3 Chocolate Desserts-Chocolate Buttermilk Cake, Double Chocolate Brownies, and Chocolate Walnut Cookies
Chocolate, chocolate...my guilty pleasure!
Have a sweet tooth for a homemade chocolate treat? Here are three choices that may appeal to you. Part of the appeal of these recipes is the versatility that chocolate desserts can be created. The other part is the range of calories that they offer. If one recipe turns you off because the calorie count is too high use the chocolate 'fix' that is lower in calories. I’m sure that one of these is bound to satisfy your palate and needs.
Cook Time
Rate the Buttermilk Chocolate Cake Recipe
Ingredients for Chocolate Buttermilk Cake
- 1 C white sugar
- 1/4 C butter or margarine
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 2 large egg whites
- 1 large egg, or Egg Beater as substitute
- 1 1/2 C cake flour, sifted
- 1/3 C unsweetened cocoa
- 1 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 C buttermilk, low-fat
- 1/3 C water
- 1/4 tsp baking soda
- 1 spray cooking spray
- 1 C chocolate glaze, recipe follows
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Prepare a 9 inch cake pan by spraying the bottom with a nonstick cooking spray. Set asides. Combine sugar, butter and vanilla extract in large bowl and beat at medium speed until well blended and light and creamy.
- Add egg whites and egg one at a time; beating after each addition.
- In small bowl combine flour, cocoa, salt, and baking powder and mix well. Set aside.
- In separate bowl combine water, buttermilk and baking soda.
- Beginning and ending with the flour mixture, alternate adding the flour mixture and the buttermilk mixture to the sugar/ butter mixture until all bowls have combined with the butter and sugar.
- Pour the cake batter into the cake pan and place in the oven for 35 minutes or until a cake tester inserted in the middle comes out clean.
- Cool on wire rack for 10 minutes before removing from pan. Frost cake with Chocolate Glaze (see recipe) Depending on the size of your cake, calories are approximately 300 calories each
Chocolate Glaze for Chocolate Buttermilk Cake
Chocolate Glaze:
1 cup sifted powdered sugar
3 T. unsweetened cocoa
2 T. 1% low-fat milk
½ tsp butter or stick margarine, melted
½ tsp. light-colored corn syrup
Combine all ingredients in a small bowl; stir well with whisk.
Yield: ¾ cup.
Spread gaze over cooled Buttermilk Chocolate Cake.
Double Chocolate Brownies
There is never a time when my family does not enjoy the taste of a rich, chocolaty brownie. Now, there are many versions of brownies and many people simplify the process by buying a boxed mix in order to save time, however, this brownie recipe, borrowed is made from scratch and is only 120 calories per piece. Enjoy with a cold glass of milk!
Ingredients:
½ cup all-purpose flour
½ cup unsweetened cocoa
¼ tsp salt
6 tablespoons butter or margarine
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Grease an 8” x 8” metal baking pan. On waxed paper, combine flour, unsweetened cocoa, baking powder, and salt.
In a 3 quart saucepan, melt butter on low. Remove from heat; stir in sugar, eggs-one at a time, and vanilla until well blended. Stir in flour mixture. Spread batter in prepared pan; sprinkle with chocolate chips.
Bake for 18-20 minutes or until cake tester inserted 2 inches from center comes out almost clean.
Cool brownies completely in pan on wire rack for about 2 hours.
When completely cool, cut brownies into 4 strips, then cut each strip crosswise into 4 squares.
Yield: 16 brownies; calories=120.
Homemade baked goods beat store brand!
Chocolate Walnut Cookies
This sweet, chocolate cookie is simple to make and is a mere 70 calories. It’s a great way to top off a meal, and will satisfy a desire for chocolate in a light, tasty way.
Ingredients:
6 oz. semi sweet chocolate chips
2 large egg whites at room temperature
1/8 tsp. cream of tartar
½ tsp. vanilla extract
½ cup packed light brown sugar
1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts (may omit if allergic to nuts)
¼ cup all purpose flour
30 walnut pieces for the top of the cookies
Cooking spray
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat two baking sheets with nonstick cooking spray.
Melt the chocolate chips in a small glass bowl in the microwave for 1- 1 ½ minutes. Cool slightly.
In a medium bowl, with an electric mixer, beat the egg whites together with the cream of tartar and vanilla until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the brown sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time, to make stiff peaks.
Drizzle the chocolate on top of the egg whites and gently fold until thoroughly incorporated.
In a small bowl, stir the chopped walnuts and flour together until well blended. Sprinkle over the egg whites and gently fold until blended (batter will deflate slightly). Immediately drop by rounded teaspoons onto baking sheet. Place a walnut piece in the center of each.
Bake for 12 – 15 minutes turning pans halfway through baking time to ensure even baking. Cookies should be firm around the edges. Remove the cookies from the pans and cool on wire racks.
One cookie=70 calories. Makes approximately 30 cookies.
