Delicious chocolate recipe: cooking features and reviews

2024 Author: Isabella Gilson | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 03:14

Chocolate is a sweet loved by children and adults. It can be added to a dish, eaten on its own or with a hot drink. Chocolate products are welcome "guests" of any holiday table. They can improve mood and are able to return to childhood for a while. Knowing at least one chocolate recipe, you can not think about how to surprise the household.

How to choose chocolate

If you try a chocolate slice, you can determine its quality. The right tile is distinguished by a shiny and smooth surface, instant melting on the tongue, and the absence of bubbles and scratches. However, it is possible to know how good a chocolate product is before trying it.

The first step is to carefully read the composition on the label, which lists the ingredients. Usually, the substances that are in the majority are written first. The main components of a chocolate recipe should be: grated cocoa and cocoa butter. If there are a lot of them, then natural chocolate. If there are few such components, then this product will be called "confectionerytile". So, milk chocolate should contain about 30% cocoa, black - more than 36%, extra black - from 55 to 80 percent. An important condition for a he althy treat is that it should not contain more than 5% of additives from the entire composition. Their names must be indicated in full. Do not spend money on a product where preservatives are listed in the abbreviated name.

Quality chocolate, like any other product, will have neat packaging. Good indicators of quality are the presence of aluminum foil, a strong paper label and the legibility of printed data.

The shelf life and storage conditions of the goods play a significant role. Stale chocolate usually has a white coating and loses its pleasant taste. If the filling of a spoiled sweet consists of nuts, raisins, nougat or liquor, then the risk of poisoning increases.

Properties

Chocolate contains various substances that have a beneficial effect on the functioning of the body. Many people know that this delicious dessert is good for the nervous system. It improves mood, helps with fatigue and depression. Sweet delicacy improves the work of the heart and blood vessels. Studies have shown that regular consumption of small amounts of chocolate can reduce the risk of heart attack. In addition, from the use of chocolate, namely the minerals in it, bone and muscle tissue, nails and teeth are strengthened. Magnesium is good for brain function. Among other things, chocolate invigorates a person and energizes him.

Benefits of homemade chocolate

There are reasons why making chocolate at home is beneficial:

• You can be absolutely (or almost) sure of the quality of the ingredients used in a recipe.
• The homemade version does not contain some products that are harmful to the body, including soy lecithin and palm oil. Often, these and other components of store-bought chocolate are the cause of allergies in children.
• Homemade chocolate may not be as sweet as industrial chocolates, as the amount of sugar depends on the taste of the cook. A sweetener can be a lower calorie alternative to sugar.
• You can use whatever you want as a filling.
• Those who have tried homemade chocolate find it tastier than store-bought. In addition, it is also more useful.

Types of homemade chocolate

Varieties of homemade treats depending on the cooking method:

1. This method cannot be called completely homemade, since the main ingredient is purchased chocolate. The meaning of this chocolate recipe is simple - melt the bar, add the additive and let it harden. Such a dessert is not he althy.
2. This recipe is based on high quality chocolate, made to order. Its advantage is the absence of palm oil, which is often put in most chocolates sold in stores. However, it will contain soy lecithin.
3. Real homemadechocolate, which is made from cocoa powder, cocoa butter, milk powder, sugar, sweetener and filling. This recipe is the most natural and affordable to prepare.

Basic cooking rules

• Don't skimp on the ingredients. It is important that these components are taken in the required quantities. A smaller proportion may lead to a distortion of the taste of the finished treat.
• It is important to know that chocolate should be cooked at a temperature no higher than 32 degrees Celsius. Try touching the liquid chocolate mixture. If you are not burned, then the future sweetness is not spoiled.
• People who have repeatedly tried making chocolate at home according to the recipe note that you should use a double boiler or a water bath instead of a regular fire. When melting cocoa butter, you should not use a microwave oven, but it is better to remember the above-mentioned water bath method.
• When you first prepare a homemade treat, limit yourself to small portions. No need to work on the scale of chocolate factories. If the finished product satisfies you, then it will be possible to increase production volumes.

Which forms to use

In the kitchenware stores and supermarkets you can buy different molds (material - silicone, metal or plastic). By the way, they can be used for baking cookies and even for soap making. You can also try using ice molds. Before pouring the chocolate mixture, you need to grease the mold with butter.

