Holiday Chocolate Dipped Delights Recipes

Steps:

• To Make Ahead: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 1 month.
• Fudgy, brownielike and decadent, these fantastic cookies will satisfy any chocolate lover. Managing Editor Wendy Ruopp shares her friend's recipe for these fantastic cookies with us:
• Place chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave on Medium in 30-second bursts, stirring after each burst to ensure even melting, until completely melted. (Alternatively, melt the chocolate in a double boiler over hot water, stirring constantly.) Let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, whisk whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl. Beat butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer until well combined. Add eggs and vanilla; beat until creamy. Add the melted chocolate; beat to combine. Stir in the dry ingredients with a spoon until just combined. Refrigerate the dough until barely chilled, 15 minutes.
• Position rack in center of oven; preheat to 350degreesF. Coat a large baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Roll tablespoonfuls of dough into 1-inch balls and place on the prepared baking sheet, 2 inches apart.
• Bake the cookies, one batch at a time, until puffed and slightly dried on top, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove from the oven and gently press an almond into the center of each cookie. Let cool for 5 minutes on the pan before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely. Allow the pan to cool slightly between batches.
• Recipe Tips & Notes:
• 1. Chocolate drizzle anyone?
• 2. Melted dark and white chocolate drizzled on top of cookies is a special treat. Place the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave on High for 1 minute. Stir well, then continue microwaving on High in 30-second bursts until two-thirds of the chocolate has melted, stirring well after each burst. Remove the bowl and continue stirring until all the chocolate has melted. Cool for 5 minutes at room temperature. Use a pastry bag fitted with a fine writing tip to pipe the melted chocolate or dip tines of a fork in chocolate and drizzle.
• Recipe Nutrition:
• Per cookie: 113 calories; 6 g fat (3 g saturated fat, 1 g mono unsaturated fat); 14 mg cholesterol; 15 g carbohydrates; 1 g protein; 1 g fiber; 33 mg sodium; 29 mg potassium
• 1 Carbohydrate Servings
• Exchanges: 1 other carbohydrate, 1 fat

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in small microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until chocolate is almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Dip assorted dippers into chocolate; let excess chocolate drip off.
• Let stand at room temperature, or refrigerate on waxed paper-lined baking sheet, 30 min. or until chocolate is firm.

Steps:

• Heat 3 cups milk, 2 tablespoons light brown sugar, 1 teaspoon vanilla and a pinch of salt in a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisking, until the milk is steaming and the sugar dissolves. Gradually add 4 ounces each chopped semisweet and bittersweet chocolate, whisking until melted. Cook, whisking occasionally, until smooth. (Note: This is an extra-thick European-style hot chocolate.) Serve with mini marshmallows, peppermint sticks, whipped cream, mini chocolate chips, toasted coconut or other toppings.

Steps:

• Place the chocolates and heavy cream in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, stirring occasionally, until the chips are completely melted.
• Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Dip each strawberry halfway in the chocolate mixture and place on the sheet pan. Repeat with the pretzels, donuts, apricots and crackers.
• Place the sheet pan in the refrigerator for 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set.