Pumpkin White Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Plan ahead... needs to chill... 
 
1/2 c. unsalted butter, melted
3/4 c. sugar
1/4 c. brown sugar

2 tsp. vanilla
1/3 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. cinnamon
1/8 tsp. nutmeg
pinch of ground cloves
pinch of ground ginger
pinch of salt
2 tsp. cornstarch
1 tsp. baking soda
2 c. flour
1/2 c. white chocolate bar cut into chunks
cooking spray
sprinkles (optional)

In a large bowl, beat together the butter and sugars until combined.

Add in the vanilla and pumpkin. Stir to mix in.

Add in everything else minus the white chocolate (and sprinkles, if you choose to use them) until you get a soft dough.

Stir in the chocolate chunks.

Refrigerate the dough for 30-60 minutes.

When your dough is ready, preheat oven to 350 F. Spray two baking sheets with cooking spray.

Drop dough by tablespoonfuls onto the prepared baking sheets, about 1 inch apart. Bake for 4 minutes, then rotate pans. Bake for 4-6 more minutes. Don't over bake these. They will continue to cook slightly after you remove them from the oven.

Slightly flatten the cookies with the bottom of a glass. Add sprinkles if you want. My two year old added sprinkles to ours.

Let cool on the baking sheets about 10 minutes before removing to a wire rack.

Here's a link to the recipe I slightly adapted: http://thedomesticrebel.com/2014/09/30/the-best-chewy-pumpkin-chip-cookies/

Cranberry White Chocolate Fudge

Cooking spray
2 c. sugar
1/2 c. unsalted butter
3/4 c. sour cream
1/2 tsp. salt
1 c. white chocolate, chopped
7 oz. jar of marshmallow creme
1 tsp. vanilla
1 1/4 c. dried cranberries

Line a 9x13 baking pan with foil and spray with the cooking spray. Set aside.

In a large pot over medium heat, combine the sugar, butter, sour cream, and salt. Stirring rather frequently, bring to a boil. Continue cooking and stirring until the temperature reached the soft ball stage (238 degrees F). Don't skip over this step. Reaching this temperature is what will make your fudge hold together.

Remove from heat and stir in the chocolate until fully melted (it takes a few minutes).


Stir in the marshmallow creme and vanilla until smooth.

Then add in the cranberries until evenly distributed.

Pour into the prepared baking dish. Let cool to room temperature before chilling in the refrigerator overnight. Cut into squares. Store in an airtight container.

Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://www.momontimeout.com/2013/11/white-chocolate-cranberry-fudge/

Irish Cream Cookies with White Chocolate

8 oz. flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. salt
10 Tbsp. butter, room temperature
3 oz. sugar
3 oz. brown sugar
1 egg
1/4 c. Irish cream
3 1/2 oz. white chocolate, chopped

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.

In a bowl, sift the flour, baking powder, and salt together. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream the butter and sugars together on high speed.

Add in the egg. Beat on low speed.

Add in the Irish cream. Beat on low speed until mixed in.

Slowly add in the flour mixture.


Add in the chopped white chocolate. Stir until just combined.

Using small scoops, portion out the cookies. Chill 15 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Bake 12-16 minutes.

Makes about 2 dozen cookies.

Here's the site where I found the original recipe: http://www.savorysimple.net/irish-cream-white-chocolate-chip-cookies

Peppermint Bark

17 oz. white chocolate (not white chips), finely chopped

First layer

30 hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed
7 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
6 Tbsp. heavy cream
1 tsp. peppermint extract

Turn a large baking sheet upside down, and cover it securely with aluminum foil. Measure out a 9x12-inch rectangle on the foil.

Put the white chocolate in a metal bowl, and set it over a saucepan of barely simmering water. (Do not allow the bottom of the bowl to touch the water.) Stir occasionally until the chocolate is melted and smooth; if you take its temperature with a candy thermometer, it should register 110 F.

