Chocolate Central

Gluten Free Desserts

2011-04-23T06:26:00.000-07:00

Gluten free products seem to be the up and coming "thing" these days and I think that's mostly because people are realizing that gluten has a lot to do with some of their health issues.  My husband, about 2 years ago realized that his constant headaches were a result of gluten intolerance.  So, since then, it's been my mission to find gluten free meals and desserts for him. It's a little easier now than it was just a couple of years ago. Even Betty Crocker is coming out with gluten free cookie mix, cake mix and brownie mix. This makes things a lot easier as I like to bake for my family, but it was always a challenge to make something "desserty" for him.; I've gathered some gluten free chocolate desserts that may make your "challenges" a little easier as well.

The Gift of Chocolate

2010-09-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

I love chocolate so a gift of chocolate for me is the ultimate! In my opinion, you can't go wrong with chocolate gifts, whether it be for Valentines Day, Birthday, Christmas or Easter...any holiday is perfect for chocolate! If you are looking for a great gift for someone that you know LOVES chocolates, I've assembled some ideas here for you. Everyone has their favorite, white chocolate, dark chocolate or milk chocolate...for me, the white chocolate is the best!

Chocolate Bars

2010-09-11T05:57:00.000-07:00

Alot of people have cravings for chocolate on many occasions. It is thought that this is something that usually happens to women, but men seem to have the same problem. The plain chocolate bars are very popular, but people also seem to like the variety of chocolate bars that incorporate ingredients like nuts, caramel,creams and other tasteful things. Most people think of chocolate as a sweet treat, which it is, but new research is now saying there are some healthy beneifts to chocolate as well.

The chocolate that is said to have the most health benefits is the dark chocolate. Usually dark chocolate is not the choice of many consumers, but there are some people that naturally like the dark chocolate. Dark chocoalte has a bitter taste and not as sweet as milk chocolate, but you don't have to eat alot of the dark chocolate to reap the benefits. One small bite a day is all they are saying you need..although sometimes it's hard to stop at one bite, even the dark chocolate. Who would have ever thought something so delicious as chocolate would actually be recommended by your doctor?

You can find chocolate bars anywhere these days, but you really haven't tried chocolate until you tasted some from around the world. Chocolate is distinctive in different p laces and there are some really good choices out there. If you have never tried Violet Crumble from Australia, you are missing out. You may find that chocoalte from Europe is better than what you get at home, or you may prefer your favorite brand here in the states. I use to visit Denmark quite often and their chocolates were different and in my opinion better. It seemed more smooth. They actually have sandwich chocolate. They are thin slices of chocolate, shaped for 1/2 slice of bread and I have to tell you, as a kid, I was in heaven having chocolate sandwiches for lunch!

If you are thinking of trying different types of chocolate, you can find pretty much anything from around the world online. Some chocolates from around the world have less sugar or more sugar than we are used to here in the states, so you want to check the description or ingredients of the chocolate you may be purchasing, but whatever you are looking for, you're sure to find the right chocolates for your taste.

No Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Bars

2010-09-11T05:09:00.000-07:00

2 cups peanut butter, divided 3 cups graham cracker crumbs
3/4 c butter (1 1/2 sticks), softened 2 cups chocolate chips (12 oz pkg)
2 cups powered sugar, divided divided

GREASE 13x9-inch baking pan.

BEAT 1 1/4 cups peanut butter and butter in large mixer bowl until creamy. Gradually beat in 1 cup powdered sugar. With hands or wooden spoon, work in remaining 1 cup powdered sugar, graham cracker crumbs and 1/2 cup morsels. Press evenly into prepared baking pan. Smooth top with spatula.

MELT remaining 3/4 cup peanut butter and remaining 1 1/2 cups chocolate chips in medium, heavy-duty saucepan over lowest possible heat, stirring constantly until smooth. Spread over graham cracker crust in pan. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until chocolate is firm. cut into bars. Store in covered container in refrigerator.

No Bake Chocolate & Mint Cheesecake

2010-09-10T04:21:00.000-07:00

1 2/3 cups (10-oz pkg) Nestle dark chocolate and mint chips.
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 pkgs. (8 oz ea.) 1/3 less fat cream cheese at room temperature
1/4 cup heavy whipping cream
1 tsp. vanilla
1 prepared 9-inch chocolate crumb crust

Set aside 1/2 cup morsels for ganache topping. From remaining morsels, sort out 1 tbsp. mint morsels and place in small, heavy-duty plastic bag for drizzle, set aside.

