Dark Chocolate Mocha Granita

A refreshing cold ..Icy...Chocolaty....Dessert ...Just for both of you:)
( It has Coffee and hence 'adults only' dessert!!)

"Granita" is a Semi frozen, icy dessert made with Sugar, water and various flavorings. It looks like shaved ice/ crushed Popsicles!

I was watching "Melissa De'Arabian" on Food Network that day in the afternoon.In her $10 meals ...was this easy breezy icy dessert called "Mocha Granita". I just couldn't wait to try it out..and gave it my version by additions of Dark chocolate and chocolate chips.....and our very favorite ...Bru Instant Coffee :)
I thought the dark chocolate makes it more richer tasting and the mini chocolate chips give a pleasant surprise when you bite into the icy granita.

Ingredients:
2 Cups Water
1/2 cup milk
3 tsp Bru Instant Coffee
4tsp sugar ( add more for sweeter granita)
3tsp Hersheys Dark Chocolate cocoa powder( unsweetened)
1/2tsp Vanilla essence
1 tbsp 'mini' chocolate chips

(You can use Whipped cream to garnish the Granita)

Method:
1) Boil water and add the coffee. Let it boil for 2-3 mins
2) Add sugar, cocoa powder, milk and mix. Let it cool completely
3) Add the Vanilla essence and stir
4) Pour in freezer safe glass dish( I used 8x8 glass container)
5) Sprinkle the mini chocolate chips and stir.
6) Freeze for total 4-5 hrs.Stir every 45 mins or so.
7) When serving defrost on counter top for 5-10 mins. Scrape with a fork

 8) Scoop out with ice cream scoop. You can garnish with a dollop of Whipped Cream ( I didn't have any in the refrigerator) and more mini chocolate chips.

"Pat-a-Cake" - Chocolate Fudge Cake with Cream cheese+Ricotta cheese icing

All of last week and this week, both 'M' and 'E' had holidays. We did not travel anywhere, but did a lot of eating, relaxing , watching movies and sleeping! That is all what you are looking forward to ...at times!
So.....in the holidays..'M' had been asking me that he wanted to bake cake either for Christmas or New years. Due to my laziness, I kept postponing it.....will do it later..will do it tomorrow...were my answers.

Finally....he took the initiative...got a 'Betty Crocker' mix and baked a cake all by himself at 10 pm on 30th night!!! Now that's the Spirit! I was really proud of him!
Next day it was upto me....to do the rest.....icing ...decoration and make it look prettier! The cake came out really good ( Betty Crocker and 'M' you are the best!) ....and we further enhanced the moistness with a 'Spray' of coffee ( recipe follows) and the 'Icing on the Cake' was a creamy delicious blend of Cream cheese, Ricotta cheese and butter...and sugar! We enjoyed this dessert on New Years Eve along with some Good Friends, Laughter and a Game of Cards!

Ingredients:
For the Cake
1 packet Betty Crocker 'Chocolate Fudge' cake mix

For the 'Spray'
1 tsp instant coffee powder
1tsp sugar
1/2 cup water

For the Icing:
3/4 packet of 8 oz Cream cheese
1/2 cup Ricotta cheese
3tbsp butter
3/4 - 1 cup powdered sugar ( add as per the sweetness desired)
2-4 tbsp milk
1tsp vanilla extract
Maraschino cherries
Few brown M and M's
1 and 1/2 Hersheys Dark Chocolate bar Grated/ Curled

Method:
1) Bake the cake as per directions on the packet. Let it cool completely.

2) Boil 1 tsp coffee in 1/2 cup water and sugar for 5 mins. Let it cool.Fill the coffee in a 'spray' bottle.
3) Cut the cake carefully into 3 layers with a big knife or cake layer cutter.Place all three layers on different plates.Place the last /bottom layer on the stand you want to present the cake on.
4) Spray the layers generously with coffee mixture.Let it soak for 15 mins.
5) Mean time, mix together cream cheese, ricotta cheese, butter, sugar,vanilla and whip well with hand blender or a stand mixer. Mix till well blended, smooth and creamy.Add milk to adjust consistency.
6) Spread the frosting on the bottom most layer.Spread with a spatula evenly.
7) Place the next layer on top and repeat the same.Place the third and final layer and generously cover with the icing. Spread evenly and smoothly.

8) Grate/ curl Hersheys Dark chocolate Bar. Put the chocolate curls on the edge and sides of the cake.

9) Decorate the center with cherries and M and M's.

                            Enjoy the ULTIMATE  moist ....delicious .....creamy...chocolaty cake !!!