Category Archives: Chocolate

Nutty Chocolate Bark

December 15, 2022 by pamflo

In preparation for the holidays I’m making one of my favorite desserts, nutty chocolate bark. It’s a fun and festive recipe, delicious and easy to make. Most professional chocolate is “tempered”, which requires it to be brought to a certain temperature. This process takes time and a bit of skill, but ensures a shiny finish and a longer shelf life. Candies, like truffles, dipped chocolates and bars of chocolate require tempering to create their signature taste and texture. Some simple candy recipes […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Melt

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Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

March 24, 2022 by pamflo

This bread is a family favorite with the combination of ripe bananas and chocolate chips. It’s moist and delectable, and the scent will waft through your kitchen as it’s baking. Let the banana bread cool and serve it warm. The bread will freeze well, if you have any slices left! Let’s talk about flour, specifically about the weight of it. There is a difference between “2 cups sifted all-purpose flour” and “2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted”. Actually the variance is […]

Categories: Breads, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Snack • Tags: Bake

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Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chili

February 10, 2022 by pamflo

This dense, chocolaty and utterly delicious cake recipe is adapted from Eating Well magazine. This is a gluten-free cake with no flour in the batter and a secret ingredient of chipotle chili powder. I say secret ingredient because you might not detect the chili powder, but it intensifies the chocolate and the cinnamon flavors. I always recommend using good quality chocolate with at least 70% cacao. Guittard bittersweet baking wafers, which I enthusiastically recommend, are readily available in most markets. […]

Categories: Cakes, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake, Melt

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Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

January 20, 2022 by pamflo

This chia seed pudding recipe is as simple as it gets. There is no cooking involved and the pudding has only 6 ingredients. These small seeds pack a big nutrient punch. They’re gluten free, a great source of protein, fiber and omega-3 fatty acids. Although the chia seeds are flavorless this is where your choice of milk and toppings will make all the difference. I like the way the chia seeds swell and thicken when immersed in liquid. Thick and […]

Categories: Breakfast Ideas, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Easy Recipes, Gluten Free, Healthish, Seeds, Snack • Tags: No Cooking

Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies

August 19, 2021 by pamflo

There is a small Boston neighborhood shop named Fastachi that sells the best assortment of nuts, roasting them in small batches and by hand. A favorite of mine is the lightly salted, roasted pecans. I don’t usually prefer nuts in my baked goods but when I saw this recipe in a newsletter by recipe developer Susan Spungen, I knew I had to make them. I used my beautiful roasted pecans alongside bittersweet chocolate chunks for these delicious cookies. I swirled […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser • Tags: Bake

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Intensely Chocolate Walnut Brownies

February 11, 2021 by pamflo

The smell in my kitchen is absolutely intoxicating! February 14th is approaching and these brownies are the perfect sweet and chocolatey homemade gift. These heavenly squares are gluten-free, and the cornstarch-cocoa powder combination replaces the flour. The toasted chopped walnuts elevate these brownies, but the nuts are optional. I’ve added both cocoa nibs for extra crunch and a pinch of pink Himalayan sea salt, which balances the sugar and intensifies the deep chocolate flavor. Happy Valentine’s Day!

Categories: Brownies, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

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Chocolate Swirl Peppermint Bark

December 23, 2020 by pamflo

Chocolate bark is an easy and delicious dessert for a party, a perfect gift or a treat just for you. A timely snow storm provided a free day for some fun projects. Most professional chocolate is “tempered”, or heated and cooled to a certain temperature to stabilize the chocolate. This ensures a shiny finish, a firm bite and a longer shelf life. This process takes time and a bit of skill. This bark recipe doesn’t require tempering. Chocolate that is not […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Melt

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Mint Chocolate Sable Cookies

December 17, 2020 by pamflo

I had the privilege of meeting Dorie Greenspan, baker extraordinaire and cookbook author. She has published many beautiful cookbooks, but Dorie’s Cookies is a wonderful gift for any baker. At a recent book signing event, the discussion about her food journey was heartfelt, warm and funny. Listening to her speak about making cookies, reminded me how much I enjoy baking during the holidays. Sables are French butter cookies and they’re a perfect holiday gift or treat. The smooth, deep minty […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Desserts, Gifts, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

