So now that I know my baking obsession was to alleviate stress … I feel I have been given carte blanche to continue my efforts in the kitchen. What I need to do now is elevate my happy quotient by adding chocolate into the mix. Here are some of my favorite stress-relieving, happiness-inducing chocolate desserts:
Death by Chocolate No-Bake Cheesecake Bars
This one is also a bit of a cheat since it doesn't involve the oven, but chocolate!! And who can resist chocolate and cheesecake together? Not me. This Death by Chocolate Cheesecake Bar Recipe by Averie definitely lives up to its name and is super easy to make! You can even up the ante and add Bailey's to it if you want. I usually make it without Bailey's so it's family friendly - but just make it my own, I top it with what I have on hand - chopped up chocolate chips, crumbled brownies or even more crumbled oreo cookies. This one is definitely one that is on repeat often in the Shaw-Hong household.
Chocolate Lava Cake
This one is a little bit of a cheat since it's made in the slow cooker instead of the oven but it is still delicious. And it’s still technically “baking” since I’m measuring and mixing :) I usually prep and put it in the slow cooker before I start dinner and by the time we are done with dinner and dishes are cleared, we are ready to dig into this decadent Chocolate Lava Cake, recipe courtesy of Kitchn. This is cakey on the outside and warm, gooey chocolate on the inside. Just add some whipped cream or vanilla ice cream with some fresh raspberries and... what stress?
Double Chocolate Brownies
Last but not least, brownies!! I haven’t found a homemade brownie recipe that doesn’t turn out dry, so my go-to brownie is a mix found at any supermarket - Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix. This is the one that already comes with chocolate chunks but if you want to get even more, just add another cup or two of chocolate chips into the mix. I’m always up for trying to make homemade brownies so if you have a recipe that delivers delicious crunchy on top and moist on the inside brownies, please send them over.
photo by Ghirardelli