Chocolate & Mocha Sweethearts

Ingredients

4 squares unsweetened baking chocolate

3/4 cup (1-1/2 sticks) butter or margarine

2 cups sugar

4 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

1 cup flour

1/2 cup Suisse Mocha Cafe flavored instant coffee, or any other flavor

6 squares semi-sweet baking chocolate

Directions

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Line 13×9-inch pan with foil, with ends of foil extending over sides. Spray with cooking spray.

Microwave unsweetened chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min. or until butter is melted; stir until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar. Blend in eggs and vanilla. Add flour and flavored instant coffee; stir until well blended. Spread into prepared pan.

Bake 30 to 35 min. or until toothpick inserted in center comes out with fudgy crumbs. (Do not overbake.) Cool completely. Use foil handles to remove brownie from pan; cut into shapes with 1-1/2-inch heart-shaped cookie cutter. (Reserve scraps for snacking or another use.) Melt semi-sweet chocolate as directed on package. Dip tops of b rownie hearts in chocolate. Refrigerate until chocolate is firm. Enjoy!

Cappuccino-Pistachio Shortbread

Ingredients

2 Tbsp cappuccino-flavored instant coffee mix

1 Tbsp water

3/4 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup powdered sugar

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup chopped pistachio nuts

1 ounce semisweet baking chocolate or white baking bar (white chocolate)

1 tsp shortening

Directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Dissolve coffee mix in water in medium bowl. Add butter and powdered sugar. Beat with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy, or mix with spoon. Stir in flour and nuts, using hands if necessary, until stiff dough forms.

2. Divide dough in half. Shape each half into a ball. Pat each ball into 6-inch round, about 1/2 inch thick, on lightly floured surface. Cut each round into 16 wedges about 1/2 inch apart and with pointed ends toward center on ungreased cookie sheet.

3. Bake about 15 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool comletely, about 30 minutes.

4. Place chocolate and shortening in small microwavable bowl. Microwave uncovered on Medium (50%) 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes, until mixture can be stirred smooth and is thin enough to drizzle. Drizzle over cookies. Enjoy!

Holiday Tiramisu Bowl

Ingredients

1 pkg. (8 oz.) Cream Cheese, softened

3 cups cold milk

2 pkg. (3.4 oz. each) Vanilla  Flavor Instant Pudding

1 (8 oz.) tub Whipped Topping, thawed, divided

48 Vanilla Wafers

1/2 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled

2 squares semi-sweet chocolate, coarsely grated

1 cup fresh raspberries

Directions

1. Beat cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Beat in milk and dry pudding mixes. Stir in 2 cups whipped topping.

2. Line 2-1/2-qt. clear glass bowl with 24 wafers; drizzle with 1/4 cup coffee. Top with half each of the pudding mixture and chocolate. Reapeat all layers.

3. Top with remaining whipped topping and raspberries. Refrigerate 2 hours. Enjoy with your favorite coffee and friends!

Coffee Crisps

Ingredients

4 tsp water

2 tsp instant coffee crystals or 1 tsp instant espresso coffee powder

1/2 cup butter, softened

1 cup granulated sugar

1/4 tsp salt

2 eggs

1-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

1 recipe Coffee Icing (see recipe below)

Instant coffee crystals, coarsely crushed (optional)

Directions

1. Line cookie sheet with parchment paper; set the cookie sheet aside.

2. In a small bowl stir together water and coffee crystals or espresso coffee powder until dissolved; set aside.

3. In a large mixing bowl beat butter with and electric mixer on medium to high speed for 30 seconds. Add sugar and salt. Beat until combined, scraping sides of bowl occasionaly. Add eggs and coffee mixture; beat until combined. Beat in as much of the flour as you can with the mixer. Using a wooden spoon, stir in any remaining flour.

4. Drop dough by slightly rounded teaspoons 2 inches apart onto the prepared cookie sheet; spread dough into 2-inch circles.

5. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 9 to 11 minutes or until browned around the edges. Cool on cookie sheet set on a wire rack for 2 minutes. Transfer cookies to a wire rack; cool

6. When cookies are cool, fill a pastry bag fited with a very small round tip with Coffee Icing. Pipe icing onto cookies in a zigzag pattern. Or, thin icing with additional whipping cream to make icing of drizzling consistency; use fork tines to drizzle icing over cookies. If desired, sprinkle with crushed coffee crystals., Makes about 20 cookies.

Coffee Icing: Stir together 1/8 tsp instant coffee crystals or dash of espresso coffee powder and 1 tbsp whipping cream until coffee is dissolved. In a small mixing bowl stir together 1 cup sifted powdered sugar, the coffee-cream mixture and enough additional whipping cream (1 to 2 tbsp) to make icing of piping consistency. Enjoy!

Mocha Caramels

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter

2 squares (2 ounces) unsweetened chocolate

2 cups granulated sugar

1 cup packed brown sugar

1 cup light cream or half-and-half

1 cup light-colored corn syrup

2 Tbsp instant coffee crystals

Directions

1. Line a 9x9x2-inch baking pan with foil, extending foil over edges of pan. Butter the foil; set pan aside.

2. In a heavy 3-quart saucepan melt the 1/2 cup butter and unsweetened chocolate over low heat. Add granulated sugar, brown sugar, cream, corn syrup, and coffee crystals; mix well. Cook over medium-high heat to boiling, stirring constantly with a wooden spoon to dissolve sugars. This should take 6 to 8 minutes. Avoid splashing mixture on sides of pan. Carefully clip candy thermometer to side of pan.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring frequently, until thermometer registers 248 degree F, Firm-ball stage. Mixture should boil at a moderate, steady rate over the entire surface. Reaching firm-ball stage should take 45 to 55 minutes.

4. Remove saucepan from heat; remove candy thermometer from saucepan. Quickly pour the caramel mixture into the prepared pan. When caramel is firm, use the foil to lift it out of the pan. Use a buttered knife to cut the candy into 1-inch squares. Wrap each piece in clear plastic wrap. Makes 81 pieces or about 2-1/4 pounds. May be made ahead of time – store in a cool dry place in a tightly covered container.

Coffee-Toffee Cake

ingredients

1/4 cup instant coffee granules or crystals

1/4 cup boiling water

1 box white cake mix

1 cup water

1/3 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 container vanilla frosting

1/4 cup caramel topping

3 bars (1.4 oz each) chocolate-covered English toffee candy, coarsely chopped

directions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (325 F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan with shortening or cooking spray. In small bowl, dissolve coffee granules in boiling water.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1 cup water, the oil, eggs and coffee mixture with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally (batter will be lumpy). Pour into prepared pan.

3. Bake as directed on box for 13×9-inch pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

4. In medium bowl, mix frosting and caramel topping. Frost cake with frosting mixture. Sprinkle with toffee candy. Store loosely covered at room temperature. Enjoy with your favorite coffee!

Mocha Pudding Cake

ingredients

Nonstick cooking spray

1 cup all-purpose flour

3/4 cup granulated sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup fat-free milk

1/2 cup applesauce

1 tsp vanilla

1-3/4 cups hot water

3/4 cup packed brown sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1 tsp instant coffee granules

directions

1. Lightly coat an 8x8x2-inch baking pan with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl combine flour, granulated sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, the baking powder, and salt. Stir in milk, applesauce, and vanilla until thoroughly mixed. Pour into prepared pan.

3. In a small bowl combine the hot water, brown sugar, 1/4 cup cocoa powder, and the coffee granules. Carefully pour water mixture over cake batter. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 45 minutes. Spoon warm cake and pudding into dessert dishes. Serve with ice cream if desired. Makes 10 servings.

