Chocolate

Baking is the skill of making various kinds of products such as breads, cake, biscuits and others that requires a lot of expertise and knowledge of different hygienic and confectionery principles. People all around the United Kingdom love to use bakery products in their daily use right from morning breakfast to dinner. No party is complete without them as they are the perfect thing to celebrate any occasion and to add joy and happiness.

The aroma of all the pastries, breads, cakes and biscuits are very captivating and adds new life in the entire environment. These products are generally very popular due to their taste and varieties. Among them the purchase of biscuits and cakes is generally more common. If birthdays are incomplete without cakes then snacks without biscuits are no good.

Confectionery items are those that are rich in sugar and whether it is a chocolate, fudge, toffee, gum or any pastry, the confectionery industry has something for everyone. The sweet and exotic taste they hold has a special place in the hearts of all Brits. A good baker would provide products that are freshly made everyday using only the finest ingredients, offering real choice and great value. You can find a diversity of bakery products available in bakery shops all over the UK that have been alluring human generations since their inception into our food habits. These shops are the home of fresh baking, serving delicious desserts, gateaux and bespoke cakes which can also be made upon request.

Modern day baking techniques are greatly dependent upon food processing automated machinery. These machines have made the baking process easier, more efficient, while providing products that are rich in quality. However, only the appropriate bakery equipments give quality products which fulfil the customers' demands by making delicious bread, biscuits, pastries, cakes and sandwiches. If you are living in the UK you can buy these equipments from bakery supply providers that are available at Searchme4, the UK online business directory, to get a great variety of supplies in every shape and size, allowing you to make the most of your needs.

Be it a holiday season or a birthday or anniversary, nothing is more exciting than having the delivery guy at the door arrive with a pack of brownies. Perhaps someone baked them from scratch in their own kitchen, but chances are that the brownies have been bought online. There are many, many bakeries who sell brownies online, but some of these companies are much better than others. To get the very best brownies and to get the greatest value for your dollar, always check each bakeries information about their products very carefully.

This may sound little tricky, but the fact is many outlets leave their numbers on different websites online claiming that they deliver brownies online. While they do deliver, there are less chances of the company being authentic. A proper company delivering brownies online should have a dedicated website where you can register as well, so that when you order next time, you will not have to fill all the delivery details.

The website should have a catalog of brownies and each image should be real. This is very important while selecting a particular type of brownie online. Also, this gives the liberty to experiment by choosing something you have not tried or if you wish to surprise someone with a different flavored brownie altogether.

Against all the types of brownies, accurate price should be mentioned, because without the price, you will not be able to decide that how much you are going to buy. Once you have filled your shopping cart, the payment mode should be simple. Whatever mode you select for buying brownies online, you should get proper notification of your purchase which you can use as future reference.

Many online brownie companies may not tell you this, but this is a very important aspect for the quality of your order. If there is a company which you know that makes brownies and deliver them to homes, then you are sure of the quality. But any company who outsources Brownies Online, there are chances that the items may not be very fresh or worth the value of your money.

Gourmet brownies that are made in homes or served in restaurants can be decadent. They are regarded as chocolaty desserts in many cases, but among children, they are popular as treats.

But why go to a restaurant when you are able to make delicious brownies at home. You can start from the scratch or you can buy some brownies mix at the supermarket and with a few extra ingredients, you can transform them into sumptuous gourmet brownies. Since, brownies are considered as high calorie food items, you can play a trick at home. With slight adjustments, you can adjust the recipe and transform gourmet brownies into more nutritious and lower in fat. And, without sacrificing taste or texture.

When making brownies at home, look around your kitchen and find extra ingredients and flavorings that will add to the delicious taste of your chocolate brownies. For example, look for semi-sweet chocolate chips, instant coffee or almond extract. If you wish to make this more nutty or in some special flavor, look for nuts, coconut milk or shredded coconut. This is not it because you can really go experimental with gourmet. Try mint extract, thin mint cookies, orange liqueur, peanut butter or even fresh berries. They will make some unique brownies according to your taste.

You may not be able to get all types of gourmet in the market therefore, customize them at home. Keeping brownies fresh is also important because, they spoil after a certain point of time. However, they are not as perishable as vegetables and fruits. Interestingly, you can also control the perishable factor while making gourmet brownies. You just have to make them more dry than usual. Add more nuts and dry them before storage. Wrapping them in air-tight thin cling sheets will keep your gourmet fresh for days and even weeks. Keep Gourmet brownies in the freezer to make them last even longer.

You have flowers delivered to friends and family for occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries or as a holiday gift, so why not send some freshly made brownies and make someone feel really special. Here are some tips when ordering brownies online to help insure your gift of brownies is the very best it can be.

When ordering brownies online as a gift, you need to make sure that they are baked fresh. Brownies are perishable goods and you must check before ordering that they are freshly made and made with the very finest ingredients to insure the best taste. This information is not always available through the bakers' websites but you can always read reviews that people have written about a company. This can be a big help in selecting the best company to make the brownies you want.

The very best brownies are made from scratch and handcrafted for a classic, delicious, rich chocolate taste. Such brownies are always preferable to those made in industrial-style kitchens that are often stored for days or weeks in freezers waiting for orders. Brownies should be made using premium ingredients such as farm-fresh butter, fresh eggs, organic flour and pure vanilla. Brownies that use the very best chocolates such as ultra-premium Valrhona chocolates and cocoa are always superior in taste. And the more chocolate the better!

