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Tag: chocolate

  • Connect to Nature with Black Dinah Chocolatiers

    Connect to Nature with Black Dinah Chocolatiers

    This conversation is sponsored by Black Dinah Chocolatiers. All opinions are my own. 

    There is a beauty in nature that brings out my inner child. We all need a place and time to escape the stresses of our world. I find that solace in nature and chocolate.

    Escape the stresses of the world with a box of Black Dinah chocolates and nature. ad

    Growing up in New England, I was blessed with some of the most beautiful sights during the fall. It wasn’t just fall, though, with it’s changing colors. No, I was fortunate to live in the middle of 50 acres of forest that afforded me the luxury of finding peace away from my troubles whenever I needed it.

    Our house sat atop a hill overlooking a lake. At least, it would have overlooked the lake if the trees weren’t in the way. I’d say I spent 90% of my early childhood outdoors. We built trails, cleared campsites, and played some amazing games of capture the flag with the creek our borders, right outside our front door. 

    The moments that truly stick out to me, are the ones I spent alone in those woods. Days my older brothers were annoying. When my BFF and I would fight. When I just needed to get away from the house. I would take off into the woods. I found so much solace in the midst of ferns, birches, and pine. I can still smell the vibrant flavors of the forest. 

    Find your solace on a walk through the woods with Black Dinah. ad

    When we moved to Indiana, one of the first places I discovered was this pretty little walking park. In the middle of the city, it had all the makings of my childhood home – forest, creek, dirt trails. I love taking my kids to this trail to go walk around, skip rocks across the creek, and play on the bridge. I want them to find peace in nature as I did. Life can get overwhelming at times, but we can always head out to nature and leave the world of people behind – if just for an afternoon. 

    Black Dinah Chocolates infuse local ingredients sourced from the land for a delicious confection. ad

    This last weekend we took some chocolate from Black Dinah Chocolatiers on our foray to the forest. I really couldn’t think of a better combination to escape the harsh world than a trip to nature with a box of some of the finest chocolates I’ve ever tasted. 

    Black Dinah Chocolatiers are handmade with fresh cream and butter from local farms. They buy or trade for the herbs and flowers with locals at farmers markets in Maine. They state “We know you can taste the difference”, and it’s true. 

    Infused with locally sourced Lavender, Black Dinah Chocolates transport your taste buds. ad

    The Lavender is absolutely amazing. As we all took a bite into our delicious chocolate, I could taste the local ingredients and feel almost transported home. The kids were in love too. I doubt they’ve ever tasted chocolate as fine as Black Dinah. 

    READER DISCOUNT

    I know you want to try Black Dinah Chocolatiers for yourself. You might even want to give a box as a gift this year. When you use Truffle10 you’ll take $10 off your orders of $50+. And every order over $75 comes with Free Shipping in the US. coupon expires 12/31/17

  • Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    Add the flavors of spring to this decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake. With a secret ingredient, this cake goes from good to amazing! This post contains affiliate links and I will be compensated if you click on and purchase through them.

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    It all started when our Relief Society celebrated it’s 174th birthday back in March. As a committee, we decided to serve up bundt cakes. I thought for sure I was going to be in trouble because years ago I threw out my bundt pan because no matter what I did the cake always stuck inside. I agreed to make a cake, though and left with a few pointers for getting the whole cake out. 

    Chocolate covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    First, I hit up Pinterest and found this recipe for White Chocolate Raspberry Bundt Cake at Baked in Arizona. I couldn’t pass it up! Next, I had to find a new bundt pan. We were browsing birthday gifts for Mark at Kroger one day, when would you believe it – Bundt pans were on a BOGO free sale! Someone knew I needed to make a bundt cake, and they must have known you’d like a chance at winning one too! So make sure you scroll down after the recipe and grab your entries to this giveaway!

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

    When I flipped that cake over and it actually came out I most definitely did a happy dance and squealed like a little girl. Who knew you had to let the cake completely cool first? OK, that’s not all I did but hang on for the next tip. First, I have to tell you about this Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake. After we enjoyed the White Chocolate Raspberry Cake, my sister in law turns to me and says “Too bad you couldn’t make it a cheesecake bundt cake”. 

    Oh, she knows me so well! That got my wheels turning, and thanks to a not-so-secret ingredient, that’s exactly what this Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake is! Well, at least as close as you can probably get to making a cheesecake in a bundt pan. The secret? Cheesecake flavored pudding!

    Cake Decorating Supplies

    2 Tips for Removing a Bundt Cake from the pan successfully

    1. You must let it cool completely! I always thought just until it’s warm was good enough. NOPE! Let that cake sit for a few hours until it’s completely cool to the touch. Time to learn a little patience. 
    2. Mix 1 TBS vegetable oil, 1 TBS shortening, and 1 TBS flour. Using a pastry brush, brush the mixture all over the pan, taking special care to get in all the grooves. I’ve tried finding where I got this tip from, and the video seems to have disappeared. This has worked like a charm, and so much better than greasing and flouring.

    Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake
    A decadent bundt cake filled with the flavors of spring and covered in chocolate
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 box Vanilla Cake Mix
    2. 2 3.4oz boxes Cheesecake Flavored Pudding Mix
    3. 4 large eggs
    4. 1/2 cup Water
    5. 1/2 cup Oil
    6. 12oz bag semi-sweet chocolate chips, separated
    7. 21 oz can Strawberry/Rhubarb pie filling
    8. 4oz cream cheese
    9. 2 TBS butter
    10. 1 cup powdered sugar
    11. 1 tsp chocolate exrtract
    12. 6-8 strawberries
    Instructions
    1. Preheat oven to 325° F.
    2. Mix together cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, water, and oil. Set aside.
    3. Chop 1 cup of chocolate chips. Mix into the cake batter.
    4. Pour 1/3 batter into bundt pan.
    5. Layer 1/2 the pie filling.
    6. Repeat until cake batter and pie filling are all in pan.
    7. Bake for 1 hour 15 minutes.
    8. Melt 1/2 cup chocolate chips in the microwave. Set aside to cool.
    9. Beat cream cheese, butter, powdered sugar, and chocolate extract until smooth.
    10. Add melted chocolate and beat until smooth.
    11. Set aside.
    12. Melt the last 1/2 cup of chocolate chips. Dip whole strawberries in and set aside to cool and harden.
    13. When cake is done, top with frosting, and chocolate covered strawberries. Enjoy
    Notes
    1. Grease bundt pan with a mixture of 1:1:1 mixture of oil, shortening, and flour. Let cake cool completely before removing from pan.
    Adapted from Baked in Arizona
    Adapted from Baked in Arizona
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
    Decadent Chocolate Covered Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake

     

    Giveaway

    Since I can’t physically send you this delicious Strawberry Rhubarb Bundt Cake, I’ll be sending one of you a brand new bundt pan so you can make it yourself! 

    Giveaway open to US 18+ Ends  5/31/16

     

  • Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    *I received an Influenster Box with Dove Fruit. All opinions are my own.
     
    A couple weeks ago when our temps hit the mid 80’s I was dying! Suffice it to say, I’m not a warm weather gal. This Dove Blueberry Milkshake came at the right time to cool off just as the weather started to cool off too. 
     
    Dove Blueberry Milkshake
     
    Ever since Dove came out with their Real Fruit Chocolate, I have been hooked! We found some snack bags for 10cents one day at our local Walmart and practically bought them out. They made great incentive treats for the kids. 
    As great as these are to just snack on, I knew I could really indulge if I tossed them in a milkshake. We’ve done a lot of smoothies this year, but milkshakes are new to the kids. They weren’t sold on the idea until they learned it included ice cream
     and chocolate.

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake

    Dove Blueberry Milkshake
    No excuse needed to cool down with this Dove Blueberry Milkshake
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    Ingredients
    1. 1 bag Dove Real Fruit Blueberries
    2. 2 cups Vanilla Ice Cream
    3. 3/4 cup Frozen Blueberries
    4. 1 cup milk
    Instructions
    1. Combine the ice cream, milk, blueberries and Dove in a blender.
    2. Blend until smooth.
    3. Top with a few Dove Real Fruit Blueberries and enjoy.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
    Enjoyed this recipe? Check out this Homemade Horchata
     
     
  • TWIX Bites Trail Mix #EatMoreBites #shop

    TWIX Bites Trail Mix #EatMoreBites #shop

    I am a member of the Collective Bias®  Social Fabric® Community.  This shop has been compensated as part of a social shopper amplification for #CollectiveBias and its advertiser. #EatMoreBites
     
    TWIX Bites Trail mix #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
     
    We wanted to go hiking over Memorial Day Weekend, so I wanted to have something to keep the kids energy up, but that they wouldn’t complain about either.  We headed to Walmart to pick up ingredients for our own trail mix. I could not resist grabbing a couple bags of TWIX Bites to toss in the mix. I had to reach way back in the shelf, since everyone else seems to like TWIX as much as I do.
     
    Find TWIX Bites at Walmart #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
    I almost grabbed some UNO too…but remembered we already have it.
     
