LIQUEURS CHOCOLATE RECIPES

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a medium-large saucepan, melt the butter with the unsweetened chocolate over low heat, whisking occasionally until smooth and melted. Sprinkle in cocoa powder and whisk to combine. Remove the pan from heat and allow to cool for about 5 minutes.Stir in sugar and vanilla until just combined.One at a time, stir in the eggs. Gently stir in the flour until halfway incorporated. Add the chocolate chips and stir just until combined. Pour batter (it will be very thick!) into a greased 8 x 8 or 9 x 13 baking pan. (Square pan will result in thicker brownies.) Spread to even out the top and place in the oven. Bake for 40 minutes, then check the brownies with a toothpick. If it is overly gooey/messy, return to the oven for 5 to 10 more minutes. (Just be careful not to burn the edges.) Allow to cool completely (important!), then sprinkle with powdered sugar and cut into small squares. The brownies are very rich! *Note: When warm the brownies will seem overly gooey/soft. As they cool, they will firm up. (Brownies are best several hours after baking, or even the next day!)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375ºF. Grease a 9x13 pan and set aside. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 1/2 cups flour, cocoa, baking powder, and salt. Set aside. With a mixer, cream together the butter and sugars for about 3 minutes. Add egg and vanilla extract. Mix until well combined. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients. Mix until just combined. (Dough should be thick and dense, the consistency of sugar cookie dough. Add up to 1/4 cup additional flour if dough is too moist and fudgy.)Press cookie dough into the prepared pan. Bake for 12 minutes or until cookie bars are set. Don’t overbake. Remove from oven and let cool completely. While the cookie bars are cooling, make the frosting. Using a mixer, beat the butter on medium speed until creamy, about 2 minutes. With the mixer on low, slowly add the confectioners' sugar, cream or milk, and vanilla extract. Increase to high speed and beat for 3 full minutes. Add up to 1/2 cup more confectioners' sugar if frosting is too thin or another tablespoon of cream or milk if frosting is too thick. Add a drop of red food coloring and mix until smooth. If you want the frosting darker, you can add more food coloring. Cut the cooled bars with a small heart shaped cookie cutter. Frost the hearts with the frosting, using a knife or piping bag. Decorate with sprinkles. Note: Save the cookie scraps for snacking! They are great on top of ice cream or in a milkshake. Store the frosted cookie hearts in an airtight container for up to 2 days.