Be sure to double-check the timing and duration of the company's deliveries so that you can be sure your Brownies Delivered on time. Most companies offer options ranging from overnight delivery to standard delivery that can require up to a week or more in transit.

And, remember, attractive packaging is always a plus when sending a gift. So, before ordering brownies as a gift for friends and family, check the packaging and wrapping gift options.

Eating chocolate is good or bad for health...?

Well chocolate is the most likable and famous things to eat worldwide. In recent times chocolate has been considered to be healthy as it contains a chemical which helps in lowering the bad cholesterol from the blood. Chocolates are made with cocoa which contains antioxidants. These antioxidants protect the body from aging caused by free radicals, that can cause damage to heart and leads to heart diseases.

Chocolate has more than 300 chemicals and therefore remain the subject of studies by many universities as well as scientific organizations. The main ingredient of chocolate, i.e. cocoa has antibacterial agent that fights tooth decay. The chocolate also contains carbohydrate which raises the serotonin levels in the brain and thus results in a sense of well being.

Try out this healthy chocolate recipe: Chocolate Fruit Dip

This dessert item is not only lower in fat and in calories, but it is very fast to prepare and fantastic to eat.

The ingredients required are as follows: 1-1/2 cup plain yogurt, 2 tbsp fat free milk, 10 marshmallows, 2 tbsp semisweet chocolate chips along with few assorted fresh fruits.

Take a strainer and line it with four layers of cheesecloth and put over a bowl. Put the yogurt in a prepared strainer, cover yogurt with edges of cheesecloth. Refrigerate for 8-10 hours.

Take a small pan and combine the milk, marshmallows and chocolate chips. Cook till chips are melted and you get a smooth mixture. Transfer it to another bowl and allow it to cool.

Remove yogurt from cheesecloth and discard the liquid from the bowl. Stir yogurt into milk mixture. Refrigerate till serving. It can be served with fruit.

The dish is really healthy as it carries healthy fruits. So next time when your children asked for the chocolate...don't say "no" to them...Give them some healthy chocolate recipes and you will find a wonderful smile on your kid's face.

It is in all the movies, when the heroine is down on her luck she turns to a big box of chocolates. The chocolate makes her feel better, but she kicks herself the next day for the indulgence. If only Hollywood writers understood how healthy chocolate can be, maybe the character would be thrilled about all the health benefits she just reaped instead of worried about the calories!

There are many myths and facts surrounding chocolate. Some say it causes weight gain and acne, while other say it promotes heart health and increases endorphins. So what are you to believe? You should believe the scientific evidence that shows that chocolate is beneficial for your health if you eat it the right way.

You will find truth in the myth that chocolate will make you gain weight. But almost every food will make you gain weight if you eat too much of it. Moderation is the key. A little chocolate is good for your health, but too much of a good thing can be harmful. About the other myth that chocolate makes you break out, there is no truth to this one at all. Keep your face clean and free of dirt and bacteria and you will have fewer breakouts.

One thing must be noted about chocolate and the health benefits. To get the full benefits of chocolate, you need to eat it in its purest form. That means any chocolate that has been heavily processed with milk, sugar and other additives is not really chocolate. Not in the healthy sense anyway. Although milk chocolate is delicious, it is full of other things that counteract the health benefits. So even though you may reap some good from milk chocolate, the bad things in it will rule out the good!

Pure, dark chocolate is the best for you. It is full of flavonoids and other antioxidants that help rid your body of free radicals that can cause cellular damage. Dark cocoa products have also been shown to help lower cholesterol since it has a type of a kind of monounsaturated fat, called oleic acid that actually raises your good cholesterol.

In addition, healthy cocoa products really do boost your mood and help you feel better when you are down. Even just the smell of chocolate can be a great stress reliever and relaxant. So not only do cocoa products boost your physical health, they are good for your mental health as well.

So eat chocolate all you like, just make sure it is the dark variety. Just like the heroine in the movie, you will feel better both physical and emotionally.

From very early times, chocolate has been regarded as a decent and gracious gift. Modern day chocolatiers offer a wide array of customized gifts from which you can choose the right one for gifting to your loved one. Chocolates show your love, affection and care. Designer, moulded chocolate, éclairs, etc. are available to choose from. These can be of any size or shape; from home made chocolate to the designer chocolate packed in attractive gifts baskets. There are many chocolate manufacturers in India, who can give their Swiss counterparts a run from their money.

You can choose from of dark or white chocolate or even both. With the festival of Christmas around the corner, masses are busy in buying and sending gifts to their friends and dear ones. As this festive season is the best time for chocolate manufacturers in India to make quick buck, they are leaving no stone unturned to promote their. So, if you are looking for a wonderful gift item in this merry season then consider the gifts of chocolate.

Chocolate is one thing that people of all ages love to eat. The market is overflowing with luscious and attractive chocolate gifts, which are ideal for your dear ones, friends and also as promotional gifts for your clients. In India, the demand for sweets and chocolates primarily picks up during the festive season of the year starting from August and ending in December. These chocolates are packed in attractive and lovely packs with attractive choices to customize them. Some of the popular chocolate companies are Cadburys, Alpenliebe, Nestle, Perfetty and Frazer.

