Fancy Chocolate Strawberries

As much as I desperately hated my 2 years working at Cafe Zupas, it's a job that I have definitely benefited from in many ways.

If you're familiar with Zupas, you know that they are kind of famous for their chocolate strawberries.

I got to observe the workers in the back make all kinds of treats every single day, including chocolate strawberries.

And because of that, I have finally mastered the chocolate strawberry.

You will need:

•  wax paper
• 1 package of milk chocolate bricks
• 1 package of white chocolate bricks
• strawberries

[*I recommend getting strawberries at Costco- you 

can get so much more for your buck, and they

are always so more fresh than the grocery store.]

Lay out a couple of large piece of wax paper, covering most of the counter.

[It's going to get reeeeal messy.]

Chop the chocolate bricks into 1-inch cubes.

[Keeping the milk chocolate separated from the

white chocolate.] Rinse, then dry the strawberries.

In a small glass bowl, add 4-5 milk [or white] chocolate cubes.

Microwave for 1 minute; whisk with a fork; microwave for additional time if needed.

Gently grab a strawberry by the stem, and dip into the choclate.

Lay it out to dry on the wax paper.

Repeat until you have your desired amount of milk [or white] chocolate strawberries.

Once the melted chocolate is gone, continue to add more bricks and microwave until you have your desired amount. 

Using a separate glass bowl, use the same steps above, when switching to the white [or milk chocolate].

[Be sure to leave yourself a little bit of leftover milk and white chocolate for decorating.]

Once you have your desired amount of chocolate dipped strawberries, [takes approximately 15 minutes to dry] 

use your leftover chocolate, or melt a couple more cubes; then take a fork or spoon, 

dip it in the melted chocolate, and fling it on the strawberries. 

There is no right or wrong way, just have fun with it!

Rolo Brownies/Mini Trifles

Rolo Brownies

Makes 16 brownies

• 1/2 C (1 stick) butter
• 1/4 C cocoa powder
• 1 C sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1/2 C flour
• 1 package of Rolos, chopped

Preheat oven to 350.

Melt butter in the microwave.

With an electric mixer, mix melted butter and cocoa in a medium bowl.

Beat in sugar, eggs, then vanilla. Mix well with a mixer.

Add flour and stir well.

Pour mixture in an 8x8, greased baking pan.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Sprinkle chopped Rolos on top.

Bake for 10-15 more minutes, until brownies are cooked through.

Rolo Trifle

• 1-2 Rolo Brownies
• 2 C vanilla ice cream
• whipped cream or cool whip
• chopped Rolos to garnish

Cookies and Cream Chex Mix

Makes 6 cups of Chex Mix

• 6 C Corn Chex Cereal
• 12 oreos, very finely crushed
• 1/2 C powdered sugar
• 1 (12 oz) bag Vanilla Candy Melts

Pour crushed Oreos and powdered sugar into a large ziploc bag, seal bag and shake to combine mixture, then set aside. 

Measure 6 cups of Chex into a large mixing bowl.

In a microwave safe bowl, melt Vanilla candy melts in 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until melted and smooth. Pour melted candy melts over Corn Chex and toss mixture with a rubber spatula until evenly coated.

Pour crushed Oreo mixture over the Chex and melted candy, then mix til evenly coated. Store in an airtight container up to one week.

Cheesecake-filled Strawberries

Makes approximately 12 strawberries

• 1 lb large strawberries
• 8 oz. cream cheese, softened
• 3-4 TBS powdered sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• graham cracker crumbs

Rinse strawberries and cut around the top. Remove the top and clean out with a small knife or spoon if necessary (some may already be hollow inside). Prep all strawberries and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, and vanilla until creamy. Add cheesecake mixture to a ziploc bag with the corner snipped off. Fill strawberries with mixture. Once strawberries are filled, sprinkle graham cracker crumbs on top. 
*Best if served right away or within a few hours.

S'mores on a Stick

You will need:
Large marsh mellows, melted chocolate bricks, crushed Graham Crackers, tooth picks, and mini cupcake wrappers.

Toffe Popcorn

8 C cooked popcorn

1/2 C butter

1 C brown sugar

1/4 C corn syrup

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 tsp baking soda

1/2 C pecans (desired nuts)

Place cooked popcorn in a large mixing bowl. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees. Cover a 9x13 baking dish with foil and set aside.

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter. Add the brown sugar, corn syrup, and salt, stirring constantly. Once the mixture starts boiling, reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 3 minutes. Take the pot off the heat then stir in the vanilla and baking soda. Pour mixture over the popcorn and add nuts. Mix until the popcorn is well coated, but be careful not to break apart the popcorn while mixing.

Pour the popcorn into the 9x13 dish. Bake for 30 minutes, stirring every 10 minutes. Cool the popcorn to room temperature. Store in an airtight container.

*Makes 8 cups of popcorn (2 quarts)