Hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas (or whichever holiday you celebrate)! We did and are truly blessed! Now, it’s time to par-tay! I’m not just talking about ringing in the New Year, though that is a reason to celebrate. Today I’m talking about a virtual blog party!
My friend, Shelby, at The Life and Loves of Grumpy's Honeybunch is celebrating her fourth year blogging anniversary. (Mine is coming up, too—in February. My how time flies!) Shelby thought it would be fun to celebrate with a virtual party and word has it, a giveaway, so be sure to head on over and check it out. Besides, she has a great blog with some amazing food and some great stories she shares, mostly about her significant other, Grumpy and their relationship. Shelby’s blog is one of the first I started reading. She used to blog along with TWD (Tuesdays With Dorie), which is how I got to know her.
I recently did a guest post on her blog while she and Grumpy sailed the ocean blue on a cruise. She is such a kind-hearted person, one that I’m sure if we actually ever met face to face would be a great friend of mine. As for now, we are “virtual” friends. Can’t wait to see what else she shares next on her blog. Year number five, here we come! ;)
For the blog party, I recently made some Mini Nutella Chocolate Cream Pie Bites (Tarts) that I wanted to share. Don’t know if you’ll recall, but for Thanksgiving, I made this delicious Nutella Chocolate Cream Pie that was a big hit. I had many people asking for the recipe. I thought it would be really fun to make again, but mini-size. These are great one-bite wonders that are perfect for serving at any party. I love the little mini-tart fillo shells you can buy in the freezer section at most grocery stores (the ones I get are from a company called Athens). At only 15 calories each, they are a great alternative to pie crust. You can use them for all things savory and sweet—but of course, I went with sweet for this party! I just cut the Nutella Chocolate Cream Pie recipe down and piped some of it into each fillo shell. Then I drizzled on a little extra straight-up Nutella and sprinkled on a few chopped hazelnuts. You can leave those off if you’d like, but they added a great texture to the mini pies. I also thought they’d be great topped with a little dollop or piping of whipped cream, but I left that off this time.
Mini Nutella Chocolate Cream Pie Bites, by Katrina, Baking and Boys!
30 mini fillo shells (2 boxes)
1/2 cup Nutella chocolate hazelnut spread
4 ounces 1/3 less fat cream cheese, softened (half a brick)
4 ounces whipped topping or whipped cream (1/2 to 1 cup, to taste)
2 tablespoons more Nutella, for drizzling
2 tablespoons or so chopped, toasted hazelnuts, for sprinkling (optional)
Heat the oven to 350 degrees. Place the frozen mini fillo shells on a baking sheet. Bake for 8-10 minutes, just to crisp them up a bit. Let cool.
Combine in the bowl of a food processor or mixer the Nutella and cream cheese. Scrape sides of bowl and make sure it is all well combined and smooth. Add the whipped topping or whipped cream and pulse to combine. With a rubber spatula, scrape the filling into a piping bag fitted with about a 1/4 inch flower tip (or you could use a plastic zip top bag and cut off the corner). Pipe some of the filling into each shell. Put some of the extra Nutella into a plastic zip top bag with just a small tip of the corner snipped off and drizzle over the Nutella chocolate cream filling. Sprinkle with chopped hazelnuts (if using). Refrigerate until serving.
These are perfect for a party. I like little bite-sized things because then you can have more or are able to try lots of different things and not feel so guilty! ;) And try to just eat one of these! They’re really good, especially if you love Nutella! I do! Probably not many treats to make for a party that are easier!
……And many more!!!…..to you, Shelby! Party on! Go to Shelby's blog now!! Check out her virtual party and enter the giveaway!