Selecting the right kind of chocolate and manufacturer is a very interesting business as you have many types to choose from. Business people should always buy chocolates from famous manufacturers for quality. It is always better to buy in volume from wholesalers. In this festive season, on the occasion of Christmas, chocolates in truth can make the best gift for all types of people and of all ages, so if you are in a dilemma about what to send, send chocolates without any thought.

In case you are searching for the right present to deliver to a special someone, it is seriously valuable to consider about delivering few sugar free sweets. To begin with, the available variety is tremendous and you will discover that, as isn't all that typical to receive a gift like chocolates, the receiver will be equally stunned and very grateful. Special events that would be perfect for a present of a variety of sugar free candies are boundless. From Christmas to anniversaries to birthdays, there are several chances to offer this special gift. Considering the sweets are unsweetened, you may deliver them to kids without worrying that they may be ruining their teeth, as well as to several individuals having sugar related problems like diabetes also.

The simplest method to purchase a gift similar to this is to pick the treats from reliable candy store online. It is important to determine how much money you wish to spend for the gift and simply click on sugar free sweets division of the store over the Internet. Afterwards, analyze the way through these specific choices on offer observing on the complete amount shelled out as you go along. Remember, even if the prepared budget is about ten dollars still it would provide a wide huge of choice of treats and it would be assured to please anybody regardless the age of these folks.

Likewise, you will discover that for countless of individuals who receive this present, they might not sampled these treats since their childhood and have perhaps ignored that they exist. You can actually notice the respond of the individuals when they observe what they have purchased them is nothing shorter of blissful and the laughter make you think what a smart option this kind of present is. Today, people have discovered a favorite company to involve in any of these presents are the Whey Chocolate. Simply the very conception of them will make you feel amaze. These are definitely pretty and the delicious taste whenever you put them inside the mouth makes these foodstuffs a pleasure to everybody. You will likewise be interested to understand that the variety of chocolates come in different flavors also, thus why not entail about 100 grams of every in the gift pack.

Moreover, it is worth remembering that these sugar free sweets today intended for diabetic and other sugar relevant disorders may now truly enjoy and tuck in the kind of sweets that countless of people have adored for the past years. Well, simply to complete things off properly, everyone may now purchase these treats online having delivery typically being the next day. There are complete descriptions as well as pictures of these chocolates thus; you may buy to your heart content devoid of leaving the convenient of your admirable armchair.

If you are in the business of making candy or just like to prepare chocolates for holidays and celebrations, knowing what to look for in chocolate molds for sale is important to your finished product. Not all chocolate molds are the same and some not for edibles at all.

If you are preparing chocolate syrup that requires you to pour at more than 120 degrees F, this first type of chocolate mold is not for you.

Although the most popular among amateur candy makers, the chocolate candy mold is for preparing low temperature molding mediums more in line with soap or soy wax.

Some candy requires a low enough heat to use these clear or semi-clear plastic molds like melting a candy bar and immediately pouring.

But for heavy-duty professional chocolate candy making, these types of molds just do not hold up.

These molds will be marked with the prefix "MLD" in the sku marking.

A second selection of chocolate molds for sale is the type used when making hard "tack" candy. Since these molds are made of white tempered plastic and are designed to hold liquid up to 350 degrees F, they are capable of being used for chocolate candy making. The sku prefix will indicate "HMLD" when shopping at a craft store or candy making shop.

There is one drawback to this type of mold for chocolate candy making. There will not be a glossy sheen on the finished candy because of the tempered plastic.

The most recommended and best of all chocolate molds is the flexible yellow silicone rubber mold.

There are different degrees of silicone molds so be careful in selecting one for candy making.

Some have a lower temperature tolerance and are used for butter, cream cheese or other soft-based foods.

Finding silicone chocolate molds for sale will be more expensive than plastic but well worth the money. Your chocolates will have a professional sheen on each piece that represents quality.

Be sure that the mold that you select is marked specifically for candy making and has the sku prefix code of "RMLD".

Making your own molds out of silicone putty is another option if you are getting creative with unique designs on chocolates that regular molds cannot give you. You should be able to receive the same glossy finish as using the silicone rubber mold if the instructions for molding are followed carefully.

Chocolate molds for sale may seem like a bargain when you are shopping for your chocolate projects, but, remember that not all molds are made the same.

Consider your recipe for making candy and the heat and cooling required. You should also think about how long you are hoping that your chocolate mold will last.

Silicone rubber can guarantee up to 3,000 fills with most mold manufacturers.

Shopping online can often provide bargains to get started in your candy making business but just remember to check the type of material for your chocolate candy making and read the manufacturers suggested maximum temperature range before purchasing.

In case you are a chocoholic, you may discover little good news because few chocolates are not only as unhealthy as past idea, yet several physicians today truly urge people to eat them. One specific kind of chocolate may be advantageous to the heart, eyes, gums, arteries and to the immune system. Moreover, it can lessen cholesterol levels and equalize both the blood sugar and pressure. Still, be aware that not all types of chocolates will offer such positive results.

The best dark chocolate is made from natural cocoa beans and can be consumed even at least thrice each day. This is because the cocoa is a food containing higher levels of antioxidant that protect the torso from oxidative tension entailed with the aging process. Other foodstuffs like tea, red wine and selected some veggies and fruits likewise provide the same health advantages, yet cocoa still remains on top when we talk about the vast number of antioxidant. They call these antioxidant substances as flavanols that presumably provide the healthy benefits of dark chocolate.

