Pound Cake with Nutella Swirls

1 cup butter, softened
  1/2 cup shortening
  1 package (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
  2-1/2 cups sugar
  5 eggs
  3 cups cake flour *
  1 teaspoon baking powder
  1/2 teaspoon salt
  1 cup buttermilk
  1 teaspoon vanilla extract

* Substitute for cake flour : For every cup of cake flour, take one cup of all purpose flour, remove two table spoons of flour, and add two table spoons of corn starch.

Optional : 
 1 13 oz jar of Nutella
OR
  1 13 oz container of any fruit preserves
OR 
  Any fruit/ chocolate spread you like

• In a large bowl, cream the butter, shortening, cream cheese until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in extracts. Combine the dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture alternately with buttermilk, beating well after each addition.
• Warm nutella (if using nutella) for 30 seconds in microwave.
• Pour one third mixture in a bundt cake pan, apply a ribbon of nutella/ fruit preserves in the layer, pour another layer of cake mixture, apply the rest of nutella/ fruit preserves and scrape off all the cake mixture into the bundt pan.
• Bake at 325° for 1 hour and 20 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pan to a wire rack to cool completely.
• Optional : serve with fresh strawberries or ice cream.

Chocolate Chip Cookies with Truffle center

2 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
6 ounces butter, melted, not hot
7 ounces (1 packed cup) brown sugar
3 1/2 ounces (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
1 egg, room temperature
1 egg yolk, room temperature
1 tbsp vanilla extract
8 ounces (1 1/3 cup) chocolate chips

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit (162 C). Whisk together the flour, baking soda, and salt in a small bowl and set aside for now.
• In the large bowl of a stand mixer, combine the melted butter and both sugars, and mix them on medium speed with a paddle attachment until the sugars are moist. Add the egg and mix until it is well-incorporated, then add the yolk and mix well again. Add the vanilla extract. 
• With the mixer running on low, add the dry ingredients and mix just until they are almost fully incorporated and there are just a few streaks of flour remaining. Add the chocolate chips and stir them by hand, scraping down the bottom and sides of the bowl with a spatula until everything is well-mixed. 
• For the best results, chill the dough for 45 minutes, until it is firmer but still able to be rolled into balls. If it’s too hard straight from the refrigerator, let it warm up on the counter for a few minutes once you’re ready to use it.
• To form the cookies, use a cookie scoop or a large tablespoon to form a 1.5-inch ball of dough. Press your thumb in the center to create an indent and spread the cookie out a little bit. Set a chilled truffle in the center of the cookie, then place a little more dough—about the size of a quarter—on top of the truffle. Pinch the bottom and top of the cookie dough together, then roll it between your palms to make it round. Place the cookie on an ungreased parchment-lined sheet, and repeat until the sheet is filled, leaving 2-3 inches between the cookies.
• Bake the cookies at 325 F for 17 minutes, rotating halfway throughout. They’re done when the cookies have spread, have a touch of color along the outer edge, and the raw sheen is off in the center. They should still be soft in the middle.

Mounds Bar

Ingredients

* 2 cups graham cracker crumbs
* 1/2 brown sugar, firmly packed
* 1/2 cup butter at room temperature
* 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
* 2 cups flaked coconut (sweetened or unsweetened)
* 1 (12 ounce) package semisweet chocolate chips, melted
* 1 tsp baking soda

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F .
2. Combine the graham cracker crumbs, sugar and butter. Mix and pat into the bottom of one 9x13 inch baking pan. Bake at 325 degrees F for 15 minutes. (Bake at 350 F if you want a hard graham crust. I prefer baking to 325 F). Remove from the oven
3. Wait for 20 minutes until the graham crust is less hot, sprinkle flaked coconut and then pour condensed milk evenly over the graham cracker crust + flaked coconut.
4. Bake 15 minutes @ 325 F. Remove from the oven and let cool.
5. In a double boiler, melt chocolate chips. Semisweet chocolate chips is preferable since it evens out the sweetness of the graham crust and the condensed milk. (Use milk chocolate otherwise).
6. Spread the melted chocolate chips over the top. Let cool and cut into squares once the crust + condensed milk + chocolate achieves a harder consistency.

