Chocolate Chip Shortcakes with Summer Berries and Dark Chocolate Sauce

This, my friends, is date night food. And by date night food, I mean staying-in-worthy, chocolaty, sinfully delicious date night dessert.

Hubby just came back last night from a three night stay at a kid's church camp where he counseled for third and fourth graders. It was a short time to be away from one another, but we were definitely overdue for some time together. On the brink of exhaustion and a tired toddler, we opted for a relaxing double-feature movie night in. Not making dessert was not an option.

While hubby was gone, of course, I spent a good couple of evenings "Pinteresting" (and watching episodes of Bones...I'm totally addicted) ... and stumbled across this AMAZING looking dessert. I knew immediately it'd be perfect for a decadent date night in.

I made several changes, mostly in the name of having more movie and cuddle time. It was worth it! This turned out both delicious, and way more impressive looking than it was!

Enjoy, with life.

Chocolate Chip Shortcakes with Berries and Dark Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients:

Shortcakes
2 cups baking mix (like Bisquick or Jiffy)
2 Tbsp. sugar
3 Tbsp. shortening or margarine, melted
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup mini chocolate chips

Berries
4 cups berries (any kind you like! I used strawberries and blueberries)
3 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. finely shredded mint leaves

Dark Chocolate Sauce
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/2 bag (6 oz.) dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tsp. vanilla

*Whipped Topping

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 450 degrees F. Using an electric mixer, beat the baking mix, sugar, shortening, and milk until well-combined. Mixture should be a little lumpy. Fold in the mini chocolate chips.

Batter pre-chocolate chips.

Batter post-chocolate chips.

Drop large spoonfuls of batter onto a greased baking tray and bake for ten to twelve minutes. They will become very fluffy, but shouldn't spread out into each other on the baking tray. They'll be golden colored when they're done.

While waiting for the shortcakes to bake, prepare the berries and dark chocolate sauce. For the berries, combine all the berries, sugar and mint leaves. Stir well. If you're using frozen berries, simply thaw on stove or microwave, but do not reduce to a liquid. The berries should be evenly coated with the sugar and mint.



For the chocolate sauce, combine the heavy whipping cream, dark chocolate chips and vanilla in a saucepan. Heat on a medium stove-top setting and stir constantly for about ten minutes. The sauce will melt into a thick, chocolaty topping.

I chose to set up a little shortcake bar, so we could assemble our own shortcakes how we like.

Dark chocolate sauce and whipped topping not pictured, but equally vital in the shortcake lineup.

Basically, cut a shortcake in half and top with berries, dark chocolate sauce and whipped topping, in any order desired. Then, eat!!

Hubby's was TOTALLY photo-finish worthy.

My shortcake concoction. 

It is rich and decadent, but the berries and mint add a summery freshness that evens it out. Our paired beverage of choice was Starbucks coffee. Perfection.

Enjoy with a well-deserved date night in, with yourself or your spouse, and Netflix.

<3