Actually flavanols taste bitter, thus several candy bars manufacturers remove most of this substance to create the chocolate taste much better. This clearly removes many of the health advantages of the chocolate. In addition, there is no way of determining on which candy bar is substantial because manufacturers never reveal how much flavanols are present in the final production.

Moreover, remember that milk chocolate never provide the similar health gains. The darker the chocolate is the more of the flavonoids that contain flavanols are present, which means that the milk chocolate provides less health advantages contrary to dark chocolate. Obviously, this means that white chocolate provides even lesser, in fact, it incorporates no flavonoids.

The excellent way to reap the health benefits provided in the best dark chocolate is to purchase the darkest chocolate out there with the least quantity of additional ingredients, probably from a health food shop. Another selection is to purchase one of the latest products wherein dark chocolate is imparted with acai berry because this amazing fruit go well, as both contain enormous antioxidants while helping the flavanol-filled chocolate taste better.

However, even if you will discover such products, guarantee that it is not a wonder medication. In spite of its health advantages, the best dark chocolate still incorporates few fats and calories, and make sure to get the right product containing healthful ingredients similar to the Whey Chocolate. This is one of the most beneficial types of chocolates. Moreover, this is the reason why physicians suggest few dark chocolate, other goodies and red wine containing some health advantages everyday, yet recommend patients to control their consumption because anything too much can be dangerous!

Chocolate always seems to get a bad rap, in the health area that is. This delicious treat is blamed for so many ailments from acne to obesity. But does eating chocolate really mean sacrificing good health?

No. Chocolate isn't the evil stepsister of delicious treats. In fact, chocolate has a lot of great health properties that are often overlooked. Many people are unaware of how chocolate can benefit their health, both physically and emotionally.

Now of course we need to have a disclaimer. The chocolate that is good for your health is the pure, dark chocolate. So those of you who were ready to run out and buy a case of Hershey bars, hold on for a minute. While milk chocolate contains the basics of dark chocolate, it is so processed and filled with additives that it hardly resembles its healthy parent. By the time the milk, sugar, and other additives are put into that chocolate bar it isn't very healthy. In fact, it is this type of sweet that has given chocolate a bad name.

The chocolate that is good for you is rich and dark. Just like the fruits and vegetables that are the darkest in color are the healthiest, so it is with chocolate. Dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants which as you know are essential to help your body get rid of free radicals. We all have free radicals in our bodies. It is the result of living in a world that has pollution in the air and water. These free radicals attack our cells and can really cause a mess. The damage they cause can lead to disease and a general feeling of unhealthiness.

But, foods like chocolate and dark colored fruits and vegetables can help your body purge the free radicals and boost your health. You should have as many servings as possible of foods that are rich in antioxidants every day. And a treat of chocolate is good for you and delicious as well!

Chocolate has also been proven to be a great mood elevator. You know how people tend to turn to chocolate after a bad day or when they are down? Well it really works! The chocolate helps to beat the blues, fights stress, and helps you to relax. Just make sure you are eating dark chocolate.

It is time for us to forget about all the bad things you have heard about chocolate. Dark rich chocolate is good for your health. But remember, as in all things moderation is best!

Chocolate - the ultimate comfort food. The creamy texture and delicious sweet flavor can make almost any problem seem like a distant memory. All the wonderful treats you can make from chocolate! From chocolate pie to chocolate mousse and everything in between, chocolate is a treat from heaven.

But there is controversy surrounding chocolate. Is it healthy or unhealthy? Good for you or the worst thing you could put in your mouth? These are the questions that many people are asking. So do we enjoy chocolate as always or put it in the pantry never to be touched again?

Well, science has spoken and their findings are favorable for chocolate. The dark variety that is. When you eat chocolate that is as close to the natural state as possible, you are getting a wide variety of health benefits. Chocolate is a plant based food so it carries a lot of the same nutrients and healthy properties that you find in fruits and vegetables. The antioxidants that are found in dark chocolate are similar to what you find in dark fruits such as blueberries. These antioxidants help to fight free radicals in your body, which can cause cellular damage.

Chocolate has also been found to be a heart healthy treat. The flavonoids found in chocolate help to keep the walls of blood vessels flexible and elastic. These flavonoids also help to keep fat from blocking arteries. When fat is blocking the flow of blood to the heart you are at a greater risk for a heart attack. Dark chocolate also helps to lower blood pressure and can increase the levels of good cholesterol in your body as well.

But what about the bad in chocolate? The bad chocolate is chocolate that has been heavily processed and altered. That milk chocolate candy bar you love so much? That is the kind of chocolate that is not good for you. With all the additives like milk, sugar, and chemicals, milk chocolate is too far from the original dark variety to have any real health benefits at all. In fact, because milk chocolate is so full of sugar and fat you will gain weight and have an increased risk of heart and other health problems.

Healthy dark chocolate is the type you want to enjoy as a treat. The only people who should stay away from chocolate are the people who are prone to migraine headaches, because chocolate has been shown to be a trigger.

Chocolate is both good and bad depending on the variety you chose. Make the choice to eat rich, dark chocolate that has been processed very little and you will reap all the health benefits of this delicious treat.

Valentine's Day is a great occasion for showing your loved ones how much they mean to you and one of the best ways to do this is to make some homemade chocolate hearts. Of course you can get them in the store but nothing says, "I love you" quite like presenting your own homemade treats.

The following recipe dates from 1910, so it is more than a hundred years old. You will need sugar, water, condensed milk, butter, and cooking chocolate.

