Black Bottom Cupcakes

Black Bottom Cupcakes

Servings 40

1 (8-ounce) package cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 beaten egg
1/3 cup sugar
1 (6-ounce) package chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups flour
1 cup sugar
1/4 cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/3 cup cooking oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Combine with 1 mixer: cream cheese, salt, egg, sugar.

Stir in chocolate chips.

Sift together: flour, sugar, cocoa, baking soda and salt.

In large bowl, add water, vinegar, cooking oil and vanilla.

Add dry ingredients to this mixture with electric mixer. Fill cupcake liners 1/2 full with chocolate mixture, then drop a teaspoon of cream cheese mixture on top.

Bake 350 degrees F for 20 minutes.

Almond Kissed Cookies

Almond Kissed Cookies

Servings 42

1 cup divided BLUE DIAMOND Sliced Almonds
1 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 cup softened butter or margarine (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 egg
1 to 2 teaspoon freshly grated orange peel
1/2 teaspoon almond extract
1 cup HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Semi-Sweet or Milk Chocolate

Grind 1/2 cup almonds in food processor or blender. Stir together flour, ground almonds and baking soda; set aside. Beat butter and powdered sugar in bowl until fluffy. Add egg, orange peel and almond extract; beat on low speed until blended. Shape dough into two logs, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. (Refrigerate dough about 15 minutes, if necessary, before shaping). Wrap in wax paper or plastic wrap; refrigerate until well chilled, at least 2 hours. Heat oven to 375 degrees F. Lightly grease cookie sheets. Slice dough into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on cookie sheet about 2 inches apart. Bake 6 to 8 minutes or until edges are lightly browned. Immediately place 3 MINI KISSES and 3 almond slices on top of each cookie, pressing down lightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Mini Kisses Chocolate Blossoms

Mini Kisses Chocolate Blossoms

Servings 48

1 cup softened butter or margarine (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups sugar
2 eggs
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1/2 teaspoon salt
Additional sugar
1 3/4 cups HERSHEY'S MINI KISSES Semi-Sweet Baking Pieces (10-ounce) package

1. Beat butter, 1 1/2 cups sugar, eggs and vanilla in large bowl until fluffy. Combine flour, cocoa and salt; gradually add to butter mixture, beating until well blended. Refrigerate dough about 1 hour or until firm enough to handle.
2. Heat oven to 350 degrees F. Shape dough into 1 1/8-inch balls; roll into sugar. Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
3. Bake 8 to 10 minutes or until set. Remove from oven. Place 3 MINI KISSES on each cookie, pressing down lightly. Remove from cookie sheet to wire rack. Cool completely.

Black Forest Cake

Black Forest Cake

Servings 12


2 (20-ounce) cans undrained tart pitted cherries
1 cup granulated sugar
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 (9-inch) eachs baked and cooled chocolate cake layers
3 cups cold whipping cream
1/3 cup confectioners' sugar


1. Drain cherries, reserving 1/2 cup juice. Combine reserved cherry juice, cherries, granulated sugar and cornstarch in saucepan. Cook and stir over low heat until thickened. Add vanilla and stir.
2. Split each cake layer in half horizontally. Crumble one half layer, set aside.
3. Beat cold whipping cream and the confectioners' sugar in large bowl with an electric mixer set at high speed until stiff peaks form. Reserve 1 1/2 cups whipped cream for decorative piping.
4. Place one cake layer on serving plate. Spread with 1 cup whipped cream; top with 3/4 cup cherry topping; top with third cake layer.
5. Frost cake sides with remaining whipped cream; pat gently with reserved cake crumbs.
6. Spoon reserved 1 1/2 cups whipped cream into pastry bag fitted with star tip; pipe around top and bottom edges of cake. Spoon remaining cherry topping over top of cake.