13 April 2011

What's on your plate? {oh my sweetness!}

Sweets it is.  Afterall, this is the month of bunnies and chicks and hardboiled pretty eggs and baskets with fake grass and lots and lots of candy.  Hello April, you little Sweetie!

With sweets on the mind this week's What's on your plate? ~ U we've got a few Ulitmates for you.  Check them out and don't blame me for any weight gain. Got it? Good!

Up first [caution: mouth watering ahead] the Ultimate Chocolate Bar = YUMMA!

All you'll need:
1/2 cup butter
1 (1 ounce) square unsweetened chocolate
1 cup white sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup chopped walnuts
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup white sugar
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 cups miniature marshmallows
1/3 cup butter
2 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate
1/3 cup milk
2 ounces cream cheese
4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

All you'll do:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease and lightly flour one 13x9 inch pan.

In large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter and 1 ounce chocolate over low heat. Remove from heat, stir in 1 cup white sugar, 1 cup flour, walnuts (optional-think I will try with almonds instead), baking powder, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 2 eggs.  Mix well. Spread chocolate base evenly into prepared pan.

In a small bowl, combine 6 ounces cream cheese, 1/2 cup white sugar, 2 tablespoons flour, 1 egg, and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla. Beat for one minute with an electric mixer at medium speed, or until smooth and fluffy. Spread cream cheese filling over chocolate mixture.

Bake base and filling at 350 degrees for 25 to 35 minutes.

Meanwhile, prepare frosting. Melt 1/3 cup butter, 2 ounces chocolate, milk, and 2 ounces cream cheese in large saucepan over low heat. Remove from heat, and add confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla; beat well. Important -->Use heat to soften if it begins to dry before you are ready to use it.

Spread marshmallows over the top the chocolate bar in pan. Pour warm frosting over marshmallows. Use kitchen knife to somewhat mix the two. Let cool to room temperature. When cool, cover with foil and refrigerate overnight. Cut cold into small pieces then savor the flavor!

Amount Per Serving: approximately 30
[Calories: 238] [Total Fat: 11.2g ] [Cholesterol: 44mg]

Next, for all of my Sex and The City sisters, the Ulitmate Cosmopolitan = trouble!

All you'll need:
4 fluid ounces vodka
1 fluid ounce triple sec (orange-flavored liqueur)
1 fluid ounce peach schnapps
6 fluid ounces cranberry juice
1 ounce fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

All you'll do:
Pour all ingredients listed above into a cocktail shaker over ice. Cover, and roll the shaker around gently for 30 seconds (this is an important step). Don't shake the cocktail, or the cosmo will froth. Strain into chilled martini glasses & {hiccup} enjoy!

Nap time!