A little vanilla extract adds a nice flavor to the hearts as well, although you could experiment with almond extract or another flavor if you wanted to. Condensed milk is a mixture of milk and sugar; it is really sweet and used in various dessert recipes.

Heat two cups of sugar with one third of a cup of water and one third of a cup of condensed milk, stirring gently every few minutes. When the mixture reaches 236 degrees F, add quarter of a cup of butter and allow the mixture to boil. Take it off the heat and stir in one and a half squares of cooking chocolate.

Let the mixture stand until it is cool, then stir in a teaspoon of vanilla extract. Beat the mixture until it is thick. Pour it into a paper-lined pan, then turn it out and use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to make individual shapes. You can use any shape you like but a heart-shaped one is especially nice for Valentine's Day.

You can either pack the chocolates in little gift boxes or use them to decorate a homemade dessert such as a no bake cheesecake or a fruit cake.

You can make plenty at once if you are using a small cookie cutter or use a bigger cookie cutter to make larger ones but not so many. Everyone is sure to be thrilled with your little homemade treats and they will keep for a few weeks in an airtight container.

Chocolate hearts are not the only thing you can make if you want to delight your family this Valentine's Day. You can also make a homemade dessert to thrill them after dinner. What about making a cake or a no bake cheesecake? You can make this hours beforehand and just let it chill in the refrigerator until you are ready to serve it.

One of the best ingredients to use on a no bake cheesecake recipe has to be jello because you can use it to add flavor, color and a wonderful texture.

Jello comes in many different flavors and you can either add it to the cream cheese layer, to add flavor, or pour it over the top of the cheesecake when it has thickened up, so it sets attractively and holds the fruit or other toppings in place.

We all want something different now and then right. So I am going to give to you something that is fun and easy to do. It will take, less than 15 minutes to do and taste great, the children with love them.You will need a box of Saltine Crackers ( do not use Ritz they do not taste as good) and a few bags of Old Fashioned Creme Drops. Turn your oven on 350 Degrees then place Crackers on cookie sheet depending on the size of cookie sheet you can make about 20 to 30 at a time. Then place one(1) creme drop on the center of every cracker. Place in over for five to seven minutes then top with another cracker as soon as they are out of the over for the easiest time to top. Let them cool for a few minutes then enjoy your chocolate treats. everyone that i know love these and are great for holidays and parties. Do not knock it until you have tried them.

There are all kinds of treats out there but just not as fast or taste as good. These are a great thing for the children to help with placing the crackers and creme drops before having an adult place in the oven. Then the adult can finish the tops and everyone can enjoy a great tasting snack.

Things to have for this. 

Oven pre heated to 350 degrees 

Box of Saltine Crackers 

(2) bags of Old Fashioned Creme drops 

Makes appox. (50) Great tasting treats.

This is a very simple and easy thing to make and it will cost you, less than five bucks to make.

Especially loved by children, this versatile ingredient can be used in many Easy Chocolate Recipes including hot and cold desserts, cakes, cookies and confectionery. Chocolate must be one of the most popular flavorings in cooking today. Here you will find tempting easy chocolate recipes for gateaux, cakes, and cookies for family teas and special celebrations. A delicious selection of desserts covers every occasion-including family meals, dinner parties, and, of course, children's parties. The simply prepared attractive candies make ideal gifts at Christmas.

The Origin of Chocolate

Chocolate is produced from the cocoa bean, which grows in pods on cocoa trees. These originated in the Amazon forests of South America. The local Aztecs treated the Cocoa Bean with great respect using it to make a bitter drink, called 'Chocolatl', a great delicacy at festivities. The Spaniards were responsible for introducing this chocolate drink to Europe in the 17th Century, but it remained an expensive luxury for many years. It was not until the beginning of the 19th century that chocolate was produced in a solid form for eating.

Nowadays, the chocolate produced in many countries comes from cocoa beans grown in West Africa as well as South America. It takes an entire year's crop from one cocoa tree to produce about 500g/1lb of refined cocoa powder. This partly explains why cocoa is quite expensive. The manufacture of cocoa powder entails a lengthy refining process. The cocoa beans are roasted, ground and sieved, and a large proportion of the cocoa butter is extracted, to produce the strongly- flavored cocoa powder used extensively in easy chocolate recipes and drinks. The process for making eating chocolate are slightly different. Extract cocoa butter and sugar are added to refined cocoa to give dark (semi-sweet) chocolate. For milk chocolate, fresh milk is added at the same time. The ingredients are pummeled together until smooth.

Cooking with Cocoa and Chocolate

Cocoa is the most economical chocolate flavor for cooking, but it must be evenly blended into the mixture. It should either be sifted with other dry ingredients, or blended with a little boiling water to form a smooth paste before adding to the easy chocolate recipes. Chocolate is normally melted before it is combined with other ingredients. Plain (semi-sweet) eating chocolate provides the best flavor. Less expensive 'cooking chocolate' and chocolate-flavored chips are also obtainable. These have a cocoa base to which vegetable fats are added; technically they are not 'real' chocolate. Generally these products are easier to use in cooking for they melt more easily than eating chocolate but their flavor is inferior.

Chocolate should be broken into small pieces, then melted in a double boiler, or a heatproof bowl over a small pan of hot, not boiling water. The water must be kept below simmering to prevent steam from coming into contact with the chocolate. If this happens, or if water is added to the chocolate, or the chocolate is overheated, it will immediately solidify to form a stiff mass. Sometimes this can be rectified by adding 1 or 2 tablespoons of vegetable shortening, but this is best avoided.

