Ingredients
(This is to make a large birthday cake, you can scale down for an ordinary cake)
200 grams of stork or other baking margarine
200 grams of caster sugar
4 medium / large eggs
3 tbs of cocoa powder
Approx 75 grams of cornflour
100 grams of self raising flour
1 tbs baking powder
Vanilla essence
For the Icing
75 grams of margarine
Icing sugar to make a stiff mix
Water
Vanilla essence
Step 1
Using a mixer or food processor, cream together the sugar and margarine until it is light and fluffy. Add 1 tsp of vanilla essence and mix thoroughly.
Step 2
Add the 4 eggs, 1 at a time, mixing thoroughly until each egg is fully blended in. Leave mixer on for around 5 minutes.
Step 3
Into a weighing scale, put 3 heaped tablespoons of cocoa powder. Add cornflour to make up to 100 grams, then add 100grams of self raising flour. Finally add 1 tablespoon of baking powder.
Step 4
Sieve the flour mix into your mix. Fold in, then mix with mixer until fully incorporated.
Step 5
Split mix between 2 lightly greased non stick 8 inch baking tins. Bake in over at 175 degrees centigrade for around 20 minutes. Test by lightly shaking the tin to see if it wobbles like a jelly. (if it does give it 5 more minutes.) If its firm, slide in a skewer to check the mix is cooked. It should not have any cake mix on, but will have steam from the mix. As long as there is no mix on the skewer, remove from oven to cool.
Step 6
While the cake is cooling, mix the margarine for the icing with 1 tsp of vanilla essence and enough icing sugar to make a stiff mix. Add 1 tsp of water at a time and mix in, the mix will let down and become creamy and smooth. Set aside until the cake is cold. DO NOT attempt to ice the cake when warm, the icing will go runny.
Tip - when icing, do not spread the icing, as this cake is so light it will break under the pressure. Just add spoonfuls of icing around the bottom layer, then put the top on and rotate slightly to spread the filling.
Step 7
Decorate the top of the cake with sieved icing sugar or cocoa powder. Get a cup of coffee, then eat a huge slice!
To make a celebration cake you can ice the outside of the cake and decorate it with chocolate curls, or ice and fill with whipped cream, or make a chocolate fudge icing mix, or use cream and cherries for a black forest gateaux. What ever floats your boat really.
Variations
You can also make this recipe into a victoria sponge, just take out the cocoa and substitute with more cornflour. Then ice with vanilla icing and jam. Or, use lemon essence and lemon icing for a tangy variation.
Magpie Jewellery is a great website with a huge range of beads findings and jewellery, and we like cake too! We import all our stock direct from the manufacturers to get you the best prices. Magpie Jewellery is a great resource site for jewellery designers, beaders, hobbyists and beginners, with free beading patterns, great beading articles and loads of great products.
Visit us now at http://www.magpiejewellery.net
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Caroline_Sykes
Thursday, July 2, 2009
The World's Best Chocolate Cake Recipe, Bake This and They Will Love You Forever
Healthy Chocolate - The Most Unlikely Nutritional Supplement
Hands up who's a chocoholic?
Come on, come on, don't be shy - it's not really your fault.
The chances are that you have been eating chocolate all of your life. Who hasn't got a photo in an old album somewhere, of themselves as a baby, with chocolate spread ALL over their face?
It is so deeply ingrained into the psyche and culture of the modern world that nine out of ten people admit to craving chocolate and five out of ten say that they can't live without it!
We have it on celebratory occasions when we are happy and with friends, but also when we are unhappy and by ourselves. That wouldn't be so bad if we didn't know that chocolate is really NOT that good for us. But it wasn't always that way.
From as far back as 1500BC, the cocoa bean has been known to the Aztec's, Mayan's and other ancient civilisations, for its nutritional and medicinal properties. It was taken for a wide variety of ailments and conditions and also as an energy enhancing drink.
