Valentine’s Day may mean sharing a candlelit (and overpriced prix fixe) dinner with your significant other, a night out with your girlfriends, or an equally fabulous night of watching He’s Just Not That Into You curled up on your couch. No matter how you choose to celebrate, one thing is for sure- February 14th would not be Valentine’s Day without some chocolate! Sure, you can easily get your fix by picking the chocolate pieces out of Special K’s Chocolatey Delight cereal, or splurge by eating a whole box of Godiva in one sitting; but, if you’re looking to whip up something special that won’t ruin your spring break diet try these easy and guilt-free chocolate treats.
1. Chocolate Mudslide Cookies Ingredients
1 1/2 tablespoons butter 2 ounces bittersweet chocolate, coarsely chopped 2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, coarsely chopped 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules 1 tablespoon hot water 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour (about 6 3/4 ounces) 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa 2 teaspoons baking powder 1/8 teaspoon salt 2 1/2 cups sugar 1/2 cup egg substitute 2 large eggs 1/2 cup chopped walnuts 1/4 cup semisweet chocolate minichips Directions Preheat oven to 350°. Place butter, bittersweet chocolate, and unsweetened chocolate into a microwave-safe bowl; microwave at HIGH 1 minute or until chocolate is almost melted. Stir until smooth. Combine coffee granules and 1tablespoon hot water, stirring until granules dissolve. Stir coffee and vanilla into chocolate mixture. Lightly spoon flour into dry measuring cups; level with a knife. Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt, stirring well with a whisk. Combine sugar, egg substitute, and eggs in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at high speed 6 minutes or until thick and pale. Gently stir 1/4 of egg mixture into chocolate mixture; stir chocolate mixture into remaining egg mixture. Stir in flour mixture, nuts, and chocolate chips. Cover baking sheets with parchment paper. Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 inches apart on prepared baking sheets; with moist hands, gently press dough into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Bake at 350° for 15 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute. Remove from pans; cool completely on wire racks.
2. Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie
Treats Ingredients 3 tablespoons butter or margarine 1 package (10 oz., about 40) regular marshmallows 6 cups Rice Krispies Directions In microwave-safe bowl heat butter and marshmallows on HIGH for 3 minutes, stirring after 2 minutes. Stir until smooth. Follow steps 2 and 3 above. Microwave cooking times may vary. Add Rice Krispies. Stir until well coated. Using buttered spatula or wax paper evenly press mixture into 13 x 9 x 2-inch pan coated with cooking spray. Cool. Cut into 2-inch squares. Best if served the same day.
3. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
Ingredients 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped 3 ounces white chocolate, chopped 1 pound strawberries with stems (about 20), washed and dried very well Directions Put the semisweet and white chocolates into 2 separate heatproof medium bowls. Fill 2 medium saucepans with a couple inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Turn off the heat; set the bowls of chocolate over the water to melt. Stir until smooth. (Alternatively, melt the chocolates in a microwave at half power, for 1 minute, stir and then heat for another minute or until melted.) Once the chocolates are melted and smooth, remove from the heat. Line a sheet pan with parchment or waxed paper. Holding the strawberry by the stem, dip the fruit into the dark chocolate, lift and twist slightly, letting any excess chocolate fall back into the bowl. Set strawberries on the parchment paper. Repeat with the rest of the strawberries. Dip a fork in the white chocolate and drizzle the white chocolate over the dipped strawberries. Set the strawberries aside until the chocolate sets, about 30 minutes.
4. Smores
Ingredients 6 whole graham crackers 1 bag mini marshmallows 3 (1.55 ounces) Hershey’s Milk Chocolate Bars, split into 2 Directions Split graham cracker into 2 halves. On top of graham cracker squares place mini-marshmallows. Place under broiler for a few seconds until toasty. Remove and place 1/2 of a Hershey bar on top of marshmallow. The heat from the marshmallow will melt the chocolate bar. Place other 1/2 of graham cracker on top. Press lightly to flatten marshmallows. These may be made ahead and wrapped in plastic wrap until ready to heat and eat.
5. Chocolate Chip Meringues
Ingredients 3 egg whites 1/8 teaspoon cream of tartar 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract 2/3 cup white sugar 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/3 cup semisweet chocolate chips Directions Preheat oven to 300 degrees F. Combine egg whites, cream of tartar, and vanilla. Beat until the whites form soft peaks. Slowly add sugar; beat until stiff peaks form, and mixture becomes glossy. Fold in cocoa and chocolate chips. Drop mixture by teaspoonfuls on to a greased cookie sheet. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes. So there you have it- five delicious chocolate recipes that will bring out your most romantic side this Valentine’s Day! http://www.myrecipes.com/recipe/mudslide-cookies-10000001571445/print/ http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/food-network-kitchens/chocolate-cover… http://www.ricekrispies.com/recipes/the-original-treats.aspx#/recipes/th…