Chocolate is a sweetness loved by children and adults. It can be added to the dish, eaten by itself or with a hot drink. Chocolate products are welcome “guests” of any festive table. They can improve mood and are able to return to childhood for some time. Knowing at least one recipe for chocolate, 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 correct 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 understand how good a chocolate product is before it is tasted.
The first step is to carefully read the composition on the label, which gives a list of components. Usually most substances are written first. The main components of the chocolate recipe should be: grated cocoa and cocoa butter. If there are a lot of them, then chocolate is natural. If there are few such components, then this product will be called “confectionery tile”. So, milk chocolate should contain about 30% cocoa, black - more than 36%, extra-black - from 55 to 80 percent. An important condition for a healthy treat is that it should not contain more than 5% additives from the entire composition. Their names must be indicated in full. You should not spend money on goods where preservatives are listed in the abbreviated name.
Quality chocolate, like any other product, will have neat packaging. Good quality indicators are the presence of aluminum foil, a strong paper label and the clarity of printed data.
An important role is played by the shelf life and storage conditions of the goods. Fresh chocolate usually has a white coating and loses its pleasant taste. If the filling of spoiled sweets consists of nuts, raisins, nougat or liquor, then the risk of poisoning increases.
The properties
The composition of chocolate contains various substances that have a beneficial effect on the body. Many people know that this delicious dessert is useful for the activity of the nervous system. It helps improve mood, helps with fatigue and depression. A sweet treat improves the functioning of the heart and blood vessels. Studies have shown that regular consumption of a small amount of chocolate can reduce the risk of heart attack. In addition, the consumption of chocolate, namely the minerals in it, strengthens bone and muscle tissue, nails and teeth. Magnesium has a good effect on brain function. In addition, chocolate invigorates a person and energizes him.
The benefits of homemade chocolate
There are reasons why making chocolate at home is beneficial:
- You can be absolutely (or almost) confident in the quality of the ingredients used in the recipe.
- In the home version, there are no certain products that are harmful to the body, among them soya lecithin and palm oil. Often these and other components of purchased chocolate are the cause of allergies in children.
- Homemade chocolate may not be so sweet, unlike industrial counterparts, since the amount of sugar depends on the desire of the cook. A less nutritious alternative to sugar can be a sweetener.
- As the filling, you can use what you want.
- Those who have tasted homemade chocolate find it tastier than store chocolate. In addition, it is also more useful.
Types of Homemade Chocolate
Varieties of homemade goodies depending on the method of preparation:
- 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 with the additive and let it harden. Such a dessert is not healthy.
- This recipe is based on high-quality chocolate, specially made to order. Its advantage is the lack of palm oil, which is often put in most chocolates sold in stores. However, it will contain soya lecithin.
- Real homemade chocolate 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
- Do not save on ingredients. It is important that these components are taken in the required quantities. A smaller proportion can lead to a distortion of the taste of the finished treat.
- It is important to know that chocolate should be cooked at a temperature not exceeding 32 degrees Celsius. Try to touch the liquid chocolate mixture. If you are not burned, then the future sweetness is not spoiled.
- People who have repeatedly tried to make 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, but it is better to remember the above method of a water bath.
- When preparing homemade treats for the first time, limit yourself to small portions. No need to work on a chocolate factory scale. If the finished product satisfies you, then it will already be possible to increase production volumes.
What forms to use
In dishware stores and supermarkets, you can purchase 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 to take forms for ice. Before pouring the chocolate mixture, it is necessary to grease the form with butter.
What can I add to the filling
In the form of 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, crumbs of waffles or cookies, pieces of berries or fruits. The selected addition must be chopped or finely chopped. Then pour into a hot mass, mix and distribute in molds.
Some nuances
In the preparation of homemade chocolate has its own characteristics:
- The final stage of preparation (being in the refrigerator) takes about half an hour in time.
- If possible, replace cocoa powder with unroasted cocoa beans.
- Instead of sugar, it is advisable to take liquid honey.
- If the filling should be in the center of the candy, it is worth imposing it one after another with a layer of sweet mass.
- Using cocoa butter without heat treatment will be more beneficial. It can be found in departments specializing in cocoa products.
- No culinary recipe for homemade chocolate is complete without vanilla and cinnamon. They are required components.
- If you are preparing a sweet treat for a man, sprinkle a little grated ginger root and red chili in a chocolate mixture.
- Cocoa butter must be taken in a specialized store, but not in a pharmacy. In cosmetology, a refined product is used, for the preparation of dessert, unrefined is needed. In order not to make a mistake in choosing, you should trust your sense of smell. The butter you need will have a chocolate flavor. Cosmetic cocoa butter - odorless. By the way, a fragrant option can replace you with a regular cream.
- When preparing a tasty treat, it is very important to strictly observe the proportions of cocoa butter and its powder, they should be taken in quantities of 1: 1. There are no restrictions regarding toppings.
- If you decide to make chocolate at home, be sure to find out exactly how to correctly formulate a chocolate recipe, 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 store tile. Thanks to this rare ingredient, 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. Milk-free chocolate will work well with sesame seeds or coconut. These ingredients add 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.
Melt two types of oil indicated in the recipe. Pour cocoa powder and sugar. Stir thoroughly until smooth. All this cool, pour into forms and put in the refrigerator.
Milk chocolate
Sweet tooth can rejoice, because for them there is a recipe for milk chocolate with the composition:
- 4 large spoons of cocoa powder;
- 60 grams of butter;
- 1 small spoon of sugar;
- 100 grams of milk.
Pour milk into a container and heat it. Then pour cocoa and sugar. In a separate pan, melt the oil with a water bath, and 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 in molds and refrigerate.
bitter chocolate
This recipe for making dark chocolate is easy to execute and requires 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. This will appeal to those who do not like sugary-sweet milk chocolate. If you are confident in your pastry skills, you can adjust the ratio of cocoa and granulated sugar yourself. However, there is one important fact: the proportions indicated in the recipe are used to create any complex chocolate dessert.
Cooking. Cut the butter into pieces and melt in a water bath. Pour in cocoa and sugar. It should turn out a mass resembling thick sour cream. The resulting mixture should boil, and then remain on fire for about 3 minutes. Be sure to stir the chocolate mass during cooking. After that, cool the future chocolate, pour into molds and send to the refrigerator or freezer.
Reviews
Homemade chocolate recipes are quite popular. Having tried for the first time out of curiosity, people include this dessert in their favorite list. They improve the original recipe, change the proportions and try all kinds of fillings. Also, people share their pastry discoveries with others, supplementing their stories with recommendations. For example, some say that instead of sugar it is better to use powdered sugar, since it contributes to the formation of a uniform consistency. Some say that recipes with honey are tastier than with sugar. Others consider condensed milk to be the best sweetener. There are many tips for making chocolate. Without a doubt, everyone will find the recipe according to their taste and possibilities.
Making prescription chocolate at home is not a big deal. 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.