Desserts

Ugly Homemade Fudge

Ingredients:

3 cups granulated sugar

2/3 cup cocoa (unsweetened good quality)

1/8 tsp salt

1 1/2 cups whole milk

1/4 cup butter* (I use salted)

1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Line an 8 inch square pan with buttered parchment paper.

In a medium heavy saucepan stir together sugar, cocoa and salt, then add the milk and stir with a wooden spoon (not a whisk or metal spoon).

Cook over medium heat stirring continuously until mixture starts to boil (a strong boil), approximately 15 minutes.

Turn heat to low and continue to cook without stirring until temperature reaches 234 °F Approximately 30 minutes.

Remove pot from heat, add the butter and vanilla. Do not stir. Cool to room temperature approximately 30 minutes. Then beat with a wooden spoon just until mixture begins to lose some of it's gloss (approximately 6-8 minutes).

Then spread quickly in prepared cake pan and let cool completely, even overnight (at room temperature). Cut into squares.

This recipe is called ugly fudge because it crumbles when you eat it.

While cooling you can add in other options like nuts, peanut butte chips, etc ...

There are some fudge making tips in Tips and Tricks.

Cinnamon Maple Granola

Ingredients:

4 Cups of Old Fashioned Oats

2 tsp cinnamon

1/3 cup light brown sugar

1/2 cup pure maple syrup

1/3 cup vegetable oil

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Directions:

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Put parchment on a baking sheet.

In a large bowl, combine all ingredients.

Transfer mixture to baking sheet. Spread out in an even layer. Press down.

Bake for 30-40 minutes. Remove from oven and let cool.

Break into pieces. Store for 2 weeks.

You can add many things into your granola. Sunflower seeds, almonds, raisins, pecans, m&ms, dried fruits.

Brownies

Ingredients:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup white sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

Frosting:

3 Tbsp butter, softened

3 Tbsps unsweetened cocoa powder

1 Tsp vanilla extract

1 cup confectioners' sugar

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8-inch square pan.

In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan.

Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.

To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons softened butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Stir until smooth.

Ginger Cookies

Ingredients

3/4 cup butter, softened

1 cup sugar

1 large egg

1/4 cup molasses

2-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

2 tsps ground ginger

1 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground cloves

1/4 tsp salt

Additional sugar

Directions:

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in egg and molasses. Combine the flour, ginger, baking soda, cinnamon, cloves and salt; gradually add to the creamed mixture and mix well.

Roll into 1-1/2-in. balls, then roll in sugar. Place 2 in. apart on ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 350° until puffy and lightly browned, 10-12 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool.

Tips: For less mess, coat your measuring cups in cooking spray before portioning it out.