MELT remainingmorsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-save bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute. STIR. The morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 100 to 15 second intervals, stirring just until smooth. Cool slightly.

BEAT cream cheese, brown sugar, granulated sugar, 2 tbsp. cream and vanilla in medium mixer bowl on medium speed for 2 minutes. Add melted chocolate, continue beating for 1 minute. Spoon into crust and smooth top.

MICROWAVE remaining 2 tbsp. cream in 1 cup glass measure on HIGH (100% power) for 20 seconds or until boiling. Ad reserved 1/2 cup morsels to cream, let sit for 1 minute. Stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Spread ganache over cheesecake to within 1/4 inch of edge.

MICROWAVE reserved mint morsels in bag on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) for 20 seconds; knead. Microwave at 10-15 second intervals, kneading until smooth. Cut tiny corner from bag. Drizzle over top of ganache. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours.

Chocolate Cheesecake

2007-12-12T04:52:00.000-08:00

For crust
1 9-ounce box chocolate wafer cookies
6 tablespoons (3/4 stick) unsalted butter, melted

For filling
1 1/2 cup whipping cream
1 teaspoon instant coffee powder
12 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped
2 8-ounce packages cream cheese, room temperature
3/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon cornstarch
1 cup sour cream
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3 large eggs

For glaze
1/2 cup whipping cream
4 ounces semisweet chocolate, finely chopped

Preparation

Make crust:
Preheat oven to 350°F. Wrap outside of 9-inch-diameter springform pan with 2 3/4-inch-high sides with double thickness of foil. Spray bottom of pan with vegetable oil spray. Finely grind cookies in processor. Add butter and process until blended. Press mixture onto bottom (not sides) of prepared pan. Refrigerate while preparing filling.

Make filling:
Combine cream and coffee powder in medium saucepan. Stir over medium heat until coffee powder dissolves. Reduce heat to low. Add chocolate; whisk until chocolate melts and mixture is smooth. Cool 10 minutes.

Using electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar in large bowl until well blended. Beat in cornstarch. Add sour cream and vanilla; beat well. Add eggs 1 at a time, beating just until blended after each addition. Whisk 1 cup cheese mixture into chocolate mixture. Return chocolate mixture to remaining cheese mixture; whisk until smooth.

Pour batter into crust. Place springform pan in large baking pan. Add enough hot water to baking pan to cone halfway up sides of springform pan. Bake cheesecake until softly set and slightly puffed around edges, about 1 hour. Turn off oven. Let cake stand in oven 45 minutes. Transfer springform pan t rack and cool. Cover; chill cake overnight.

Make glaze:
Bring cream to boil in heavy small saucepan. Remove from heat. Add 4 ounces chocolate and whisk until melted and smooth. Pour glaze over top of cake. Using spatula, smooth glaze evenly over top. Refrigerate until glaze is set, at least 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)

Using knife, cut around sides of pan to loosen cake. Remove pan sides. Cut into wedges and serve.

World's Finest Chocolates

2007-12-05T10:27:00.001-08:00

My husband and I have been blessed with many things to make our life happy and full. We have a strong committed relationship, we have raised healthy successful independent children, and we have financial security. We were reflecting on this the other day when we were trying to come up with a unique gift idea for our friends.

When we were first married, we struggled financially for several years. One couple that we were friends with in college remain our best friends today. Through the years we have both been blessed with financial security. This is wonderful; however gift giving ideas were much easier to come up with when we were both struggling financially. In those days a cheap bottle of wine and a certificate for a delivery pizza seemed like manna from heaven. Now that we are in a position to be able to buy what we need and want, it is not as easy to come up with ideas. I was watching a cooking show the other day and the chef was talking about the worlds finest chocolates. He and his guest were having a disagreement on what which country has the worlds finest chocolates. Their discussion made me think of our friends and their love of chocolates.

