Compound chocolate is a cheaper alternative to traditional baking chocolate, made with vegetable fat, cocoa powder, and sweeteners. It does not require tempering and is commonly used in candy bars and cookies, but can have a dull finish and texture issues if not heated and cooled properly. Compound chocolate is a confectionery ingredient that serves […]
Mexican hot chocolate is a spicy drink made with chocolate, cinnamon, chili, anise, and other spices. Traditional versions are bitter and granular, while modern versions are sweetened with sugar and made with milk. The combination of chiles and chocolate is popular in Mexican cuisine. Mexican hot chocolate is the generic name for a spicy chocolate […]
Choosing the best chocolate sauce for ice cream depends on personal preference. Supermarkets offer classic options, while home bakers can experiment with ingredients. Gourmet options with alcohol and fruit are available from specialty food purveyors. Mixing different sauces is also an option. Choosing the best chocolate sauce for ice cream depends on what type of […]
White chocolate is made from cocoa butter, milk, and sweetener, but doesn’t contain chocolate liquor or cocoa solids. It can be used in desserts and savory dishes, but should contain at least 20% cocoa butter for quality. White chocolate isn’t technically chocolate at all, as it doesn’t contain chocolate liquor or cocoa solids, the two […]
Gluten-free chocolate is made without wheat or gluten and is intended for people with food allergies. It is usually made in a gluten-free environment and may use alternative ingredients like soy. However, some products may still be produced in factories with gluten or wheat, so packaging should be checked. Gluten-free chocolate is a type of […]
Chocolate is made from cocoa beans, which are harvested, fermented, dried, roasted, and crushed to create a liqueur. Sugar, cocoa butter, and other ingredients are added to create sweet chocolate, which is then conched and tempered before being packaged and consumed. Chocolate has been used for thousands of years, with the Mayans and Aztecs consuming […]
Melted chocolate is a versatile ingredient for baking and decorating, but it must be melted carefully to avoid burning or seizing. The best method is to use indirect heat and a double boiler, and to monitor the temperature closely. White chocolate is especially susceptible to seizing, but this can be reversed by adding a small […]
Chocolate contains negligible amounts of caffeine, but higher levels of theobromine, which can act as a diuretic, vasodilator, and heart stimulant. Phenethylamine, which has a psychoactive effect, is metabolized by an enzyme in the human body, while tryptophan has a calming effect. Sweet chocolates have a lower cocoa content and less caffeine than bitter chocolates. […]
Tips for making moist chocolate muffins include adding ingredients like zucchini, yogurt, or sour cream, and using the right type and amount of fat. Overcooking can cause even the moistest batter to dry out. Making moist chocolate muffins can be tricky, especially if you’re using cocoa powder, because it tends to cause the muffins to […]
Chocolate cravings are common when glucose levels drop, but if they interfere with daily life, consult a medical professional. Multivitamins and a healthy diet can help reduce cravings, while identifying triggers and replacing chocolate with other enjoyable activities can also help. Modifying the type and amount of chocolate consumed can also curb cravings. Everyone experiences […]
Torte is a flourless dessert cake made with eggs, butter, sugar, and sometimes peanuts. Chocolate torte is a popular variation, with the highest quality ingredients recommended for the best taste. The recipe involves melting chocolate, creaming butter and sugar, beating egg yolks and whites, and folding everything together before baking. The finished torte can be […]
Tempered chocolate has a precise crystalline structure, making it more stable, shiny, and crunchy. It can be made with a machine or by hand, but the process is painstaking. The cocoa butter in chocolate creates the structure, and it can lose its temper. To make it by hand, melt the chocolate, add seed chocolate, and […]
Chocolate has only been popular for the last 175 years, but it exists in many forms. It is made by harvesting cocoa pods, fermenting, drying, grading, roasting, and grinding the beans, and then pressing them to release cocoa butter. Different types of chocolate have different compositions and uses. White chocolate is not considered chocolate by […]
Chocolate brittle, also known as chocolate bark, is a homemade candy bar made by melting and reformulating chocolate with nuts and other ingredients like dried fruit. Recipes vary, but the mixture is typically spread on parchment paper, covered in melted chocolate and nuts, and left to harden in the fridge. Toasting nuts beforehand adds flavor, […]
Chocolate roulade is a dessert made of a thin sponge cake filled with whipped icing, ganache, or other fillings, and rolled into a cylindrical shape. The classic recipe uses only eggs and sugar, and the filling can be anything from whipped cream to chocolate mousse. The cake is baked, cooled, and then rolled with the […]
Making a chocolate tart at home is easy with the right ingredients, chocolate quality, and pan selection. Traditional recipes call for light cream, milk, chocolate, sugar, salt, and eggs. Quality chocolate with high cocoa content is recommended. The crust can be made with flour, sugar, salt, unsalted butter, and eggs. Various fruits, nuts, toppings, and […]
Using bread flour and slightly more flour in the recipe can create chewy chocolate chip cookies. Refrigerating the dough and kneading it in larger portions can help retain moisture. Bake at a higher temperature for a shorter time and remove when edges are golden brown. One important consideration someone should look into making gummy chocolate […]
Moelleux au chocolat is a French dessert with a liquid center, also known as chocolate lava cake. Its origin is uncertain, but it combines characteristics of soufflés, cakes, and puddings. High-quality chocolate, eggs, butter, and sugar are the main ingredients, and it can be baked in individual portions. It is often served hot with ice […]
Single-origin chocolate is made from beans from one region or farm, with different tastes depending on where it is grown. Chocolate blends can also promote the best characteristics of chocolate. However, only about 1% of chocolate in the US incorporates fair labor practices, with some areas using child labor practices. The trend towards single-origin chocolate […]
Chocolate buttercream frosting is a popular frosting made with butter and chocolate. Variations can include different types of chocolate or added flavors like coffee or flavored oils. It is commonly used on cakes, cupcakes, brownies, and cookies. Chocolate buttercream frosting is a popular type of frosting most often used for cakes and cupcakes. Its main […]
