GOOD CHOCOLATE COOKIES

 The Canary Islands have a few very nice things:  The oranges are the best, the carrots are sweet, the tomatoes are cheap and taste fresh and Valor Cocoa is the best cocoa I have ever used.  I sometimes add a little less than called for because it is so rich and dark.  This is an easy, good chocolate cookie (and it doesn't need brown sugar.)   I did find some chocolate chips, finally.  On a trip to the other island, Gran Canaria, we went to an English store, that has an American section.  They had chocolate chips for 9 Euros (about $12 for a 11 oz. bag)  I couldn't believe I bought 2 bags.  And I paid about the same price for a small bottle of Karo syrup.  They also had some real miniature marshmallows for about $4 a bag. 

Beat Together:
1 C. butter slightly melted
1 1/4 C. white sugar
2 eggs
1/2 C. Cocoa
Add:
2 1/4 C. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Baking Powder
2 C. Chocolate chips or chopped chocolate for those of you cooking in Europe.
I don't dare add nuts, cooking for youngsters, but 1 C. or more of chopped toasted almonds or walnuts would make these even better.

Bake 350 for 10 minutes.  Don't over bake!

If you want to comment via e-mail - charmandy@comcast.net

THE BEST CHOCOLATE CAKE

I have looked at this cake in my Pinterest dessert file for awhile and decided to make it in the Canaries since I don't find cake mixes very often and when I do they cost $4-5, which is a bit too much for me.  This is indeed the best chocolate cake I have ever made from scratch or mix.  The great thing is that it only has 1/2 C. of oil so I call it low fat..compared to some cakes I have made.  It is quick, no creaming and bakes up firm and moist.  I don't think I will ever buy a chocolate cake mix again. 

I have made this 4 times in 3 weeks.  I have baked it thin for a bar cookie and into a layered birthday cake.   The rich dark cocoa here is "knock your socks off."  I am planning to bring some home.

I tried to dollop some cheesecake mix into this to make a cheesecake swirled chocolate cake but I think the cream cheese here is not solid enough and it floated to the top.  It was good but I probably won't do it again until I get home.   It was delicious with orange frosting.

The BEST Chocolate Cake

Put 1 cup of water into a mixing bowl. Microwave to a near boil.

Add:

1 3/4 C. sugar

¾ C. cocoa powder (Valor in Spain)

1 tsp. salt

2 tsp. vanilla

½ C. oil

Stir well Add:

1 C. buttermilk (I used ½ C. plain Greek yogurt and ½ c. milk)

2 eggs

2 C. flour

2 tsp. soda

1 tsp. baking powder

Mix together well.  The batter will be thin.   Bake 350 -  time will depend on the thickness of the pans.

If you want to comment via e-mail - charmandy@comcast.net