White chocolate and peppermint

Remove the chocolate from the heat. Pour 2/3 cup onto the rectangle on the foil. Using an icing spatula, spread the chocolate to fill the rectangle. Sprinkle with ¼ cup of the crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

Combine the bittersweet chocolate, cream, and peppermint extract in a heavy medium saucepan. Warm over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture is just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Then remove the baking sheet from the refrigerator, and pour the bittersweet chocolate mixture over the white chocolate rectangle. Using an icing spatula, spread the bittersweet chocolate in an even layer. Chill until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.

Bittersweet chocolate layer

Rewarm the remaining white chocolate over barely simmering water to 110 F. Working quickly, pour the white chocolate over the firm bittersweet layer, using your icing spatula to spread it to cover. Sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.

Carefully lift the foil from the baking sheet onto a large cutting board. Trim away any ragged edges of the rectangle. Using a metal spatula, slip the bark off of the foil and onto the cutting board. Cut the bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections, and then cut each section diagonally into 2 triangles. Or just cut it into the size pieces you want.

Peppermint Bark

Pack into an airtight container, with sheets of wax paper between layers of bark to prevent them from sticking to one another. Store in the refrigerator. Serve cold or let stand at room temperature for 10 minutes before serving.


Here's a link to the recipe I used: http://orangette.blogspot.com/2008/12/look-at-that.html

White Mocha Cupcakes

Cupcakes:
1/2 c. coffee, strongly brewed
1 1/2 tsp. espresso powder

Cupcakes!

1 1/3 c. flour
1/3 c. unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 c. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 c. butter, room temperature
1/2 c. sugar
1/2 c. brown sugar, packed
1 egg, at room temperature
chocolate covered espresso beans, optional
coffee straws, cut in half, optional

White Chocolate Frosting:
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped or grated (not vanilla chips!)
1 c. heavy whipping cream

Frosted cupcakes

To make the cupcakes: Mix the espresso powder into the brewed coffee until dissolved; set aside to cool to room temperature.

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a standard-size muffin tin with paper liners.

Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda and salt in a large bowl.

In a separate bowl, beat the butter and both sugars together on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 2-3 minutes. Add the egg and beat until combined.

In a measuring cup, combine the milk, brewed coffee mixture and vanilla. Slowly add in the flour mixture, alternating with the coffee mixture, ending with the flour mixture.

Cupcakes with straws and beans

Divide the batter evenly between the 12 liners. Bake for 17-20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of a cupcake comes out clean. Cool completely before frosting cupcakes.

To make the frosting: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the white chocolate and 1/2 cup of the cream. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool for 30 minutes or until thickened, stirring once or twice. 

In a small bowl, beat the remaining 1/2 cup of cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture. 

White Mocha Cupcake

Pipe or spread onto the top of the completely cooled cupcakes. Top each frosted cupcake with a chocolate covered espresso bean, if you so desire. Enjoy. 

Makes 12-14 cupcakes. 

Here's a link to the original cupcake recipe: http://www.browneyedbaker.com/2010/08/13/mocha-cupcakes-with-espresso-buttercream-frosting/

You can find the white chocolate recipe elsewhere on my blog: http://trinitywolf3.blogspot.com/2010/08/guinness-black-and-white-chocolate.html

White Chocolate Macadamia Pumpkin Cookies

1/2 c. butter, softened

1/2 c. brown sugar
1/2 c. granulated sugar
1 egg
1/2 c. pumpkin puree
1 tsp. vanilla
1 c. flour
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
3/4 c. rolled oats
1/2 c. white chocolate chips
1/2 c. macadamia nuts, coarsely chopped

Cream the butter and sugars together in a bowl. Beat in the egg, pumpkin, and vanilla. In another bowl, mix the flour, baking soda, and salt. Mix the dry ingredients into the wet. Mix in the oats, chips, and nuts.

Scoop the dough onto a cookie sheet one tablespoon at a time. Bake at 350 F for 8-14 minutes.

