Gorgeous Chocolate!

The Chocolate Connoisseur July 13th, 2007

German chocolate cake is a four-layer cake with a large amount of coconut in the icing. The cake is usually topped with a coconut pecan topping. This cake was not actually invented by the Germans, and actually a person from Dallas, Texas, first sent the recipe to a newspaper in 1957. The name German chocolate cake comes from the type of chocolate that was used to make it. Baker’s Sweet Chocolate was used in the first recipe. In 1852, a man named Sam German developed the baking chocolate that is known today as Baker’s Chocolate. The German style chocolate has a sweeter taste and is the same consistency as milk chocolate. German chocolate can now be purchased in grocery stores in the baking supply area.

Ingredients:

· 2 cups sugar
· 1 cup shortening
· 4 egg yolks
· 1 cup buttermilk
· 2 ½ cups flour
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon baking soda
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 4 squares German chocolate (1 ounce)
· ½ cup boiling water
· 4 egg whites
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 20th, 2007

Chocolate truffles are a decadent and rich tasting variety of chocolates. The chocolates are named for their resemblance to fungus truffles. They are traditionally shaped spherical or with a curved shape. Many countries around the world make truffles, but some are especially well known. Chocolate truffles are chocolates that usually have a center of ganache and then they are rolled in cocoa or chocolate. Ganache is a combination of chocolate and cream melted together slowly, and when it is chilled it can be formed and put into truffles. The ganache becomes stiffer and more moldable depending on the amount of cream to chocolate ratio. Other fillings may be used to create other flavors of truffles. Caramel, almonds, berries, mint, and many other fillings are popular. A favorite of many chocolate truffle lovers is a filling made of liquor flavorings.

There are three specific types of chocolate truffles. The first type is referred to as the American Truffle. It takes on a half-egg shape and is made from a mixture of dark and milk chocolate prepared from a combination of buttermilk and hardened coconut oil. A San Francisco Chocolatier named Joseph Schmidt in the mid 1980s created the American Truffle. There are variations of this truffle in which graham cracker crumbs or peanut butter is added. The second type of truffle is the European Truffle. This truffle is made with a combination of syrup, cocoa powder, milk powder, fats and an emulsion of oil-in-water. The Swiss Truffle is the third type of truffle, made from combining melted chocolate into a boiling mixture of butter and heavy cream. Pouring the chocolate into molds and topping them with cocoa powder is what makes these rich chocolate truffles. Many chocolate truffle companies create original, delightful truffle creations. The companies add special ingredients to make their truffles one of a kind. A chocolate truffle should be delicate in flavor and simple. Not allowing any flavor to stifle the enjoyment of chocolate, the flavors should complement each other nicely. The combination of flavors should be in balance with the stronger, yet tasty, cocoa essence.
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• Chocolate Desserts , Gourmet Chocolate
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 18th, 2007

Chocolate mousse is a light and fluffy dessert. The main ingredients are chocolate - usually dark rich chocolate is used - heavy cream and sugar.

Chocolate Mousse Recipe

This recipe will yield 8 servings.
Ingredients
· 2 cups chilled heavy cream
· 4 large egg yolks
· 3 tablespoons white sugar
· 1 teaspoon vanilla
· 7oz finely chopped bittersweet chocolate (not unsweetened)
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The Chocolate Connoisseur June 14th, 2007

Chocolate fudge is a decadent treat that has been enjoyed for many years. There are many different recipes for chocolate fudge. With an assortment of ingredients that can be added to the fudge mixture, there seems to be an endless variety of flavors to try.

One recipe that seems to produce almost perfect chocolate fudge every time is this one.

Creamy Chocolate Fudge
Ingredients
1 (7 ounce) jar marshmallow crème
1 ½ cups white sugar
2/3 cup evaporated milk
¼ cup butter
¼ teaspoon salt
2 cups milk chocolate chips
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
½ cup chopped nuts
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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The Chocolate Connoisseur April 16th, 2007

The smell of a chocolate chip cookie baked in the oven brings back wonderful childhood memories to many people. Years ago, hot chocolate with a chocolate chip cookie was a perfect way to end a day of playing in the snow, a snowball fight with friends, making snowmen, ice-skating, tobogganing, or even a walk in the falling snow. To this day it is still a very popular tradition. Unlike years ago, today there are many delicious varieties and flavors of chocolate chip cookie. For anyone that loves fruit, try a cherry chocolate chip cookie or banana chocolate chip cookie. Chocolate lovers will find double chocolate chip cookies and double chocolate chip cookies delectable. Other versions are oatmeal chocolate chip cookies and mint chocolate chip cookies - or experiment by adding other mouth-watering morsels, such as candy bar pieces, candy cane, raisins, chucks of dark or milk chocolate, coconut or espresso beans. A gourmet chocolate chip cookie bar or chocolate chip cookie pie is a wonderful taste experience you will not forget.