Chocolate Decorations

Chocolate can be melted and used to prepare a variety of attractive and easy to make decorations, such as triangles, rounds,curls and leaves, for adding a professional finish to gateaux and desserts.

Draw out your chosen design, eg. holly leaves, on a piece of paper and place under a sheet of parchment (wax) paper. Place the melted chocolate in a paper piping bag without a nozzle and, just before starting to pipe, snip off a small piece from the point of the bag. The chocolate will run freely with a little pressure. Carefully pipe onto wax paper following the outline of the shapes. Fill the centers as necessary.

Leave until hardened then carefully remove from the paper. Alternatively spread the melted chocolate onto a piece of wax paper and smooth flat with a palette knife. Leave until set but not hard, and cut out shapes, using pastry cutters, or a sharp knife. Allow to harden completely before removing from the paper.

Wash and dry the leaves. Using a fine paint brush, coat the underside of each leaf with melted chocolate. Place the leaves on a plate and chill int the refrigerator until set. When hard, peel the leaf away from the chocolate and use as required.

It is important to use good quality plain (semi-sweet) chocolate for making Caraque. Spread a thin layer of melted chocolate onto a marble or formica surface using a palette knife. Leave until set but not hard. Hold a sharp knife at a 45 degree angle to the chocolate to shave off long curls. Move carefully as these curls are fragile and break easily.

It is possible to make curls with a vegetable peeler on some softer varieties of chocolate without having to melt it. Using a vegetable peeler, scrape along the surface of a block of chocolate to shave off curls.

I hope you enjoy making these Easy Chocolate Recipes as much as I have. And I hope that you will share your favorite chocolate recipes with the other Get Your Kids Cooking Visitors.

Most of the chocolate cake recipes contain eggs. If you need to make an egg free chocolate cake or vegan, it is always challenging to convert the classic chocolate cake recipe into an egg free version or even vegan. There are a plenty of egg replacements or egg substitutes are available in the market for using in baking. The common egg substitutes are silken tofu, flaxseed powder, Pureed fruits (such as mashed bananas, applesauce, apricots, pears, prunes, etc), vinegar/baking soda, buttermilk/yogurt or commercially available egg replacer powder (like EnerG). In terms of vinegar types, there are white distilled vinegar and apple cider vinegar. Here is the tried and tested chocolate cake recipe using silken tofu as the egg substitute:

All Purpose Flour - 2 cups

Salt - 1 teaspoon

Baking Powder - 1 teaspoon

Baking Soda - 2 teaspoons

Unsweetened Cocoa Powder - 3/4 cup

Granulated Sugar - 2 cups (See My Notes)

Vegetable Oil - 1 cup (I used Canola Oil)

Hot Coffee - 1 cup (I mixed 1.25 teaspoons of instant coffee powder with 1 cup of hot water)

Milk - 1 cup (I used 2% milk)

Silken Tofu, pureed - 1/2 cup (I used Nasoya Brand Silken Tofu)

Vanilla Extract - 1 teaspoon

Vegan Option: Use soy milk instead of regular milk and you have your decadent vegan chocolate cake!

Dr Oetker's Organic Chocolate Icing Mix - 1 packet

Hot Milk/Hot Water - 1/4 cup (heat it in the microwave oven for 15 seconds)

Butter, at room temperature - 1/3 cup (which is 5 tablespoons + 1 teaspoon)

Vanilla Extract - 1/4 teaspoon

Baking Soda - a pinch

Yield: One 9-inch layer cake or 8-inch layer cake and 6 cupcakes

1. Preheat the oven to 325F (160C).

2. Grease and flour (I used cocoa powder to flour the base of the pan because it's a chocolate cake) two 9-inch cake pans.

3. Sift together the flour, salt, baking powder, baking soda, cocoa and sugar into a large mixing bowl.

4. Make a well. Add the canola oil. Then the hot coffee decoction.

5. Add milk.

6. Add the pureed tofu. (Remove the silken tofu from the packet using a spoon add it to the blender and puree it to a creamy mixture)

7. And a couple of drops of vanilla essence.

8. With an electric mixer, beat at medium speed for 2-3 minutes. (At first I did not use the hand mixer to combine the batter, because I remembered reading somewhere that while using egg substitutes, in this case tofu, beating the batter is not recommended and was so worried to see such a diluted batter and it was also having a lot of small lumps. So anyhow I decided to use my hand mixer to get rid of the lumps, but still the batter was considerably thin).

9. Pour the batter evenly into both 9-inch cake pans. (or fill the 6 muffin cups halfway with batter and divide the remaining batter between both 8-inch pans).

10. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until a wooden tooth pick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. (Check the cupcakes after 15 minutes). I placed 1 pan in the middle shelf and the another in the bottom shelf and set the timer for 25 minutes and switched the pans around 12 minutes. Switching the pan means moving the pan from the middle shelf to the bottom and the bottom shelf pan to the top. This is done to ensure even baking of both the cakes. One of my make was done exactly at 25 minutes and the other one took 30 minutes.

11. Let the cakes cool completely before removing them from the pans. The time mentioned in the original recipe was 15 minutes and so I tried to transfer the cake to a wire rack after 20 minutes and it was little messy. So I left the other cake in the pan itself for quite some time. Maybe after an hour I touched the bottom of that pan and found that it had cooled completely and so transferred it to the wire rack.