Here's a link to the original recipe: http://www.closetcooking.com/2010/11/pumpkin-white-chocolate-and-macadamia.html

Raspberry and White Chocolate Cookies

1/2 c. butter
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. caster (baker's) sugar
1/4 c. + 2 Tbsp. brown sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1 egg, beaten
1 1/2 c. flour
1/2 c. white chocolate chips (I prefer real white chocolate chips to the vanilla or just white chips, but that's because there is no good substitute for pure white chocolate)
1 c. raspberries, frozen, roughly chopped

Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Line 2 baking sheets with parchment or wax paper. Set aside.

Take your raspberries out of the freezer about 15 minutes before using them (So basically when you're getting your ingredients out and starting everything; you don't want them to thaw too much).

Melt the butter in the microwave. Pour into a large bowl. Add both sugars to the bowl. Mix well.

Add in the vanilla, baking soda, egg, and flour. Stir until just combined. Don't over stir.

Add in the white chocolate. Mix well. Add in the raspberries. Mix well.

Using an ice cream scoop or spoon, scoop out the dough and place on the baking sheets, about 2-3 inches apart. Press down the tops of the cookies slightly (and gently).

Bake 12-16 minutes, until the tops of the cookies start turning a golden brown. Let cool on the sheets a few minutes, then remove to a wire cooling rack. Enjoy!

Here's a link to the original recipe I adapted: http://www.anniesnoms.com/2012/09/raspberry-and-white-chocolate-cookies.html

Raspberry Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake

Crust:
2 c. chocolate cream-filled cookies, crushed
2 Tbsp. butter, melted

Before baking

Filling:
16 oz. cream cheese, softened
3/4 c. sugar
1 c. white baking chocolate, melted and cooled
1/3 c. heavy whipping cream
3 tsp. vanilla
3 eggs, lightly beaten
3 Tbsp. seedless raspberry jam

Truffle Layer:
1 1/4 c. heavy whipping cream
1/3 c. sugar
2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
3 Tbsp. seedless raspberry jam

To make the crust: In a large bowl, combine crushed cookies and melted butter. Press into the bottom and up the sides of a greased 9 inch springform pan; set aside.

After baking

To make the filling: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Beat in the melted white chocolate, cream, and vanilla. Add eggs; beat on low speed until just combined. Pour into crust. Drop jam by teaspoonfuls onto filling; swirl with a knife. Place pan on a rimmed cookie sheet.

Bake at 325 F for 40-55 minutes or until center is almost set. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes. Carefully run a knife around the pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer.

With the truffle layer

Meanwhile, make the truffle layer: In a small saucepan combine cream and sugar. Bring to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; stir in chips and jam until smooth. Transfer to a bowl; refrigerate for about 1 hour or until slightly set. Then beat for 1-2 minutes or until light and fluffy. Gently spread over cheesecake. Refrigerate overnight.

Here is a link to the original recipe I used: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/Chocolate-Truffle-Raspberry-Cheesecake

White Chocolate Pumpkin Cheesecake

*Plan ahead... needs to chill

Halloween oreo crumbs!

1 1/4 c. cream-filled chocolate sandwich cookie crumbs

2 packages (8 oz each) cream cheese, softened

2/3 c. sugar

2 tsp. vanilla extract

3 eggs, lightly beaten

1 1/4 c. white chocolate, melted and cooled (the original recipe calls for vanilla chips, but real white chocolate adds way more of a rich flavor)

1/2 c. canned pumpkin puree

1/4 tsp. each ground ginger, cinnamon and nutmeg

White chocolate curls, optional

Place a greased 9-in. springform pan (don't use larger than a 9-in. or the proportions will be off!) on a double thickness of heavy-duty foil (about 18 in. square). Securely wrap foil around pan. Press cookie crumbs onto the bottom of the springform pan; set aside.

Ready for baking!

In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese, sugar and vanilla until smooth. Add eggs; beat on low speed just until combined. Stir in melted white chocolate.

In a small bowl, combine pumpkin and spices; gently fold into cream cheese mixture. Pour into prepared pan.

