TIPS FOR SELECTING CHOCOLATE GIFTS

Tips For Selecting Chocolate Gifts

By Ryan C Wilson

REVIEW RECIPE

Chocolate is one of those gifts that you just can't go wrong with as long as you select wisely. While it is easy, fast, and cheap to just walk into some local store and pick up a box at random, your gift will be better received and more appreciated if you put a little more thought into it. Gourmet chocolate will always be cherished more than a yellow box of Russell Stovers off the shelf at Wal-Mart, so think higher end if you really want to make an impression on someone special.

The following tips should help guide you toward the perfect chocolate selection for someone you love, whether it is for Valentine's Day, an anniversary, birthday, or just a special gift for no reason at all.

Know Your Options

Take some time to look around online and get familiar with what is currently selling. There are an endless variety of chocolates currently selling through stores as well as online, so start by searching through websites. You will be able to see pictures and read descriptions of different options that you would not have access to when shopping in a store.

Look at truffles and other commonly purchased chocolate treats as well as more unusual products sold exclusively through different companies. Notice some high quality shops offering chocolate covered fruits, nuts, and even chocolate covered Oreos. Start looking at what may come in a chocolate gift basket as well if that may be an option you are interested in.

Know the Recipient

As you are looking at the different chocolate products available right now, start thinking about the preferences and personality of the person you are buying for. Would they enjoy chocolate covered strawberries or cherries better than a box of extraordinary truffles? If they are an Oreo lover, perhaps some chocolate covered Oreos would show that you really understand them.

If you can get them a chocolate gift basket filled with all their favorites, you could end up creating the perfect gift that will be appreciated and cherished for a long time.

Getting What You Pay For

It's true that high quality gourmet chocolates are more expensive than the chocolates sitting at your local stores. You have to consider the old adage "you get what you pay for" because it is completely true in this case! High end gourmet chocolates are going to simply melt in your mouth. They are going taste rich and they are going to be savored for every bite. They are simply going to be more appealing and better received than stale store-bought chocolates.

That said, there are some great prices out there if you check out sites such as indulgeinchocolate.com. Not only does this virtual shop offer a wide variety of products from chocolate cheesecake and truffles to chocolate covered fruit and nuts, but it offers reasonable prices and extremely high quality products.

TIPS FOR MAKING CHOCOLATE

Tips For Making Chocolate For Newbies

By Wes Hagan

For Valentine's Day, birthdays or for any day that needs a special treat, people love receiving chocolate. A great way to make a gift, or even just a snack, even more special is by making it at home. Making homemade chocolate is actually quite simple if a few simple tips are followed carefully.

The cardinal rule of making this delicacy is to never let the chocolate come into contact with water. Even a drop of water will make the treat grainy and unappealing. This includes water based food coloring, which some beginning chocolate makers use to color white chocolate. Instead, only use powdered or gel colorings to give chocolate creations that extra touch.

When chocolate has been poured into a mold, it should immediately be placed into a freezer in order to harden. Removing it should be as simple as turning the tray over, but sometimes it gives a little bit of trouble. In this case, try tapping gently on the back of the tray or running hot water over the back of it. Next time the same tray is used, it might be a good idea to put a little bit of cooking spray or vegetable oil in it before pouring the chocolate.

Of course, one of the benefits of making this yummy treat at home is that it saves money compared to buying chocolate treats at a candy shop. To further stretch the chocolate budget, do not let any piece of chocolate go to waste. If chocolate is stuck to the edges of the pan, scrape it off and put it aside to be melted and used in a future project.

Making chocolate is not only a great way to save money, but it can be a lot of fun. With chocolate molds and food coloring, it is possible to make a chocolate treat in the style of almost anything someone can imagine. Follow these simple tips to have even greater success in the exciting world of chocolate making.


REVIEW RECIPE

GIVING CHOCOLATES TO YOUR VALENTINE - 7 TIPS

Executive summary about 7 Tips on Giving Chocolates to Your Valentine By Will Konijn

Fresh chocolates are the best to get

Some of the larger chocolate candy makers make their chocolates for the "busy season" (December through February) as early as summer time. That means that some of the packaged chocolates you can purchase are several months old. Also, some of these chocolates are made with added preservatives which allow the chocolates to stay good longer, but can affect the taste. 