The following recipe for soft, double chocolate chip cookies is always a huge hit at home, work or special functions. It makes approximately two dozen incredible cookies.

Ingredients

· ½ cup butter or margarine
· 2 ½ squares of unsweetened chocolate (one ounce squares)
· 2 cups of all-purpose flour
· 1 teaspoon of baking powder
· ½ teaspoon of baking soda
· 1 ¼ cups white sugar
· ¼ teaspoon salt
· 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
· 2 eggs
· 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips
· 2/3 cup sour cream

Before making your chocolate chip recipe, preheat your oven to 375 degrees F. Over a double broiler or in the microwave, melt together the butter and squares of unsweetened chocolate, stirring until smooth. In a mixing bowl, sift together baking powder, baking soda, flour and salt and set aside. Using a medium-size mixing bowl, beat the eggs, vanilla and sugar until light and then pour in the melted chocolate mixture, stirring well. Add the dry sifted ingredients and sour cream alternately and then the chocolate chips. Drop rounded tablespoons of cookie dough onto an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake for eight to ten minutes. Remove from the oven, cool and store in an airtight container. Grab a glass of milk, a few chocolate chip cookies and relax.

If you want to do something fun with your children, let them help you bake a batch of luscious chocolate chip cookies. It will be a bonding, memorable experience and eating the finished product will certainly be a hit. Kids can be a little messy, so keep it relaxed and fun. It will not take a lot of time to get your kitchen back into shape after the cookies are ready to eat. What a great way to spend time with your children.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur March 29th, 2007

Chocolate mint is a very popular form of flavored chocolate, created by combining plain chocolate and mint flavorings such as spearmint, crème de menthe or peppermint. There is also a hybrid mint plant called ‘chocolate mint’ that is a herb which smells and tastes like a chocolate and mint combination. You find chocolate mint in a large variety of food products such as ice cream, mints, hot chocolate, cookies and candy. Cheesecake is certainly the favorite dessert of many people and chocolate mint cheesecake is no different. Cheesecakes are luscious desserts and great for any occasion such as family dinners, weddings, birthdays or baby showers.

In a cracker crust, cream cheese, lemon juice, eggs, vanilla essence, sour cream and sugar are the ingredients found in traditional cheesecake but many people have their own variations. Some of the popular cheesecake flavors are chocolate mint, lemon, strawberry and peach. There are some very important steps to follow when making a cheesecake. Many people are not aware that these tips can make the difference between a wonderful cheesecake and one that falls apart.

Tips

• Use only fresh, top quality ingredients
• Use only real pasteurized cream cheese
• If the cream cheese is frozen, microwave for about 45 seconds on high to soften
• The ingredients, especially the eggs and cream cheese, should be room temperature. This is such an important tip because, without it, you will never have a smooth cheesecake
• Never bake the fruit but add it on top later, so it retains its flavor, freshness and color
• Never, ever, open the oven door to peek at the cheesecake before it is finished or it will crack or fall apart
• Once the cheesecake finishes baking, turn the oven off but leave the cheesecake in the oven for another half an hour, to get perfectly moist, puffed cheesecake

In this chocolate mint cheesecake recipe, you make the crust by combining 3 tablespoons of melted butter or margarine, 2 tablespoons of sugar and 1 cup of chocolate wafer crumbs. Press this into a nine-inch pan, bake for ten minutes in a 350 degrees F oven and cool.

Chocolate Mint Cheesecake Ingredients

• 24 ounces softened cream cheese
• 3 large eggs
• 2/3 cup of sugar
• 1 cup melted mint chocolate chips
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

In a large bowl, combine the sugar and cream cheese, mixing on medium until blended well. One at a time, add the eggs and mix well after each one. Blend in the vanilla, mint chocolate, and pour this into the crust. Bake in a preheated 350F degree oven for fifty minutes and then turn the oven off and leave your chocolate mint cheesecake in the oven an additional half hour.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur March 14th, 2007

Almost everyone loves the taste of chocolate and has a personal favorite, such as sweet milk chocolate, dark, bitter chocolate, white chocolate, or even fancy Belgian chocolate. With the huge selection of chocolate available today, there is definitely chocolate perfect for everyone’s taste. The wonderful aroma of luscious chocolate tantalizes a person’s taste buds and the melt-in-your mouth taste of creamy chocolate makes anyone’s day. There is chocolate perfect to give as gifts on special occasions such as Valentines Day, anniversaries and birthdays. There are chocolate-shaped roses, hearts and delicious chocolate cakes and chocolate fudge.