It turns out that raw, unprocessed cocoa is one of the most highly potent natural supplements on the planet! The cocoa, or cacao plant as it is properly known, is a very complex plant with over 300 individually recognisable vitamin, mineral, nutrient and high value antioxidant properties.
It was only around 350 years ago, when seafaring explorers started to bring cocoa back from their travels, that the European's started to process it to make it more palatable for everyday consumption.
As the years went by, more "improvements" were made which cancelled out most of the remarkable nutritional value of this complex food source. Milk, sugar, waxes and other unappealing fillers were added to make a product far removed from its core ingredient.
But now this has been reversed by one manufacturer, who has produced a pure, unadulterated chocolate that maintains more of cacao's highly potent antioxidants and nutrient values, than ever before.
Yes, it is now possible to eat a chocolate that is not only not "BAD" for you as we understand regular chocolate to be, BUT can actually be very "GOOD" for you. It is an all natural, nutritious source of antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, vitamins and minerals which can works wonders in your body.
Recent trials have shown that the potential benefits of eating pure cacao products include; healthier cardiovascular function, lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol levels, reduced insulin dependency, improved respiratory function, better joint flexibility, better dental health, suppression of cravings and promoting weight loss.
Healthy Chocolate is not like the confectionery or the candy that we have come to know and love (for all the wrong reasons) but a fully functional food. But better still, it tastes absolutely delicious.
Everyday, more and more people are coming to realise, that our bodies need some kind of nutritional supplement if we are to remain healthy and active. A plethora of recent studies have shown that 'a new twist on an old friend', is showing remarkable results. Healthy Chocolate has been rediscovered as one of the most naturally nutritional food sources on the planet.
Alan Rogers left the corporate world behind in 2007 with belief that everybody has the ability, and the right, to be responsible for their own destiny. Through http://www.freshstartmlm.com he is now helping and working with others, who also believe that having a Home Based Business is the only way that you can truly "start living the life that you want to live".
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alan_D_Rogers
Monday, May 25, 2009
Chocolate Snacks
Chocolate Desires
There is an old joke about a man who found a lamp on the beach. As you might imagine, when he rubbed it a genie comes out and allows him one wish. The man says that he wishes to be irresistible to women. So the genie turns him into a box of chocolates.
You might almost say that chocolate is addictive - some would leave out the 'almost'. In fact, chocolate is one of the most popular flavor on the planet. Hershey alone makes over 39 products based on chocolate like Hershey's Milk Chocolate and Cadbury Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar and Skor - a literal chocolate fest. Let's face it, it's a chocolate world.
Life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what your going to get, your life however is like a box of active grenades! Stewie Griffin, Family Guy
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When you are looking for chocolate, you can look in every country of the world. Companies like Amano Artisan Chocolate in the U.S. and Ferrero SpA in Italy and J. S. Fry & Sons in the UK and Caffarel in Italy and Soma Chocolatemaker in Canada make us a chocolate world. And you can find lots of chocolate for sale on the internet at places like these: Alethea's Chocolates - Assorted handmade chocolates, online and phone orders. Morgen Chocolate - All natural, handmade, European style, truffles and molded chocolates in seasonal designs. The Chicago Chocolate Company - Carrying a selection of chocolates in forms ranging from truffles to bars, to roses. J.Emanuel Chocolatier - European-style chocolates available from stores in Morristown and Chester in Morris County. Truffles, crunch, dipped fruits, and other chocolates can also be ordered by telephone. Ultimate Confections - Hand dipped homemade specialty chocolates. Gift boxes, baskets and bags for any occasion. Located in !
