Carpathian 17 - Dark Celebration

Your life is linked to our lives for all time. We live as one and we die the same way. When one is born, it is cause for all to celebrate, and when one dies, we all feel the loss. You are brethren. Carpathian. It is an honor and privilege to welcome you."
    Gregori held the boy above his head, and a cheer thundered through the birthing chamber. He turned and slowly, gently, put the infant in his mother's arms. She looked down into her son's face, tears in her eyes, one hand clinging to Jacques's. "He's so beautiful. Look at him, Jacques, look what we did."
    Jacques leaned down to brush kisses over her face, his lips tasting her tears. Tears of happiness. "He's perfect, Shea."
    Mikhail swept his arm around Raven and looked around the cavern at the happy faces of his people. Even Dimitri had returned to get a peek at the baby. Many of the unmated warriors crowded close, wanting to see what they had been fighting so many centuries for.
    They were together again after so many years and so much struggle. He kissed his lifemate, happiness sweeping through him. "We have every reason to celebrate, Raven. And all of it is right here, in this chamber. Were not only celebrating life, but hope. There is hope for our people again."

    Dark Desserts
    By Readers

    Walnut Moons
    Submitted by: Slavica G. Kukich-Ostojic
    Phoenix, AZ

    This recipe has three layers, the first layer is the cake layer, the second layer is the egg yolk icing, and the third layer is the chocolate glaze icing.

    FIRST LAYER, CAKE
    8 egg whites
    1 cup sugar
    2 1/2 sticks butter
    4 cups finely ground walnuts
    2 1/2 cups flour powdered sugar

    Take 2 1/2 sticks of butter and 1 cup sugar and mix well in the electric mixer. When that is done, add the egg whites, 2 at a time, until you have all 8 egg whites mixed in. Mix well.
    Next, add 4 cups of ground walnuts and mix in using a wooden spoon. Add 2 1/2 cups flour mixing well with the wooden spoon. When the cake batter is well mixed, take a large rectangular cake pan and grease it well with butter. Pour the cake mix into the pan and bake at 350° for 25 minutes. When done baking, let it cool. When cooled, top with egg yolk icing.

    SECOND LAYER, EGG YOLK ICING
    8 egg yolks
    l 3/4 cups powdered sugar

    Take the 8 egg yolks and l 3/4 cups powdered sugar and mix well with electric mixer.
    Then pour over the cake. Place it back in the oven at 250° until dry. Keep an eye on the icing and check it periodically. When dry, take it out of the oven and pour the chocolate glaze icing over it.

    THIRD LAYER, CHOCOLATE GLAZE ICING
    1 cup milk
    1 cup sugar
    4 chocolate squares (for cooking)
    3 cups ground walnuts
    1/2 stick butter

    Take 1 cup milk, 1 cup sugar, and 4 chocolate squares for cooking. Place all ingredients together and cook on top of the stove for about 15 minutes until blended, smooth and thickened. When thick, add 3 cups of ground walnuts and 1/2 stick butter. Mix well, and while still warm, pour over the cake on top of the egg yolk icing. Let cool and let chocolate become firm. When cooled, cut with half-moon cookie cutter into moons. Serve cooled.

    Love Bites
    Submitted by: Stephanie Schmachtenberger
    Riverside, CA

    2 cubes butter, softened
    1 can sweetened condensed milk
    2 (1-lb) boxes powdered sugar
    1 (16-oz) bag coconut
    2 cups chopped walnuts

    3/4 stick parowax
    32-oz semi-sweet chocolate chips
    1. Combine butter and milk, add powdered sugar, coconut and nuts. Roll into rounded teaspoon-size balls and refrigerate 12-24 hours until firm.
    2. Melt wax and chocolate chips in top of a double boiler. Turn flame down to a simmer.
    Dip balls in chocolate (one at a time) and set on wax paper. It is easier to dip with a 2-pronged fork.
    3. Refrigerate 6-8 hours until chocolate has set.

    Carpathian Reading Snack
    Submitted by: Tempe Hembree
    Murphy, NC

    1 package of dark chocolate chunks dried sweetened red cranberries (Craisins) lightly salted peanuts

    Mix equal portions into a lidded container and scoop out about a cup. This is a good serving and is so delicious together. For some reason, the chocolate doesn't melt… maybe because of the dryness of the peanuts and cranberries.
    For those of us who: love to snack and read, love the salty and sweet together and want to be healthy at the same time. Enjoy!!!!!

    Chocolate Trifle
    Submitted by: Kim Smejkal
    Sugarland, TX

    1 box Duncan Hines Devil's Food Cake 8-10 tablespoons Kahlua
    3 small boxes instant chocolate pudding
    2 tubs Cool Whip
    6 Heath Bars