Sweets

Ricotta Chocolate Chip Muffins

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Feb 21, 2012 in Bread, Breakfast, Chocolate, Dessert, Fashionably Organic, Sweets | 2 comments

Good Morning!  I had so much fun baking in my kitchen a couple weekends ago for a family bridal shower.  I was in charge of the sweets, which I always find fun!  As most of you know I always try to put a healthy spin and/or organic ingredients in every recipe I make.  Although, sometimes they turn out more  like a science experiment, but that also make baking healthier more fun!  Most of the time I can successfully replace unhealthy ingredients with healthy ones.  This recipe was adapted from Skinnytaste.com.  I came across one of Gina’s pictures on Pinterest and I am so excited to have found her blog!  I had leftover ricotta cheese and I wanted to find a recipe that I could incorporate it into before it went to waste.  These little muffins are super moist and with the added sweetness from the chocolate chips makes them perfect with your morning coffee!  Chocolate is my weakness so if I can make something healthy and get my sweet tooth fix, I’m happy!

Ingredients:
2 cups whole wheat pastry flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 cup Organic Butter – unsalted
3/4 cup of Stevia
3 large organic egg whites
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chip morsels

Recipe:
Begin by preheating the over to 375 F. In a medium size bowl mix together the whole wheat pastry flour and baking soda. In a separate bowl (I used my Kitchen Aid mixer) cream the butter and sugar together. Then slowly add the egg whites to the butter/sugar mixture while the beater is on medium speed. Add the ricotta cheese and then slowly add the flour/baking soda mixture. Add the vanilla and then fold the chocolate chips into the batter. You will need a muffin tin and cupcake wrappers or spray the muffin tin so the batter doesn’t stick to the pan. I like to use an ice cream scoop to spoon each muffin spot with about 3/4 of the batter.

Bake the muffins at 375 F for 15 minutes.  Remove muffins from the muffin tin and place on a rack to cool.

This recipe yields a dozen muffins.

Chocolate Overload

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Feb 24, 2011 in Chocolate, Dessert, Sweets | 3 comments

My husband was also sweet enough to make me chocolate cover strawberries and chocolate covered pretzels (he is so cute!) for Valentine’s Day!

Check out his scrumptious bite-size works of art! He bought me a box of See’s Candies too!

Can we say Chocolate Overload, but totally worth it!

Cookies with a Twist

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Jan 1, 2011 in All Cookies, Dessert, Fashionably Organic, Sweets | 2 comments

A Bridal Breakfast for Danielle

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Oct 2, 2010 in Entertainment, Fashionably Organic, Sweets | 2 comments

This summer I was lucky enough to host my sister in-laws bridal shower.  I love to throw parties!  It gives me a reason to bake goodies, as well as decorate!  Let’s just say I don’t know how to do things small and simple.  Well, I guess its simple for me, but I am not a girl that likes to go to the dollar store throw up a few steamers and a banner and call it a day!  No, no, no… instead I go to one of my favorite stores Hobby Lobby and buy home decorations to decorate for her shower!  I had to get all kinds of candle holders, flowers, paper, boxes, letter’s for the bride and grooms initials, etc.  Then I took a trip to the fabric store to pic up fabric for the tables.  My theme for her shower was black, yellow, and gray!  I love these colors!  My theme was based on a picture I found on the internet.  Do you ever find yourself creating a theme based on a picture, a pillow, an outfit, etc.  I pull inspiration for some of the most random places, but I think that makes my ideas eccentric!

I drew inspiration for the party from this picture!

I also had to come up with a fun menu for the shower.  I decided to do the shower on Saturday and make brunch!  I love breakfast foods!  My bridal shower menu consisted of… mozzarella, raspberry and brown sugar waffle panini’s, crust-less bite size quiche, scones, and a yogurt bar with fresh fruit and berries.  For drinks we had orange juice, coffee, and tea!

The shower turned out amazing!  I think Danielle really enjoyed herself!

Recipes:

Yogurt Bar

To create your own yogurt bar… pick out a few of your favorite berries, have 1 to 2 different kinds of yogurt, and a bowl of your favorite organic granola.

Mozzarella, Raspberry and Brown Sugar Waffle Panini’s

What you will need: 1 to 2 boxes of organic whole wheat waffles, organic raspberry jam, organic butter, brown sugar, and mozzarella cheese.

Take one waffle and spread a thin later of butter on one side and sprinkle with brown sugar.  Then take another waffle and spread a thin layer of raspberry jam and place on slice of mozzarella cheese, put the two waffle slices together and place on a panini grill, brown sugar side facing down on the grill, before you close the panini grill butter and sprinkle brown sugar on the other waffle slice too.  Then close the panini grill and let it bake for about 4 minutes until the side are golden brown the the jam and mozzarella is oozing out!

Mini Quiche with Green Onions and Cheese

What you will need: Green Onions, 20 Organic Eggs, 1/4 cup Cream, 1/2 cup of your favorite cheese Cheese ( I used a bag of missed cheddar and mozzarella), 2 cloves of diced garlic and 3 halves of each green, yellow and red bell peppers chopped.  You will also need a cupcake pan and cupcake liners.

