Grasshopper Swirl Bunt Cake

This Grasshopper Bundt Cake is rich, mint and a definite crowd pleaser. 

Who doesn’t love the combo of mint and chocolate! 

I love a good Bundt cake. This homemade Mint Chocolate Bundt Cake is unique in that it has these delicious green mint ribbons throughout it. And don’t get me started on the chocolate ganache drizzle! Trust me, this cake is not lacking in the flavor department! 

Ingredients
Filing

• 2 packages (3 oz each) cream cheese, softened
• ¼ cup powdered sugar
• ½  tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 egg
• ⅛ teaspoon peppermint extract
• 3 drops green food color

Cake

• 2 boxes of Chocolate cake mix plus ingredients requested on the box

Chocolate and Cream Cheese Glaze

• 4 ounces cream cheese, room temperature
• 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar, sifted
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 3 to 4 tablespoons milk
• ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract, optional 
• 1 or 2 drops green food color

Instructions

Heat oven to 325°F. Grease bundt pan. In a small bowl, beat cream cheese with an electric mixer on high speed until smooth and fluffy. Beat in rest of ingredients until smooth; set aside.

In a large bowl, beat the cake mix as directed on the box. 

Pour half the cake batter into the pan. Spoon cream cheese filling over batter, using a butter knife, swirl the filing throughout the cake batter. Pour the rest of the cake batter on top.

Bake 35-45 minutes or until a toothpick inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean. Cool in pan for 15 minutes. Turn pan upside down onto cooling rack; remove pan. Cool completely, about 1 hour.

In a 1-quart saucepan, heat chocolate chips and butter over low heat, stirring frequently, until melted; set aside. 

For glaze, mix the ingredients in a medium size bowl. Make sure you sift the powdered sugar, or else you will have lumps. Add water if you need to thicken the glaze until it can be easily drizzled. Drizzle over cake. 

Immediately spoon melted chocolate over glaze in a 1/2-inch-wide ring. 

Refrigerate until serving time. Store loosely covered in the refrigerator.

Advertisement

Chocolate Espresso Biscotti

My Meme and Papa loved Biscotti!

Do not get scared away from making these classic, twice-baked Italian cookies at home! Biscotti cookies are incredibly easy to make and can be customized with your favorite add-ins. Biscotti remind me of my grandparents, Meme and Papa. They would always dip a biscotti in their coffee. If you’ve ever had biscotti before, you already know that it’s not soft at all; instead it’s hard and crunchy. Perfect for dipping into your morning coffee or a glass of milk.  See I just gave you an excuse to eat cookies for breakfast!

Tonight, I wanted to make a cookie that I could drizzle my leftover orange chai cream cheese from my Orange Chocolate Chai Roll so I created this Chocolate Espresso Biscotti recipe.  Let me tell you, the batter was to die for! I seriously could have eaten the entire bowl! Rich in chocolate and espresso… the perfect combination! You can either drizzle the tops of these with the orange chia cream cheese, melted chocolate or just eat them as are. Honestly they are that versatile. 

• 

  Form the dough into a ball and cut into quarters.

• 

  Form into logs and place on prepared baking sheet.

• 

  Bake for 30 minutes and 300 degrees F.
  The logs will expand.

• 

  Slice the log diagonal into 3/4 slices.
  Bake for addition al ten minutes.

INGREDIENTS

• 1 ¾  cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour, spooned into measuring cup and leveled-off
• ¼  cup plus 2 tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder, such as Hershey’s
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• ¾  teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons Espresso instant coffee, such as Café Bustelo
• 1 stick (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, at room temperature
• ¾  cup plus 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

INSTRUCTIONS

Preheat the oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

In a medium bowl, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt.

In the bowl of an electric mixer, cream the butter and sugar until light and fluffy, 1-2 minutes. Scrape down the sides of the bowl with a rubber spatula. 

Add the eggs, one at a time, scraping down the bowl and mixing well after each addition. 

Beat in the vanilla. 

Add the dry ingredients And stir on low speed until just combined.

Dust a work surface with cocoa powder. 