Easiest Tiramisu Pie

ingredients

48 Vanilla wafers, divided

1/4 cup brewed strong coffee, cooled, divided

4 oz. (1/2 of 8-oz. pkg.) cream cheese, softened

1-1/2 cups cold milk

1 pkg. (3.4 oz.) vanilla flavor instant pudding

1 tub (8 oz.) French vanilla whipped topping, thawed

1 square semi-sweet chocolate, grated

directions

Arrange 36 wafers on bottom and up side of 9-inch pie plate. Drizzle with 2 Tbsp. coffee.

Beat  cream cheese in large bowl with mixer until creamy. Gradually beat in milk. Add dry pudding mix; beat 1 min. Gently stir in 2 cups whipped topping.

Layer half each of the pudding mixture and grated chocolate in crust; cover with remaining wafers. Drizzle with remaining coffee. Repeat layers of pudding and chocolate. Top with remaining whipped topping. Refrigerate 3 hours.

Chocolate Chai Latte Cake

Cake

1 box devil’s food cake mix

1/4 cup chai latte-flavored international instant coffee mix (from 9.7-oz container)

1 1/3 cups water

1/2 cup vegetable oil

3 eggs

1 cup miniature semisweet chocolate chips

Frosting

2 1/2 cups powdered sugar

2 Tbsp butter or margarine, softened

3 Tbsp milk

1 Tbsp chai latte-flavored international instant coffee mix (from 9.7-oz container)

Ground cinnamon, if desired

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F (or 325 degrees F for dark or nonstick pan). Spray bottom and sides of 13×9-inch pan with baking spray with flour.

2. In large bowl, beat cake mix, 1/4 cup dry chai latte mix, the water, oil and eggs with electric mixer on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes, scraping bowl occasionally. Stir in chocolate chips. Pour into pan.

3. Bake 29 to 39 minutes or until center of cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool completely, about 1 hour. (A crack may appear in top of cake, but frosting will cover it.)

4. In medium bowl, mix powdered sugar and butter until smooth; set aside. In small microwavable bowl, microwave milk on High 10 to 15 seconds until very warm. Stir in 1 tablespoon dry chai latte mix until dissolved; stir into powdered sugar mixture until smooth and spreadable. Spread over cake. Just before serving, dust with cinnamon.

Ingredients

Unsweetened cocoa powder

2 cups granulated sugar

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

2 teaspoons baking soda

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 eggs

1 cup buttermilk or sour milk

1 cup strong brewed coffee, cooled

1/2 cup cooking oil

2 teaspoons vanilla

’2-1/2 cups ricotta cheese

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup miniature semisweet chocolate pieces

1/2 cup chopped maraschino cherries, well drained

2/3 cup butter

1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

7-1/2 cups sifted powdered sugar

1/2 to 2/3 cup milk

2 teaspoons vanilla

Shaved semisweet chocolate, optional

Edible flower petals, optional

Directions

1. Grease two 9×1-1/2-inch round baking pans; sprinkle lightly with cocoa powder; set aside. In a very large mixing bowl combine the 2 cups granulated sugar, flour, 3/4 cup cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, buttermilk, coffee, oil, and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds until combined, then for 2 minutes on medium speed.

2. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 to 30 minutes or until cakes test done. Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Remove from pans. Cool completely. Split each cake horizontally to make 4 layers total.

3. For filling, combine the ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup granulated sugar, and chocolate pieces. Gently stir in cherries. Place one cake layer on a serving plate. Spread 1/3 of the filling on the bottom layer of cake. Top with another cake layer. Continue layering the filling and cake, ending with cake.

4. For frosting, in a bowl beat butter until fluffy. Gradually add the 1/2 cup cocoa powder and half of the powdered sugar. Slowly beat in half of the milk and the remaining vanilla. Beat in remaining powdered sugar. Beat in additional milk until of spreading consistency. Frost cake. Garnish with shaved chcocolate and edible flower petals, if desired. Makes 14-16 servings.