Double Chocolate Baked Donuts

December 10, 2020 by pamflo

Decadent and easy, you will never know these divine double chocolate donuts are grain free. All you’ll need is a standard donut pan to make this fun and easy dessert (or breakfast treat)! Coconut flour is a very good alternative flour in gluten-free baking. It has the ability to absorb liquid and provides a perfect substitute for all-purpose flour in many gluten-free baked goods. Often the challenge in gluten-free baking is finding the correct proportion and balance of ingredients to […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Donuts, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

Coconut Macaroons with a Chocolate Drizzle

December 3, 2020 by pamflo

Calling all coconut lovers! Coconut is a great source of immediate energy, helps reduce inflammation in the body and is a heart healthy fat. These macaroons are a satisfying, gluten free, healthy snack. There are a few ways to make macaroons. This recipe is a two step process, but it guarantees a delicious cookie. The exterior of the cookies will be golden and crisp, and the interior will be soft and moist. Let’s Do Organic Unsweetened Coconut Flakes is the […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Desserts, Gifts, Gluten Free, Healthish • Tags: Bake

Chocolate Dipped Figs with Pistachios

September 24, 2020 by pamflo

Let’s talk a little about figs — Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Green Kadota and Calimyrna figs are the varieties that are commonly available. Although not local to New England, the season for figs starts in the spring and goes through October. I used Black Mission figs for this simple and delicious treat. Figs are a unique seeded fruit with a sweet jammy flavor and soft chewy texture. A great source of fiber and nutrients, they’re delicate with a short shelf […]

Categories: Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Fruit, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Nuts, Snack • Tags: Melt

Chocolate Chip Meringues

April 9, 2020 by pamflo

Light, airy, melt-in-your mouth and gluten free, meringues are surprisingly simple to make! The secret to crispy meringues are whipping the egg whites to a creamy, white firm peak. You can either use a standing mixer with the whip attachment, or a hand mixer. Although, when I was in cooking school we had to whip the egg whites by hand — it builds muscle! The key steps are to whip room temperature egg whites until they’re a little creamy, slowly adding […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Eggs, Holiday Ideas, Passover Recipes • Tags: Bake, Whip

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Molten Chocolate Cakes

February 13, 2020 by pamflo

As the snow falls lightly but steadily, I’m in my kitchen baking away. In anticipation of Valentine’s Day, it was necessary to break out a favorite indulgent dessert, incredibly oozy-gooey and delicious! There’s nothing as wonderful as the aroma of a cake baking, especially one with chocolate and espresso. Espresso powder is perfect for baked goods as its more concentrated and has a deeper flavor than regular coffee granules. Just a teaspoon will give a richer flavor to your chocolate recipes, […]

Categories: Cakes, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dessert, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake, Whip

Double Chocolate Expresso Cookies

December 19, 2019 by pamflo

A couple of years ago I entered a holiday cookie recipe contest on-line through the LA Times. I submitted this cookie recipe and although I didn’t win, it was fun to participate and see all the other cookie recipe submissions. These double chocolatey, ooey-gooey, decadent cookies are a family favorite and don’t contain any flour! I added instant expresso for added punch, as well as dark chocolate chunks. Although these cookies are gluten free, they are super flavorful and provide […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Bake

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Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

November 7, 2019 by pamflo

Please don’t throw away those pumpkin seeds! Roasted pumpkin seeds are an easy, healthy snack and a great source of protein, fiber and magnesium. They’re crunchy and have a mild, nutty flavor. Soaking and rinsing the seeds in cold water will help remove the stringy flesh. Simply combine the seasonings and drizzle over the seeds, baking at a low temperature. The seeds are ready when browned and crispy.