Using a rubber spatula, scrape the sticky dough out onto the work surface and dust the top of the dough lightly with cocoa powder. 

Using your hands, shape the dough into a rough ball (if it’s still too sticky, dust with a bit more cocoa powder) and cut into quarters. 

Form the dough pieces into four short logs by rolling back and forth. Place the logs onto the prepared baking sheet and shape into longer logs about 3/4-inch high and 2 inches wide. 

Allow enough space for the logs to spread a few inches while they bake. 

Bake for about 30 minutes, until firm to the touch. 

Let the biscotti logs cool on the pan for about 5 minutes, or until just cool enough to touch (if you wait any longer, the biscotti will be difficult to cut); then, using a sharp knife, slice the logs on the diagonal into 3/4-inch slices (I do this right on the baking sheet). They will crumble just a bit; don’t worry about it. 

Turn the biscotti on their sides (so that the cut sides are down) and place back in the oven for 10 minutes to dry and crisp up. 

Let cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer to a wire rack to cool completely. 

Once cool, drizzle with your choice or leave as is. 

Orange Chocolate Chai Roll

I’ve always wanted to make a swiss roll cake. Every time I watch a baking show on Food Network or my favorite show the Great British Baking Show, I’m memorized how they roll the cake and fill it with deliciousness. So when my friend Adam told me he made one, we started talking about different flavors to put together for a Christmas one. He inspired me to create my own. 

I used cocoa powder, brewed chai tea, and orange zest for the cake batter. For the filing, I used cream cheese, pumpkin spice seasoning, more zest and orange juice. 

When I sliced into the orange to add the juice, I realized I accidentally bought blood oranges at the market. I was so excited, I actually did a little dance. When my Papa and I were in Sicily, we would eat a blood orange every morning with breakfast. It was like he was sending me a little sign from heaven! 

• 

• 

• 

INGREDIENTS

CAKE:

• 3 large eggs
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 2 teaspoons chai tea
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¼ cup orange zest
• 3 tablespoons juice from orange
• ¼ teaspoon cinnamon 
• 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 cup all purpose flour
• Powdered sugar to aid in rolling

FILING 

• 8 oz cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest
• 2 cups powdered sugar
• 2 tablespoons Heavy whipping cream

INSTRUCTIONS

MAKE THE CAKE:

Preheat the oven to 350°F. Line (10×15”) pan with parchment paper and spray with cooking spray.

Beat eggs at high speed for 3 minutes, until frothy and dark yellow. 

Beat in sugar, tea, and vanilla extract.

In a separate bowl, whisk together cocoa, salt, baking powder, and flour. 

Blend the dry ingredients into wet ingredients.

Spread in the prepared pan. Batter will be in a very thin layer and you will need to use a wooden spoon or spatula to spread it to all the corners of the pan. 

Bake for 10-15 minutes. You’ll know it’s done because if you lightly poke the top with your fingertip it will slightly bounce back.

While the cake is baking, set a clean kitchen towel out on a large work surface, lay a sheet of parchment paper on top of the towel. Sprinkle liberally with powdered sugar and cocoa powder (about ¼ cup). 

As soon as the cake comes out of the oven, turn it over on the kitchen towel sprinkled with powdered sugar and cocoa. Remove parchment paper carefully.

Working at the short end, fold the edge of the towel over the cake. Roll tightly, rolling up the cake into the towel. Let cool completely while rolled, at least one hour (or you can wrap it and chill it overnight).

MAKE THE FILING

Combine cream cheese, pumpkin pie spice, and 1 teaspoon orange zest in a medium bowl. Beat at medium speed until well mixed. 

Gradually add 2 cups powdered sugar and heavy whipping cream, beating well after each addition until smooth and creamy.

Gently unroll cooled cake. Spread filling over cake to 1/2 inch from all edges. 

Starting at the 10-inch side, gently roll up the cake. 

Sprinkle with additional orange zest just before serving. 

Cut into slices. 

Triple the Chocolate Cookies

Chocolate Lovers, this cookie is for you!

These cookies are so easy to make and will satisfy every chocolate craving!

