Copy Cat Recipe: Mini Warm Delights

I've eyed these Mini Warm Delights in the grocery store for a looooong time, but always refused to buy them because you have to pay about $3.00 for two teeeeeny tiny little single serving cakes.  I also thought that if I wanted a chocolate cake that bad, I'd just whip up an entire cake.  Well, in a moment of weakness, I finally bought them a few weeks ago.  I thought they were good, but still didn't think they were worth $1.50 each.  However, I was quite consumed with the idea of making myself a delicious little cake in just a couple of minutes. So, I decided I'd try to copy the recipe. 


I searched the Internet far and wide and found a lot of different recipes, but none were really all that appealing to me.  So, I experimented with my own recipe.  It turned out fabulous!  Much better than I ever could have expected.  And, I did a little taste test with my man friend and we both determined that my little recipe beats the Mini Warm Delights!  My cakes are more moist and more dense than the Mini Warm Delights.  I also think mine have a stronger chocolate flavor.  Take that Betty Crocker! ;-)  


I will warn you, the recipe below makes massive quantities.  But, you have options.  You can  make the recipe as directed below and store your mix in Tupperware at home.  I've even placed individual servings into small sandwich baggies and taken them to work so that whenever I need chocolate, it's there for me.  Or you can just cut the recipe down and have less on hand -- if you do so, just make sure you maintain the chocolate cake mix to brownie mix ratio (1:2). 


What you need for the cakes:
1 Chocolate Cake Mix
1 Box of Instant Chocolate Pudding
2 Boxes of Chocolate Brownie Mix
Miniature Chocolate Chips
Water


What you do to make the mix:
1.  Pour the chocolate cake mix and instant pudding mix into one bowl.  Stir well to combine the two powders.
  
2.  Add the two boxes of brownie mix.  Stir well. 


THAT'S IT!


When you want to make yourself a little cake, put 1/4 cup of the mixture and a teaspoon or two of miniature chocolate chips into a ramekin dish.  Add 7 Tsps (or 2 Tblsps + 1 Tsp) of water.  Stir well with a fork.  Microwave for 30-45 seconds. Then enjoy!


I put 1/4 cup of the mixture + some miniature chocolate chips into some baggies and took those, a ramekin, and a teaspoon to work.  So, when I need a little pick-me-up, it's there -- more delicious than the Mini Warm Delights, less expensive, and just as convenient!


Also, if you add about 1 Tsp of  Fudge Ice Cream Topping (like this, not like Hersey's Syrup) to the center of the ramekin before you microwave, you end up with a mini lava cake.  See the gooey fudge there:

Experiment away with toppings for these little cakes!  We've added whipped topping and ice cream and loved both! 


Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas Cookies -- Day 6: Triple Chocolate Brownie Cookies

My birthday was not too long ago.  L-town's parents were very kind and got me this book.  Of course, I had to try one of the recipes immediately.  And, since I was in the middle of the 12 Days of Christmas Cookies, it worked out perfect.  These cookies turned out pretty good, but they're not my favorite.  They taste like a dark chocolate cookie.  I'm not a dark chocolate fan.  But, I ate a couple of them.  So, if you like dark chocolate, you would probably like these.  The name is quite fitting in terms of the texture -- they do have the texture of a brownie. 


Adapted from: Taste of Home Christmas Cookies & Candy


Here's what you need:
3/4 cup Butter, cubed
4 squared (1 ounce each) unsweetened chocolate
2 cups Sugar
4 Eggs
1 1/2 cups Flour
1/2 cup Baking Cocoa
2 tsp Baking Powder
1/2 tsp Salt
2 cups Semisweet Chocolate Chips


Here's what you do:
1.  Melt butter and unsweetened chocolate. 
2.  Transfer melted butter and chocolate.  Add sugar and eggs.  Beat until smooth.
3.  Combine flour, cocoa, baking powder and salt. 
4.  Gradually add dry ingredients to wet ingredients.  
5.  Stir in chocolate chips. 
6.  Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.  I refrigerated for a couple nights and they still turned out fine. 
7.  Before baking, preheat oven to 350 degrees. 
8.  Drop by spoonfuls onto a baking sheet.  
9.  Bake for about 8 minutes. 
10.  Remove from baking sheet and immediately put on cooling rack upon removing from oven. 


Enjoy!