Tired Dad Dave and I usually don’t go out for Valentine’s Day. At one time, many years ago, we were both servers and discovered that on holidays, when restaurants are busiest, the food is usually a bit lacking. So we stay home and make an extra-nice dinner. It’s always fun trying to decide what to make and I usually pour over recipes a couple of weeks in advance. I find the toughest part of the meal to plan is dessert – there are just so many great recipes out there!
This year, with the help of Food Network’s All-Star Valentine’s Day Chocolate Line-Up, I have found 3 recipes I’m trying to decide between. I decided to share them with you below and to take a vote about which one to make. So let me hear it, which of these recipes do you think sounds best?
Chocolate Brownie Crunch by The Neelys
Ingredients
- Butter, for greasing pan
- 1 (21-ounce) box brownie mix
- 3 large eggs
- 1 cup chopped pecans
- 10 chocolate-caramel covered wafers
- Ganache, for brownie topping, recipe follows
- Whipped topping, recipe follows
- Fresh raspberries
- Chocolate shavings
Directions
Preheat oven at 350 degrees F.
Prepare brownies as directed on the box for “cake-like” brownies but add additional 3 eggs. Spread half the batter into an 8 by 8-inch prepared pan, top evenly with the pecans and chocolate caramel covered wafers.. Cover with remainder of batter. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes or until the brownies are almost cooked through. Remove brownies from oven. Cool completely. Remove brownies from pan keeping square intact. Place on a baking sheet.
Top with ganache, whipped topping, raspberries, and chocolate shavings.
Ganache:
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- 4 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped finely
- 1/2 cup heavy cream warmed
Mix together syrup and chocolate. Pour warm cream over syrup and chocolate. Stir until melted.
Whipped Topping:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 tablespoons cognac
Whip the heavy cream, adding the sugar and cognac.
Chili-Chocolate Covered Strawberries by Claire Robinson
Ingredients
- 6 ounces bittersweet chocolate, chopped
- 3 tablespoons heavy cream
- 1 tablespoon butter
- 1/8 teaspoon ground pure chili powder, such as ancho
- 10 large strawberries with long stems
Directions
In a heat-proof mixing bowl, add the chocolate, cream, and butter. Place over a smaller pot of simmering water. Be sure the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. Stir until chocolate is melted. Stir in the chili powder and mix until fully incorporated.
Hold each strawberry by the long stem and dip into the chocolate allowing the excess to drizzle back into the pan. Place chocolate covered strawberries on a parchment or waxed paper lined sheet tray. Once chocolate is cool, chill until fully set, about 30 minutes.
Molten Lava Cakes by The Neelys
Ingredients
- 2 sticks butter, unsalted, plus more for ramekins
- 4 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- Pinch cayenne
- Pinch nutmeg
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 6 large eggs
- 6 large egg yolks
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Directions
Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
Butter 8 (6-ounce) ramekins and sprinkle each with about 1/2 teaspoon sugar.
In a saucepan combine butter, cinnamon, cayenne, nutmeg, and chocolate over low heat until melted and smooth; stir frequently. Cool slightly.
In a large bowl whisk together flour, confectioners’ sugar, eggs and yolks, vanilla extract and almond extract until creamy. Add melted chocolate to the batter and whisk together.
Pour into prepared ramekins.
Bake cakes until the top is stiff and cracked and the edges are dark, about 12 to 14 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 5 minutes. Loosen the edges of the cake with a small paring knife then invert onto plates while warm.
So what do you think? Which recipe should we make?
Oh my gosh, these all sound so yummy! I’d love to give the Molten Cake recipe a try. Thanks for sharing.
I vote for all three, LOL! JK. I think the molten lava sounds divine!! TFS the recipes.
Ohh I love molton lava cakes!
Oooh so yummy! all printed and I will give the kids a vote as to which one (or two) they would like to have.
All of these sound so delicious, can’t wait to try them! Thank you!
Chili chocoloate strawberries?! Oh my. That sounds just crazy enough to be delicious!
Ok all these look awesome but I’ve already printed off the Chocolate Brownie Crunch recipe-I’m interested to know which one you picked and how it turned out…
mmmm that Chocolate Brownie Crunch sounds really yummy, but I think Molten Lava cake is my favorite! Anything that is like warm pudding or chocolate sauce and cake all together is a win in my book!
just picked up some super cheap stawberries at the market this week. i’m going to try and dip them this weekend :)
A great way to make a simple dessert special!
Here’s my Valentine’s Soft Serve Breakfast Ice Cream for V-Day:
Makes 2 servings
1 cup frozen raspberries, no added syrup or sugar
1⁄2 cup strawberry or raspberry yogurt
2 tablespoons ripe avocado
1 to 2 tablespoons sugar
Optional: 2 wafer ice cream cones
Put all ingredients in a food processor and puree on high (add a little more yogurt if needed to make a smooth, thick consistency). Serve in an ice-cream cone or parfait glass. If you desire harder ice cream, freeze for at least 30 minutes.