Double Chocolate Chip Brownies

I love chocolate! Honestly it is hard for me to imagine a world without chocolate! I do buy brownies from the store occasionally but I prefer to make them. Especially when I can eat them still warm!

When I make chocolate desserts, I like to use chocolate chips or squares. I use powder sometimes when the recipe calls for it. For this recipe I used semi-sweet chocolate chips, I like it to be a bit bitter because there is sugar added.

There are three methods I know of when it comes to melting chocolate, the best way is melting it in a metal bowl over a saucepan of hot water.

You can also microwave but only a little time at a time. Stir in between.

Some people do melt chocolate straight in the saucepan, but there is higher risk of separation and burning.

2 cups (12 ounce package) semi-sweet chocolate chips, Divided

½ cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, cut into pieces

3 large eggs

1 ¼ cups all-purpose flour

1 cup granulated sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

¼ teaspoon baking soda

Preheat the oven to 350 F. Grease 13 x 9 inch baking pan.

Melt 1 cup chocolate and butter in a metal bowl over hot water on medium heat.

Remove from heat, stir in eggs. When mixed add flour, sugar, vanilla and baking soda. Stir in remaining chocolate.

Spread evenly in prepared baking pan.

Bake for 18 to 22 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out slightly sticky. Cool completely in the pan on wire rack. (You don’t have to follow this rule since I always break it)

Enjoy!

Chocolatey Raspberry Crumb Bars

I love my chocolate with a bit of fruit, it is always the best. I like to make my own dessert sometime when I am in the mood. This recipe is very sweet and rich, however this one is my love-hate relationship because it is so good that I have trouble stopping myself eating it until it is all gone. It is handy to have someone with me to keep an eye on me. heehee. 

It is easy enough to make but you have to be careful with a few things such as the butter which has to be soft. If it isn’t soft then put it in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds. Make sure the brown sugar is light not dark. 

Have fun!!

1 cup (2 sticks) unsalted butter, softened

2 cups all-purpose flour

1/2 cup light brown sugar

1/4 tsp salt 

2 cups (12 ounce package) semi-sweet chocolate morsels, (divided)

1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk

1/3 cup seedless raspberry jam

1. Preheat oven to 350 F. Grease 13 x 9 inch baking pan
2. Beat butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Beat in flour, sugar and salt until crumbly
3. With floured fingers, press 1 1/4 cups crumb mixture onto bottom of prepared baking pan; reserve remaining mixture
4. Bake for 10 to 12 minutes or until edges are golden brown
5. Microwave 1 cup morsels and sweetened condensed milk in medium , uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on HIGH (100%) power for 1 minute.
6. Stir. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10 to 15 seconds , stirring just until then morsels are melted
7. Spread over hot crust
8. Sprinkled the reserved crumb mixture over the chocolate layer. Drop teaspoonfuls of jam over the crumb mixture. Sprinkle with remaining morsels.
9. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until center is set. Cool in pan on wire rack.
10. Cut into Bars