Chocolate is a wonderful way to let someone know how much he or she means to you. Making luscious chocolate fudge to give as a gift does not have to be a difficult and challenging job. There are many easy recipes available for beginners, to the more advanced chocolate fudge recipes for experienced cooks. Here are two chocolate fudge recipes, one that is easy while the second recipe is a little more challenging - but they are both scrumptious.

It is fun to use different chocolate chip types such as peanut butter/chocolate chips or caramel/chocolate chips for a different flavor. Instead of, or along with, the chopped nuts, try M & M’s or miniature marshmallows in the following easy recipe.

Ingredients

· 1 ¼ cups of chopped nuts
· 1 can of condensed milk
· 12 ounces of chocolate chips
· 1 teaspoon of vanilla

Combine the condensed milk and chocolate chips together in a double broiler, stirring until smooth. Remove from the heat, stir in the vanilla and nuts and pour into an 8” square buttered pan. Chill until firm and then cut into pieces.

This chocolate fudge recipe is a little more difficult but heavenly to eat. The ingredients needed are:

· 1 pound each of semi-sweet chocolate chips and milk chocolate chips
· 1 can of evaporated milk (12 ounces)
· 2 ½ tablespoons butter
· 2 cups of chopped nuts
· 1 pint of marshmallow cream
· 4 cups of sugar

In a large bowl, combine butter, marshmallow cream, milk and semi-sweet chocolate and nuts, and then set aside. In a large saucepan, over medium heat, mix together sugar and evaporated milk. Stirring constantly, bring this to a boil for four minutes. Remove from the heat and immediately pour this hot mixture in the bowl with the chocolate mixture, stirring with a large wooden spoon until well blended. In a buttered 9 x 13 inch baking pan, pour in the fudge, smooth, let cool for approximately six hours, then cut, and serve. This wonderful chocolate fudge will be a hit with your family and friends and is great for gift giving.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur March 12th, 2007

A chocolate dessert is perfect for any occasion and always a big hit, whether it is for the family after a meal or you take it to a special event or dinner. Here are two chocolate dessert recipes that are delicious and easy to make. The first is a chocolate dessert pudding.

Chocolate Dessert Pudding

Chocolate Crust Ingredients

· 1 ½ cups of flour
· 1 ½ sticks of butter
· 1 ½ cups of chopped nuts such as walnuts or pecans

Combine the butter, flour, and chopped nuts and press into a cake pan that is 13 x 9 x 2 inches. Bake for fifteen minutes in a 350F degree oven. Remove this and let it cool.

Filling

· 1 cup of cool whip
· 1 cup of confectioners sugar
· 8 ounces of cream cheese

Combine these three ingredients and then spread this on the chocolate crust.

Pudding Filling

· 3 cups of cold 2% milk or whole milk
· 2 packages of chocolate instant pudding
· 1 cup of cool whip

Combine the milk and instant pudding, mix and then pour this onto the top of the filling. Top with cool whip and then refrigerate. This chocolate dessert pudding is scrumptious.

The second recipe is a chocolate dessert cake that will draw raves from everyone lucky enough to have a piece. This is great alone or served with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipping cream.

Chocolate Dessert Cake

Ingredients

· 2 ¼ cups of all-purpose flour
· 2 cups of granulated sugar
· 2/3 cup of unsweetened cocoa
· ½ teaspoon of baking powder
· 1 teaspoon of salt
· 1 ½ teaspoons of baking soda
· ¾ cup of water
· 3 eggs
· ½ cup of oil
· 8 ounces (1 container) of sour cream

Start by preheating the oven to 350 F degrees and then flour and grease a 9 x 13 inch baking pan. In a large mixing bowl, combine all of the dry ingredients, mixing thoroughly and then add the oil, water and eggs. Beat with a mixer at medium speed for approximately two minutes, and then add the sour cream, stirring well. Pour this into the baking pan, and bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

An easy and delicious chocolate dessert frosting that is wonderful with chocolate dessert cake contains 1/3 cup of margarine or butter, 4 ½ cups of sifted powdered sugar, ½ cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, 1 ½ teaspoons of vanilla and ¼ cup of milk. Beat the margarine or butter until fluffy, mix in the unsweetened cocoa powder and only 1½ cups of the powdered sugar. Add the vanilla and milk, mixing well. Beat in the remaining 3 cups of powdered sugar. Add a little more milk if you find it a little difficult to spread.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur March 1st, 2007

Most people love chocolate and fruit, so any chance to combine the two and have chocolate covered fruit is a wonderful taste experience. In the past, chocolate, which originated in Central America, was a luxury that only royalty and the wealthy were able to enjoy. Nowadays almost everyone has the opportunity to indulge him or herself by enjoying the wonderful taste of chocolate.

