Did you know that chocolate is a libido booster? It’s loaded with phenyl ethylamine (the brain chemical that causes the rush you feel when falling in love). Just one ounce of chocolate can accomplish this in 20 minutes!
Dark chocolate (that contains at least 70% cocoa) has proven health benefits; it has less sugar content than either white or milk chocolate and is a rich source of healthy compounds, such as flavonoid antioxidants (similar to those in green tea). Even a small amount of dark chocolate can help to reduce the risk of blood clots that cause heart attack or stroke.
But since it is high in calories and saturated fat, chocolate should be enjoyed in moderation. (Try for no more than 2 ½ ounces per day; this is often hard to do if the chocolate‘s sitting right there in front of you! But try anyway.)
Chocolate-Almond Drops
Ingredients
1 pkg. (18 oz.) refrigerated sugar cookie dough (like Pillsbury)
3 Tbs unsweetened cocoa powder
¼ cup of blanched whole almonds, ground
2 Tbs sugar
30 chocolate drop candies (such as Hershey’s Kisses or Hugs)
Preheat oven to 350 (degrees) F.
In a bowl, combine the cookie dough, cocoa powder and almonds.
Shape dough into 50 1 Tbs-size balls; roll in sugar.
Place on a greased cookie sheet.
Make a thumb print in the center of each cookie.
Bake for 5 minutes.
Press a candy into each and bake 5 min. more, or until firm.
Cool on wire racks.
Makes 30 cookies
Work time: 20 min.
Total time: 30 min.
Crunchy Cookie Fudge
Ingredients
3 cups semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup dark corn syrup
1/3 cup evaporated milk
¾ cup of confectioners’ sugar
1 ½ cups chopped chocolate sandwich cookies (like Oreo), divided
In a saucepan over medium-low heat, combine the chocolate chips, corn syrup and evaporated milk.
Remove from heat.
Stir in confectioners’ sugar.
Add 1 cup of chopped cookies.
Spread mixture into an 8”square pan lined with plastic wrap.
Press remaining chopped cookies into fudge.
Chill 2 hours, or overnight; cut into squares.
Makes 36 pieces
Work time: 10 min.
Total time: 10 min. (plus factoring in the chill time)
Did You Know That…..
Chocolate is high in zinc, a mineral that helps wounds and scrapes heal faster.
For more Valentine’s Day recipes and info, go to www.verybestbaking.com and www.wilton.com
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