Getting Familiar With a Chocolate Cake

Chocolate cakes are probably one of the most decadent desserts that you'll ever taste, especially if it is a triple chocolate cake. Since people love to eat chocolates by nature, it is no wonder that a way was found to include chocolates in the baking process to produce this type of dessert. Bottom line is, a cake is almost everybody's favorite dessert and that's not going to change.

With so many people hooked to this indulgent dessert, it is natural that a lot of ways have been contrived to produce so many varieties of this simple recipe. From the basic chocolate cake that was first introduced in the 18th century, we now see cakes in chocolate flavor of every size, color, and taste. For people who claim that a cake in chocolate flavor is too sweet and therefore to be avoided, dark chocolate, semi-sweet, and bittersweet chocolates can be used as an alternative to the rich milk chocolate that is normally used for baking. Those on a diet on the other hand can opt for the ones that are low in sugar content and have lesser calories than the conventional ones.

Cakes in general are good when mixed with fruits and nuts, but a chocolate cake is flexible in the sense that it can be eaten with or without any additions to it. You can eat it plain with just a little frosting or chocolate shavings or you can top it with fruits, especially strawberries. They say that strawberries are excellent with cream, but nothing beats the taste of fresh strawberries and perhaps a slice or two of chocolate flavored cake. It not only satisfies your cravings, it actually makes you feel comfortable and relaxed.

You must have noticed that after eating a slice of chocolate cake you can feel a certain kind of pleasure and calm; this is because chocolate in its basic form contains an enzyme called epicatechin which has actually been proven to have beneficial effects in one's blood circulation. Moreover, chocolate which is the main ingredient in making chocolate cake helps promote brain activity and have been proven in studies to lower down migraine symptoms; so those people who think that chocolate cakes are something to stay away from are mistaken in their belief.

Chocolate flavored cake, along with ice cream and several other types of sweets, is considered to be one of the best comfort foods that many of us turn to in times of stress and emotional issues. There is no scientific explanation to this, although we do know that eating chocolate cake is like being covered in a warm blanket during a cold night.

No matter where you're from or how you prepare it, a chocolate cake is probably the best type of dessert that anyone can have. While deriving pleasure from eating it, the fun also lies in the preparation and the effort to make it. They can also be given as a sign of affection for friends or family members, or a simple way to cheer up a person who is feeling down.

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Chocolate Truffles, A Surprising Gift

Do not judge a book by its cover... 

Come on, admit it. Chocolate truffles don't look like much. They're small, usually spherical or oblong in shape. Its basic ingredients are simple everyday ingredients you would find in a pantry anywhere in the world. The unadorned ones have only a dusting of cocoa. They remind me of the dessert (oops, check the spelling, that's desert). Their inspiration is and they are named after a fungus - admittedly today, a highly prized gourmet food. And yet, they're loved by so many chocolate lovers and provide delicious surprises to many who receive them for the first time... or every time.

The basis of chocolate truffles is usually a ganache center - mix of cream, butter, chocolate - enrobed in chocolate or cocoa powder. Then here's where it gets complicated - or surprising.

The ganache can be infused with subtle flavors of vanilla, spice, herb, coffee, tea, Champagne, Grand Marnier, Amaretto. Or it can be filled with a nut, fruit, nougat, fudge, toffee, chocolate chips, marshmallow. The chocolate used - inside or out - can be dark or white, sweet, bitter or flavored. The enrobing chocolate may be the same as the chocolate ganache or the exact opposite. For example, dark enrobing chocolate with a white chocolate ganache or vice versa. The resulting truffle can further be decorated - drizzled caramel, chocolate flakes, coconut, ground nuts.

With the simplicity of chocolate truffles, there is so much combination. But whatever combination used, the eye does not tell what's within, the eye cannot feast on the promise held out by this one-bite ball of chocolate. That is, until you pop a truffle into your mouth when it melts with a burst of blissful flavors. Surprising, what this one ball can do! The real art of chocolate truffles lies in combining flavors that come together and complement each other. Then you'll be left with a craving for another one... and another.

Chocolate truffles make great gifts because they can be adapted to the tastes of your recipient. Or with an assortment box, they'll never know what they're going to get, but a pleasant and delicious surprise, each and every time. And the pleasure is increased by the anticipation as they deliberate over which chocolate truffles to select from the assortment they're gifted. So, why not send chocolates truffles as a gift to someone you want to surprise or just a special treat to yourself?

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Easy Hot Chocolate Recipes

Some foods bring you comfort. Others bring back childhood memories. Some warm up your body and bring your soul along for the ride as well. Some foods can even accomplish all three. For instance, there's nothing like a hearty bowl of hot soup to make an illness seem to just melt away. Not only are they healthy to eat, there's just something emotionally soothing about indulging in a bowl of soup when you're ill. In that same vein, chocolate always has been a favorite comfort food for young and old alike. It simply tastes delicious, and fun times are sure to ensue whenever chocolate is served. When you combine the best properties for these two comfort foods, a warm, rich cup of hot chocolate can really brighten your day, warm your soul, and bring back sweet memories of Grandma's delicious homemade cocoa. And nothing soothes winter's blues than a steaming cup of chocolaty goodness.

There are many options for hot cocoa. You can settle for store-bought instant cocoa, but there are small ways you can add a special twist on the old favorite and make lasting sweet memories. Here are a few simple ideas that will take only a few ingredients and a few minutes in the kitchen but will let you reap the warmth and goodness for hours.

For a rich and creamy batch of hot chocolate, add a pinch of salt, a teaspoon of vanilla extract, a can of sweetened condensed milk, and your own measurement for cocoa (to taste) to 6 cups of hot (not boiling) water. Stir occasionally as it heats so everything mixes well and to prevent it from boiling. The final mixture should yield about 8 cups of sweet, delectable goodness.

Another great variation to try is Mexican hot chocolate. To make this spicy delight, add a pinch of ground cinnamon and chili powder to your usual hot chocolate brew and really heat up your day.

If you prefer white chocolate cocoa, make enough for 4 cups and add ¼ teaspoon each of cayenne pepper and ground cinnamon. This is sure to spice things up but won't leave a strong aftertaste.

No matter what the age, everyone enjoys a great cup of hot cocoa, not just for the taste but also for the feeling of comfort it brings. Science has proven that food can a have very real effect on how a person thinks and feels. A warm cup of cocoa in your hand can turn the gloomy rain, blanketing snow, or howling wind into a moment truly worth savoring. Holding a steaming cup of liquid chocolate can erase worry, boredom, and anxiety and fill your mind with happy thoughts and warm memories. Whether spicy Mexican, decadent white chocolate, or old-fashioned brimming with marshmallows, a cup of hot chocolate can work wonders on a cold winter day. So the next time the moment calls for hot cocoa, try one of these recipes. You will surely love them, and your friends and family will be thrilled with the flavorful twists. Have a warm chocolaty winter!

Criss White is a professional article writer for health, wedding, and various other topics. To view some chocolate wedding favors or to get more planning tips and ideas for wedding favors, visit Bridal and Wedding Favors. Note: This article may be reprinted in your ezine, blog, or Web site as long as the credits remain intact and hyperlinks remain active.

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