I went on the internet and found that there are chocolate samplers that can be purchased that have a variety of chocolates in them. I then came across a site that was advertising different chocolates from several different countries. It was a club to join or give a membership for. Each month the worlds finest chocolates are shipped to the club member. If there is a holiday in the particular month that is featured, however the main reason for the membership is to have a sampling of the different chocolates from around the world. I thought that this would make a great gift for our friends. I liked the idea that they would be getting something each month instead of one large amount at the holiday time. The advertisement for the membership promised eating as well as cooking chocolates would be sent. There would also be an order form as well as a critic form so that you could keep track of which of the worlds finest chocolates were your favorites, and have the chance to order more. I shared the information with my husband and he agreed that this would be a fun gift to give to our friends. My hope is that they will want to share some of the wonderful chocolates that they will be sent.

Chocolate Teddy Bear Cookies

2007-12-03T05:46:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
1-2/3 cups (10-oz. pkg.) REESE'S Peanut Butter Chips
1 cup HERSHEY'S SPECIAL DARK Chocolate Chips or HERSHEY'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
2 tablespoons shortening(do not use butter, margarine, spread or oil)
1 package (20 oz.) chocolate sandwich cookies
1 box (10 oz.) teddy bear shaped graham snack crackers
Directions:
1. Cover tray or cookie sheet with wax paper.

2. Place peanut butter chips, chocolate chips and shortening. In medium microwave-safe bowl. Microwave at MEDIUM (50%) 1-1/2 to 2 minutes or until chips are melted and mixture is smooth when stirred. Using fork, dip each cookie into chip mixture; gently tap fork on side of bowl to remove excess chocolate.

3. Place coated cookies on prepared tray; top each cookie with graham snack cracker. Refrigerate, uncovered, until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes. Store in airtight container in cool, dry place. About 4 dozen cookies.

Chocolate Holiday Carol

2007-11-29T06:29:00.000-08:00

Chocolate Bundt Cake

2007-11-28T05:27:00.000-08:00

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1 cup butter, softened
1/2 cup shortening
3 cups white sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
5 eggs
1 cup milk

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour a 10 inch Bundt pan. Sift flour, baking powder, salt and cocoa. Set aside.

In a large bowl, cream butter, shortening, sugar, and vanilla until light and fluffy. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each. Add flour mixture alternately with the milk. Mix well.

Pour into 10 inch Bundt pan. Bake at 325 F (165 degrees C) for 70 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into cake comes out clean. Let cool for 10 minutes in the pan, then turn out onto a wire rack and cool completely.

Black & White Brownie Pie

2007-11-27T06:47:00.000-08:00

Ingredients:
9" pie shell
3/4 cup butter
1/2 cup cocoa powder
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
1-1/4 cups flour
1/2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup vanilla milk chips
1/2 cup vanilla milk chips

Preparation:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Make pie crust and set aside.
In heavy saucepan, melt butter with cocoa powder over medium heat. Add sugar and beat until combined. Remove pan from heat and stir in eggs. Add flour and baking powder and mix well. Stir in 1 cup vanilla milk chips. Pour chocolate mixture into pie shell.

Bake at 350 degrees F for 40-50 minutes or until pie filling is set and crust is golden brown. Cool completely on wire rack.

Melt 1/2 cup vanilla milk chips and place in plastic bag. Snip off one end and drizzle over pie. Serves 8

Chocolate Cream Pie

2007-11-25T06:09:00.000-08:00

Filling:

6 Tablespoons (40 grams) Dutch Processed Cocoa Powder
1/4 cup (20-25 grams) cornstarch
1/2 cup plus 3 Tablespoons (135 grams total) sugar
Pinch of salt
1/2 teaspoon (5+ grams) instant expresso powder (if not available, can use instant coffee)
2 cups (16 ounces) low fat milk (can use nonfat or whole milk, if desired)
1 teaspoon (1/8 ounce) vanilla extract

For Version II add the following
2 egg yolks, beaten
1 Tablespoon butter (or 1/2 ounce; 15 grams)

Crust:

1 cup (8 ounces; 100-115 grams) graham cracker crumbs
3 Tablespoons (or 1 1/2 ounces; 45 grams) butter, melted

Crust:

Stir together graham cracker crumbs and melted butter until well mixed. Press into the bottom and sides of a 9-inch pie pan and chill in the refrigerator.