To get around this it is recommended you buy from a local chocolatier, candy store, or bakery who can produce a fresh chocolate treat for you (or at least one that is only a day or two old). If you are sending your chocolates to someone far away, check to see if there is a good local place that could deliver fresh chocolates for you and lessen the chance of shipping mishaps.

Nothing beats a homemade gift

For a more personal touch you can make your own box of chocolates to give to your valentine. Don't worry if you are not a whiz in the kitchen - even if your gift does not turn out perfectly, it will earn extra points because you made it especially for them. There are many books, magazines, and websites to turn to for help and guidance so you do not have to go it alone. This is also a chance for you to personalize the chocolates an make them extra special by adding your valentine's favorite fruits, nuts, liqueurs, flavors, etc. See the Chocolate Truffle recipe below for a good way to make your own homemade gift.

The shape of love

While hearts are often a common theme used for shaping chocolates and gift boxes, you can use any shape that would appeal to your valentine, such as flowers. You can be creative with cookie cutters, stencils, or decorator's icing to give your chocolates extra flair, such as drawing a heart, smiley face, or bow on your chocolates. Also consider the different ways you can dress up the gift box with ribbons, flowers, handwritten love poems, etc.

Milk chocolate is not the only chocolate out there

While most Americans favor milk chocolates, don't be afraid of using dark chocolate in your gift; for instance, you can do a mixed selection of 1/2 milk chocolate and 1/2 dark chocolate. If you are not sure if your valentine likes dark chocolate you might want to go for the mild and sweet taste of semisweet chocolate. If you want to go for intense chocolate flavor then go with the bittersweet dark chocolate.

Generally, the higher the percentage of cocoa, the more bittersweet the chocolate will taste. If you are using unsweetened or baking chocolate, then you will want to mix it with something else, such as cream and sugar, to help bring down the intensity level.

Timing is everything

It is important to give the right amount of time towards your chocolate gift. If you are buying the chocolates you need to get your order in early to help avoid the last-minute rush. Some places have a cut-off date that they will take Valentine orders, especially if shipping or local delivery is involved. If you are making the chocolates you might want to try a practice run to work out any kinks that might come up and to help you get familiar with the recipe. 

The odds are good that you will do even better the next time you go through the recipe and you can make any adjustments you think would taste good to your valentine. Make sure you can get the ingredients you need from the store since the holiday rush can often deplete the local supply of chocolate, sugar, and other handy ingredients. If you purchase the chocolate early, store it in a cool, dry, dark place, not the refrigerator.

So much chocolate, so little time

There are a wide variety of chocolate gifts you can give: chocolate truffles, bonbons (chocolate shell with a creamy center), cake, brownies, fudge, cookies (chocolate, chocolate chip, chocolate dipped, etc.), chocolate dipped fruit/nuts/pretzels/whatever, and many others that you can purchase or make, so let your imagination run wild.

As a final tip, here is a recipe for making Chocolate Truffles to help you get started:

Chocolate Truffles

½ cup heavy cream

8 ounces semisweet dark chocolate (not chips), chopped

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2 ounces unsalted butter, room temperature

powdered sugar

cocoa powder

Equipment needed: baking sheets, baking paper, pastry bag

1. Heat the cream in a saucepan until it is just boiling.

2. Remove from the heat and add the chopped chocolate and butter until it is completed melted.

3. Let cool a few minutes, then stir in vanilla.

4. Wait until mixture starts to thicken, then form ½ - ¾ inch mounds using a pastry bag with a No.6 plain tip, a melon ball scoop, or 2 spoons to form the right shape.

5. Place mounds on sheet pans lined with baking paper. Refrigerate for a few minutes to set.

6. Roll the mounds in powdered sugar, then roll into roughly round balls between your hands, using more powdered sugar to keep them from sticking to you.

7. Then roll balls in cocoa powder until they are completely covered.

8. Let the truffles set on baking paper for about 10 minutes to finish.


REVIEW RECIPE

Best Chocolate Cake Recipe

By Webiny Lumshway

This wonderful cake has been baked by my family for many occasions ranging from birthdays, to fund raisers, to gifts. It has never yet failed to draw high praises from all who have tasted it. This rich and velvety chocolate cake has many desirable virtues.

Quick preparation time. The preparation time is short; just throw everything in and mix.

Easy for beginners. Because the simple method does not require any complexities like separation of eggs, it is basic enough for even a novice baker.