What canadd to stuffing

In the form of a filling, you can take whatever you want. Delicious homemade chocolate recipes can be supplemented with peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts or pine nuts, dried fruits (raisins, dried apricots, prunes), citrus zest, waffle or cookie crumbs, pieces of berries or fruits. The selected addition must be crushed or finely chopped. Then pour into the hot mass, mix and distribute into molds.

Some nuances

Homemade chocolate has its own peculiarities:

1. The final stage of cooking (being in the refrigerator) takes about half an hour.
2. If possible, replace cocoa powder with unroasted cocoa beans.
3. Instead of sugar, it is advisable to take liquid honey.
4. If the filling should be in the center of the candy, it is worth putting it one after another with a layer of sweet mass.
5. Using unheated cocoa butter will be he althier. It can be found in departments specializing in cocoa products.
6. No homemade chocolate recipe is complete without vanilla and cinnamon. They are required components.
7. If you're making a sweet treat for a man, sprinkle lightly grated ginger root and red chilli into the chocolate mixture.
8. Cocoa butter must be taken in a specialized store, but not in a pharmacy. In cosmetology, a refined product is used; an unrefined product is needed to prepare a dessert. In order not to make a mistake in the choice, you shouldtrust your sense of smell. The butter you need will have a chocolate flavor. Cosmetic cocoa butter - odorless. By the way, the odorous version can replace your regular cream.
9. When preparing a delicious treat, it is very important to strictly observe the proportions of cocoa butter and its powder, they should be taken in 1:1 quantities. There are no restrictions on toppings.
10. If you decide to make chocolate at home, be sure to find out exactly how to form a chocolate recipe correctly, what volumes of ingredients are needed, and do not disregard people's advice.

Classic recipe

If you do not have cocoa butter, then you should not even think about preparing an exact copy of the shop bar. Thanks to this rare ingredient, the chocolate mass has such a consistency. However, if you are lucky and you were able to get it, then in the end you will enjoy a delicious dessert. Chocolate without milk will go well with sesame seeds or coconut flakes. These ingredients will give a delicate, refined taste.

You will need:

• 200 grams of cocoa powder;
• 60 grams of cocoa butter;
• 100 grams of sugar or powdered sugar;
• 30 grams of butter.

It is necessary to melt two types of butter indicated in the recipe. Sprinkle in cocoa powder and sugar. Stir thoroughly until smooth. Cool it all, pour into molds and put in the refrigerator.

Milk chocolate

Sweet-toothed can rejoice because there is a milk chocolate recipe for them withcomposition:

• 4 large spoons of cocoa powder;
• 60 grams of butter;
• 1 small spoonful of sugar;
• 100 grams of milk.

Pour milk into a container and heat it up. Then add cocoa and sugar. Melt the butter in a separate saucepan using a water bath, then add it to the first mixture. Next, bring the resulting mass to a boil, reduce the heat and keep on the stove for a few more minutes. Cool the whole composition, distribute into molds and refrigerate.

Bitter chocolate

This bittersweet chocolate recipe is easy to make and has the right ingredients.

You will need:

• 100 grams of cocoa powder;
• 60 grams of butter;
• 1 teaspoon of sugar.

The list of ingredients tells us that the main component will be cocoa powder, so the dessert will turn out with bitterness. It will appeal to those who do not like sugary-sweet milk chocolate. If you are confident in your confectionery abilities, you will be able to adjust the ratio of cocoa and granulated sugar yourself. However, there is one important fact: the proportions indicated in the recipe are used when creating any complex chocolate dessert.

Cooking. Cut the butter into pieces and melt in a water bath. Add cocoa and sugar. You should get a mass that resembles thick sour cream. The resulting mixture should boil, then remain on the fire for about 3 minutes. Be sure to stir the chocolate mass duringcooking. After that, cool the future chocolate, pour into molds and send to the refrigerator or freezer.

Reviews

Homemade chocolate recipes are very popular. Having tried it for the first time out of curiosity, people include this dessert in their list of favorites. They improve the original recipe, change the proportions and try all kinds of toppings. Also, people share their confectionery discoveries with others, supplementing their stories with recommendations. So, for example, some say that instead of sugar, it is better to use powdered sugar, since it helps to form a uniform consistency. Some say that recipes with honey are tastier than with sugar. Others believe that condensed milk will be the best sweetener. Lots of tips for making chocolate. Without a doubt, everyone will find a recipe to their taste and possibilities.

Making chocolate at home with a recipe is not a difficult task. To prepare a delicious and natural dessert, it is enough to have available ingredients and free time in the refrigerator. If you are interested, you can create it yourself.