Mini Molten Chocolate Cakes

from Better Homes and Gardens New Baking Book
(found on thisweekfordinner.com), pic from this link

INGREDIENTS:
3/4 C butter (1 1/2 sticks)
6 oz. semisweet chocolate, chopped (we used a cup of chocolate chips)
Granulated sugar to dust the little custard cups
3 eggs
3 egg yolks
1/3 C sifted powdered sugar
1 1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 C flour
2 T unsweetened cocoa powder

1. In heavy saucepan, combine butter and chopped chocolate; melt over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; cool. Grease six 1-cup souffle dishes/ramekins or 6-oz custard cups with butter. Coat with granulated sugar.

2. Beat eggs, egg yolks, powdered sugar and vanilla with an electric mixer on high speed about 5 mins or until thick and pale yellow. Beat in chocolate mixture on medium speed. Sift flour and cocoa over chocolate mixture; beat on low speed just until blended. Spoon into prepared dishes.

3. Bake in a 400 degree oven 12-14 mins or until cakes rise slightly and feel firm at edges and softer in the center when pressed gently. Cool in dishes 5 minutes. Invert with pot holders onto plates. Cool 15 mins before serving. Can sprinkle with sifted powdered sugar and top with spiral garnishes and raspberries.

We didn't let them cool for 15 minutes before eating. My favorite part was the gooey insides-- tasted like melted chocolate chips!

Chocolate Chip Banana Bread

Recipe, originally called Hershey Banana Bread, came from my sister in law Amy

1 cup mashed bananas (3 small)

1/2 cup shortening or APPLESAUCE

2 eggs

1 tsp salt

1/2 tsp baking soda

1 tsp baking powder

1 cup sugar

2 cups flour

1 cup chocolate chips

Grease bottoms only of two loaf pans. Bake at 350 degrees for 45-50 minutes or until toothpick comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes. Remove from pans to wire rack. Cool completely.

World's Best Chocolate Chip Cookies

Thanks to my sister Kathryn for finding this new recipe online somewhere. I like it better than the recipe that was my favorite for years! Be sure to add PLENTY of chocolate chips!

3/4 cup sugar

1 cup brown sugar

1 cup butter (not margarine) slightly softened

1 Tbsp vanilla

2 large eggs slightly beaten

3 cups flour

3/4 tsp baking soda

3/4 tsp salt

3 cups chocolate chips

Drop onto ungreased cookie sheet. Bake in 350 degree preheated oven for 10-12 minutes. The trick is to take them out slightly before you think they're done, and let them sit on the hot pan for a minute before taking them off.