Burbank, California. Hauser Chocolatier - European style fresh cream chocolates and dessert sauces. Pack-A-Box feature allows customized selections. Norman Love Confections - Purveyors of chocolates and truffles, infused with cinnamon, ginger, lime, pumpkin, pistachio, and brandy. Includes wedding favors, gift baskets, and a chocolate club. Browne's Chocolates - UK manufacturer of chocolate truffles, violet and rose creams, after-dinner mints, and thin chocolates. Tobermory Chocolate - Scottish handmade chocolates, worldwide shipping. Includes information on trade enquiries and tourism in the town of Tobermory. Hawaiian Vintage Chocolate Co. - Manufacturer of and offering vintage chocolate in resealable packaging. Includes recipes,information on stock price, and cocoa history and facts..
And if you are wanting chocolate in any unusual shape, you can try chocolate skate. And check out the chocolate warehouse for chocolate quiche, chocolate skittles and chocolate velvet.
You are not alone in your addiction. People have been loving chocolate for at least 3000 years. And now, you have more choices than ever to enjoy your cravings.
My Discount Stuff: Your online source of informational ebooks on a wide variety of topics. http://www.freewebstore.org/MyDiscountStuff by: Tara Benton
Fresh Strawberries Dipped in Chocolate
Strawberries dipped in chocolate are the perfect gift for your family, friend, and special someone. Hand dipped in gourmet chocolate, these strawberries are the most demanding and wonderful gift for anyone around. Occasions, events and celebrations are part of our busy lives, but now traditional gifts like purchasing an expensive jewelry, selecting a tie, or choosing a book; are no longer practiced. An innovation in gifts is brought to you by some creative people in form of dipped strawberries”. Before this wonderful idea people were using strawberries to decorate desserts, making juices and shakes, adding in cakes and eating as a fruit. Chocolate covered strawberries are now liked and admired by anyone as a gift or as a wonderful dessert.
Imagine the pleasure of tasting a juicy, big sized strawberry dipped in White, dark or milk chocolate! Decorate them with sprinkles of different colors and arrange them to give as a gift for any occasion. These are ideal to give on birthdays, wedding anniversaries, Best wishes, Get well soon, new born baby, get together, graduation, thank giving or many more daily events.
Chocolate covered strawberries are healthy desserts, since strawberries have no fat, cholesterol or salt, they are high in vitamin C and a good source of potassium and fiber. They are low in calorie. Chocolate Dipped Strawberries are fun to make and more entertaining to eat. Dip strawberries according to occasions and celebrations. Wish someone a chocolaty strawberry birthday with colorful sprinkles over them. Garnish each strawberry with drizzle and candies in festive party colors. Definite to be a perfect for all ages!
Dip the berries in the melted semisweet chocolate and drizzle with the melted white baking chips. Incredible, mouthwatering dipped strawberry gifts are simply divine! Each luscious strawberry is hand-dipped and covered with nuts, coconut or sprinkles. The end result is a blissful combination of flavors. Even though they are sugar free, they are sweet and delicious.
Cover the fresh, red and ripen strawberries in unforgettable taste of gourmet dark chocolate and cover them with white chocolate to decorate and make designs over them. The end result of these double dipped fruity strawberries is a heavenly combination of colors and flavors.
Another innovation in dipped strawberries is by sinking them in rich white yogurt and decorating with a hint of orange, strawberry and lemon flavored swizzles, and creating a taste that is simply unbelievable. This can be presented as a formal business gift, and a superb gift for a good friend and colleague.
Peanut butter lovers have another new dessert for their night meals and parties. Double-dipped and decorated with swizzles or peanuts, hand-dipped strawberries convey a combination of flavors, and will tempt the recipient. Arrange and place this gift carefully in a beautifully and decently decorated handmade box of dozen strawberries and deliver to your loved one. Sure to please them and perfect to remain long in memories.
by: Sandla Sandi
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chip Cookies From Scratch
Chocolate chip cookies are a favorite among many people. This is because they are so delicious and simple. Fortunately, they are simple to make as well. Here we will tell you how to make delicious chocolate chip cookies.
First, you will need to cream together 2 sticks of butter with 3/4 cups sugar and 3/4 cups brown sugar. You can use shortening instead or part shortening and part butter if you don't have enough butter.
