1/2 C unsalted butter
2 1/3 C confectioner's sugar
1/2 C cocoa
1/4 C heavy or whipping cream
1 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Centers: pecan, walnuts, whole almonds or after-dinner mints

Coatings: coconut, crushed nuts,confectioners sugar

Cream butter in large mixer bowl. Combine 2 1/2 cups confectioners' sugar and the cocoa; add alternately with cream and vanilla to butter. Blend well. Chill until firm. Shape small amount of mixture around desired center; roll into 1 inch balls. Drop into desired coating and turn until well covered. Chill until firm.

Makes about 3 dozen truffles

3 C semisweet chocolate chips
1 can (14 oz.) sweetened condensed milk
dash salt
1 C chopped walnuts
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla

In heavy saucepan over low heat, melt chips with sweetened condensed milk and salt. Remove from heat; stir in walnuts and vanilla. Spread evenly into aluminum foil lined 8 or 9 inch square pan. Chill 2 hours or until firm. Turn fudge onto cutting board; peel off foil and cut into squares. Store loosely covered at room temperature.

3/4 cups flour
1/4 t. salt
1 1/2 squares unsweetened chocolate
1/2 c. margarine or butter
2 eggs
1 cup sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 ripe banana, well mashed
1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/2 cup broken walnut meats
No baking powder or soda. This makes them extra dense and moist.

Preheat oven to 350 F, (325 for a glass pan). Combine flour and salt in a small bowl. Set aside. Melt margarine or butter and unsweetened chocolate in a small pan on low heat. Cool to room temperature. In a large bowl, beat eggs, sugar and vanilla. Add mashed banana. Stir in chocolate mixture. Gradually sift and stir in flour mixture. Add chocolate chips and walnuts. Pour into an 8"x 8" pan that has been sprayed with Pam or cooking oil. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes.

2 c Flour
2 c Sugar
1/2 c Shortening
3/4 c Water
3/4 c Buttermilk
1 ts Baking soda
1 ts Salt
1 ts Vanilla
1/2 ts Baking powder
2 Eggs
4 oz Unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
Fudge frosting (see below)

Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

Grease and flour 13 x 9 x 3 pan, 3 8" round pans or 2 9" round pans.

Beat all ingredients except fudge frosting in a large bowl on low speed for 30 seconds, scraping bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes, scraping bowl constantly. Pour into pan(s).
Bake for 40-45 minutes (rectangle pan) or 30-35 minutes (round pans), or until wooden pick comes out clean. Cool rounds 10 min.; remove from pans. Cool completely. Frost.

Fudge Frosting

2 c sugar
1/2 c shortening
3 oz unsweetened chocolate
2/3 c milk
1/2 t salt
2 t vanilla

Mix all ingredients except vanilla in a 2 1/2 quart saucepan. Heat to a rolling boil, stirring occasionally. Boil 1 minute without stirring. Place saucepan in a bowl of ice and water. Beat until frosting is smooth and of spreading consistency; add vanilla.

12 oz Semi-sweet chocolate chips
4 Eggs -separated
1/4 c Confectioners sugar
12 oz Whipped topping like Cool Whip
Ground nuts for topping

Melt chocolate chips slowly and carefully so they do not burn. Try the microwave. Let cool slightly. Beat egg whites with sugar until stiff peaks form. Into the cooler chocolate beat the egg yolks one at a time to make a nice creamy mixture. Now fold the whipped topping, then the egg whites....GENTLY....If you like, let it have a streaked appearance, a marble-like look. Place into a pretty serving dish and sprinkle with nuts. Refrigerate at least 2 hours before serving.

1 c Sugar
1/2 c Baking cocoa
1/4 c Flour
2 c Water
3/4 c Evaporated milk
1 tb Vanilla extract
Pinch of Salt

In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa, and flour. Add water and milk; stir until smooth. Cook over med. heat, stirring constantly, until mixture comes to a boil. Cook until thick, about 1 minute. Remove from heat; stir in vanilla and salt. Cool to room temp, stirring several times. Pour into a serving bowl or individual dishes. Serve warm or chill.

Yield - 4 to 6 servings.