Recipes from or Inspired by Leavenworth

KOHO radio sponsors a chili cook-off at the Ski Hill during the Bavarian Ice Festival. The 2011 winner was Damien Browne, one of the owners of Schocolat. Here is the winning recipe, courtesy of Leavenworth Winter Sports Club.

And the 2010 winner was also Damien Browne, of Schocolat. Can we say three-peat? Here is the winning recipe from the KOHO radio website website.

Alpine Chocolate Cherry Bars

Makes 36 bars

We found a great Leavenworth recipe at Mountain Home Lodge

With Valentine's Day celebrated this month, we thought you would enjoy the lodge's easy version of a chewy brownie with an alpine twist to complement our location above the "Bavarian Village" here in the Cascades. A delicious treat for your special sweetheart!

• 1 pkg. chocolate fudge cake mix
• 1 - 21 oz. can cherry pie filling
• 1 1/2 tsp. almond extract
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 1 c. granulated sugar
• 5 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 1/3 c half and half
• 2 c semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 c sliced almonds, toasted lightly

Line a 13x9 baking pan with parchment paper or butter and dust it with flour.

Heat oven to 350 degrees.

In a large bowl combine the dry cake mix, cherry pie filling, almond extract and eggs stirring by hand until well mixed.

Pour batter into the prepared pan. Shake gently to settle.
Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until cooked through.
Remove from oven and cool pan on wire rack.

Cut into 36 bars.

Note: We like to cut on the diagonal to make diamonds for an attractive presentation.

Once cooled, prepare glazed topping:
In a small saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, butter and half & half.
Whisk constantly; bring to a gentle boil. Boil for 1 minute.
Remove pan from heat and stir in the chips until melted and smooth.
Pour glaze over the cut bars; garnish with toasted almonds.

Serve to your desired Valentine and enjoy Cupid's magic!

And we found a couple recipes at www.SauerkrautRecipes.com.

German Chocolate Sauerkraut Cake

Ingredients

• 2/3 cup butter
• 1 1/3 cups white sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 1/4 cups sifted all-purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 3/4 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 1/4 cups water
• 2/3 cup drained and chopped sauerkraut

Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour two 8-inch pans, round or square.

Thoroughly cream together butter and sugar. Beat in eggs and vanilla.

Sift together cocoa, flour, baking powder, soda, and salt, and add alternately with water to egg mixture. Stir in the sauerkraut. Pour batter into prepared pans.

Bake at 350 degrees F (175 degrees C) for 30 minutes or until a wooden pick comes out clean. Frost with your favorite chocolate or white frosting.