Sensational Summer Sweets with Cocoa Coolness

Recipes with a touch of Chocolate from DINESummer is the season for “berry good” desserts and when it comes to sweets, the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England have a treasure trove of recipes that are perfect for satisfying that sweet tooth. Whether you’re looking for a romantic New England getaway or a summer soiree, you can count on something sweet and delicious at any of the Distinctive Inns of New England (DINE) you choose.  Yes, our acronym is not by accident.  Come DINE on delicious delicacies with your culinary getaway at any DINE inn.

To review all of the recipes posted on the DINE blog, simply click on the RECIPES button on the top of the nav bar.  Some of our favorite summer recipes include lemonade and lemon sorbet, three great ginger recipes, ice cream recipes to celebrate National Ice Cream Month, and these perfect cocktail recipes for a hot summer day.

Today, we offer up some sensational summer dessert ideas to serve at home, each with a hint of chocolate to add that extra buzz. Better yet, join us at any of the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England and you just might be treated to one of these.

Chocolate Zucchini Bread from Rabbit Hill Inn

(better known as “what to do with all those zucchini growing in the garden!”

Dry Ingredients:  

Chocoalte Zucchini Bread recipe from Rabbit Hill Inn

Creative Commons Photo.

3 cups all-purpose flour

2 cups sugar

6 Tbsp cocoa

1 cup chocolate chips

2 tsp cinnamon

1 tsp baking soda

¼ tsp baking powder

2 cups sugar

Wet Ingredients:  

1 cup oil

3 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

2 cups grated zucchini

Method:

  • Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
  • Mix the sugar, oil, and eggs. Add the zucchini and vanilla – mix well. Sift the flour, cocoa, salt, cinnamon, baking soda, and baking powder.  Mix into the wet along with the chocolate chips.
  • Spray a long loaf pan with plenty of cooking spray and then line long side of the pan with parchment
  • Pour batter into loaf pan and bake for 40 minutes, turn and bake for about 20 more minutes. Or until toothpick comes out clean.  Carefully remove from pan (using the parchment to help) and cool on a cooling rack.

Makes one long loaf.

Cranberry Chocolate Cookies from Captain’s House Inn

(because nothing says cranberry like Cape Cod!)

Cranberry Chocolate Cookies from Captain's House Inn

Creative Commons photo

Ingredients:

1 Cup Sugar

1 Cup Brown Sugar

1/2 Cup Butter

1/2 Shortening

2 1/2 Cups Oatmeal

2 Cups Flour

2 Teaspoons Baking Soda

2 Eggs

2 Tablespoons Poppy Seed

1 Tablespoon Vanilla

1 Cup Shaved Belgium Chocolate

1/2 Cup White Chocolate Chips

1 Cup Dried Cranberries

Method:

  1. Cream sugar, brown sugar, butter, shortening, and eggs.
  2. Mix in all other ingredients.
  3. Scoop and flatten; bake at 350 degrees for 8 minutes.

 

Chocolate Marble Mousse from The Grafton Inn’s The Old Tavern Restaurant

Ingredients:

4 egg yolks

1/3 cup superfine sugar (not powdered)

1 cup heavy cream

¼ T bourbon vanilla extract

3 ½ ounces of shaved dark chocolate (we use 60% dark)

Method:

  1. Melt chocolate over a double boiler and allow to cool slightly.
  2. Whisk eggs and sugar in a mixer until pale and fluffy and the mixture triples in volume.
  3. Fold chocolate into eggs using a rubber spatula.
  4. Whisk cream with vanilla to medium peaks and fold half into chocolate mixture completely.
  5. Finally, fold remaining whipped cream partially to for a “marbled” effect.
  6. Chill and garnish as you wish

Serves 12.

Learn more about the 12 Distinctive Inns of New England by clicking below on links that will take you directly to each of their websites where your relaxing romantic getaway can begin.

In Connecticut: Inn at Harbor Hill Marina in Niantic

In New Hampshire:  Manor on Golden Pond in Holderness & Chesterfield Inn in West Chesterfield

In Rhode Island: Cliffside Inn in Newport

In Massachusetts:  Harbor Light Inn in Marblehead, Gateways Inn & Restaurant in Lenox, Deerfield Inn in Historic Deerfield and Captain’s House Inn in Chatham on Cape Cod.

In Vermont:  Rabbit Hill Inn in Lower Waterford & Grafton Inn in Grafton

In Maine:  Captain Jefferds Inn in Kennebunkport & Camden Maine Stay Inn in Camden.