Filling:

Sift all dry ingredients together in a bowl and mix until combined. Place in a medium saucepan.
Using a whisk, stir in just enough milk to make a smooth paste. Gradually whisk in the remaining milk. Cook over medium heat and whisk slowly and constantly until mixture begins to thicken and boil. Boil an extra 30 seconds or so, stirring continually. Remove from the heat.

For Version I

Gently stir in vanilla and pour filling into pie crust.
Immediately cover with plastic wrap. Cool a few minutes and refrigerate until set, around 4-6 hours.
Serve topped with lofty whipped cream.

For Version II

Gradually stir about half of the hot filling into the beaten egg yolks. Mix carefully to avoid cooking the egg yolks before they are incorporated into the mixture.
Return all to saucepan and heat to a gentle boil. Cook and lightly stir 1 minute.
Remove from the heat and gently stir in the 1 Tablespoon of butter and the 1 teaspoon of vanilla.
Pour filling into the pie crust and immediately cover with plastic wrap. Cool a few minutes and refrigerate until set, around 4-6 hours.
Serve topped with whipped cream.

Lindt Chocolates

2007-11-25T06:06:00.001-08:00

Lindt chocolate is world renown for its outstanding confections. This company has established itself as one of the leaders of fine chocolates and its reputation is well earned. The Lindt Chocolate Company has many different products available that are ideal for the cocoa lover in all of us.

Of course, the very first item that comes to mind when you even think about this grand company is Lindt chocolate. This is the foundation on which the organization was made and its confections are the cornerstone of the company’s success. And there is good reason for the success. The chocolate is good.

When I say that Lindt chocolate is good, I mean unbearably good. This product borders on addictive and you’ll see why once you try some for yourself. The Lindt Chocolate Company produces the finest quality and there are few that can match the outstanding taste and texture that these products have.

If you know a cocoa lover or if you love the stuff yourself, you will be very interested to see what this company has to offer. Following are a handful of wonderful items that you can order right online. This is a very convenient approach to getting some of the world’s best sweets available.

First on the list is the Lindt chocolates presented in a box. The individual candies make for the perfect afternoon treat. In fact, you may have trouble stopping with just one of these delectable sweets. I like to keep a box on hand for special occasions. The boxed Lindt chocolates make tasty gift even if it is for yourself.

There are also collections available through this candy company. The Excellence and Gold Collection really stands up to its name. I can’t think of a better way to indulge in Lindt chocolate than through this collection. That is, unless you try the truffles. Those rich confections are so smooth and luscious.

Maybe you want something a little more personal. Why not look into getting custom Lindt chocolate bars created for a special occasion? The company offers handy kits that are ideal for just about any event you can imagine. I’ve seen these items at wedding receptions and birthday parties and just about every event in between.

And speaking of special occasions, Lindt Chocolate has special packages during the holiday season. You can find a plethora of wonderful ideas on the company’s home page on the World Wide Web.

Homemade Chocolate Fudge

2007-11-23T09:53:00.000-08:00

6 ounces cream cheese, softened
1/8 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
4 cups confectioners' sugar, sifted
4 (1 ounce) squares unsweetened chocolate, melted and cooled
1 cup chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS
Line an 8x8 inch dish with foil.
In a medium bowl, beat cream cheese until smooth. Beat in salt and vanilla. Beat in confectioners' sugar, a little at a time, until smooth. Stir in melted chocolate. Fold in walnuts. Spread into prepared pan. Chill 1 hour, until firm. Cut into one inch squares.

Holiday Gifts

2007-11-23T09:50:00.001-08:00

When it comes to chocolate, there is no wrong time. This is something that you can give at almost any occasion and you won’t hear a complaint from anyone, unless of course, they don’t eat sugar. When it comes to the holidays, you may have many small gifts you have to buy for those who may do things for you throughout the year, or for those you work with every day. When it comes to a holiday budget, this can make things complicated. Luckily, a chocolate holiday gift is almost always welcome and easy to find.

When you buy chocolate for someone, you can save a lot of money but still get something nice. There are some small boxes for a dollar or so, but those you might want to skip. Spend a little extra to get a nice chocolate holiday gift. You’ll still get a good deal. You can find small samplers that have a few different kinds of candy inside, and unless someone has a peanut allergy, these are always great when you want to get something small for someone. You can get larger boxes for those who are hard to shop for and when you need something in a hurry.