Next, add in 2 eggs and a teaspoon of vanilla. Mix it together very well, but you don't need to beat it for any length of time. You can use an electric mixer, stand or hand, if you have one and want to make it easier.
Now, in a separate bowl, add 2 1/4 cups of flour, 1 teaspoon of baking soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix it together thoroughly. Make sure there are no lumps.
Gradually add the flour mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time, to the wet ingredients. If you are using an electric mixture, use the dough hook to mix in the flour because it will start to get tougher and the paddle won't work as well.
After the flour is mixed in, stir in 2 cups of semisweet chocolate chips. This is equal to 1 12 oz. bag. Stir it in and then put the dough in the refrigerator to chill. Chill it until the dough is harder, at least 2 hours. This will allow for cookies that hold their shape better.
When the dough is chilled, roll it in to 1 to 2 inch balls and place them two inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake them in the oven at 350 degrees for 8 to 12 minutes, depending on the size. Make sure the cookie sheets are cooled before you put the next batch on so that they don't melt flat on the pan before they get in the oven.
Remove them from the oven and let the pan cool for about 3 minutes. Use a spatula to remove them from the cookie sheet and then place them on a wire rack to cool. Serve them warm with milk or let them cool completely and store them in a cookie jar for later.
If you want to know more about how to make chocolate chip cookies or you want to know chocolate chip cookies, check out our site for more information and tips.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Samantha_Asher
Organic Dark Chocolate - What it Actually Means
Chocolate is made from the cocoa bean. This cocoa bean comes from a plant and is certainly organic in nature when it is first gotten. However, through various processes and by adding certain ingredients, it may not be any longer considered this. But, there are some companies that stick to this regime and create some very delicious organic dark chocolate in the process. Lets explore some of these companies that offer this and discuss the organic aspect with each. However, before we do, lets first discuss what organic actually is or means.
Organic primarily means that the plant or ingredients are free from human compounds such as pesticides and fertilizers. There are no additives or preservatives and it is completely one hundred percent natural. In order to be considered to be organic, the company must be subjected to very rigorous certifications and the products are constantly being tested to conform to the organic standards. There are many companies that create organic dark chocolate and due to space limitations, only a few can be discussed here.
VitaChoice is probably the largest organic based company that is out there and their credentials are impeccable. They have various versions of dark chocolate that are considered to be extra dark brands and some incorporate both nuts as well as berries. All are two ounce in size and are eighty percent dark chocolate. They use specific hazelnuts in one version and wild blueberries in another and even offer both the nuts and the berries in one single bar. They are all certified Kosher-Dairy and are as organic as organic gets.
Intemperantia primarily aims and directs their products to the wedding genre. These are shipped directly from Switzerland and are a culmination of a few different regions throughout Europe which includes France, Germany, Italy, and of course, Switzerland. They use no artificial ingredients which includes colors as well as flavorings and this provides some of the finest chocolates that the world has to offer.
Then there is Dagoba. Recipient of the EPA Green Power Leadership Award for the "Best Dark Chocolate." They provide both single bars ready for eating as well as baking bars for your very own confections. There are an extreme amount of variations in the specific chocolate quantity and many are infused with various all natural flavors. This is probably the best place to find organic dark chocolate considering that these are created directly at the source. Coincidentally, they have also won other awards too. And they always pertain to the organic genre.
Therefore, if organic dark chocolate is what you are seeking, these three companies will certainly fill the bill and are probably considered to be the top three organic dark chocolate makers in the world. Find out more tips about organic dark chocolate at http://darkchocolate.bestreferenceguide.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Alicia_McWilliams
Monday, April 27, 2009
Give the Gift of Chocolate and Good Health
CHOCOLATE! Even the sound of chocolate is comforting. Even better, it is now good for you. What better way to let people know you are thinking about them than with a gift of chocolate. It is relatively inexpensive, easily customized with a company logo or text, and the pleasant memory will last long after the chocolate has disappeared.