Categories: Appetizer, Chocolate, Crowd Pleaser, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Holiday Ideas, Low Sugar, Seeds, Snack • Tags: Roast

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Easy Chocolate Cups

June 20, 2019 by pamflo

Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and minerals such as magnesium, zinc and iron, and has been shown to have many health benefits. Studies show that chocolate can help reduce inflammation in the body and it’s a mood booster too! There are many good quality brands of chocolate on the market, but be sure to use chocolate containing between 65 and 80 percent cacao. Most professional chocolate is “tempered”, which is the process of melting, cooling and then reheating the […]

Categories: Candy, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar, Nuts/Seeds • Tags: Chill, Melt

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Almond Chocolate Chip (No Cook) Oat Bars

March 7, 2019 by pamflo

There is a vast array of snack bars, protein bars and crunchy snack items on the market. I love making my own snack bars since I can choose my ingredients and know there are no stabilizers or added sugar. These bars couldn’t be easier to make as they don’t even require cooking, just a trip to the freezer. Almond butter is the base of the bar, and the oats keep the bars together along with maple syrup. I added lightly […]

Categories: Bars, Breakfast Ideas, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: No Cooking

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Decadent Chocolate Truffles

February 7, 2019 by pamflo

Sadly, many of the small private Massachusetts colleges are closing. Unusual that I mention this in a blog post, but I really enjoyed the many semesters I spent years ago at Newbury College in their culinary program. It was a big undertaking with classes running every Saturday from 9am-6pm, and a baby and a three year old at home with my husband. I learned so much though and came home with goodies every weekend. I loved the pastry classes although […]

Categories: Boozy, Chocolate, Dessert, Gifts, Gluten Free, Holiday Ideas • Tags: Melt

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Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

October 18, 2018 by pamflo

It’s a chilly 46 degrees right now as I write this post. Perfect weather for baking 🙂 These oatmeal cookies have almond flour as a substitute for white flour and are sweetened with coconut palm sugar. Coconut palm sugar (not to be confused with palm sugar) is made from the sap of the coconut palm tree. This is a solid alternative sweetener for refined sugars and is most similar to brown sugar. Although this type of sugar provides the same […]

Categories: Chocolate, Cookies, Cooking Tips, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Healthish, Low Sugar • Tags: Bake

Chocolate Dipped Figs

September 27, 2018 by pamflo

Let’s talk a little about figs — Black Mission, Brown Turkey, Green Kadota and Calimyrna figs are the varieties that are commonly available. Although not local to New England, the season for figs starts in the spring and goes through October. I used Black Mission figs for this simple but delicious treat. Figs are a unique seeded fruit with a sweet jammy flavor and soft chewy texture. A great source of fiber and nutrients, they’re delicate with a short shelf […]

Categories: Chocolate, Dessert, Fruit, Gifts, Gluten Free, Low Sugar • Tags: Melt

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Paleo Coconut Caramel Bars

July 12, 2018 by pamflo

I love to inspire people in the kitchen and so I don’t often talk about recipe failures. However, I make many with all the experimenting that I do! The first round of making this recipe was a complete failure. The thing about baking is that it takes focus, attention to detail and respect for the right proportion of ingredients. It’s also why baking is so enjoyable too! This recipe is free of grain, dairy and refined sugars and instead uses […]

Categories: Bars, Chocolate, Dairy Free, Dessert, Gluten Free, Low Sugar, Paleo • Tags: Bake, Simmer

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Zest For Cooking

I love to cook and share my love of food!

Category Archives: Chocolate

Nutty Chocolate Bark

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Flourless Chocolate Cake with Chili

Chocolate Chia Seed Pudding

Pecan Chocolate Chunk Cookies

Intensely Chocolate Walnut Brownies

Chocolate Swirl Peppermint Bark

Mint Chocolate Sable Cookies

Double Chocolate Baked Donuts

Coconut Macaroons with a Chocolate Drizzle

Chocolate Dipped Figs with Pistachios

Chocolate Chip Meringues

Molten Chocolate Cakes

Double Chocolate Expresso Cookies

Sweet Roasted Pumpkin Seeds

Easy Chocolate Cups

Almond Chocolate Chip (No Cook) Oat Bars

Decadent Chocolate Truffles

Chocolate Dipped Flourless Oatmeal Cookies

Chocolate Dipped Figs

Paleo Coconut Caramel Bars