If you want to get something a little different for a chocolate holiday gift, you can get chocolate roses, or chocolate shaped in just about anything you can think of. While it might not be as romantic as getting real roses, perhaps you could get both. If you have a loved one that doesn’t eat sugar, you can find low carb chocolates that have little to no sugar. Not only will they love you for thinking of them specifically, you may have also introduced them to something they may not have realized was out there.

Searching for the best chocolate holiday gift does not have to be that hard. The Internet is full of sites that have a great selection. You can go with any price you like, and even have your choice shipped out to your recipient if you wish. That is especially helpful if you are shopping late like so many end up doing, or if you forgot someone and have to get something at the last minute. It might not seem like a very thoughtful gift when it comes to closer family members, but it is always something you can include with whatever else it is that you got them that year for the holidays.

Chocolate Holiday Gift

2007-11-20T11:08:00.001-08:00

If you have been given a chocolate easter bunny at some point in your life then you know what a pleasant holiday tradition it can be. There is just something about getting a holiday gourmet gift that really brightens the day. In my family, however, we don't save our chocolate holiday gift for easter! Any holiday can be an excuse to get a delicious chocolate miniature wrapped in brightly colored foil.

My favorite chocolate holiday gifts are the ones that come in unexpected shapes and with interesting wrapping. Chocolate easter bunnies and Santa's are okay, but give me a chocolate Christmas train or nutcracker any day! With your average meal, it does not matter how you package the food. With a chocolate holiday gift, however, presentation is everything. Mediocre milk chocolate packaged in a bright foil wrapping will often be a greater pleasure to receive than a delicious dark chocolate in a plain box – at least for children.

Then again, for a more refined palate, there is nothing better than a little taste of something delicious and precious. A dark chocolate holiday gift, a log of well smoked sausage, or perhaps some sharp cheddar will really serve to delight the palate of any sophisticated adult. After all, these are all special foods – things that we do not allow ourselves to eat just every day. The holidays give us a great excuse to treat ourselves to them – especially if a friend makes it easy to indulge.

If you want to, you can even make your own chocolate holiday gift. A lot of the folks I know do just that. Simply buy some baker's chocolate, melt it down, froth it up while mixing in some sugar, and pour it over the filling of your choice. I have always found blueberries, strawberries, and cherries to be great centers for chocolate holiday gifts, but use your imagination. After that, you can decorate it with frosting, shape it how you want, wrap it up, and give it to a close friend. It is one of the best gift ideas for a chocolate lover, combining the delicious taste of chocolate with the personal touch of a handmade gift idea. Just thinking about making a delicious, handmade chocolate holiday gift is making my stomach rumble. As much as I like to give out chocolate gifts, I like eating them even more. I think that it's time for me to go bake!

Yum Brownies

2007-10-24T04:00:00.000-07:00

Ingredients

1/2 cup butter
1 cup white sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup all-purpose flour
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder

Frosting
3 tablespoons butter, softened
3 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
1 tablespoon honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup confectioners' sugar

DIRECTIONS

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease and flour an 8 inch square pan. In a large saucepan, melt 1/2 cup butter. Remove from heat, and stir in sugar, eggs, and 1 teaspoon vanilla. Beat in 1/3 cup cocoa, 1/2 cup flour, salt, and baking powder. Spread batter into prepared pan. Bake in preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Do not overcook.
To Make Frosting: Combine 3 tablespoons butter, 3 tablespoons cocoa, 1 tablespoon honey, 1 teaspoon vanilla, and 1 cup confectioners' sugar. Frost brownies while they are still warm.

Quick Easy Fudge

2007-10-14T09:21:00.000-07:00

INGREDIENTS
1 cup virgin coconut oil, room temperature
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
1/2 cup honey

DIRECTIONS
Lightly grease 8x8 inch baking dish.
Pour the coconut oil into a bowl, and sift in the cocoa, stirring to blend evenly. Stir in the honey, and mix until smooth. Spread mixture into prepared dish, and refrigerate at least 1 hour. Cut into 1 inch squares.

This fudge can harden in the fridge, so you might want to take it out to soften before induldging.

A little history on Chocolate

2007-09-30T09:23:00.000-07:00

I thought I might pass along a little history of chocolate I came across. Being a chocolate lover, I find the history of chocolate quite interesting.