Chocolate contains antioxidants, flavonoids, and steric acid which contribute to our health. An increase in brain activity, improved circulation by reducing blood pressure, and helping with digestion by inhibiting diarrhea are some of the common benefits. More information is available Wikipedia.
Corporate accounts often use our custom wrappers to advertise and promote their business. It is a very nice reward for their employees, as well. Nothing says Thank You like chocolate.
All kinds of shapes and themes can be made of chocolate, from Casino (poker chips, cigars), to Transportation (trucks, airplanes, etc.), to Sports (footballs, basketballs, tennis balls, soccer balls, etc.) to Champaign Bottles! It's an exciting trip to visit our web site to see all the types of chocolates we offer.
You can keep the coins or small chocolate balls on hand for your daily fix as well! They come in all kinds of flavors and the cigars even come in bubblegum (blue for boys, pink for girls).
Create Chocolate Gift Packages, Promotional and Business Chocolates, Chocolate Cigars for Fun or Baby, Poker Chips, Coins, Sports Foils, Medallion and Coin Chocolates! Delight your Tastebuds, Promote your Business, Throw a Great Party, Gifts for your Friends for All Occasions! If you can imagine it, WE CAN MAKE IT!
George Abbe
Chocolate Expressions, LLC
http://www.chocolateexpressions.us
423 Oak Hill Dr
Lake St Louis, MO 63367
(636) 561-5151
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=George_Abbe
Dark Chocolate - Good For You?
How many people do you know who don't like chocolate? It's safe to say not many, right? Dark chocolate is especially yummy and as it turns out it has health benefits as well. This is especially so with dark pure coco chocolate. It almost seems too good to be true. Most people probably know that chocolate like coffee begins with a bean. Cocoa beans from cocoa trees were first manufactured into chocolate over three millennia ago in tropical South America. It has since become the most popular of all sweets on Earth. With its many varieties and different tastes chocolate is the go to of all candy ever manufactured.
Although darker chocolate is an acquired taste it remains the most popular amongst true cocoa lovers. The production of chocolate is almost synonymous with that of wine. The cocoa is harvested from the cocoa trees and then beat into a pulp. The pulp is then put into containers where it is fermented, much like the grapes used in making wine. After they are fermented the beans are laid out in the sun to dry, usually for 5-7 days. Once dried they are then shipped to a processing plant where the beans are cleaned of impurities and blended with other ingredients depending on what kind of chocolate is to be made.
Different chocolate types go through slightly different processes. Milk chocolate goes through a different process than dark chocolate for instance. Then once the desired taste has been achieved, the chocolate is stored and shipped to its final destination. Darkest chocolate as mentioned before is not only a tasty treat it can be beneficial to different body systems. It has been suggested in medical studies that pure chocolate is particularly good for circulatory health. There have been modest reductions in blood pressure reported by people who regularly ingest dark chocolate products. It has also been shown to reduce bad cholesterol and prevent heart attacks.
One thing to keep in mind if you are interested in the health benefits of dark chocolate is to get the right kind of chocolate. You need to be sure that it is manufactured with no harmful additives that take away from the health benefits. But once you find the right chocolate you will be happy that there is also another great benefit to this type of chocolate. It has been known to be an aphrodisiac! Dessert that is healthy and sexy!
