Lure of the Chocolate Chip

I’m proud to be a chocoholic.  I’ve tried weaning myself off this addiction.  Once I managed to avoid chocolate for two weeks, but that was a long time ago.  Without the invention of chocolate chips, I might have succeeded. 

Want a Chocolate Fix? Try This!

 I admit I am a chocoholic.  At Halloween I always make sure I have extra Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups so some will be left for me.  In the summer I turn to fresh strawberries and melted chocolate.  It’s hard to think of a better dessert or a mid-afternoon snack than chocolate-covered strawberries.

If strawberries are out of season, try tangerines.  They’re easy to peel and separate into sections, and they taste wonderful when dipped in chocolate.

Chocolate-Covered Strawberries – serves 4-6

Best Chocolate Chip Cookies Ever!

I make very few desserts that are better than Chocolate Chip Cookies.  This latest version was perfected by my sister-in-law, an excellent cook who enjoys experimenting with both classic and untried recipes.  In this recipe she doubles the baking soda

How to Make Chocolate Granola Bars in 10 Minutes

Whenever I think of granola bars, I think of school lunches.  But with my new recipe for Chocolate Granola Bars, snack time can be much tastier.  The secret ingredient is unsweetened cocoa powder.

 These granola bars, which require no baking, are easy to make and even easier to eat.  They are so good that they can even stand in for dessert—if you haven’t gobbled them all before before dinnertime.

No-Bake Chocolate Granola Bars – adapted from “Chocolate on the Brain” 

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter + more for greasing

1/3 cup brown sugar

1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

1¾ cups granola

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Line an 8- or 9-inch square pan with aluminum foil, making sure two ends of the foil overhang the pan by about 2 inches so you can easily life the bars out of the pan later.  Lightly rub the bottom and sides of the foil with butter and set aside.

Combine the butter, brown sugar and cocoa powder in a medium, heavy pot over medium heat.  Stir occasionally for about 3 minutes, or until the butter has melted.  Remove from the heat and add the granola, chocolate chips, walnuts (if using) and vanilla and stir to combine. 

Scrape the batter into the pan and freeze for 15 minutes or refrigerate for 1 hour, or until the top feels cool and firm.  Carefully lift the ends of the foil and remove the granola mixture from the pan.  Cut into 8 or 16 bars and wrap each one individually in foil or plastic wrap.  Store in the refrigerator in a closed container.

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