The holiday season is officially launched and the pile of leftovers is dwindling each day. While cleaning up after Thanksgiving--which seemed to take as long as the cooking did--I decided to do a little organizing as well. I'm proud to say that my junk drawer is no longer a place you have to put on a glove to fish around. In fact, I'm so pleased with the results, I'm going back to the store to get some more organizers to do that bottomless bottom drawer that holds all the extras for my Robot Coupe, Kitchenaid, Pampered Chef paraphernalia, mixers, assorted foodie gadgets, and who knows what else.
Meanwhile, these little bites were a hit and at just 98 calories each, a treat I'm sure to make again.
Makes 24
4 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
1/2 cup unsalted butter
2/3 cup granulated sugar
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 tsp espresso powder
3 large eggs
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tbs confectioners sugar
Heat oven to 375 degrees and coat 2 gem pans (12-cup mini muffin pans) with cooking spray.
Combine chocolate and butter in the top of a double boiler, stir until melted. Off the heat, whisk in the sugar, vanilla extract, and espresso powder. Whisk in eggs until well combined. Sift cocoa powder over top and whisk until smooth.
Divide batter among prepared pans (an ice cream scoop insures even sized gems). Bake until cakes have risen, 8-12 minutes. Cool in pans on rack for 10 minutes. Carefully remove gems from tins and cool on rack. Dust with confectioners sugar.
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TASTE NOTES
Gems is the perfect description of these chocolaty bites. They are rich and melt on the tongue and two truly satisfy. I don't know how they freeze, but will definitely try that out next batch. These are worth having around for the perfect bite to go with your evening cup of tea.
They look divine! And I am very impressed with your tidying up!
ReplyDeleteDuring the late afternoon, I scour the house for a piece of chocolate. I am not looking to consume a mountain of it - just a taste to rev me up for the afternoon. This would be perfect!
ReplyDeleteI so remember the days of not counting calories, long gone! I love the idea you put that in here, there sound and look delicious... tough to be on a diet during the holiday, this is the perfect fix for chocolate!
ReplyDeleteYour gems sound delicious. That really is a great recipe and a nice way to satisfy a chocolate cravings. I hope you have a great day. Blessings...Mary.
ReplyDeleteThey sound scrumptious, Arlene! I imagine they are also gluten free as they don't contain flour. My Daughter-in-law is now on a gluten free diet so I am collecting recipes for her.
ReplyDeleteyummy.. Arlene you always make me hungry.. :)
ReplyDeleteHugs
Susan
Thanks for printing this recipe, Arlene! I found it in the December 2011 issue of Prevention, but couldn't find it on their website. Nice to have it already typed in to copy to my digital recipe file! And good to hear they are as delicious as they sounded!
ReplyDeleteThese look wonderful and like the perfect little "snacky" bite. ;-)
ReplyDeleteBittersweet? Baker's has unsweetened or semi sweet, but not a bittersweet. Do you know which one I should use?
ReplyDelete