12. The cake should cool completely on the wire rack before frosting. I baked the cakes on Saturday and frosted them on Sunday. I left it out on the kitchen counter and covered it with a bamboo basket. You could also refrigerate the cake to cool it off.

1. Sift the mix.

2. Add the butter, hot milk, vanilla and baking soda. (I read in the same book that adding a pinch of baking soda to icings prevents hardening and cracking so icing stays moist)

3. Beat the mix using a hand mixer at medium-high speed. Add few drops of water/milk if required.

This was my first experience with frosting a cake, so I simply followed the steps listed in the book.

1. First I placed the bottom layer upside down, so the rounded side (top of the cake will be on the serving plate). If you have dome top on the cake, even it out by slicing it with a serrated knife and then place it upside-down.

2. Spread about 1/2 cup to 3/4 cup of frosting on top of the bottom layer. Don't use hard strokes, but spread it gently using an offset metal spatula or plastic spatula.

3. Now place the second layer on the first, cut or domed side up.

4. Frost the sides of the cake first with another 1/2 cup of frosting.

5. Finally frost the top of the second layer.

It was slightly difficult for me, but somehow I managed to frost the entire cake. Before and while frosting the cake I was not sure about the consistency of the frosting. Later after seeing quite a few cake pictures I realized that my frosting was definitely thick and that's why was I having hard time spreading it. I should have added a few more drops of water to thin it and frosting would have been a breeze.

As you all know the options are endless. Being a rookie that I am, and because my son loves M&M's I used them to line the cake. I also used the ready made Cake Mate decorating pens which are available in the grocery store in the baking aisle to write the birthday message and draw some flowers.

People who are suffering from diabetes often experience the toughest thing to perform that is to keep a restrictive dieting. You notice that some individuals eat whatever foods they desire and whenever they need it. Of course, you need a bit of luxury also, thus it is difficult to surrender those delectable foods.

There is when unrefined and healthy chocolate arrives. You may eat it devoid of feeling guilt and devoid of feeling similar to cheating your restrictive dieting. In fact, nutritious dark chocolate is scientifically made to please everybody. It keeps and contains the antioxidant-loaded nutriments of natural cocoa that many people are all hearing about it these days. The sugar incorporated in this kind of sweet is not extremely processed white sugar. It is sweetened using organic against synthetic ingredients, thus you never have to worry about increasing your blood sugar levels as you achieve with processed sugars.

A healthy chocolate is an organic appetite suppressant, thus more craving between your meals. You may acquire the comparable antioxidant health gains from other supplements, yet none of these taste nearly as better. In case you are used to consuming vitamin tablets with a glass of water, this would not be the same. Powdered concoctions or undesirable shakes are not truly exciting.

Natural and healthy chocolate isn't similar to other types of chocolates. You will never acquire the same advantages from other extremely processed sweets loaded with high-glycemic sugars. They may incorporate chocolate, yet they never incorporate organic, dark goodies. This product is created using less cocoa combined with other less processed, organic ingredients. Guarantee to read the labels cautiously and check if the product is unprocessed.

Other advantages of unrefined chocolate for diabetes sufferers include mood improvement, lessen inflammation caused by fibromyalgia or arthritis, enhance breathing and boost the memory. This healthy chocolate like the Whey Chocolate aid the body use the sugars, reducing the likelihood of other diabetes complications like vision, kidney and amputation problems.

You may have discovered that the advantages of an unrefined chocolate for diabetics are little, and that consuming it might truly ruin your endeavors to fight diabetes. Remember that there are constantly individuals who would eat excessive of even beneficial thing. You must eat this type of chocolate moderately, similar to everything else. It is a portion of a balanced dieting and never overdo it, to avoid damaging the dieting plan.

Professionals in Europe states that a moderate quantity of dark natural and healthy chocolate might aid reduce diabetes. Part of the explanation that this occurs is that dark sweets aid in limiting the starving and the levels of blood sugar in between the meals. The effects of the antioxidants are a super-sized reward, which may aid every key body organs. This sounds excellent of course!

Imagine sugar, cultivated from sugar cane, sugar beets as well as other organic plant resources, yet how could it become unfavorable for you? Whenever something appears too good to be true, it often is the scenario. Unfortunately, apart from its favorable taste, sugar contains some redeeming aspects. It contains no fiber or nutrition, is crammed with useless calories, and sometimes, increases your blood sugar that may eventually cause insulin resistance. All this appears to be the best reasons to control eating sugar or rather pick sugar free sweets.

Many individuals acquire huge quantity of sugar in the form of processed starches, fruits, milk and other foodstuffs. These foodstuffs at least contain little nutrition. Yet, innovative technology in processing foods and affordable has created it favorable and convenient for food makers to utilize processed sugar completely is packed foodstuffs. These items attract consumers with their sugary taste. Even foodstuffs that people often never think of as goodies, like bread and pasta sauces can be packed with additional sugar in single form or another. All this along with the many amounts knowingly consumed id candy, desserts and some other goodies. The torso just is not made to process these ample quantities of sugar, and too much ingestion has triggered to countless health concerns.

The superb option is to begin the children off right primarily through injecting healthy weight loss and restraining their sugar consumption. However, for people who have already obtained the sugar taste, which include adult family members, surrendering all sweet goodies may be hard to execute. Limiting sugar intake to an often sugary treat perhaps is not damaging, as long as it never trigger excess. Still, in case you or a member of the family had already developed related health issues, even this idea may not be a choice, but trying to get a few sugar free sweets may definitely help.

