Chocolate Delights
One of the most delicious confections ever made has to be chocolate. This addictive, magical food has a long history, dating back thousands of years. It comes from the cacao bean, grown in Central and South America, and it was originally produced by the ancient tribes in that region, including the Aztecs. The word “chocolate” comes from the Aztec word, “chocolatl,” meaning “bitter water,” or “hot water” in the Mayan tongue. It used to serve ceremonial purposes, before becoming a luxury of the colonial rich. In time, it became the snack food of the masses, up until today.
Of course, the chocolate that we all know and love today is mostly sweet and has a very different taste from what the Aztecs or Mayans would have been familiar with. The first solid chocolate bars were produced in 1847 by Joseph Fry & Son, and since then the world has seen the introduction of a wide range of varieties, from white chocolate (not considered as chocolate at all by many) to pure, dark chocolate. Dark chocolate possesses certain health benefits, such as antioxidants, which inhibit the growth of free radicals, and it is thought to be good for the heart.
As chocolate lovers exist all over the world, here are some great recipes to enjoy at home. These classic recipes are very easy to make, with delicious results. One word of caution, however – you may enjoy them so much that you will have to forget about your diet for a very long time:
Chocolate Brownies
Brownies are so good and all you need to make one is cocoa powder, eggs, shortening, egg, sugar, pecans, vanilla essence, flour, baking powder, salt and chocolate chips. Melt the shortening and then add the cocoa powder. Remove from the heat. Mix the sugar and eggs together and then slowly add the remaining ingredients, stirring in the pecans lastly. Bake for half an hour and leave to cool before cutting into squares. You can top it off with chocolate ganache, chocolate glaze or even ice-cream.
Chocolate cupcakes
Those cupcakes with luscious cupcake frostings in bakeshops are simply mouthwatering. You yourself can definitely make your own cupcakes, you can find a variety of chocolate cupcake recipes in the Internet and video tutorials on how to do it too, simple ingredients can be bought in the grocery as well as those cupcake papers and toppings. You can also customize your cupcake recipe by adding your own frostings.
Chocolate cupcakes
You can find a variety of chocolate cupcake recipes in the Internet and even find a ready made mix in the grocery. To make your own however, you’ll just need cocoa powder, hot water, flour, baking powder, salt, butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla essence. Cream the butter and sugar together and then add the eggs. Fold in the flour and then the cocoa until the mixture is smooth. Then spoon the batter into cupcake papers and bake.
Hot Chocolate Drink
Will not only soothe your chocolate cravings but will also relieve you from stress and upset stomach. A warm drink after every meal will surely make your sleep better. You can make your drink as rich as you want or make it creamier by adding more milk and cream. Make sure to add whip cream and chocolate shavings on the top of your hot drink.
Adding chocolate in a recipe not only adds flavor but also gives the recipe that sophisticated touch. One can really become addicted to this confection and who could be blamed? However, as heavenly as this chocolate is, too much is still bad. We should still eat things in moderation so we won’t have to suffer consequences.
Experienced contributing author Anya enjoys offering her helpful fresh ideas on home baking. Not to mention her best hidden secret is definitely her location for obtaining cupcake recipes and lemon cupcake recipe.
