Fat Jack's Best Recipes

You don't need a list of really lame excuses to enjoy the heavenly blend of chocolate and cheesecake. If you are like me and are a serious chocolate addict, keep reading!

Chocolate cheesecake can be just the thing to lift your spirits and make you quickly forget that your boss is a jerk, the kids make you want to pull your hair out and even the dog is testing your patients.

Nothing can bring me out of a depressing day faster than indulging in a thick piece of chocolate cheesecake. Only winning the lottery would make me feel better!

I've been known to creep out of bed in the middle of the night when the house is all quiet and just sit all by myself at the kitchen table with my taste of heaven--chocolate cheesecake.

I would not advise sharing this recipe with your cardiac specialist or your holistic health care provider. They simply will not approve at all!

I say, enjoy this delightful luxury but try to do it in moderation...if you can.

Chocolate Velvet Cheesecake

1 c. vanilla wafer crumbs

1/2 c. chopped pecans

3 tbs granulated sugar

1/4 c. margarine, melted

16 oz cream cheese, softened

1/2 c. brown sugar, packed

2 large eggs

6 oz semi-sweet chips, melted

3 tbs almond flavored liqueur

2 c. sour cream

2 tbs granulated sugar

Combine wafer crumbs, pecans, granulated sugar and margarine; press onto bottom of 9-inch pie pan. Bake at 325 degrees F. for 10 minutes. Combine cream cheese and brown sugar, mixing at medium speed on electric mixer until well blended. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing well after each addition. Blend in chocolate and liqueur; pour over crust. Bake at 325 degrees F., 35 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 425 degrees F. Combine sour cream and granulated sugar; carefully spread over cheesecake. Bake at 425 degrees F. 10 minutes. Loosen cake from rim of pan; cool before removing rim of pan. Chill.

Enjoy even more free cheesecake recipes at www.fatjackrecipes.com

~~~Holiday Temptations~~~

Many Americans love to celebrate the holidays by baking something sweet, something delicious and something chocolate. Your creations can be the talk of the Christmas party or these bite-size treasures can make some very nice gifts for your chocolate loving friends.

Enjoy these simple and quick chocolate candy recipes and consider making a holiday tradition. Invite your mother-in-law over, call in the kids or ask your friends to come over and help.

Most of all, have fun making these simple chocolate candy recipes.

Quick And Chewy Chocolate Drops

8 oz semi-sweet baking chocolate, broken into pieces

1/4 c. butter or margarine; softened (1/2 stick)

1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 1/2 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 c. all purpose flour

1/4 tsp baking powder

1/2 c. chopped nuts; (optional)

Heat oven to 350 deg F. In small microwave-safe bowl, place chocolate. Microwave at high (100%) 1 1/2 to 2 minutes or until chocolate is melted when stirred; cool slightly.

In large mixer bowl, beat butter and sugar until well blended. Add egg and vanilla; beat well.

Blend in melted chocolate, flour and baking powder. Stir in nuts, if desired. Drop by rounded teaspoonfuls onto ungreased cookie sheet.

Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until almost set. Cool slightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely. About 2 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Covered Cherries

1 can sweetened condensed milk

1 1/2 stick butter

2 lbs. powdered sugar

2 c. chopped nuts

2 c. coconut

4 jars maraschino cherries

24 oz. almond bark

4 oz. paraseal wax

Mix first five ingredients together. Chill. Take about a pinch and wrap around cherry. Chill 1 hour and then dip in melted chocolate and wax. Keep chilled.

Chocolate Cream Candy

1 can sweetened condensed milk

14 oz semisweet chocolate

2 squares unsweetened chocolate

1 tsp vanilla

1/8 tsp salt

Cook condensed milk and chocolate in double boiler until thick. Add vanilla and salt. Beat well. Spread in a buttered pan or drop by teaspoon on a buttered cookie sheet. Makes about 2 pounds.

Enjoy even more free chocolate recipes at www.fatjackrecipes.com

~~~Warm Your Thoughts on a Winter Day~~~

During the chilly holiday shopping days, thoughts of something warm and chocolaty often enter our heads. Both adults and children are delighted by a steaming cup of flavored coffee, some hot chocolate or a delightful cup of Cafe Au Lait.

Here are some drink mix recipes that are sure to make anyone feel especially loved during this holiday season:

Chocolate Mint Coffee Mix

3/4 c. nondairy powdered coffee creamer

1 c. sugar

3/4 c. instant coffee

1/4 c. cocoa

6 peppermint candies, crushed

Mix: In blender, process all ingredients. Store in an airtight container.

