Daily Indulgence: April 2012

April 01, 2012
Charles E. Walton IV
Satisfy your cravings with decadent recipes including chocolate desserts, impressive cakes and pies, and rich main dishes.
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Wacky Mashed Potatoes

Here's a trick everyone can enjoy. Serve cheesy mashed potatoes scooped into ice cream cones. If you can figure out a way to add a gravy drizzle, you get bonus points.


Wacky Mashed Potatoes Recipe
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App: 400+ Dessert Recipes FREE

Photo: Leigh Beisch; Styling: Dan Becker
Bring over 400 recipes to your tablet.
App: 400+ Dessert Recipes FREE

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Coffee-Drenched Ice Cream with Banana and Peanuts

Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

This instant dessert combines the best of banana nut bread, ice cream sundaes, and your afternoon cup of joe to create a lick-your-spoon good treat. Go ahead, add a little extra drizzle.


Coffee-Drenched Ice Cream with Banana and Peanuts Recipe
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Bunny Cookie Cupcakes

Photo: Mark Thomas; Styling: Karen Tack

Are you signed up to bring dessert this Sunday? This too-cute idea comes together in a flash thanks to store-bought cupcakes and a little decorating know-how. These adorable treats deserve a spot on the main dining table.


Bunny Cookie Cupcakes Recipe

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Strawberry Meringue Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham

Why hide the beauty of a strawberry layer cake by loading up the sides with heaps of icing? Instead, layer the icing into the cake for a show stopping centerpiece of a dessert.


Strawberry Meringue Cake Recipe

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Hot Cross Buns

Photo: Randy Mayor; Styling: Cindy Barr

These tiny treats are more like mini cakes filled with lots of buttery goodness, candied fruit, and warm spices. Knowing this version is a light recipe makes the buns even more popable.


Hot Cross Buns Recipe
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Best-Ever Scones

Photo: Beth Dreiling Hontzas; Styling: Buffy Hargett

When something leaves our Test Kitchen experts begging for more, we know we've hit the jackpot. This scone recipe has 8 variations to satisfy both your sweet and savory cravings. Once we recover from the Brown Sugar-Pecan version, we'll tell you how amazing it is.


Best-Ever Scones Recipe

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Puffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies

Randy Mayor; Jan Gautro

This highly-rated cookie recipe is (gasp!) reduced fat, thanks to applesauce. We tried to tell our testers that, but they just kept asking for more cookies.


Puffed Chocolate-Chip Cookies Recipe

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Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups

Photo: Alex Farnum

Pouring chocolate over these warm cookies only buys you a minute or two. After that, you'll be faced with a question: Eat them all now or save some for tomorrow?


Chocolate Orange Cookie Cups Recipe
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Peanut Butter Cups

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Gerri Williams

If these cuties don't stop your afternoon sugar craving, we don't know what will. Have a tall glass of milk handy to wash down all that delicious goodness.


Peanut Butter Cups Recipe

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Chunky Chocolate Gobs

Oxmoor House

The only way to fit more chocolate into this recipe would be by serving the cookies on top of a candy bar. Enjoy this must-try treat with a large glass of milk tonight.


Chunky Chocolate Gobs Recipe

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Spice Drop Bouquets

Photo: Antonis Achilleos; Styling: Karen Tack

We've heard that April showers bring May flowers, but we don't think you should have to wait until May to enjoy this simple, delicious cupcake recipe. Save this one to your recipe file for upcoming wedding showers.


Spice Drop Bouquets Recipe
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Chocolate-Caramel-Pecan Chips

Oxmoor House

Were you under the impression that snacks could only be salty OR sweet? Silly you. This Friday the 13th, indulge both sides of your flavor palate with this over-the-top treat.


Chocolate-Caramel-Pecan Chips Recipe

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Blond Texas Sheet Cake

Photo: Beth Dreiling; Styling: Rose Nguyen

You all know and love classic Texas sheet cake, but have you met its blond sister? She has a Caramel-Pecan Frosting that will make you forget all about her chocolate counterpart.


Blond Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

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Sweet and Salty Chocolate Cookies

Photo: Becky Luigart-Stayner; Styling: Cindy Barr

If you can say the name of this cookie five times fast, you aren't eating enough of them. Grab a few and a glass of milk and try again.


