Great news on the chocolate front! Chocolate is good for you. Under certain circumstances.

Katherine Tallmadge, spokesperson for the American Dietetic Association, says, in the February 9, 2005, WASHINGTON POST, that “cacao, or cocoa beans, contain ‘flavanols,’ naturally occurring plant compounds also found in tea, red wine, and apples. Their properties have been studied as heart disease inhibitors.”

Carl L. Keen, chair of the department of nutrition at University of California, Davis, states in the same article that “the flavanols in cocoa help maintain a healthy vascular system. They reduce blood clotting -- an aspirin like effect -- reduce oxidative damage and improve blood flow.”

Unfortunately the flavanols in chocolate a Chocolate Is Good For You Recipe

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Chocolate Cake Recipes We Love

by Donna Monday

If you’re a chocolate cake lover like I am, then you’re already aware that it’s the best and most popular dessert ever created – at least for all of us chocolate lovers.

There’s something comforting about a dark, rich, moist piece of chocolate cake with creamy chocolate icing on top. No wonder people perk up when they see that someone’s serving up chocolate cake. Frowns turn into smiles, bad moods turn happy, grumbling turns into giggles. Yep, chocolate cake has the power to lift up weary spirits.

Did you know that chocolate cake can come in a surprising variety of recipes? That’s right. The plain chocolate cake can be spiced up, molded, and filled with a variety of tasty goodies. Here’s a small sample of some great chocolate cake recipes y Chocolate Cake Recipes We Love Recipe

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Chocolate Cookie Buttons

by News Canada

1/2 cup (125 ml) butter, softened

1/2 cup (125 ml) dark brown sugar

1/3 cup (75 ml) granulated sugar

1 egg

4 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

1 tsp (5 ml) vanilla

1 -3/4 cup (425 ml) Five Roses All Purpose Flour

1/2 tsp (2 ml) baking soda

1/4 tsp (1 ml) salt

Coating:

12 squares Semi-Sweet Chocolate, chopped

3 squares White Chocolate

Preheat oven to 350ºF (180ºC). In a bowl, cream butter. Beat in brown sugar and granulated sugar until very smooth. Beat in egg. Microwave chocolate on medium for 1 min. Stir until smooth. Stir chocolate and vanilla into creamed mixture. Stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Roll teaspoonfuls (5 ml) of dough into small balls. Place on lightly buttered baking sheet and s Chocolate Cookie Buttons Recipe

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