Dessert Recipes for the Sweet Tooth

At this time of the year, when delectable food, cheerful yet boisterous conversation with family and friends, and holiday traditions allow us to celebrate the occasion in style, why not take a little more effort to add some finesse and elegance to our holiday desserts with just a few simple touches that could possibly make our guests feel a little more special? So, here are some great recipes to make festive season seem a lot more festive!

Chocolate Cookie Recipes

Ingredients

• 3 cups of flour
• 1½ cups of cocoa powder, unsweetened
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ¾ lbs unsalted butter
• 2½ cups of sugar
• 2 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Procedure

In a large mixing bowl, sift together the cocoa, salt and flour. Then set the bowl aside. In your electric mixer, cream together the sugar and butter until the mixture becomes fluffy and light. Beat the eggs in the vanilla extract. Add the flour to the mixture and mix on a very low speed until the flour is completely mixed. Next, divide the dough into two halves and wrap in a plastic wrap. Chill the dough for about an hour.

Heat your oven to about 350ºF. ON a board that has been well floured; roll the dough out to a 1/8-inch thickness. With the help of a cookie cutter or a cardboard template, cut the dough into desired shapes. Place these shapes on baking sheets and then chill for about 15 minutes until it turns firm. Bake for about ten minutes until the cookies turn crisp but should not be darkened. Cool before putting icing on it.

Chocolate Bread Pudding Recipe

This recipe is indeed one of my favorites, and I can never get tired of making this. It's simply amazing when all you want to do is settle down on your couch in your PJs watching one of those corny late-night movies.

Ingredients

• 150 ml low-fat cream
• 150 ml milk
• 50 grams sugar
• 100 grams chocolate
• 1 rind of orange
• 80 grams toasted and flaked almonds
• 30 ml rum
• 1 teaspoon vanilla essence
• 125 grams bread
• 2 eggs

Procedure

Preheat your oven to about 175ºC. Heat the cream, sugar and milk together. When the mixture is hot and not boiling hot, take it off the heat and then stir in some of the chocolate. Add the vanilla, orange rind and rum. Beat the eggs until they become thick. Then, beat it into the chocolate mixture. Break the bread, fold the almonds and place them on a ovenproof dish. Bake for about 30 minutes and then serve while it is warm.

Chocolate Mousse Recipe

Simply put, chocolate mousse to me is like chunks of heaven in a spoon.

Ingredients

• 8 squares baking chocolate, semi-sweet and coarsely grated
• ½ a cup of water
• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1¼ cups whipped cream

Procedure

In a double boiler or a microwave, heat the chocolate, butter and water until the butter and chocolate has melted. Cool the mixture for 10 minutes. In a small saucepan, whisk the sugar, egg yolks and the remaining water. Cook over a low flame and keep stirring for about a minute or two.

Remove the pan from the heat and then whisk in a chocolate mixture. Set the pan in ice and then stir until it cools down for about 10 minutes. Fold it in whipped cream and then spoon onto mousse bowls. Refrigerate overnight.