Beat the 20 eggs in a large bowl, then add 1/4 cup cream, chopped green onions, 2 diced garlic cloves, 1/2 of each green, red, and yellow bell pepper and cheese. Place the cupcake liners in the cupcake pan and then spray  olive oil in the liners, to prevent the quiche from sticking. Place the mini quiche in a 350 F oven for 40 minutes or until the quiche have fully cooked through.

Zucchini Hazelnut Scones

What you will need: 2 1/2 cups of organic whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of organic sugar, 1tsp of cinnamon,1 tsp of lemon zest, 1/4 cup of oil, 1 organic egg, 1/3 cup of  organic applesauce, 1/2 cup of chopped hazelnuts and 1 cup of grate zucchini.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar, cinnamon together then add in the grated zucchini and lemon zest.  In a separate bowl mix oil, applesauce, and 1 egg together. Slowly stir the flour mixture into the wet mixture.  Mix together until soft dough forms.  Roll into a ball then cut in half and pat each half in 6-7 inch rounds. Dip a knife into flour and cut each round into 5 wedges.  Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with oil and bake 15 minutes at 425 F.

Mango and Cranberry Scones

What you will need: 2 1/2 cups of organic whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon of baking powder, 1/2 teaspoon of salt, 1/3 cup of organic sugar,1 tsp of lemon zest, 1/4 cup of cubed organic butter, 1 organic egg, 1/3 cup of  organic applesauce, 1/4 cup of chopped sweetened dried mango, 1/4 cup of dried cranberries and 1 cup of grate zucchini.

Mix flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and lemon zest together. Poor into a food processor and then slowly cut the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse cornmeal.  In a separate bowl mix applesauce and 1 egg. Slowly  poor the applesauce and egg mixture into the flour continue to mix in food processor (be sure not to over mix).  Poor the mixture into a bowl and mix in dried cranberries and mango’s.  Poor the dough out on a floured surface.  Roll the dough out until its about ½ inch thick.  Dip a knife into flour and cut or use cookie cutters to create scones.  Place on a cookie sheet sprayed with oil and bake 15 minutes at 425 F.

Chocolate Covered Strawberries w/ White Chocolate

Posted by Rachel Ashley on Jun 20, 2010 in Chocolate, Dessert, Fashionably Organic, Sweets | 0 comments

This is a easy and wonderful dessert. My husband made these for me for Valentines Day and they were perfect! (Good job babe!)  If you love fruit and chocolate (and who doesn’t?) then you will love my chocolate covered strawberries with a white chocolate drizzle.  You only need four ingredients!  Plump juicy organic strawberries, organic milk chocolate or dark chocolate, and organic white chocolate, and oil.  Start by thoroughly washing one pound of strawberries and pat dry.  In a glass microwave safe bowl (or you can use a double boiler on your stove top) heat 16 oz. of  milk or dark chocolate and 1 T of canola oil (or oil of your choice) for 1 minute. Dip each strawberry individually and place on a foiled lined baking sheet. Once the chocolate has set on the strawberries, take another glass microwave safe bowl (or you can use a double boiler on your stove top) and heat 8 oz. of white chocolate 1 T of canola oil (or oil of your choice) for 1 minute. Poor the white chocolate into a pastry bag or you can use plastic bag, squeeze chocolate into the corner and snip a very small piece off the corner. Drizzle the white chocolate in a back and forth motion over each chocolate strawberry.  Place the baking sheet of strawberries in the ice box to cool and set.

Food Tip: The oil added to the chocolate keeps the chocolate smooth and silky and gives it a pretty sheen.

Recipe:
1 pound of strawberries
16 oz of milk or dark chocolate
8 oz of white chocolate
2 T of canola oil

Peanut Butter and Chocolate No-Bake Cookies

Posted by Rachel Ashley on May 27, 2010 in All Cookies, Chocolate, Dessert, Fashionably Organic, Sweets | 0 comments

A night of sewing is in store for my mom and I.  We are making curtains, and I have had a sweet tooth sense dinner.  I need chocolate!!!  My mom doesn’t have any chocolate, so I am going to make my own chocolate dessert.  I need something simple and quick; no-bakes sound perfect. Godiva Carmel coffee is brewing, and us girls are hard at work.

These simple delicious no bakes nearly taste like you melted Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups and poured it over oats!  I know its not the healthiest dessert, but organic ingredients + home-made = simply perfect!

You will need a pot, cookie sheet, wax paper, mixing bowl, and a wooden spoon….
Recipe:
5 cups organic oats
1/2 cups organic light brown sugar
1 cup of sugar in the raw (or your preference)
4 T organic cocoa powder
3/4 cup of half and half (or milk, almond milk, etc.)
1/2 stick of unsalted organic butter, cubed
1 cup or organic peanut butter
1/2 cup organic applesauce
2 T pure vanialla extract
1 T of brewed coffee (optional)

Hint: Coffee brings out the flavors in chocolate, its my special ingredient!

Bring the butter, applesauce, sugar, peanut butter and cocoa to a boil.  Pull the pot off the heat and pour in the half and half and vanilla. Place 5 cups of oats in a separate bowl.  Pour the hot mixture onto the oats and mix thoroughly.  On a cookie sheet place a piece of wax paper and use a spoon to drop spoonfuls of the no-bake mix onto the cookie sheet.  The recipe can yield about 30 depending on how big your spoonfuls are.  Place the cookies in the ice box for 15 minutes.  Serve with coffee or milk and enjoy!