Ree's Baked Fudge Cups

By now most people are familiar with who Ree Drummond is, right?  You know, The Pioneer Woman?  the most successful food blogger out there - she gives great stuff away, makes TV appearances, has authored cookbooks, hosts her own cooking show - all the things we food bloggers dream of.    

Anyway, I was watching Ree's show the other day when she made this recipe she calls Baked Fudge.  It's kind of difficult to explain, so here's how Ree describes it:  

"Crusty, set upper crust... soft, but definitely not runny, filling.  It really is the best of both worlds. Chocolaty, but tastes like cake batter, but not as runny... but warm and delicious." 

I knew my chocoholic family would love them.

Enjoy!

Items used to make this recipe:

(affiliate links)

• 4-ounce ramekins https://amzn.to/2I91ExJ

• my favorite dutch-processed cocoa powder https://amzn.to/2WU6WQY

• pure vanilla extract https://amzn.to/3AEmKg6

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Ree's Baked Fudge Cups

serves 8 (4-ounce ramekins)

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 4 whole eggs

• 1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

• 1/2 cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder

• 1/4 cup all purpose flour

• 1 cup unsalted butter, melted

• 1/2 teaspoon fine salt

• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 325F.

2. In the bowl of a stand mixer, beat the eggs until light in color.

3. Add sugar, cocoa, flour, melted butter, salt, and vanilla; mix gently until combined.

4. Pour into 8 ungreased 4-ounce ramekins.

5. Place ramekins into a large roasting pan and fill pan with hot water until the water level reaches about half way up the side of the ramekins.

6. Bake 50-60 minutes, or until the top is crusty and the interior is moist, yet firm (shouldn't be liquidy). Serve warm, room temp, or cold - and don't forget to top them with ice cream or whipped cream - or both! PS - I tucked a few leftovers into the freezer and the Hubs loved eating them frozen.

Note

• Half the recipe above can be baked in an 8x8 casserole dish - adjust baking time and bake until batter is still moist, but set firm and no longer runny.

adapted from thepioneerwoman

Chia Pudding Dessert Shooters

I couldn't decide which flavor of chia pudding to share with you first, so what the heck, I'll share all three.  Gives me a good excuse to use these adorable little Bormioli shot glasses too.  No spoons needed, just tilt your head back and enjoy.

Now for some interesting facts about chia seeds.  Chia seeds are an unprocessed, whole-grain superfood that can be eaten raw or in gel form (they absorb liquid, up to 10 times their weight).  They're chock full of healthy omega fats, protein, antioxidants, calcium, and dietary fiber.

Bonus - chia seed gel can be used as an egg substitute when baking:  for every egg called for in a recipe, mix 1 tablespoon of chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water and allow to gel.

Chocolate Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups chocolate milk

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

Directions

1. Combine chia seeds and chocolate milk, stirring frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.

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Roasted Strawberry and Vanilla Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup vanilla roasted strawberries

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 cup water

• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• 3 tablespoons chia seeds

Directions

1. In a blender or food processor, combine strawberries, milk, and water.

2. Add vanilla extract and chia seeds, stir frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

3. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.

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Vanilla Chia Pudding

makes about 2 cups

Printable Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 cups milk

• 1 teaspoon vanilla bean paste

• 1/4 cup chia seeds

• sweeten to taste

Directions

1. Combine milk, vanilla bean paste, chia seeds, and your choice of sweetener, stir frequently for about 30 minutes to eliminate clumps, then cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours.

2. Spoon into dessert dishes and serve.