One way to enjoy chocolate covered fruit is a chocolate fountain, which is always a huge hit at functions such as dinner banquets, weddings, a family gathering, birthday parties or even a night hanging out with your friends. Not only is it an elegant, unique way to serve fruit and chocolate but people of all ages love to watch warm chocolate cascade over each tier of the chocolate fountain until it reaches the bottom. There are chocolate fountains made for smaller gatherings and home use and commercial fountains that are available to rent for large gatherings. Most places that rent or sell chocolate fountains also sell the milk chocolate, dark chocolate, white chocolate, and many mixtures, formulated especially for using with a fountain so it streams down the tiers properly.

Another wonderful thing about a chocolate fountain is that your imagination is the only limit to what you dip into that river of luscious chocolate. Avoid foods that crumble or fall apart and air-dry any fruit you dip, as a lot of excess moisture could cause problems. Chocolate covered fruit is as easy as making a fruit platter for dipping, using fruits such as grapes, whole strawberries, pineapple chunks, whole raspberries, banana chunks, melon, kiwi chunks, dried fruit, apple slices, and fresh cherries. This is sure to be a hit with all age groups. Other great dipping items and popular choices are rice crispy treats, biscotti, meringue cookies, pretzels, cheese, orange slices, marshmallows, and assorted cookies.

Another way to enjoy chocolate covered fruit is a chocolate fondue, which is easy and makes a decadent, fantastic dessert. Here is an easy recipe for the chocolate.

Ingredients

· 1 cup sifted premium cocoa powder
· 1 ¼ cups of water
· ¼ cup of corn syrup
· 1 ½ cups of sugar
· ½ cup plus 5 tablespoons of heavy cream
· 5 ounces of chopped semi-sweet chocolate

Place the sugar, water and corn syrup into a saucepan and bring this to a boil, allowing it to simmer for up to fifteen minutes. You want this to reduce by thirty percent, then remove from the heat. Gradually add the cocoa powder and whisk until smooth. Cook over medium heat, slowly adding the heavy cream, until it reaches boiling point. Turn the heat down and simmer for an additional five minutes. Remove this mixture from the heat, stir in the chocolate pieces and then pour it into your fondue pot. Serve bite size pieces of fruit for delicious chocolate covered fruit.

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The Chocolate Connoisseur February 28th, 2007

During the Columbian Exposition in 1892, the chef of the Palmer House Hotel in Chicago invented the brownie. Bertha Palmer wanted a dessert that women could eat without getting their hands dirty when put into box lunches. Sears and Roebuck published the first chocolate brownie recipe in their 1898 catalogue.

Just the mention of chocolate or a chocolate brownie has most people’s faces light up and their mouths water. Often referred to as ‘America’s favorite dessert’, chocolate brownies, named after their rich brown color, are popular not only across America but are known and eaten around the world. Many like their chocolate brownies covered with fudge icing, or with chips such as chocolate, peanut butter or butterscotch, while others prefer nuts or a combination of both. People also love fresh, hot chocolate brownies served with toppings such as vanilla ice cream, fresh whipped cream or hot fudge. In most fine dining establishments, country diners or other restaurants, brownies are often the most popular dessert item.

For people that love to cook, there are thousands of recipes for chocolate brownies, which are available in cookbooks, magazines and on the internet. You can even experiment to create a chocolate brownie recipe all your own or try different ingredients in a recipe you already have. Here is a brownie recipe with nuts that is not only delicious but also easy to make.

Ingredients

· One cup flour
· One cup sugar
· One cup chopped nuts (walnuts, pecans etc.)
· One teaspoon vanilla
· One teaspoon baking powder
· One quarter cup of cocoa
· One stick or four ounces of butter or margarine
· Three eggs

On low heat, melt cocoa and butter in a small saucepan and then remove this from the heat. In a bowl, beat the eggs until foamy and then slowly add in sugar and the melted cocoa and butter mixture. Sift together the baking powder and flour, and add half of this into the cake batter. Mix the nuts into the remaining flour mixture and then add this to your cake batter, being sure to blend it together well. Stir in the vanilla and then spread the batter evenly into an 8 x 8 inch greased and floured baking pan. Place this into a preheated 350-degree oven for twenty to twenty-five minutes.

You can make a quick and easy chocolate icing by sifting two cups of powdered sugar and four tablespoons of cocoa together. Add one teaspoon of vanilla and stir in enough half-and-half or heavy cream, until you get the desired spreading consistency. Make sure the brownies are cool and then apply the icing.

Taking a delicious plate of chocolate brownies to any gathering is sure to be a big hit. Be sure to make lots, as it is almost impossible for most people to eat only one chocolate brownie.

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