Decadent Chocolate Recipes

If you are feeling slow, sluggish, or tired on a hot day, hot coffee or tea probably does not sound very appetizing. This is why iced coffees and teas have become so popular! They present the option of getting the caffeine boost without drinking hot liquids on an already hot or humid day. Here are some delicious recipes to try out the next time you have some time on your hands or are looking for an iced drink to serve at your next gathering.

Iced Coffee

Prepare coffee twice the usual strength. Pour hot coffee over cracked ice in tall glasses, or over block of ice in large pitcher. Serve with plain or whipped cream and sugar or serve black.

Austrian Iced Coffee

Half fill tall glasses with cracked ice, sprinkle powdered sugar over ice, as desired, and place 1 tablespoon whipped cream in each glass. Pour hot strong coffee into iced glasses.

Iced Cafe au Lait

Pour 1 cup double strength coffee over cracked ice in tall glass; add small scoop vanilla or coffee ice cream; serve at once.

Iced Cafe-Chocolat

Shake or beat thoroughly 1 cup strong coffee, 1 tablespoon chocolate syrup, 2 tablespoons whipped cream, and 3 tablespoons chipped ice. Serve immediately. A cute idea for parties or gatherings is to purchase custom coasters, sandstone coasters, or coaster sets with cups of coffee or coffee beans printed on them.

Frosted Coffee

Half fill 6 tall glasses with chopped ice; pour hot strong coffee over ice until glasses are three-fourths full, and top each with a heaping tablespoon of vanilla ice cream. Use 1 quart hot coffee for 6 glasses.

Coffee Delight

4 cups iced coffee
1 cup whipping cream
8 tablespoons sugar syrup
1 quart ginger ale

Mix coffee and syrup. Fill 8 tall glasses ¾ full of crushed ice. Whip cream; into each glass put ¼ cup cream, ½ cup coffee mixture and ½ cup ginger ale. Stir.

Iced Tea

Prepare strong tea, using 1½ teaspoons per cup. Pour hot tea over cracked ice in tall glasses. Or pour hot tea over block of ice in large pitcher. Tea is clearer and more sparkling cooled quickly than cooled slowly. Garnish with lemon or orange slice. Absorbent table coasters and cocktail napkins would be smart to have on hand in case the lemon or orange slices are cast aside-it will keep them from staining the table or tablecloth.

Iced Ginger Tea

Boil ginger root in water 2 to 5 minutes, or until water is flavored as desired; strain, use boiling hot liquid for preparing strong tea. Proceed as for Iced Tea.

Spiced Iced Tea

2 cups sugar
2 cups water
5 teaspoons black tea
5 mint leaves
1 teaspoon allspice
1½ cups strained orange juice
¾ cup strained lemon juice
4 quarts iced water

Boil sugar and water 5 minutes; add tea, mint and spice; cover lightly and let stand 15 minutes; strain and add fruit juices. Pour over cracked ice, add the water and serve. These measurements serve approximately 15 to 20 servings. Specialty tea cups, customized paper coasters, and a sugar caddy may be necessary at a tea party or other gathering.

Mint Julep Iced Tea

To 2 cups tea infusion, add 1 bunch mint, crushed, 6 tablespoons lemon juice, 3/4 cup sugar and 3 whole cloves; chill several hours. When ready to serve, strain and add 1 pint white grape juice, ¼ cup each diced pineapple and sliced maraschino cherries, 1 orange sliced thin, and then cut in eighths, and 1 quart carbonated water. Pour into tall glasses half filled with cracked ice and top with sprig of fresh mint. Makes enough for 15 tall glasses.

Allison Ryan specializes in entertainment. For paper coasters, sandstone coasters, or specialty custom table coasters, stop by http://www.thirstycoasters.com/.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/iced-coffee-and-tea-recipes-1167814.html

Everyone loves a delicious homemade cake. Many people tend not to make cakes because they think it is a difficult and time consuming task. Fortunately, there are easy cake recipes that are perfect for the novice baker and one who has a busy life.

The following are a few easy cakes that you can make at home:

1.) Sponge Cake: This cake is very easy to make and is light, tasty, and perfect for the family or when entertaining guests.

Ingredients: Four ounces (110 grams) of self raising flour, sifted, one tea spoon baking powder, four ounces (110 grams) of soft margarine, four ounces (110 grams) of sugar, two large eggs, and two to three drops vanilla

The entire baking time from start to finish takes less than an hour.

2.) Ice Cream Cake: A delicious treat children will love.

Preparation time: Twenty to thirty minutes. Freezing time: Eight hours or overnight.
For one eight inch ice cream cake you will need: 3 c. chocolate ice cream, slightly softened five Heath bars or five ounces of English toffee, coarsely chopped four tbsp. chocolate syrup three tablespoons. coffee liqueur 3 c. vanilla ice cream, slightly softened

3.) Chocolate Cake: Preparation time takes only a few minutes. The result is moist and delicious chocolate cake.

Ingredients: four ounces (110 grams) self raising flour, sifted, one tea spoon baking powder, four ounces (110 grams) of soft margarine, four ounces (110 grams) of sugar, two large eggs, one tbs. cocoa powder. Filling ingredients:
two ounces (55 grams) of butter or quality margarine, four ounces (110 grams) icing/confectioners’ sugar, one rounded tbs cocoa powder, two tsp of milk.

Preheat the oven to 170 degrees Celsius, 325 degrees Fahrenheit.
Sift the baking powder and flour into a large mixing bowl. Add the other ingredients to the bowl and beat until everything is mixed together. Put half the mixture in each of the prepared pans and place on the centre shelf of the preheated oven for about thirty minutes.

4.) ‘Fruity’ Cake: A delicious and fruity treat for the whole family

Ingredients: 2 eggs, 1 c. salad oil, 2 c. sugar, 1 tsp. salt, 2 c. flour, 1 tsp. baking soda
2 tsp. cinnamon, ground, 1 tsp. vanilla, 1/2 c. chopped nuts (optional), 1 can pie filling (apple, cherry, peach, etc.)

When mixed, stir in can of fruit with its syrup. Pour into a greased and floured 9 x 13 inch baking pan. Bake at 350 degrees for 35-45 minutes. Cool.

5.) White Birthday Cake: This is an easy and delicious cake for anyone’s birthday.

Ingredients: 2 1/4 cups cake flour (9 ounces), 1 cup whole milk, 6 large egg whites (3/4 cup), 2 teaspoons almond extract, 1 teaspoon vanilla extract, 1 3/4 cups granulated sugar (12 1/4 ounces), 4 teaspoons baking powder, 1 teaspoon table salt, 12 tablespoons softened unsalted butter (1 1/2 sticks)

Preheat oven to 325 degrees and bake for about 25 minutes.

Easy cake recipes are great for parents on the go. You will not only enjoy eating this delicious treat, but have fun making it. Try making an easy cake today and make sure you share it with friends and family. Cakes help to celebrate special occasions, bring people together, and are even good for bringing about a smile on any day.

A wholesome ingredient to include in your breakfasts for high nutritional value is eggs. These healthy components are very common in easy recipes for any meal of the deal.Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/food-and-beverage-articles/easy-cakes-to-make-at-home-1163655.html