Fortunately, it is not important to give up all sweet foodstuffs. Today, there had been superb developments in sugar replacements. Although there are still controversies about the safety of synthetic sweeteners like saccharin, aspartame, medical researches continue to test and analyze them. Likewise, there are numerous organic sugar replacements on the market and in usage in sugar free sweets available today, like sugar alcohol such as sorbitol and stevia, although few may have adverse effect on their own. Although with moderation, these sugar products and replacements created with them may enable anyone to admire few sweet goodies once more. In taste, quality and choice, the alternative now may be very enticing, having delectable sugar free sweets, chocolates and cookies and other sweet treats to have that includes the popular Whey Chocolate.

Of course, make sure to analyze the labels to determine that the product will meet your specific health needs or concerns.

Candies are a favorite of everyone be it a small kid or an old man. Those who have a sweet tooth spend a lot of their money on candies. Even when you run at stores to buy anything from time to time you are tempted to see the colorful candies on display. The temptation is hard to resist and you end up spending a lot on sweets every month. You think you have to curb your expenditure and on the same time want to eat more and more candies. Thus, it is a better idea to buy bulk candy.

Buying candies in bulk is far more economical than buying single pieces many times. When you are buying a big box or carton of candies, you are sure to get them at a nominal cost compared to what the market price is. This will surely save a lot of money for you. The saved money can be happily spent on some other useful thing.

You can buy candies in bulk store it in your refrigerator to relish it anytime to want. Your kids will love this idea and will be ready to do anything for you. In all way this bulk purchase will prove to be beneficial for you from all sides.

You can also buy bulk candies when there is an occasion or a party. Candies are the main ingredient of any parties for children. So, order them right now by visiting your bulk candy shop or any candy website on the web.

It's a great time of the year! This year take an initiative to make sure your children are getting the healthy nutrition their bodies need for the holidays. They will probably be bombarded with all sorts of seasonal snacks and treats during their classroom parties or at their holiday get-togethers with friends, so let's make sure to provide the those healthy and hearty meals at home. Here are a few hints you can employ to help make sure your little ones get what they need (besides all the presents!) this holiday season: Have you thought to serve seasonal fruits and veggies? During fall and winter, apples, pears, pumpkin, sweet potatoes, cauliflower, nuts, oranges and tangerines, lemons and oranges are all in season, so choose a selection of recipes that include these and try preparing them with your family. You can also mix all of the fruits together and make a delicious fruit salad to snack one! Apple slices also great with a peanut butter spread, and is a simple and tasty way to give your kids the extra protein and nutrients found in apples and peanut butter.

For children, protein is a key ingredient for growing healthy and strong bodies, and the holidays are a perfect time to give them what they need!

The chilly winter months have arrived and now it's time to heat things up! And what better way to beat out the cold than with warm chocolate milk? If you love it cold, why not try it hot?

Instead of going and buying those expensive powdered hot cocoa mixes that lack in the nutrition area, simply use what you already have - you can save time and money, and you'll enjoy the delicious and nutritious benefits of chocolate milk! All that is required is pour a glass of chocolate milk into a microwave-safe mug and microwave it until it's reached the perfect temperature for you or your kids.

Hot chocolate milk doesn't need to be boring either, here are some great recipes to turn your chocolate milk into a warm, fun snack for kids!

If you are looking to spice up your cold winter morning, pour chocolate milk into a microwave-safe mug and fill it three quarters the way full. Then heat it up on high for about 1 1/2 minutes or until it's hot, but not boiling. Add a half teaspoon of ground cinnamon and a small pinch of chili powder and then mix well. Don't forget to garnish your Mexican hot chocolate with whipped cream and then a dusting of cinnamon. If you are giving it to the kids, be sure to test the temperature after you heat it up and make sure it's safe.

Please the kids with peppermint! For this one, place a bite-sized peppermint patty in the bottom of a microwave-safe mug and then pour chocolate milk into the mug, until it's about 3/4-way full. Like the last recipe, heat it up on high power for about 1 1/2 minutes or until it's hot, but not boiling. After zapping it, test the temperature before serving it to your kids. Finally, try garnishing your Hot Peppermint Patty with a peppermint stick or another patty for an extra-minty treat the whole family will love and adding the peppermint makes it a fun snack for kids!

Wake up on the right side of the bed with some New England Maple Hot Chocolate! In a large saucepan, mix 4 cups of chocolate milk, 2 tablespoons of real maple syrup, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract and 12 large marshmallows. Heat up the mixture thoroughly until it's hot then ladle it into mugs. After you have warmed it up, don't forget to test the temperature before you and your kids gulp it down. Enjoy a more marvelous morning with this delectable drink with pancakes or by itself as a warm-up to winter!

Turn an old classic into an ultimate classic! Pour chocolate milk into a microwave-safe mug about 3/4-way full. Heat it up on high power for about 1 1/2 minutes or until it's hot, but not boiling. Pour 8 ounces of chocolate milk into a saucepan and heat it while stirring until it's steaming, but not boiling. After heating it, test the temperature before you give it to your kids to enjoy. Try serving your Ultimate Hot Chocolate with marshmallows, whipped cream, cinnamon, nutmeg or peppermint sticks to add an extra bit of wintry wonder!