Adeaze was born in China in 1962 but grew up in America where she attended College and University. Since 1999 she has been a nutritionist teaching in England. http://www.worldbusynews.com
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Adaeze_Zheng
Dark Chocolate - A Healthy Snack Option
Chocolate....12 billion people eat chocolate every day. It is considered a treat, a dessert, even a guilty pleasure. But is it really that bad for you? The evidence is coming in daily that disputes that thought. Many studies are finding that dark chocolate can actually be very good for you. That's right, eating the right kind of dark chocolate can have many beneficial effects on your body. The reason for this is because dark chocolate contains a high amount of antioxidants in it. Here are just a few of the health benefits:
- Helps in lowering your blood pressure
- Protects the body from the effects of free radicals
- Contains serotonin which acts as an antidepressant
- Helps in lowering your cholesterol by reducing the amount of LDL cholesterol
There are a few things to keep in mind though when selecting a "healthy" chocolate. Chocolate that is highly processed and alkalinized may contain:
- High amounts of sugar
- High amounts of fat and fillers
- Low amounts of antioxidants
Therefore, knowing what is in the dark chocolate you are eating, and how it is processed is a must, if you want to eat it for the health benefits. It has been shown that heating the chocolate during the processing actually destroys the antioxidants. Hence, you will want to eat chocolate that is cold-pressed when processed. This type of chocolate will retain the highest amounts of antioxidants and be the most beneficial to your body. One such chocolate is Xocai, manufactured by MXI Corp. They disclose that they use a cold-pressed, non-alkalinized process in creating their chocolate. They have also stated that this chocolate is low in fat and made with a complex sugar, rather than highly processed and refined white sugar. Another important thing to consider.
All in all, it is clear that dark chocolate does have health benefits that make it a worthy dessert. Moderation is also the key. Just as in anything you eat, too much of it can outweigh the health benefits so use your best judgment.
To learn about other benefits from the New Healthy Chocolate, visit John's Xocai website or blog.
Author: John Lovell is an avid sportsman and advocate for healthy living.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=John_Lovell
Monday, April 20, 2009
History of Chocolate and Strawberries
The history of chocolate is as delicious, as suspicious and as mysterious as the chocolate itself. Though, no one knows the exact date but researchers believe that chocolate was enjoyed by ancient Maya and Aztec civilizations in Central America. It is believed that in the tropical rainforests of the Americas cacao beans were discovered around 2,000 years ago. A few sources claim that the first recorded use of cocoa beans in written form go back to 1100BC to a settlement of pre-Mayan origins. Some people say cocoa beans were discovered as early as 4000 years back.
However, it is also true that it wasn't used as it is being used nowadays but chocolate beans were used to make several types of spicy and frothy drink or beverage from cacao beans. It is strongly believed that the way we eat chocolate now was evolved after many years. Sources say that it was only an English doctor called Sir Hans Sloane who traveled extensively South America who later focused on cocoa beans as food values and added milk in cocoa beans to develop the chocolate bar. Over the period of time, centuries after centuries, years after years, different types of drinks, cookies and bars were evolved made out of chocolate.
One thing was same-the cocoa beans were considered to be pricey and valuable so they were given as gifts on many special occasions, such as child birth, religious ceremonies and even social rituals. Even in the old barter system, cocoa beans were exchanged for other commodities, such as clothes, ornaments, jade and other ceremonial as well as day to day items/commodities. Even as of today, cocoa beans are one of the most sought after food items that are being used to prepare several food items around the world. There is hardly any country where chocolate is not present in some form or other. That shows the popularity of chocolate amongst young and older, women and men, kids and adults.
Another most sought after food item is strawberry. Let's see a brief introduction about the history of strawberries. Researchers believe that the history of strawberries dates back to around 2200 years back, and they are known to be grown as a wild fruit in Italy around 234 B.C. It is also believed that strawberries were first discovered by Europeans in Virginia when their ships were landed there in 1588. Other undocumentary sources claim that strawberries were enjoyed by early settlers in Massachusetts grown by local American Indians who cultivated this amazing fruit as early as 1643 or even former.
No matter, where this juicy, aromatic and tasty fruit was grown first, but in today's' world you can find strawberry in many different varieties around the world. National agricultural stats show that in the modern America over 25,000 acres of strawberries are planted each year in California. Not only this, but California is the only state that produces the major part of strawberries (over 80%) and supplies not only other states in America but many parts.
Sturat is article marketer and enjoys writing and sharing articles on topics like history of chocolate and history of strawberries. For more information you can visit us.
Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Sturat_Mitchel
