Pies happen to be one of my most favorite desserts but so many pies call for long cooking times in the oven.  With the Summer heat upon us, I try to find recipes with little oven cooking time and that often need refrigeration to keep everyone cool.  I have a few favorites and this is one of them.  I actually only enjoy a few chocolate type desserts and that’s my grandmother’s chocolate sheet cake and this chocolate banana pie.

It’s very easy to make and if you have 15 minutes to bake and cool a pie shell, then it’s a great dessert lifesaver for when company decides they want to come over last minute.  I bought the pie shell and usually do keep a few on hand for times like that but if you prefer to make it, I have a perfect pie crust recipe which would make this pie even more delicious.

Hi, I’m Lisa from Stop and Smell the Chocolates. I’m a married mom of one amusing son and I love chocolate! Take a little chocolate break during your stressful day – come by and you might find a yummy recipe, a funny story, a cup of tea, a household tip, a lovely picture, or a new friend. I look forward to meeting you and sharing some chocolate!

With Mother’s Day fast approaching, you may be looking for a nice chocolate dessert to make (’cause every mom I know loves chocolate). This recipe is rich and delicious. The presentation is nice too. All chocolate fans will love it!

The recipe was from a magazine and sat around my house for a couple of years. I happened to have some mini liqueurs in my cupboard (either one could be used in the recipe) because I liked the bottles. I never really thought to get them all together and try it out until I had a blog full of chocolate! I’m so glad I did. Enjoy! It will be hard to share, but I highly recommend it.

INGREDIENTS

• 3 cups heavy whipping cream
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 5 oz. bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
• 2 oz. baking chocolate, finely chopped
• 3 tablespoons Frangelico or Godiva chocolate liqueur

Garnish:

• 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
• 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
• 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped, toasted hazelnuts or almonds
• 1/4 cup bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate

DIRECTIONS

1. In a medium saucepan over medium heat, whisk together cream, sugar, and vanilla. Simmer, stirring several times, until reduced by a third, about 40 minutes.

2. Stir in chopped chocolates until well-blended.

3. Remove from heat and whisk in liqueur. Can be refrigerated up to 2 days ahead (gently reheat to serve).

To Serve:
Whip the cream until frothy. Then add the powdered sugar and vanilla. Continue to whip until the cream holds soft peaks. Fold in chopped nuts and chocolate bits. Place a large scoop of the whipped cream in the center of each serving bowl and pour the warm chocolate soup around the whipped cream.

Makes 4-6 servings

This is my grandmother’s recipe and I am proud to share it with you.  I make this all the time and you can actually do variations of this with pineapple, strawberry, etc.  It’s super good and is a cross between a cake and brownie.  Enjoy!

INGREDIENTS:

Cake Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 1/2 c. shortening
• 1 c. water
• 4 TBLS cocoa
• 2 c. sugar
• 2 c. flour
• 1/2 c. buttermilk
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. soda
• 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1 tsp. vanilla

Icing Ingredients

• 1 stick butter
• 4 TBLS cocoa
• 6 TBLS milk
• 1 box confectioners sugar

DIRECTIONS:

Melt butter, shortening, water, and cocoa. Bring to a boil. Mix sugar & flour in bowl. Add the first mixture you boiled to dry ingredients. Then add buttermilk, eggs, soda, cinnamon, vanilla. Mix well and pour into a greased & floured 17×11 sheet pan. Bake for 22-25 minutes in a 350′ oven.

Icing–During the last 5 minutes of baking, melt butter, cocoa, and milk. Bring to a boil. Add confectioners sugar making sure to get rid of all the lumps. Pour over hot cake……hmmmmmm, good! You can founder on this stuff!  Top with whip cream or not…either way, it’s delicious.

HINT: If you don’t have buttermilk, you can add vinegar to your milk and let sit for a little bit to sour it.