Chocolate Surprise Cookies

Surprise Cookies by Martha Stewart (Photo from same source)

If you haven't figured out that I love chocolate yet, then here is your chance… I wanted to share one of my favorite cookie recipes. This lovely indulgence is actually a Martha Stewart find. I must admit that this is a rare thing since I can't entertain the thought of most of her recipes. You usually have to climb up the Andes mountains, pick the purple looking herb in its late stage (only available in winter), smash it with a mortar and pestle (must be made of marble), dry it out for 24 hours (when the humidity is less than 20%) and then simmer it for 15 minutes in a double boiler that is nonreactive... in order to obtain her "type of ingredients". Am I the only one who doesn't have half of her listed foods in the pantry? I require basic items because when I get the urge to bake it is usually spontaneous and what I have on hand is what usually gets prepared. (Hey, if you lived in the middle of nowhere you would think like this too!) With that being said, this is one of our family favorites. May I present *Surprise Cookies*. I didn't bother with another tutorial, who could compete with Martha?

Give it a try and tell me what you think…

Now it's your turn.

What is your favorite chocolate inspired recipe?

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.

Chocolate ~ A Gift from Heaven

I LOVE chocolate. I mean, I really love it! I consider it God's gift to women and if our husbands would like some as well, then of course we will share (wink)! Wasn't it said in the beginning that...

"I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat." 

~ Genesis 1:29

And… chocolate is made from the "seed" of a cocoa plant. There you have it! The evidence at its scientific best. Well, if someone wants to be really specific they would probably tell me that it is not the plain chocolate I eat but the kind with sugar in it that I am actually enjoying…

Well, to those who would like to rain on my philosophical parade, I simply say that sugar is made from sugar cane which is a plant. (Yes, I am having fun with this! Of course I won't let my children read this sinful entry…)

Indulgence in a bit of chocolate is surely a treat but gluttony is a sin so I do keep that in mind when enjoying my little piece of heaven on earth. Also, if you feel this posting is a bit on the silly side, just remember there is a "time to laugh" (Ecclesiastes 3:4). But honestly, dark chocolate (the higher the percentage of cacao the better) is actually good for you!

Further Justification ~ Chart of Information:

• Dark chocolate contains large amount of anti-oxidents
• Dark chocolate helps balance certain hormones in the body
• Dark chocolate can help lower blood pressure
• Dark chocolate can help to lower cholesterol
• Dark chocolate contains serotonin which acts as a antidepressant

Favorite Chocolate Recipes:

• Blended Chocolate Mocha Frappe (Frugal with Healthy Options)
• Chocolate Chip Cookies (Revised and Somewhat Healthier Recipe and History)
• Chocolate "Cup of Gold" Candy Bar (Healthy and Satisfying!)
• Chocolate Dream "Cream" Filled Cake (Unhealthy but Delicious!)
• Chocolate Surprise Cookies (One of Our Favorite Cookie Recipes)

Incidentally, dark chocolate is my weapon of choice… What about you?

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.

DIY Frugal Blended & Iced Coffee Drinks {Plus a Blended Mocha Recipe}

"A fig for partridges and quails,

ye dainties I know nothing of ye;

But on the highest mount in Wales

Would choose in peace to drink my coffee."

~Jonathon Swift (1667-1745)

Did you know that today, Thursday, September 29, 2011 is National Coffee Day? (Don't worry, I didn't either until a few days ago…) However, I thought I would share some frugal coffee concepts with you now in which you can enjoy any day! 

First of all, I could never part with my unused coffee (it's too expensive!)…

so any leftover is poured into ice-cube trays and placed in the freezer.

Once frozen, I release the coffee cubes from the mold and place in a large covered plastic container in the freezer. I do this every time there is extra and keep adding to the collection.



And now… you can make your own blended coffee beverages without paying all the fancy money and without leaving your home. Simply blend up a cup of coffee cubes (about 6 - 8 large cubes) with a cup of milk, cream or any other liquid of choice and add in your favorite sweetener (like raw honey, maple syrup, raw sugar, etc.) and desired flavorings (like vanilla extract, mint extract, etc.). You can also make your own iced coffee's without diluting your drink by using these cubes with any leftover coffee you collected from the week. Be creative and make your own masterpiece!

Blended mochas are my favorite! Here is my "healthy, guilt-free version" (printable of this recipe is here for your recipe book):

Blended Mocha

• 1 cup of frozen coffee cubes
• 1 cup of milk (we use raw)
• 1 TBSP of sweetener (I use raw honey)
• 1 heaping TBSP of unsweetened cocoa powder

Blend all ingredients in blender until smooth and enjoy!

Yields: One Large or "Venti" Blended Mocha

Variation: If you are feeling extra rambunctious, you can add a few tablespoons of chocolate chips to the blender with above ingredients in order to make it a "Blended Mocha Chip"… or a drop of peppermint essential oil for a blended peppermint mocha (just make sure your essential oil can be ingested like the doTERRA brand). 

My favorite chapter to read while drinking coffee? "He-brews of course (wink…)"

This post may be shared with some or all of the following link-ups: The Art of Home-Making Mondays, Modest Mom Monday's, Monday's Musings, Make Your Home Sing Monday, Good Morning Mondays,  The Scoop, Titus 2sdays, Titus 2 Tuesdays, Tuesdays with a Twist, Raising Homemakers, Wise Woman Link Up, Homestead Blog Hop,  Wow Us Wednesdays,  Coffee and Conversation, Homemaking Thursdays, Home Sweet Home, Our Simple Homestead, From the Farm Blog Hop, Front Porch Friday Blog Hop, Awesome Life Friday Link Up, Five Star Frou Frou Friday, Simply Natural Saturdays and Clever Chicks Blog Hop. Thank you lovely ladies for hosting these.