Posts Tagged ‘dessert’

baking cocoa

baking cocoa

There are two types of unsweetened cocoa used in various chocolate recipes: natural cocoa and Dutch processed cocoa.

Natural Cocoa is made from ground roasted cocoa nibs from which most of the cocoa butter has been extracted. It is naturally acidic with a pH of about 5.4 and is beige in color. Dutch processed cocoa is further treated with an alkalizing agent to neutralize its acidity and bring the pH to about 7 and has a rich, dark brown color.

Most American cocoas are natural and most European cocoas are Dutch processed.

Many "baking experts" and cookbooks report that it's important to use the type of cocoa specified in a recipe in order for baked goods to rise properly, and that Dutch cocoa and natural cocoa cannot be used interchangeably.

But is it really necessary for the home cook to stock both kinds of unsweetened cocoa in his/her pantry?

Since I wasn't sure of the answer and have gone back and forth in my own baking, I decided to do some research on the topic.

Back in 2005, the folks at a respected cooking magazine tested five Dutch cocoas and five Natural cocoas in side-by side comparisons of hot chocolate and chocolate shortbread. The top two scoring Dutch processed and natural cocoas were then compared in side-by-side comparisons of hot chocolate, shortbread, low-fat chocolate pudding, devil's food cake, and chocolate pudding cake.

The tests concluded that there was no discernible difference in the leavening results and the two Dutch cocoas beat out the two natural cocoas in terms of both flavor and texture. Dutch process cocoa won every test hands down.

I don't know about you, but that's sufficient evidence for me to stock only Dutch process cocoa in my baking cupboard from now on.

High scoring Dutch processed cocoas include Callebaut, Droste, and Mercken's. I've also had success using Hershey's dutch processed brand, when that's all I could find on my grocery store's shelves.

Bob Seebohar - Super Oatmeal

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3 pack Rose Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wgt
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Organic Cocoa Powder 71 oz can 494]
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Organic Dark Chocolate w Almonds 1 box 12 bars 2571]
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The Pampered Chef Flour Sugar Powder Shaker 1695 NEW
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The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 150 Luscious Desserts
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Lot of 6 Cookbooks – GREAT VARIETY
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Chocolate by Nick Malgieri 1998 Hardcover
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3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar
3oz 82g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar
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2oz 55g Pure Sucralose Powder in a Spice Jar
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COMPLETE RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION 1000 BOOKS
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Chocolate Brownie Bath Bomb
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Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD
Old Books on Confectionary Ice Cream Confectionery CD
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Vintage Cadbury Promotional Quick Weigh Kitchen Measure
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Paypal   US $5.03
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 SC
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LG Primitive Nesting Boxes Stacking Box Set Farmhouse
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Vintage HERSHEYS Chocolate Cocoa Can Tin w Lid 16 oz
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Vintage 1925 Choice Recipes By WALTER BAKER CO Ltd
Vintage 1925 Choice Recipes By WALTER BAKER CO Ltd
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CUSTOM Handmade Soap Loaf 4 POUNDS
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5 COOKBOOKS FROM SOUPS TO DESSERTS TESTED RECIPES
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RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS
RARE VINTAGE COOKBOOK COLLECTION VOL 1 DISK 250 BOOKS
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3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg
3 PK Jasmine Bath Bombs w cocoa butter 12 oz total wg
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3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt
3PK Baby Powder Bath Bombs 12 oz total wgt
Paypal   US $4.24
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I
The Cake Mix Doctor by Anne Byrn 1999 Paperback I
Paypal   US $.50
3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight
3 PK Lavender Bath Bombs 12 oz total weight
Paypal   US $4.24
3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange
3 PK Tropical Tranquility Bath Bombs Plumeria w Orange
Paypal   US $4.24