For these cookies, I start with natural unsweetened cocoa powder, then add in milk chocolate chips and my favorite white chocolate chunks. I love the triple effect from the cocoa powder, chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks- it adds an extra depth of richness.

You could also use semi-sweet chips instead of milk chocolate or dark chocolate instead of white chocolate. Seriously, use your favorite chocolate!

Here’s the gist on how to make these Chocolate lover cookies! 

CREAM. Using an electric mixer, cream together the butter and sugars. Mix in the eggs and vanilla until smooth.

MIX. In a separate bowl, whisk together all of the dry ingredients. Slowly pour the flour mixture into the wet mixture and mix until just combined. Then fold in the chocolate chips and white chocolate chunks,  chill the dough in the fridge for 15-20 minutes.

BAKE. Using a medium cookie scoop, scoop the dough onto a parchment lined baking sheet. Bake in the oven at 350°F for 8 to 10 minutes, or even until edges are slightly crisp and the center is soft.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
• 1/2 cup granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup packed light or dark brown sugar
• 1 large egg, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 cup all-purpose flour (spoon & leveled)
• 1/2 cup + 2 Tablespoons natural unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon milk 
• 1 ½ cups chopped white chocolate bar, 2 bars
• 1 cup milk chocolate chips

Instructions

In a large bowl using a hand-held or stand mixer, beat the butter, granulated sugar, and brown sugar together on medium high speed until fluffy and light in color. 

Beat in the egg and vanilla extract. 

In a separate bowl, whisk the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda and salt together until combined.

With the mixer running on low speed, slowly pour into the wet ingredients. 

Beat on low until combined. The cookie dough will be quite thick. 

Beat in the milk, then the chocolate chips and chunks. 

Cover dough tightly with plastic wrap and chill for 15-20 minutes.

Preheat the oven to 350°F. 

Line a baking sheet with parchment paper .

Scoop and roll into balls. Arrange 2-3 inches apart on the baking sheets. 

The cookie dough is sticky, I like to keep a cup of water next to the bowl and dip the scoop in to help the dough from sticking. 

Bake the cookies for 11-12 minutes or until the edges appear set and the centers still look soft. Allow to cool completely. 

Red Wine Espresso Truffles

These truffles have all my favorite flavors in one…Chocolate, Espresso & Red Wine!

Get ready to add this easy recipe to your holiday dessert list! Because is there anything better than red wine and chocolate?! 

It’s the red wine that makes these dark chocolate truffles stand out from all the rest. Scout & Cellar Gallivant Cabernet Sauvignon adds flavors of black raspberry and currant to the richness of the chocolate and espresso! 

Don’t be afraid of the fancy sound that truffles bring. 

All you do is mix the ingredients, refrigerate, scoop into balls, roll in cocoa powder and refrigerate again before serving. 

So pour yourself a glass of Scout & Cellar Gallivant Cabernet Sauvignon, and let’s make some truffles! 

Ingredients 

• 8 ounces bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, roughly chopped
• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 5 tablespoons dry red wine, such as Scout & Cellar Gallivant Cabernet Sauvignon
• 2 teaspoons Confectioners Powdered Sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 teaspoon espresso powder
• 4+ tablespoons Cocoa powder, for dusting

Instructions 

Place chopped chocolate in a large mixing bowl. 

Heat cream in a small saucepan over medium high, just until it boils. 

Pour hot cream directly into the bowl with chocolate, then add wine, powdered sugar, vanilla and espresso powder. Gently whisk the mixture together until chocolate is smooth and melted. (If chocolate does not melt completely, place it over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring until it melts completely.) 

Cover bowl, then place it in refrigerator to set, 1 to 2 hours.

Line a baking sheet with parchment or wax paper Pour about 4 tablespoons of cocoa powder into a wide plate or pie dish. 

With a small scoop or spoon, scoop chocolate, place into the bowl with the cocoa powder and roll it into a ball. 

Place on the prepared baking sheet, then repeat with remaining chocolate.

Refrigerate truffles for 30-60 minutes to set. 

Serve slightly chilled or at room temperature.

http://www.scoutandcellar.com/whiskawaykitchen