Chocolate Mint
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.
March 14, 2007
Chocolate Fudge
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.
March 12, 2007
Chocolate Desserts
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.
March 9, 2007
Belgian Chocolate
The words ‘Belgian chocolate’ bring a smile to people’s faces and make their taste buds salivate. Whether you add rich, dark, decadent chocolate to fresh fruits, cereal, bake with it, drink it or use it on pastries, there is nothing as delectable to a person’s taste buds as chocolate, especially Belgian Chocolate. Many believe that Belgian chocolate is the best gourmet chocolate in the world. Even the Swiss, known for their own excellent, high quality chocolate, originally imported the basic recipe from Belgian chefs.
Old world manufacturing techniques and high quality ingredients are what makes Belgian chocolate delicious and unique. Tourists visiting Belgium will find small chocolate shops that still make chocolates by hand using the original equipment. With their expertise and experience, Belgians have definitely perfected chocolate making.
Real chocolate lovers have eaten Belgian chocolate, and they know how luscious this chocolate tastes. Although expensive, pure Belgian chocolate, considered by many to be the best chocolate in the entire world, is definitely worth every penny. When biting into a quality Belgian chocolate, whether it is milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate, a person immediately forgets about the cost and just enjoys the experience of eating the most delicious, incredible chocolate ever.
Belgium produces approximately 172,000 tons of luscious chocolates from over two thousand of the country’s Belgian chocolate outlets. People of all ages love the soothing, fabulous taste of Belgian chocolate and the perfect gift for almost anyone is a Belgian chocolate gift basket.
There are different flavors and varieties of chocolate, such as bitter or sweet chocolate and many wonderful fillings. On a romantic occasion, such as Valentines Day or a birthday, give your sweetheart a Belgian chocolate gift basket with heart-shaped and rose-shaped chocolates and a bottle of wine. Many shops have a great selection of Belgian chocolate gift baskets already made, with some even offering you the option of personally selecting the items you would like included in your basket.
A great dessert that you can make the day before and gives everyone his or her own individual serving is Belgian chocolate mousse.
Ingredients
· 4 ½ ounces finely chopped Belgian bittersweet chocolate
· 2 tablespoons strong coffee such as espresso
· 2 tablespoons or 1 ounce diced, unsalted butter
· 3 large eggs, separated
· 1 cup of cold, heavy cream
· 1 tablespoon sugar
· (Optional) Raspberries or strawberries and extra whipped cream
Whip the cream into soft peaks and place in the refrigerator. Over hot water, using a double boiler, combine butter, espresso and Belgian chocolate, stirring until smooth, remove and let this cool until it is just a little warmer than body temperature. Mix the egg whites until foamy, add sugar and beat, forming soft peaks. Stir the yolks into the warm chocolate mixture; add a third of the whipped cream, fold in the whites and the rest of the whipped cream. Spoon into individual dishes and refrigerate for eight hours.
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