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November 12, 2024

We’ve earned that NYE chocolate

By • December 30, 2020

 • 4 mins to read

We’ve earned that NYE chocolate
If ever a New Year's Eve seemed to call for chocolate, this one does. A warming chocolate pecan fondue like this one might go over big at your house. Photo by: tasteofhome.com

Let’s just say we’ll worry about resolutions on New Year’s Day. For New Year’s Eve, let’s eat, drink and be merry — within our immediate family pod, of course. As we bid good riddance to 2020, we’re allowed to pull out a few stops, to revel in a dose of decadence that whets our appetite for a better year ahead. It’s hard to go wrong with chocolate. I feel as though we’ve earned it, don’t you?

The weather shows signs of being a bit frightful Thursday (no surprise, coming from the year we’ve had), so cozy up inside with some comfort-laden sweets. Three suggestions today are chocolate pecan fondue, a chocolate cake roll with praline filling and a chocolate cake that’s actually made healthier by using applesauce and Greek yogurt. A dusting of powdered sugar replaces the traditional cake icing, a lower fat and sugar option.

It is my sincere wish that each of you has reason to count your blessings, reasons to hope 2021 will see us all in a better place. In the words of Rainer Maria Rilke, “And now we welcome the new year, full of things that have never been.”

CHOCOLATE PECAN FONDUE

1/2 cup half-and-half cream

2 tablespoons honey

9 ounces semisweet chocolate, broken into small pieces

1/4 cup finely chopped pecans

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Fresh fruit and shortbread cookies, pound cake, marshmallows, etc. for dippers.

  • In a heavy saucepan over low heat, combine cream and honey; heat until warm. Add chocolate; stir until melted. Stir in pecans and vanilla.
  • Transfer to a fondue pot or a 1-1/2-quart slow cooker and keep warm. Serve with fruit and dippers.

    (Source: tasteofhome.com/Suzanne McKinley)

    CHOCOLATE CAKE ROLL WITH PRALINE FILLING

    Prep: 45 minutes

    Bake time: 15 minutes + cooling

    Makes 10 servings

    4 large eggs

    3/4 cup sugar

    2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled

    3 tablespoons water

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

    2/3 cup all-purpose flour

    1/2 teaspoon baking powder

    1/4 teaspoon baking soda

    1/4 teaspoon salt

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    Filling:

    1/4 cup slivered almonds

    1/4 cup sugar

    1 cup heavy whipping cream

    Frosting:

    1/4 cup butter, cubed

    2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped

    1-3/4 cups confectioners’ sugar

    1/4 cup 2 percent milk

    1 teaspoon vanilla extract

  • Line a greased 15-by-10-by-1-inch baking pan with waxed paper and grease the paper; set aside.
  • In a large bowl, beat eggs on high speed for 3 minutes. Gradually add sugar, beating until mixture becomes thick and lemon-colored.
  • Beat in the chocolate, water and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt; fold into chocolate mixture. Spread evenly into prepared pan.
  • Bake at 375 F for 10-13 minutes or until cake springs back when lightly touched. Cool for 5 minutes.
  • Invert cake onto a kitchen towel dusted with confectioners’ sugar. Gently peel off waxed paper. Roll up cake in the towel jelly-roll style, starting with a short side. Cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Meanwhile, in a small heavy skillet, cook almonds over medium heat until almost toasted, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with sugar; cook and stir for 3-5 minutes or until sugar is melted and golden brown. Spread on foil to cool. Crush finely. In a large bowl, beat cream until soft peaks form; fold in crushed praline pieces.
  • Unroll cake; spread filling evenly over cake to within 1/2 of edges. Roll up again. Place seam side down on a serving platter.
  • For frosting, melt butter and chocolate in a microwave; stir until smooth. In a large bowl, combine the confectioners’ sugar, milk and vanilla. Add chocolate mixture; beat until smooth. Spread over cake roll.

    (Source: tasteofhome.com/Joan Carrico)

    HEALTHIER TAKE ON RICH CHOCOLATE CAKE

    1 cup all-purpose flour

    1/4 cup sugar

    1/2 cup cocoa powder

    1 teaspoon baking powder

    1 teaspoon baking soda

    1 cup hot water

    1/2 cup applesauce

    1 egg

    1/4 cup fat free Greek yogurt

    1/2 tablespoon powdered sugar

  • Clean your cooking area and wash your hands.
  • Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spray a 9inch square baking pan with non-stick spray.
  • Combine flour, sugar, cocoa powder, baking soda, and baking powder.
  • Stir in hot water.
  • Add applesauce, Greek yogurt, and egg. Stir gently until mixed.
  • Pour into pan and bake 25-30 minutes until cooked through.
  • Dust with powdered sugar.

    (Source: agrilifeextension.tamu.edu)

    Jan Swoope is the Lifestyles Editor for The Commercial Dispatch.

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