Cocoa powder in home cooking - 7 delicious and fragrant recipes

Cocoa powder is a dry cake that remains after receiving cocoa butter, its quality depends on the feedstock and production technology. What are the benefits of cocoa and whether there is a danger from its use, you can find out before you get acquainted with the recipes for delicious chocolate desserts, which are presented in this article.

Cocoa Powder: Health Benefits

The benefits of cocoa have been known for a long time, the history of its use by the indigenous population of South America has several centuries. The product came to Europe along with the conquistadors, who delivered wealth of open lands on ships to their homeland.

It is difficult to imagine the modern world without cocoa; chocolate is a delicacy known in all countries. The beneficial properties of the product have long been studied and recognized by nutritionists. Cocoa contains many valuable vitamins and minerals necessary for the health of men and women. The alkaloids that make up its composition increase efficiency, stimulate thinking and memory.

Positive emotions from the use of chocolate have a rational explanation. Cocoa contains a natural antidepressant that brings a sense of joy and vitality.

It is not recommended to consume chocolate and cocoa drink at night, as it has an exciting effect and can disturb sleep. It is undesirable to drink cocoa for those who suffer from cirrhosis, atherosclerosis and gout.

Popular brands of cocoa powder

A large selection of cocoa powder is presented on store shelves. It is distinguished by price and quality, it is soluble and choux.

Make the right choice will help the information on the bundle, specified by the manufacturer.

The product must be fresh and natural. But sometimes the contents of the purchased packaging still does not meet expectations, so it is advisable to read product reviews before buying.

Popular brands of cocoa powder include:

• The Golden Label is a natural product with a high content of cocoa butter, produced at the Red October factory in Moscow;
• “Russian”, “Russia is a generous soul” - natural cocoa powder with a low fat content, a characteristic chocolate flavor and aroma, made in Samara;
• Royal Forest - a natural product with a high degree of grinding, it is highly soluble in hot liquid during the preparation of the drink, made in Moscow;
• Devi Marco - instant cocoa drink produced at ZAO Agroimport (Russia), in addition to cocoa, includes sugar, salt, vanillin;
• Mix-Fix - a delicious instant drink, which includes cocoa powder, sugar, emulsifier, vitamins and vanillin, is produced by Kruger Grand CJSC.

Some popular cocoa brands have been blacklisted by consumers due to poor quality, these include:

• “Red price” - the product is made from carob fruits, does not contain cocoa in significant quantities, is counterfeit, is made in St. Petersburg by Favorit;
• “Golden Anchor” - a mixture of cocoa powder and carob, has a low quality, is made in the Moscow region at Bogorodskaya Confectionery Factory LLC.
It is better to refuse to prepare drinks, chocolate creams, glazes and pastries with low-quality cocoa powder. It will bring nothing but disappointment.

How to cook cocoa from powder in milk

It is advisable to brew cocoa immediately before use, so that the amazing aroma of the drink is preserved.

Products:

• milk - 225 g;
• sugar - to your taste;
• cocoa - 12 g.

Process description:

1. Grind cocoa powder and sugar with a portion of hot milk.
2. Add to the remaining milk, boiling over a fire, mix and turn off.
Pour the finished cocoa into glasses and garnish with whipped cream.

Icing for cake decorating

Use icing in the form of heat to decorate various desserts.
1. For its preparation, a half-bar of dark chocolate (50 g) is broken into pieces and heated with two tablespoons of hot water on the stove, stirring all the time.
2. Then, powdered sugar and oil are added to the mass, they are ground well.

You can make icing from cocoa powder by adding it to the recipe instead of chocolate.

Chocolate cream

Natural chocolate can be added to this chocolate cream for the cake to make its taste more saturated.

Products:

• sugar - 180 g;
• flour - 4 tbsp. l .;
• milk - 750 ml;
• eggs - 2 pcs.;
• cocoa - 3 tbsp. l .;
• oil - 300 g.

Process description:

1. Beat the egg mass, add dry ingredients and mix.
2. Add a little cold milk to the mass until the consistency of the pancake test.
3. The remaining milk is boiled on a plate with sugar and, stirring, pour the chocolate mass.
4. Cook to a thick consistency and cool.
5. Cooked cream is added to the butter whipped with a mixer and mixed.
After cooling, the cream is used for interlayer cakes and filling custard cakes.

Fancy Pancakes with Cocoa Powder

In such pancakes, you can wrap any sweet filling, for example, cottage cheese.

Products:

• milk - 900 ml;
• sugar - 1 tbsp. l .;
• flour - 390 g;
• baking powder - 1/3 tsp;
• eggs - 4 pcs.;
• cocoa - 3 tbsp. l .;
• vegetable oil - 3 tbsp. l

Process description:

1. Knead the usual pancake dough with the addition of the specified amount of cocoa.
2. Give him a “rest” for a quarter of an hour and bake pancakes.
3. Cottage cheese is combined with washed raisins and walnuts (optional).
4. Wrap the resulting composition in pancakes, like a filling.
Dessert is served, decorated with drops of sour cream.

A simple pie recipe

This lean cake does not contain eggs, but it turns out very tasty thanks to cocoa.

Products:

• sugar - 300 g;
• vegetable oil - 135 ml;
• soda - 1 tsp;
• vinegar - 1 tbsp. l .;
• vanilla sugar 1.5 tsp;
• flour - 300 g;
• cocoa - 50 g;
• water - 300 ml.

Process description:

1. Stir all the dry ingredients of the recipe.
2. Combine cold boiled water, vinegar and vegetable oil.
3. Knead the dough by combining dry and liquid foods. It should turn out liquid.
4. Pour the resulting mass into a mold and bake in the oven.
Ready cake can be decorated with chocolate icing or icing sugar.

Chocolate Muffins for Breakfast

Muffin is an American version of a baking powder cake.

Products:

• flour - 180 g;
• oil - 90 g;
• sugar - 150 g;
• cocoa - 45 g;
• chocolate - 120 g;
• milk - 100 ml;
• eggs - 2 pcs.;
• baking powder - 1.5 tsp.

Process description:

1. Melt butter and sugar.
2. Dry components are mixed and sieved.
3. Beat eggs, combine them with sugar-butter and dry mix. Continue to whisk.
4. Add milk and crushed chocolate to the dough.
5. Bake dessert in muffin molds at a temperature of 190 ° C for about 15 to 20 minutes.
The basic recipe can be supplemented by adding cottage cheese, raisins, dried apricots, nuts, etc. to the dough.

How to make real chocolate from cocoa powder

Delicious chocolate made from cocoa powder at home is also useful because it does not contain preservatives.
1. For its preparation, mix in a pan about half a pack of oil (75 g), 8 tbsp. l cocoa and 4 tbsp. l Sahara.
2. Gradually pour 150 ml of milk, stirring the mass.
3. The resulting composition is poured into greased molds and refrigerated.

To make homemade chocolates even tastier, chopped hazelnuts can be added to them.

Cocoa powder is a healthy and tasty product. It is better not to save on its purchase, so as not to get a carrot substitute instead of high-quality chocolate.