    Now in case that picture of shelves and shelves of candy has you running to the store before you get down to the recipe….WAIT. Grab one of these coupons first!
    MARS Brand Bites Coupons! #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
     
    Or head to Coupons.com and grab one of these offers
    Save $0.50 Off any two (2) MARS Brand Bites, 2oz. or larger. Includes TWIX®, 3 MUSKETEERS®, MILKY WAY® Simply Caramel, MILKY WAY® & SNICKERS®.
    Save $2.00 Off any two (2) MARS Brand Bites, 6oz. or larger. Includes TWIX®, 3 MUSKETEERS®, MILKY WAY® Simply Caramel, MILKY WAY® & SNICKERS®.
     
     
    TWIX Bites Trail Mix. Kids love it! #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
     
    TWIX Bites Trail Mix
    Up your trail mix with TWIX Bites and Chocolate Covered cereal.
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    Ingredients
    1. 4 cups corn square cereal
    2. 1/2 cup dark chocolate peanut butter
    3. 1 TBS butter
    4. 1/8 tsp Almond extract
    5. 3/4 cup powdered sugar
    6. 1/4 cup chocolate covered craisins
    7. 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels
    8. 1 cup roasted garlic rye chips
    9. 1 cup raw peanuts
    10. 2 6oz bags TWIX Bites
    11. 1/4 sunflower nuts
    12. 1/2 cup freeze dried raspberries
    Instructions
    1. Combine the peanut butter, butter and almond in a small bowl.
    2. Microwave for about 30 seconds on high.
    3. Pour over corn square cereal and mix until all the cereal is coated.
    4. In a paper bag, combine chocolate covered cereal and powdered sugar.
    5. Close the bag and shake until well powdered.
    6. Pour cereal into a large mixing bowl.
    7. Add the rest of the ingredients and toss like a salad.
    8. Divvy into individual servings and head outside for some summer fun.
    Home Maid Simple https://www.homemaidsimple.com/
     
     
    TWIX Bites Trail Mix #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
     
     
    We ended up driving up the Uinta Mountains to get to Cascade Springs for our hike. It’s so beautiful up there, but there was a sign asking us not to bring food onto the trail. So after the hike the kids were thrilled to have a chocolatey treat. I’m pretty sure all the TWIX Bites were picked out first while the peanuts were mostly handed back to me… 
     
    Enjoying some TWIX Bites Trail Mix after a hike #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
     
    Really I think she was saying “Mom just let me eat it!!” After chasing Princess R around the springs, I know all I really wanted was to grab my bag of mix and eat it. 
     
    Where will you take TWIX Bites Trail Mix this summer?
     
    Where will TWIX Bites Trail Mix take you? #EatMoreBites #shop #cbias
  • Strawberry Cocoa Spongecake {Foodie Friday}

    Strawberry Cocoa Spongecake {Foodie Friday}

     
     
    Hosted at
    and
     

    Strawberry Cocoa Spongecake

     Princess C got a Strawberry Shortcake activity book from her aunts a little before Christmas. Ever since she has been begging to make a Strawberry Shortcake – cake from it. I finally caved and bought the expensive fruit to make this fun dessert with the kids. The recipe in her book didn’t actually have the cake recipe, so I went in search of a shortcake recipe. In the end, I found a really yummy looking spongecake recipe in my Home For Dinner cookbook from BHG.  I tweaked it a bit for a chocolate craving.  
     
    Ingredients
    CAKE – 
    1 cup flour
    1 tsp baking powder
    2 eggs
    1/2 tsp vanilla
    1 cup vanilla sugar
    1/2 cup buttermilk
    1 TBS butter
    1 TBS Dutch processed Cocoa Powder
     
    WHIPPING CREAM – 
    1 cup Heavy Cream
    1 1/2 TBS powdered sugar
    1 tsp Vanilla
     
    Sliced Strawberries
     
    Directions
    Grease a 9X9 pan. Preheat oven to 350 F
    Combine flour and baking powder in a small bowl. Set aside.
    Beat eggs and vanilla until a lemony color. Slowly add in sugar. Beat until the sugar is mostly dissolved.  Gradually add the flour mixture, until combined.
    On the stove, heat the buttermilk and butter until the butter is melted. Add the cocoa powder, stirring until completely dissolved.  
    Add the cocoa mixture to the egg mixture, stirring until combined.  Pour mixture into the prepared pan. Bake for 25-30 minutes.
    Cool.
     
    To make the whipping cream, add all the ingredients into a seal-able jar. Shake shake shake. This is really fun for the kids to help out. After 10 minutes you should have a nice whipped cream topping. 
     
    Spread the cream on the cake, top with sliced Strawberries and enjoy!
     
    and the kids truly did enjoy!
     
     

    ~Features~

    Individual Quiche
    These are perfect for my daughter who loves eggs, and I can make something else for the non egg lovers in this house.
     
    French Loaves
    I’m always looking for a classic french bread to go with our soups.
     
    spinach & artichoke wontons-3
    Spinach and Artichoke Wontons
    These look so cute, and full of healthy ingredients!
     

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