Sweet German Chocolate Cake

Ingredients
• 4 (1 ounce) squares German sweet chocolate
• 1/2 cup water
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup butter, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 4 egg whites

For Frosting
• 12 fluid ounces evaporated milk
• 1 1/2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup butter
• 4 egg yolks
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 1 (8 ounce) package flaked coconut
• 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line bottom of 9x13 pan with parchment paper.
2. Microwave chocolate and water on high for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes. Stir halfway through. Stir until all is melted and smooth.
3. In a medium bowl, mix together flour, soda and salt. Set aside.
4. In a large bowl, cream 1 cup butter and 2 cups sugar until light and fluffy. Add 4 egg yolks one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in chocolate and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Add flour mixture alternately with buttermilk. Beat after each addition until smooth.
5. In a separate bowl, beat egg whites on high until soft peaks form. Gently fold into batter. Pour into 9x13 inch pan.
6. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool completely, then frost with coconut-pecan frosting.
7. Combine milk, 1 1/2 cup sugar, 3/4 cup butter, 4 egg yolks and 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla in large saucepan. Cook and stir on medium heat for about 12 minutes, or until thick and golden brown. Remove from heat. Stir in coconut and pecans. Cool to room temperature, and spreading consistency.

Black Magic Cake

Ingredients
• 1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups white sugar
• 3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup strong brewed coffee
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup vegetable oil
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 9 inch round cake pans or one 9x13 inch pan.
2. In large bowl combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Make a well in the center.
3. Add eggs, coffee, buttermilk, oil and vanilla. Beat for 2 minutes on medium speed. Batter will be thin. Pour into prepared pans.
4. Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick inserted into center of cake comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes, then remove from pans and finish cooling on a wire rack. Fill and frost as desired.

Chocolate Chip Cookie

Ingredients
• 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened
• 3/4 cup granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) Semi-Sweet Chocolate morsels
• 1 cup chopped nuts

Directions
1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Combine flour, baking soda and salt in small bowl.
3. Beat butter, granulated sugar, brown sugar and vanilla extract in large mixer bowl until creamy.
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition.
5. Gradually beat in flour mixture.
6. Stir in morsels and nuts. Drop by rounded tablespoon onto ungreased baking sheets.
7. Bake for 9 to 11 minutes or until golden brown.
8. Cool on baking sheets for 2 minutes; remove to wire racks to cool completely.
9. Bakes 60 Cookies

Rogaliki (Polish Crossiant-like dessert)

Ingredients
• 1 cup butter
• 3 egg yolks
• 1 (8 ounce) box Philadelphia Cream cheese
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3 cups flour
• jam or preserves (your favourite kind)

Directions
1. In a medium bowl mix egg yolks, philly cheese and baking powder using a hand held mixer. Carefully start adding the flour. When the mixture will not be mixing well, and will look like wood chips, put away the blending mixer and using your hands knead the dough.
2. Create a roll and cover in foil and freeze for 15 minutes. At this time preheat the oven to 375.
3. Take the dough out and separate into two. Roll and cut out 3 inch trangles.
4. Make as many as you can and on centre of each put a small spoon of jam. Roll them into a croissant shape.
5. Place the croissants onto a greased cookie sheet, and bake for 10-12 minutes or until golden.
6. Repeat with the rest of the dough.
7. When you take them out, put aside and sprinkle with powdered sugar on top.
8. This makes about 3 batches of 20 cookies each.
9. Total count about 60 cookies.

Stuffed Mushrooms

Ingredients
• 24 mushrooms (about 2 1/2 pounds), the stems removed and chopped fine, reserving 1 cup, and the caps left whole
• 12 ounces sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained, reserving 4 tablespoons of the oil, and the tomatoes minced
• 1/3 cup finely chopped shallot
• teaspoon finely chopped garlic
• Freshly grated Parmesan for sprinkling the mushrooms
• 1/2 cup Italian-style dried bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Pecorino Romano
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint leaves
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• A pinch of crumbled dried thyme
• 1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil

Preparation
1 Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
2 Stir the bread crumbs, Pecorino Romano, garlic, parsley, mint, salt and pepper, to taste, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium bowl to blend.
3 Drizzle a heavy large baking sheet with about 1 tablespoon olive oil, to coat. Spoon the filling into the mushroom cavities and arrange on the baking sheet, cavity side up.
4 Drizzle remaining oil over the filling in each mushroom. Bake until the mushrooms are tender and the filling is heated through and golden on top, about 25 minutes. Serve.

Carrot Cake

Ingredients
• 4 eggs
• 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 3 cups grated carrots
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup chopped pecans

Preparation
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour a 9x13 inch pan.
2. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, oil, white sugar and 2 teaspoons vanilla. Mix in flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt and cinnamon. Stir in carrots. Fold in pecans. Pour into prepared pan.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 40 to 50 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Let cool in pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.
4. To Make Frosting: In a medium bowl, combine butter, cream cheese, confectioners' sugar and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Stir in chopped pecans. Frost the cooled cake.