Valentine's Day Baked Chocolate Donuts

My son is having a Valentine's Day party at Preschool tomorrow ,and I signed up to make the "cookies". I decided to make these baked donuts in my heart-shaped wilton donut pan. They turned out super cute after I drizzled a jar of hot fudge ( you could also use chocolate syrup) on top and sprinkled heart sprinkles on them. They only take 10 minutes to bake and the entire process took me less than 20 minutes. Since they are baked and not fried, I feel good about offering a semi-healthy treat to the children. I made a few extra ones to serve to my hubby and son on Valentine's Day Morning....just a simple and delicious way to show them how very much I love them. Happy Valentine's Day, dear friends! You are cherished and loved!

Ephesians 3:18-19
"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God."

~~~

Baked Chocolate Donuts

(16 small donuts)

Ingredients:

•2 cup flour
•3/4 cup sugar
•1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
•1 tsp baking powder
•1 tsp baking soda
•1 tsp salt
•3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp milk
•2 egg
•1 tsp vanilla extract
•2 Tbsp butter, melted

Directions:
•Mix dry ingredients in bowl. Beat in the eggs, milk, vanilla and butter. Beat until well blended.
•Spray donut pan with cooking spray. Fill each donut cup about 3/4 full (I use a ziploc with the corner snipped to do this neatly). Fills about 12-16 donuts.
•Bake donuts in 325 degree oven for about 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly, remove from pan.
•Drizzle each donut with hot fudge or chocolate syrup, allow to cool. (optional- sprinkle with toppings). Allow chocolate to set (about 15 minutes). If you don't want to use a chocolate topping you could dust them with powdered sugar. Enjoy!

2 Ingredient Strawberry Fudge & Neapolitan Valentine Cupcakes

I hosted a 31 Party this weekend which gave me the opportunity to make some super yummy and simple Valentines Goodies-2 ingredient Strawberry Fudge and Neapolitan Valentine Cupcakes. I found both recipes on Pinterest and they were both a huge success. I loved that they were quick and easy. They turned out so pretty and so very tasty.

Bake some for your child's Valentines party at school or for your family to share as you celebrate how much you love one another. And, remember that your Heavenly Father is Crazy, Head over Heels, Lavishly in Love with you-His AGAPE love far outpasses any other love!

Blessings to you my dear friends!!

Ephesians 3:18
"And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is."

~~

2 Ingredient Strawberry Fudge

Ingredients:
1 (16 oz) can of strawberry frosting
1 12 oz bag of white chocolate chips

Directions:
1.Prepare a 9x9 pan by spray lightly with cooking spray.
2.Over a double boiler, or in the microwave, melt your white chocolate chips. (I microwaved them for 1 minute and stirred at 30 seconds).
3.When chips are melted, remove from heat and stir in your strawberry frosting, evenly.
4.Spread in your prepared pan and place in fridge to set for 30 minutes.
5.Cut into squares to serve. Sprinkle with Valentine Sprinkles.

Notes
Store in an airtight container for up to a week.
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Valentine Neapolitan Cupcakes
Source: Inspired by {Heart}2 Stamp and AllRecipes

Ingredients:
• 1 (19.5 ounce) package brownie mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil (you could also use canola oil)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package strawberry cake mix (or any flavor you want)
• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil (you could also use canola oil)
• 1 1/3 cups water
• 3 egg whites

Directions:
1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 24 muffin cups with paper liners.
2. Whisk together the brownie mix, 2 eggs, 1/2 cup canola oil, and 1/4 cup water in a bowl. Stir just until fully incorporated, about 50 strokes; set aside.
3. Mix the cake mix, 2 tablespoons canola oil, 1 1/3 cup water, and 3 egg whites in a large bowl with an electric mixer on low speed until combined. Mix on medium speed for 2 minutes.
4. Spoon the brownie batter into prepared muffin cups, filling each cup 1/3 full. Spoon the cake batter over the brownie batter, until muffin cups are each 2/3 full.
5. Bake in the preheated oven until golden and the tops spring back when lightly pressed, about 20 minutes.
I topped the cupcakes with my go-to Wilton icing recipe and chocolate sprinkles.

WILTON WHITE ICING
(Yield: 3 cups-enough to frost 24 cupcakes)
Ingredients:
1/2 teaspoon Clear Vanilla Extract
1/2 teaspoon Almond Extract
4 tablespoons water
1 cup solid vegetable shortening (Crisco)-
I use the Crisco Sticks (1 stick per recipe)
1 lb. sifted confectioners' sugar (approximately 4 cups)
Directions:
Sift confectioners' sugar in a large mixing bowl. Set aside. Cream shortening, flavorings, and water. Gradually add sifted dry ingredients and mix on medium speed with your mixer until all ingredients have been thoroughly mixed together Blend an additional minute or so, until creamy. Fill a Decorators Bag with the icing and fit with whatever tip you like to decorate. Pipe Frosting onto tops of cupcakes in pretty patterns or designs.

Double Chocolate Chip Toffee Bread

I was perusing Pinterest recently (it is seriously SO ADDICTIVE), when I came across a recipe for Double Chocolate Toffee Bread. Feel free to follow my Pinterest boards here: http://pinterest.com/joyouschris/

I made the bread today, and the results were amazing! It is the perfect bread to serve with a glass of cold milk or a cup of hot chocolate. Slice it up, place a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top, drizzle some hot fudge, and add a cherry, and you have a yummy chocolate sundae perfect for your Super Bowl festivities. Kids and Adults of all ages will love this yummy treat.

You are prayed for and dearly loved by your Heavenly Father! I wanted to share this new Kari Jobe song that has blessed my heart this week-we can always, always find God on our knees. Blessings dear friends!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sx2e58cL8r4&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Double Chocolate Chip Toffee Bread

Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup butter, softened (1/2 stick)
1 cup sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla
2 eggs
3/4 cup cocoa
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/8 tsp. salt
1 3/4 cup flour
1 cup chocolate chips
1 cup toffee bits

Topping:
1/2 cup chocolate chips
1/2 cup toffee bits

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees; grease a 9 x 5 inch bread pan. Cream together the sugar, butter, sour cream & vanilla. Mix in the beaten eggs. Incorporate the cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and flour. Fold in the chocolate chips and toffee bits. Pour into your prepared pan; top with remaining chocolate chips and toffee bits. Bake in preheated oven for 50-55 minutes; remove from pan. Slice, serve and enjoy! It is delicious served both warm and cold.