Chocolate=love

 

Americans consume around 58 million pounds of chocolate on Valentine’s Day annually, according to the Nielson Copany.

Though the practice only became popular in the late 20th century, Valentine’s Day just wouldn’t seem the same without giving a loved one a heart-shaped box of chocolate.

Despite the millions of Americans who are so devoted to watching their figures, Valentine’s Day is the holiday where you can put on your loose jeans and enjoy a creamy chocolate truffle with your significant other.

Here are some fun and romantic chocolaty deserts you can surprise your Valentine with today. If you get lucky, you may even get a little kiss.

Muddy Buddies

Ingredients

9 cups Rice Chex cereal

1 cup semisweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup peanut butter

1/4 cup butter or margarine

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

Directions

In a large bowl, measure the cereal and set it aside.

In another bowl, microwave the chocolate chips, peanut butter and butter uncovered for 1 minute  — then stir. Microwave 30 seconds longer or until mixture can be stirred smooth.

Stir in the vanilla then pour the mixture over the cereal, stirring until evenly coated.

Pour into 2-gallon re-sealable plastic bag.

Add powdered sugar and seal the bag. Shake the mixture until well coated and pour it back into the large bowl to enjoy.

Chocolate Mousse

Ingredients

4 egg yolks

cup sugar

1 cup whipping (heavy) cream

1 package (6 ounces) semisweet     chocolate chips (1 cup)

teaspoon rum extract

1 cups whipping (heavy) cream

Directions

Beat egg yolks in small bowl with mixer on high speed about 3 minutes or until thick and lemon colored. Gradually beat in sugar.

Heat one cup whipping cream in a saucepan over medium heat until hot. Gradually stir at least half of the hot whipping cream into egg yolk mixture. Stir back into hot cream in saucepan.

Cook over low heat about five minutes, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens (do not boil). Stir in chocolate chips until melted. Add rum extract. Cover and refrigerate about 2 hours, stirring occasionally, just until chilled.

Beat 1 1/2 cups whipping cream in chilled medium bowl with mixer on high speed until stiff. Fold chocolate mixture into whipped cream. Pipe or spoon mixture into serving bowls. Immediately refrigerate any remaining dessert after serving.

Chocolate Fondue

Ingredients

12 ounces of dark chocolate (chips     or roughly chopped if from a block)

8 ounces of heavy cream

A pinch of salt

Fruit (strawberries, banana, grapes, orange slices, apple slices, etc. Angel food cake also works well)

*If 21 or older try adding a tablespoon of Bailey’s Irish Cream

*If you are a coffee fan, try adding a pinch of espresso powder.

Directions

Warm the cream over moderate heat until tiny bubbles show and begins to lightly and slowly boil. Add the chocolate and whisk until smooth and full incorporated.

Immediately transfer to a fondue pot heated at low or with a low flame, or serve straight from the pot.

Arrange the fruit on a platter or plates around the chocolate pot. Use a fondue fork, bamboo skewer, seafood fork or salad fork to dip the fruit pieces into the hot melted cream chocolate mixture. Eat immediately.

If the fondue begins to feel a little stiff, add a tablespoon of heavy cream and stir.

Emily Vaartstra 

can be reached at 

[email protected]

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