How to Have a Chocolate Covered Christmas

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

01 Dec 2008 12:28 AM

If you cooked a Thanksgiving feast fit for an army of guests, then you probably aren't looking forward to going back into the kitchen any time soon. Unfortunately, your break probably won't be very long given that Christmas is right around the corner.

To kick off the FOOD blog's "Countdown to Christmas" series I'm highlighting an ingredient that most people can't resist indulging in during the holiday season-chocolate. Personally, there's no better incentive to get me back in the kitchen than whipping up delectable coca-filled treats.

If you are working on your holiday menu, consider the following fabulously rich chocolate creations:

HOMEMADE CHOCOLATE HO-HO

Ingredients:

6 oz. Almond Paste

6 eggs, separated

1 cup Sugar

6 oz. Chocolate

3 cups Heavy Whipping Cream, whipped with a 1/2 cup sugar until stiff peaks form

1 container Cool Whip or Fresh Whipped Cream

Powdered sugar for garnish

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Whip 5 egg whites until stiff peaks form. Remove from bowl. Add sugar, almond paste, 1 egg white and cream together in a mixer until smooth.

Add egg yolks one at a time.

Add melted chocolate and mix until well incorporated. Fold in whipped egg whites and spread evenly on a cookie sheet.

Bake for 15-25 minutes. Let cool.

Slather with whipped cream, then roll, jellyroll style, with whipped cream in center.

Dust with powdered sugar before serving.

FRIED OREOS

Ingredients:

1-1/4 cup all-purpose flour

2 teaspoons baking powder

1/8 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

3/4 cup milk

Vegetable oil for frying

20-25 Oreo Cookies

Powdered sugar, for garnish

Directions:

Combine flour, baking powder and salt in large bowl, set aside.

In small bowl, whisk together egg and milk. Combine the milk mixture with the flour mixture, stirring just until well blended.

In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, add enough oil to come 1/3 of the way up the sides of the pan, or about 1-1/2-inch deep.

Heat the oil to 360 degrees.

Dip cookies in batter and carefully place in hot oil using a slotted spoon.

Fry until batter is golden, about 2 minutes.

Turn cookies and fry for approximately one minute more.

Remove and place cookies on a paper towel-lined plate.

Dust with powdered sugar and serve immediately.

Related Articles:

A Dinner Made of Chocolate: Chocolate Chicken and Chocolate Cherry Cookies

Mint Chocolate Treats

All About Chocolate

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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