desserts

Monday, April 18, 2016

German Chocolate Cookies

This is a combination of two of my very favorite things, German Chocolate Frosting and cookies!  Oh my, it's delicious!  Let's just say, I can eat the frosting by the spoonfuls! Yum!


1/2 cup butter
12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups featherlight flour
3/4 teaspoon xanthan gum
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 1/4 cups brown sugar
3 eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Coconut Pecan Frosting
Milk Chocolate Chips, melted

Melt butter and chocolate chips in a microwave safe bowl, using 50% power.  Once melted, set aside to cool slightly.  

In a medium bowl, combine the dry ingredients:  flour, xanthan gum, cocoa, baking powder and salt. 

In the bowl of an electric mixer, beat the sugar, eggs and vanilla on low speed until combined.  Add the cooled chocolate mixture and blend until combined.  While mixing, add the dry ingredients slowly and blend until just combined.  Cover and refrigerate about 1 hour.  If making the dough a day ahead, let sit at room temperature for 30 minutes before shaping.

While dough is in the refrigerator, make the coconut pecan frosting.  

To bake cookies, preheat oven to 325º.  On a greased cookie sheet place tablespoon size balls of dough about 2 inches apart.  Bake for about 10 minutes.  Cool for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.

Assemble the cookies by placing the cooling rack with the cookies over a baking sheet.  Spoon frosting onto cooled cookies.  Melt chocolate chips and drizzle over frosting.


Coconut Pecan Frosting
1 cup evaporated milk
1 cup sugar
3 egg yolks
1/2 cup butter
1 teaspoon vanilla
1 1/3 cups coconut
1 cup chopped pecans

Combine evaporated milk, sugar, egg yolks, butter and vanilla in a saucepan.  Cook and stir over medium heat until thickened, about 12 minutes.  Add coconut and pecans.  Beat until thick enough to spread.  Makes 2 1/2 cups.



Friday, April 15, 2016

Brazilian Cheese Rolls

These cheese rolls are one of my all time favorites!  I was first introduced to them at Tucanos Brazilian Grill Restaurant.  I had no idea they were so simple to make!  I totally crave them!  They satisfy my bread cravings for sure!



2 cups tapioca starch
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese, grated
1 cup Parmesan cheese, grated (about 2 ounces)
2/3 cup milk
1/3 cup olive oil
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 375º.  Put all the ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth, about 1 minute.  Pour batter into greased mini muffin tin.  Bake until lightly golden, about 17 - 18 minutes.  Serve warm.  It makes 24 - 30 rolls.