Sweet and Salty Chocolate Cookies Recipe
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Lemon-Strawberry Trifle

Photo: Ryan Benyi

The beauty of a trifle is knowing that its perfection is in the chaotic folds of the layers. Let the natural color of the fresh strawberries shine in this easy dessert recipe.


Lemon-Strawberry Trifle Recipe

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Marbled Brownies

Photo: Jennifer Davick; Styling: Lydia DeGaris Pursell

For best results, you should follow the recipe and swirl the chocolate with the cream cheese using a knife. However, if you use your finger to mix so you can sneak a taste, know that we completely understand.


Marbled Brownies Recipe

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Strawberry-Kiwifruit Pizza

Photo: Jan Smith

Whether you're serving kids after dinner or guests at a shower, you're sure to gather rave reviews after one taste of this tart-meets-sweet dessert.


Strawberry-Kiwifruit Pizza Recipe
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Banana Crumble

Photo: Levi Brown

This banana dessert, perfect for dinner parties, gets its fun flavor from the Bitters-and-Butter Sauce, which is drizzled on top of the remarkably easy treat. Bottoms up, bitters fans!


Banana Crumble Recipe

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Turtle Bars

Photo: Sang An

This simple recipe comes together quickly and makes a dessert that truly features all your favorite ingredients. If this bar cookie doesn’t bring a smile to your face, you must be sleeping.


Turtle Bars Recipe

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Blueberry Yogurt Cake

Victor Protasio

If you haven't tried a cake recipe featuring yogurt, you're truly missing out. Plain yogurt adds a rich, moist texture to the cake, transforming it from delicious to knock-your-socks-off good. Oh, and the blueberries are pretty tasty, too.


Blueberry Yogurt Cake Recipe
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Warm Mocha Pudding

Photo: Nigel Cox; Styling: Tiziana Agnello

In about 30 minutes, you can serve an easy dessert that's perfect for company or in the privacy of your own home. Whether you're wearing Prada or pjs, this warm chocolate treat is just for you.


Warm Mocha Pudding Recipe

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PB and Chocolate Pan Cookie

Save this recipe for your next party, potluck, or covered-dish menu. Our users rave about the great flavor combination and mourn that they never have leftovers. Today's lesson? Make a double batch.


PB and Chocolate Pan Cookie Recipe

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Strawberry Mousse Cake

Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Heather Chadduck and Caroline Cunningham

Whether you're hosting a brunch, baby shower, or birthday, this too-cute cake is a must-make for your dessert buffet.The strawberry mousse filling sets it apart from any other layer cake you've ever had.


Strawberry Mousse Cake Recipe
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Cherry-Pistachio Wedding Cookies

Photo: Lee Harrelson; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

Remember that cookie you had at that brunch a few years ago? This is it. This cookie is light, flaky, and oh-so decadent all at the same time. A delicate sprinkle of powdered sugar makes licking your fingers a must.


Cherry-Pistachio Wedding Cookies Recipe

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Cappuccino-Frosted Brownies

Photo: John O'Hagan; Styling: Lisa Powell Bailey

Banish those mid-afternoon blues. This chocolaty treat wraps your 3pm snack into your coffee break, making it efficient and delicious. Enjoy!


Cappuccino-Frosted Brownies Recipe

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Millionaire Shortbread

Millionaires are people, too. Or, in this case, bar cookies, and delicious ones at that. We love the crisp layering of caramel and chocolate over the delicate shortbread, and just about everything else this cookie recipe has to offer.


Millionaire Shortbread Recipe
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Chocolate-Berry Cream Pie

Photo: Jan Smith

Invite berries to the pie party for a bright, light dessert that's satisfying and delicious. Serve it at lunch so you can enjoy a second slice after dinner.


Chocolate-Berry Cream Pie Recipe

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Hello Dolly Bars

Photo: Oxmoor House

These bars, also known as seven-layer bars, take only 30 minutes to make and call for just eight ingredients, making this bar cookie the world's most perfect dessert.


Hello Dolly Bars Recipe

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Brownie Ice-Cream Sandwiches

Charles E. Walton IV

Why should cookies get all the ice-cream sandwich love? Brownies are perfect bookends to vanilla ice cream; they're rich, gooey, and perfect soft in all the right places. Sorry, cookies, you've been replaced.


Brownie Ice-Cream Sandwiches Recipe
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