Our innkeeper Donna Muilenburg wanted to share a couple delicious chocolate recipes in time for you to make for your special Valentine.

Chocolate Dessert
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup nutmeats
1 cup flour
1 8oz. package cream cheese
1 cup powdered sugar
2 large containers Cool Whip
2 packages instant chocolate pudding
2 1/2 cups cold milk
chocolate syrup

Mix the first three ingredients and press into a 9×13 inch pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes at 350 degrees, cool. Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar and a large Cool Whip. Spread on cooled crust. Mix pudding with cold milk. Put over the cream cheese layer. Cover with Cool Whip and drizzle with chocolate.

Fudge Bars
1/2 cup Crisco
1 cup brown sugar
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 egg
3/4 cup flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. soda
2 cups quick oatmeal
filling:
1 6 oz. package chocolate chips
1 T. butter
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. salt
1/2 cup walnuts

Cream shortening, sugar, and vanilla. Add the egg and beat well. Combine the dry ingredients and add to creamed mixture. Add oatmeal and reserve 1 cup for top of bars. Press the rest into a greased 9×13 inch pan.
For filling: Combine chips,butter, milk, and salt in a heavy pan on low heat. Stir constantly just until the chocolate melts. Remove from heat and add vanilla and nuts. Pour this mixture over crust and top with 1 cup reserved crumbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.

Make this Valentine even more special with a romantic getaway at the Okoboji Country Inn. For more information contact Innkeeper Donna Muilenburg 1704 Terrace Park Blvd West Okoboji, Iowa 51351 http://www.okobojicountryinn.com (712) 332-2358