, just cut them in half and no worries. To prevent it, make sure you don’t overfill your crusts.

3. Just before serving sprinkle with powdered sugar and even ice cream if desired. Make sure to enjoy these warm, shortly after out of oven!!

Low Carb, Gluten Free, Bacon Chocolate Mocha Ice Cream Cake

image & recipe @http://www.ibreatheimhungry.com

Yields 10 slices

This recipe makes enough for two layers of an eight inch chocolate cake – to make a four layer cake you’ll have to double the recipe for both the cake and frostings.

Ingredients

For the Cake
• 1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
• 12 Tbsp butter
• 4 squares Lindt 90% chocolate (about 1.5 oz)
• 3 eggs, beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup almond flour
• 2 Tbsp coconut flour
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar substitute
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 6 Tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tsp baking powder
• 2 cups sugar free coffee ice cream, softened
• 8 slices cooked bacon (very crispy!), chopped
For the Ganache Frosting
• 3/4 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1 bar (3.5 oz) Lindt 90% chocolate
• 2 Tbsp coconut oil
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar substitute
For the Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting
• 1/4 cup Ganache Frosting (above)
• 2 Tbsp strong coffee (brewed)
• 3/4 cup heavy whipping cream

Instructions

To make the cake:
• Melt the chocolate, cream, and butter together, whisking together until smooth. (You can do this on the stove, or in a microwave at 30 second intervals.) Cool slightly. Whisk in the beaten eggs a little at a time until fully combined. Add the vanilla and stir. Combine the almond flour, coconut flour, sugar substitute, salt, cocoa powder, and baking powder in a medium bowl. Add the melted chocolate mixture and stir until thoroughly combined. Pour into two greased and parchment-lined (optional but recommended – cut the parchment into an 8 inch circle and place on the bottom of the pan before pouring in the batter) 8-inch cake pans. Bake at 350 degrees (F) for 25 minutes. Remove the cakes from the oven and cool.
To make the Ganache Frosting:
• Combine the whipping cream, chocolate, coconut oil, and sugar substitute in a medium microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 1 minute, then remove and stir. Microwave for another 30 seconds, remove and stir. If not completely melted, microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir until completely smooth. Pour into a clean bowl (preferably stainless) and chill for 2 hours or overnight, until firm enough to whip into a frosting. Once it’s completely chilled (you’ll know because it will be firm), whip into a fluffy frosting. Reserve 1/4 cup for your Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting.
To make the Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting:
• In a large bowl, whip your heavy cream into stiff peaks. Whisk in the coffee. Fold about 1/3 of the whipped cream into the 1/4 cup of ganache frosting that you reserved, continue folding until fully combined. Add the chocolate mixture to the remaining whipped cream, and fold gently until smooth. Add to a pastry bag fitted with a large star tube. Chill until ready to use.
To assemble the cake:
• Place one layer of cake on your serving plate. Top with softened coffee ice cream, and spread evenly to the edges. Place the second layer of cake, upside down, over the ice cream and press down evenly. Return to the freezer for 10 minutes to harden. Remove from the freezer and frost with your chocolate ganache frosting. Press your chopped bacon into the sides all the way around the cake. Return to the freezer for 10 minutes. Remove from the freezer and pipe a scalloped edge of Mocha Whipped Cream Frosting around both the top and bottom edges of the cake. Serve immediately, or return to the freezer. If storing in the freezer, remove and thaw for about 10 minutes before cutting and serving.