Cannoli Poke Cake

 Yummy and rich.  You could also add some slivered almonds on the top if you like.

CANNOLI POKE CAKE

(serves 16)

Ingredients:

*1 (16 ounce) package white cake mix

*1 (14 ounce) can sweeten condensed milk

*1 (8 ounce) container mascarpone cheese

*1 (8 ounce) container ricotta cheese

* 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

*1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

*1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

*1/4 cup slivered almonds, optional

Directions:

~Grease and lightly dust with flour a 9x13 inch baking dish.

~Make cake as directed on the the box.

~Bake cake as directed on box.

~Remove cake from oven.

~Allow to cool for 3-5 minutes.

~Remove from oven and using the end of a wooden spoon, poke holes all over cake (about 1-inch apart).

~Remove 1/3 cup  of sweetened condensed milk and set aside.

~Pour remaining sweetened condensed milk over evenly over top of cake of hot cake, allowing it to drizzle into the holes.

~Allow cake to cool completely.

~In a large bowl, beat ricotta cheese, mascarpone cheese, and vanilla until smooth.

~Add in powdered sugar and the sweetened condensed milk that you set aside.

~Beat until smooth.

~Spread evenly over top of the cake.

~Sprinkle with chocolate chips and slivered almonds.

~Cover and chill for at least 3 hours.

Pumpkin Brownies

 I didn't think I'd like chocolate and pumpkin together, but boy was I wrong.   It's really tasty.  

PUMPKIN BROWNIES

(serves 24)

Brownie Ingredients:

*1/2 cup butter, melted

*2 large eggs, room temperature

*1 teaspoon vanilla extract

*1/2 cup all-purpose flour

*1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder

*1/4 teaspoon salt

*1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*1 (11.5 ounce bag) semi-sweet chocolate chips

*1/2 cup pecans (halved or chopped)

Pumpkin Ingredients:

*3/4 cup butter, melted

*1 cup granulated sugar

*1 cup pumpkin puree

*3 large eggs, room temperature

*1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

*3/4 cup all purpose flour

*1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice

*1/4 teaspoon baking powder

*1/4 teaspoon salt

Brownie Directions:

~Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

~Spray a 9x13 baking pan with cooking spray (I also line mine with parchment paper).

~In a medium mixing bowl, whisk sugar, vanilla extract and melted butter together.

~Whisk in eggs one at a time.

~Sift in flour, unsweetened cocoa, salt, and baking powder.

~Stir chocolate chips into flour mixture.

~Stir into wet ingredients, until just mixed.

Pumpkin Directions:

~Whisk the butter, sugar, vanilla extract and pumpkin puree together until smooth.

~Whisk in eggs one at a time.

~Whisk in flour, pumpkin pie spice, salt, and baking powder.

~Stir until just mixed.

~Pour pumpkin mixture into brownie mixture and mix until  just mixed. 

~Pour into prepared pan.

~Sprinkle pecans over top of brownies.

~Bake for 25-30 minutes or until toothpick inserted comes out clean.

~Allow to cool before cutting.