Cheap. This inexpensive cake makes a perfect regular family dessert or fund-raiser item.

Oodles of chocolate. The light, fluffy texture combined with a densely chocolaty taste have made this cake an absolute favorite with the men in the house.

No milk, long shelf life. Because there is no milk in this recipe, it is not only good for the lactose intolerant folks, but the shelf life of the cake is well above the average too.

All in all, whatever the occasion, whoever the recipient, this cake simply won't let you down. So here is the recipe as it appears in our family recipe book.

Recipe for Chocolate Cake

2/3 cup softened butter or margarine

1 3/4 cups sugar

2 eggs

2 tsp vanilla

2 1/2 one ounce unsweetened baking chocolate squares, melted

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp salt

1 1/4 tsp baking soda

1 1/4 cups ice water

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Cream together the butter, sugar, eggs, and vanilla until light, creamy, and fluffy; (this should be about 5 minutes on high speed, be sure to scrap the bowl now and then to ensure proper integration). Blend in your cooled chocolate thoroughly. Mix the flour, soda, and salt together; then add these dry ingredients to the creamed mixture alternately (flour then water, flour then water) with the ice water. Be sure to begin and end with the flour mixture and to beat the batter briefly with each new addition. Pour the batter into two 9 x 1½ inch cake tins, greased or wax paper lined, and bake them for about 30 minutes or until the testing toothpick inserted into the center of each comes out clean. Cool thoroughly before frosting.

Ideas for Variation

If you prefer your cakes thicker, double the recipe and put half doubled quantity into each tin.

Try the cupcake version of this recipe. All that chocolaty goodness pack into a miniature version.

Choco-holics, try adding 3/4 cup of semi-sweet chocolate chips or pieces for a real burst chocolaty flavor.




REVIEW RECIPE

Ultimate Chocolate Cake Recipe

By Lucy Greenswood

Hershey's "Perfectly Chocolate" chocolate cake recipe

There are varieties of chocolate cake recipes to choose from. If you are someone who loves deserts, you will enjoy this chocolate cake recipe. It is called "Perfectly Chocolate" cake. It is a very simple recipe that anyone can make. All you need are the right ingredients and you are all set and ready to go. Try this new recipe for someone who is expecting a birthday anytime soon. This is one of the most delectable cake recipes out there. Here are the ingredients and the direction for creating this easy to make cake. REVIEW RECIPE

Ingredients:

2 cups sugar 

3/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa 

1-1/2 tsp. baking soda 

2 eggs 

1/2 cup vegetable oil 

1 cup boiling water 

1-3/4 cups all-purpose flour 

1-1/2 tsp. baking powder 

1 tsp. salt 

1 cup milk 

2 tsp. vanilla extract

"Perfectly Chocolate" Chocolate Frosting

Directions:

First Step: You need to grease up and flour at least two 9 inch round shaped baking pans.

Second Step: Combine all the dry ingredients together which are the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking soda and salt in a large container. Then combine all the wet ingredients together which are the eggs, milk, vanilla extract and vegetable oil. Beat them together on a mixer at medium speed for at least 2 minutes. Add boiling water into the mix. You will have a thin batter texture. Pour the whole thing into the baking pans that are already prepared in advance.

Third Step: Place it in the oven for half an hour or more. Insert a toothpick and take it out to see if it is clean. That is how you know it is ready. Wait for 10 minutes and then take it out of the oven. When it is completely cool you can start applying the frosting. It should be at least 10 to 12 servings.

Variations:

There are different procedures depending on how you plan to serve the dessert. There are four different ways to serve it. You can choose from one-pan, three layer, Bundt or cup cakes.

The recipe to make the "Perfectly Chocolate" frosting is in the following:

Ingredients: 

1/2 cup or 1 sticks butter or margarine 

2/3 cup Hershey's cocoa 

3 cups powdered sugar 

1/3 cup milk 

1 tsp. vanilla extract

Directions: 

All you need to do is melt the butter or the margarine. Then mix in the cocoa. Add the powder sugar and milk into the mix. If necessary add extra milk. Then finally add in the vanilla extract. There you go, your frosting is made. It should be enough to cover the whole thing. That is how simple it is to make this beautiful dessert. It required just several simple ingredients in order to make it.


REVIEW RECIPE