To use: Combine 1 1/2 tbs Mix and 6 oz Boiling water in mug. Top with whipped cream and garnish with a candy cane.

Cafe Au Lait Coffee Mix

1 1/2 c. nondairy creamer

1/2 c. packed brown sugar

1/2 c. instant coffee

Dash of salt

Mix: Put all ingredients into a blender or food processor; blend until powder consistency. Put mixture into an attractive glass jar with a lid. To give as a gift, include a gift card with the following instruction:

To use: To make Cafe Au Lait Coffee, mix 1/3 cup mix with 2/3 cup boiling water for individual servings.

Spicy Mocha Mix

1/2 c. sugar

1/4 c. cocoa powder

1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1 tsp. nutmeg

1/4 c. instant coffee

Mix: Blend together and store in airtight container.

To use: Put 2-3 tsp. mix in cup and add boiling water.

Enjoy even more free recipes at www.fatjackrecipes.com

Chocolate can be quite addictive and this is especially true at Christmas time.

After dealing with the crowded malls and all the fuss over buying gifts, I just want something that will taste good and calm my nerves too. Naturally, I turn to chocolate!

The holidays are a time of both stress and celebration so why not try something just a little different this holiday season that is sure to relieve your stress and help you celebrate too?

Here are a couple of things to try this holiday season. They make good gifts too!

Mexican Chocolate-Pecan Candy

1/2 lb butter
1 cup white sugar
1 cup dark brown sugar plus 1 tbs full additional
1 cup dark Karo syrup
2 half pints cream
2 cups canned evaporated milk
1/4 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla
4 cups chopped pecans (not too small)
1 package dipping chocolate melts

Bring the first 7 ingredients to a hard boil. Boil for 40 minutes or until hard ball stage. Pour in the vanilla and the pecans. Mix well. Pour into a square pan and let stand for 24 hours. Cut into bite size squares. Dip into melted chocolate melts. Makes 24 pieces or more.

Mint Bark Candy
1/3 c. chocolate chips (can be mint flavored)
1 lb. vanilla almond bark
3/4 c. finely crushed candy cane --
--or finely crushed round peppermint candies

Line cookie sheet with foil. Heat chocolate chips until melted and smooth. Heat bark until melted and smooth (I use microwave). Stir crushed candy into almond bark. Pour bark into pan.

Drizzle with melted chocolate chips.

Gently zigzag a narrow metal spatula through the chocolate and peppermint layers to create a swirled effect.

Let stand for several hours until firm or chill 30 minutes. Carefully break candy into pieces. Store tightly covered.

Enjoy even more free recipes at www.fatjackrecipes.com

During the joyous season of Christmas, I love to have the kitchen full of the mouth watering aroma of homemade Christmas cookies. While the temperatures dip low outside, the warmth of the oven fills our home with the tradition of baking gifts.

There are many traditions that every family has that make them unique and interesting. Through my years of working with hardcore criminals, I discovered that no matter how dysfunctional a family is there are still some bonds that are formed through family traditions.

One favorite tradition in many families is to bake cookies. Some choose to decorate them and some bake them for gifts or for parties. Since I do have a passion for chocolate, I'm going to give you some great chocolate cookie recipes to try. Whether you choose to eat them or give them to friends or family is entirely up to you!

Chocolate Cookies
1/2 cup butter
2 ozs. unsweetened chocolate
1 cup sugar
2 1/2 cups flour
1 egg
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup milk

Cream the butter, add sugar gradually, egg well beaten, salt, and chocolate melted. Beat well, and add flour mixed and sifted with baking powder alternately with milk. Chill, roll very thin, then shape with a small cutter, first dipped in flour, and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.

German Chocolate Cookies
2 eggs
Grated rind from 1/2 lemon
1 cup brown sugar
1 1/3 cups almonds, blanched and chopped
2 bars German chocolate
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 cup flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking powder

Beat eggs until light, add sugar, gradually, and continue the beating; then add chocolate, grated, and remaining ingredients. Drop from tip of spoon on a buttered sheet, and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.

Chocolate Fruit Cookies
1/4 cup butter
1 egg
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup nut meats, finely chopped
2 tablespoons grated chocolate
1/2 cup seeded raisins, finely chopped
1 tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon boiling water
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder

Cream the butter, and add sugar, gradually. Melt chocolate, add remaining sugar and water, and cook one minute. Combine mixtures, and add remaining ingredients. Chill, shape, and bake at 350 degrees F. for about 15 minutes.

Enjoy even more free cookie recipes at www.fatjackrecipes.com