Choca Blockas Recipes

COCOA BLOCKS

Steps:

• Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• Heat the cream and condensed milk over low heat until steaming.
• Remove from the heat and add the chocolate; allow it to gently melt.
• After about 10 minutes, return the chocolate mixture to low heat to completely melt the chocolate.
• Whisk vigorously until the mixture is thick and shiny.
• Add a few drops of flavoring oil if you like; hazelnut, coffee, or vanilla are popular flavors.
• Pour the chocolate mixture into the pan; shake the pan gently to level.
• Sprinkle with cocoa, if desired.
• Set aside overnight to slowly set up.
• Run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn out onto a clean cutting surface.
• Slice into 1 ¼" cubes. Heat a knife in hot water and wipe dry before each cut, for smoothest cuts.
• Stick a wooden stick into the center of each block.
• Roll in cocoa or crushed peppermint candy, if desired.
• Wrap in waxed paper, parchment, or plastic wrap to store.

(HOT CHOCOLATE) COCOA BLOCKS

Steps:

• 1) Line an 8" x 8" pan with parchment paper or aluminum foil.
• 2) Heat the cream and condensed milk over low heat until steaming.
• 3) Remove from the heat and add the chocolate; allow it to gently melt.
• 4) After about 10 minutes, return the chocolate mixture to low heat to completely melt the chocolate.
• 5) Whisk vigorously until the mixture is thick and shiny.
• 6) Pour the chocolate mixture into the pan; shake the pan gently to level.
• 7) Set aside overnight to slowly set up.
• 8) Run a knife around the edge of the pan and turn out onto a clean cutting surface.
• 9) Slice into 1 ¼" cubes. Heat a knife in hot water and wipe dry before each cut, for smoothest cuts.
• 10) Stick a wooden stick into the center of each block.
• 11) Wrap in waxed paper, parchment, or plastic wrap to store.
• 12) You can also add a few drops of flavoring oil (like hazelnut, coffee, or vanilla) to the mixture, or roll the blocks in cocoa or crushed candy canes, to kick it up a notch.

CHOCKABLOCK CHOCOLATE CAKES WITH WARM MACADAMIA NUT GOO

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a sheet pan and line the bottom and sides with parchment or waxed paper.
• Sift together the 3 cups sugar, flour, cocoa, baking powder, baking soda, and salt. Transfer to a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment (or use a hand mixer) and blend briefly.
• Whisk together the eggs, milk, oil, and vanilla extract in a medium bowl. Add to the dry ingredients and mix at low speed for 5 minutes. Gradually add the hot water, mixing at low speed just until combined. The batter will be quite thin.
• Pour the batter into the pan. Bake until a tester inserted in the center of the cake comes out clean (a few crumbs are okay) and the center feels firm to the touch, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool in the pan. Chill, covered, until ready to cut the cake.
• Meanwhile, make the caramel: Pour the 1 1/4 cups sugar into the center of a deep saucepan. Carefully pour the water around the walls of the pan, trying not to splash any sugar onto the walls. Do not stir; gently draw your finger twice through the center of the sugar, making a cross, to moisten it. Over high heat, bring to a full boil and cook without stirring, swirling the pan occasionally to even out the color, until medium caramel in color, 5 to 10 minutes. Immediately turn off the heat and use a wooden spoon to slowly and carefully stir in the cream (it will bubble up and may splatter). Stir in the macadamia and coconut. Set aside.
• When ready to serve, cut rounds of the chilled cake with a biscuit or cookie cutter, 2 to 3 inches in diameter. If the cake seems to be sticking, dip your cutter in cocoa powder between cuts.
• If the sauce has cooled, rewarm it over low heat (or in a microwave) until softened. Place a cake on each plate, and drizzle with caramel sauce. Place another round of cake on top and drizzle lightly with more caramel sauce.