Chocolate got its start in North and Central America. Columbus actually carried some cocoa beans back to Spain. It wasn't really known what to do with those beans until Cortez conquered the Aztec Indians of Mexico. He learned about a special drink that acted as an aphrodisiac. The Aztecs called it "cacahuatl" or "gift from the gods". Cortez garnered the process. Large pods from cacao trees were harvested twice a year. The cocoa beans were extracted from these pods. Then the beans were fermented, dried and roasted. Once roasted, they were ground into a fine powder. This powder was then mixed with hot water to make the drink.

When Cortez returned to Spain, he brought back cocoa beans and the cooking process. The chocolate drink the Aztecs drank was bitter and peppery. The Spaniards experimented with the process. They added the cream and sugar, which made it more like what we drink today. The Spaniards kept the drink a national secret for almost 100 years. The drink spread to France when King Louis married a Spanish royal. Part of the bride's trousseau were some cocoa beans to make her favorite breakfast drink.

Chocolate houses opened all over France and were similar to our coffeehouses today. From France, the drink spread to England and then to back to North America. The drink became very popular after the Boston Tea Party when tea was being boycotted.

Another century would pass before the process of making a solid chocolate would be perfected.

Chocolate has come a long way and now it is enjoyed by millions of people in all kinds of ways!

Hershey's Chocolate Cake

2007-09-21T09:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:
2 cups sugar
1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
3/4 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
1-1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1-1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
1 cup milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 cup boiling water

CHOCOLATE FROSTING(recipe follows)
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 350°F. Grease and flour two 9-inch round baking pans.

2. Stir together sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt in large bowl. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla; beat on medium speed of mixer 2 minutes. Stir in boiling water (batter will be thin). Pour batter into prepared pans.

3. Bake 30 to 35 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost with CHOCOLATE FROSTING. 10 to 12 servings.

VARIATIONS:
ONE-PAN CAKE: Grease and flour 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Heat oven to 350° F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely. Frost.

THREE LAYER CAKE: Grease and flour three 8-inch round baking pans. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pans. Bake 30 to 35 minutes. Cool 10 minutes; remove from pans to wire racks. Cool completely. Frost.

BUNDT CAKE: Grease and flour 12-cup Bundt pan. Heat oven to 350°F. Pour batter into prepared pan. Bake 50 to 55 minutes. Cool 15 minutes; remove from pan to wire rack. Cool completely. Frost.

CUPCAKES: Line muffin cups (2-1/2 inches in diameter) with paper bake cups. Heat oven to 350°F. Fill cups 2/3 full with batter. Bake 22 to 25 minutes. Cool completely. Frost. About 30 cupcakes.

CHOCOLATE FROSTING

1 stick (1/2 cup) butter or margarine
2/3 cup HERSHEY'S Cocoa
3 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Melt butter. Stir in cocoa. Alternately add powdered sugar and milk, beating to spreading consistency. Add small amount additional milk, if needed. Stir in vanilla. About 2 cups frosting.

Dove Chocolate

2007-09-21T09:18:00.001-07:00

Well, today I bought some Dove chocolate. It is a little more expensive than the Hershey's or Nestle's, but not as expensive as the Lindt truffles. I have to say, the Dove chocolate is very good. Very creamy and tastes really good. It's going to be hard to make the bag last the week......

My favorite remains the Lindt though. And white chocolate for me beats out the milk chocolate, but I certainly wouldn't turn down any chocolate!! Halloween is coming, time for chocolate overload!

Chocolatey Chocolate Cake

2007-09-15T07:36:00.000-07:00

Ingredients:

1 pkg devil's food cake mix
1 pkg instant chocolate pudding mix
1 cup sour cream
1 cup vegetable oil
4 eggs
1/2 cup warm water
2 cups semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
In a large bowl, mix together the cake and pudding mixes, sour cream, oil, beaten eggs and water. Stir in the chocolate chips and pour batter into a well greased 12 cup bundt pan.

Bake for 50 to 55 minutes, or until top is springy to the touch and a wooden toothpick inserted comes out clean. Cool cake thoroughly in pan at least an hour and a half before inverting onto a plate If desired, dust the cake with powdered sugar.