Place springform pan in a large baking pan; add 1 in. of hot water to larger pan. Bake at 325° for 60-65 minutes or until center is almost set and the top of the cake looks dull. Remove springform pan from water bath. Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.

Carefully run a knife around edge of pan to loosen; cool 1 hour longer. Refrigerate overnight. Remove sides of pan.

Ready to eat!

The original recipe didn't say when to remove the foil, but you should probably do it after it cools for 10 minutes, and make sure no water has seeped into the pan.

Garnish with white chocolate curls if desired. I made a whipped cream topping before adding the white chocolate (I beat together heavy whipping cream and baker's sugar). Refrigerate leftovers.

Recipe from Taste of Home

Flourless Chocolate Cream Cake

Here is a link to my friend's recipe that I used: http://bakingbuzzybee.wordpress.com/2011/08/22/flourless-chocolate-cream-cake/

It turned out pretty well, though it does take a bit of time.

Cake:
6 eggs
2/3 c. caster sugar
1/2 c. cocoa powder (it's actually supposed to be slightly less than 1/2 cup, so just don't fill the cup to the top)

Filling:
200 g. white chocolate (a little less than 8 oz.)
1/2 c. cream (again, slightly less than 1/2 cup)

Topping:
1 c. cream (it's actually 7/8 c. or 13 1/2 Tbsp., or just shy of 1 cup)
50 g. dark chocolate, grated



Preheat the oven to 350 F.

Grease two 8 inch round baking tins and line with baking parchment (if you only have one 8 inch baking tin, like me, then you can just divide the cake ingredients by two and bake one cake at a time).

To make the cake: Start by separating the eggs, place the white in a clean bowl and whisk till stiff. With the yolks beat them with the castor sugar until pale and thick, then add in the cocoa powder to the yolks and beat this lightly.

Gently fold egg whites into the chocolate yolks in three parts, use a metal spoon. Once combined, pour the mix into the prepared tin/s and bake for 10-15 mins. They should be slightly shrunken and springy to the touch. Leave to cool slightly then strip off the paper base.

While waiting for the cake to cool make the filling.

To make the filling: Break up the white chocolate into small pieces and place in a bowl. Bring the cream to the boil then immediately pour over the chocolate, leave for a min then stir till melted. Leave to cool slightly then spread on one layer of the cake to 1 cm away from edge.

(optional) Add berries to the ganache filling e.g. cherries, raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries…

Place the other cake on top of the filling. Whip the cream until it is firm then spread all over cake, sprinkle all over with grated dark chocolate.

 

Recipe courtesy of Miss Deborah Nugent

Guinness Black and White Chocolate Mousse

 Black Chocolate Mousse:
8 oz. semisweet or bittersweet chocolate, chopped or grated
1/2 c. (1 stick) butter
1/4 superfine sugar (baker's sugar)
3/4 c. Guinness stout
3 large eggs, separated
1 c. heavy whipping cream

White Chocolate Mousse:
6 oz. white chocolate, chopped or grated
1 c. heavy whipping cream

To make the black chocolate mousse: In a small bowl set over a pan of simmering water, or in a double boiler, combine the chocolate, butter, and sugar. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Stir in the Guinness and whisk in the egg yolks. Remove from the heat.


In a small bowl, whip the cream with an electric mixer until soft peaks form. Fold the cream into the chocolate mixture. With clean beaters, in a medium bowl, beat the egg whites with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the whites into the chocolate mixture. Fill 8 wine or parfait glasses three quarters full with the chocolate mixture. Refrigerate while preparing the white chocolate mousse.

To make the white chocolate mousse: In a small saucepan over medium heat, combine the white chocolate and 1/2 cup of the cream. Stir until the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. Remove from the heat and let cool, stirring once or twice, for 30 minutes, or until thickened. In a small bowl, beat the remaining 1/2 cup of cream with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold the
whipped cream into the white chocolate mixture. Spoon the mixture over the top of the chocolate mousses and refrigerate for at least 2, and up to 24, hours.

So good.


From The Irish Pub Cookbook