Chocolate Review

2007-09-08T09:42:00.000-07:00

I was in Walmart yesterday, and just so happened I passed by the chocolate candy section..........by accident of course :) Anyway, I was looking at the chocolate bars and noticed a bar that said belgian chocolate. Whenever I see belgian chocolate, I just tend to think it's got to be the best chocolate. The chocolate bar brand was "Sams Club"...a part of Walmart. I thought, "what the heck"...I'll give it a try..after all, it's chocolate.

Well, I couldn't wait to get home to try it out. It actually wasn't too bad, but not as good as I had imagined. It was very creamy, but the chocolately taste wasn't as "strong" as I would have liked. Rating from 1-10, I'd have to give it a 6. The cost was $1.69, so for the price, it wasn't too bad. I think I prefer the Symphony Chocolate Bars.

World's Most Highly Priced Chocolates

2007-09-02T07:38:00.000-07:00

I'm sure most of us when we purchase chocolate, we usually purchase the brands we see most like hersheys, nestles, even the more expensive chocolate like lindt, for special occasions of course! However, have you ever thought of what the real expensive chocolate is like? I think alot of us may never know how decadent a high-price piece of chocolate is, I can only imagine.

I came across this article on the world's most expensive chocolate Maybe if I start saving up now, I can purchase a small piece to try in a year or so.

Hersheys New Products

2007-08-29T14:58:00.000-07:00

The Hershey Company is adding two new products that they established special labeling, touting high levels of flavanols that occur naturally in cocoa beans.

We all are interested in the health benefits of the foods we eat and chocolate is no different. Research indicates that the benefits of regular use of pure cocoa could be a lower risk of cancer, stroke, heart failure and diabetes. It is advised that consumers buy chocolate products with high cocoa content and little or no sugar. Read more interesting information here

Lindt Gourmet Truffles

2007-08-27T16:46:00.000-07:00

There are few foods that give you that overall good feeling like a piece of fine chocolate. The most perfect treat I can think of is a really good truffle. To experience this most extraordinary confection in its most extraordinary form, you have to try Lindt Gourmet Truffles.

Each creamy, silken center is surrounded by a fine milk, dark, or white shell, delicately decorated to create the ultimate luxury. The unique double-dipped chocolates with smooth, creamy insides come in many varieties. Manufactured by Lindt & Sprungli, Stratham, N.H., my favorite is the white chocolate with a white center. Other available truffles include milk chocolate with a milk center, dark chocolate with a vanilla-flavored center, hazelnut, mint, peanut butter and dark chocolate with raspberry center.

The candy should be exceptional, as Lindt & Sprungli have been making chocolates for 160 years, with Rodolphe Lindt pioneering the process of conching, the lengthy procedure of churning and stirring the chocolate paste until it develops a dark velvety texture that slowly melts on the tongue.

Though others tried, they were unable to reproduce Lindt's unique quality. To this day, the confection is made according to the same top-secret recipe as the very first chocolate bar.

Lindt Truffles are a necessity around my home especially at Christmas time. Everyone expects a package of these truffles in their stocking Christmas morning. And of course I always add a bag to my stocking as well. Needless to say, you can't eat just one!

Healthy Chocolate?

2007-08-25T18:43:00.000-07:00

I have loved chocolate all my life. When I was a kid, my mother, being Danish, took us to Denmark quite a few times. My first visit was when I was 6. We were introduced to alot of different foods, and one of which I think every kid would love. They actually had chocolate sandwiches. My mother would buy a box of sandwich chocolate. It was thin slices of chocolate the shape of a half of a slice of the "brown" Danish bread. She would spread the bread with butter and then place the chocolate on top. I didn't like butter on my sandwiches so I just had the chocolate on the bread. I tell you, my siblings and I couldn't have been happier eating a chocolate sandwich for lunch.

Last year, my mother went back to Denmark and brought me back (for old times sake)a box of this sandwich chocolate. Even though I still love chocolate...the chocolate sandwiches weren't much of a big hit with me anymore. My own kids didn't even try it, they just ate the chocolate pieces as is, as did I.

As I continue to eat chocolate, I would love to believe that what we read about chocolate being healthy for us is true. Unfortunately, the chocolate that we love to eat is not as healty as earlier thought. Read more about healthy chocolate