Q&A for How to Make Chocolate With Cocoa Powder

Return to Full Article

Search
Add New Question
  • Question
    Can water be added to the cocoa and butter paste?
    Community Answer
    Don't add water, as it will change the texture of the chocolate for the worse.
  • Question
    Does the water go into the chocolate or is it just used to hear it?
    Community Answer
    Do not put water into the chocolate. Even a small amount can make it seize. The water is just used to heat the chocolate. Put water in the saucepan and put the chocolate mixture on top in a bowl so it melts together.
  • Question
    What should I use if I don't have a double boiler?
    Community Answer
    Use a thick-bottomed container. Place a small bowl above the container; it should not touch the water inside the container. Use this set up whenever you require a double boiler.
  • Question
    Can I use hot chocolate powder to make chocolate?
    Community Answer
    As far as I know, hot chocolate powder is just cocoa powder with sugar/sugar substitute in it, so if you use hot chocolate powder, add less or no sugar.
  • Question
    How much chocolate will I get from this recipe?
    Community Answer
    About a choclate bar or two in size will be made from this recipe.
  • Question
    Can I melt the butter?
    Community Answer
    Probably not a good idea. The mix might become too watery, which means you'd need to add more cocoa powder.
  • Question
    My chocolate did not freeze for 48 hours. Was that because I added more milk?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Place it in the deep freezer; it will definitely get hard.
  • Question
    Does it become hard chocolate, or does it keep a soft texture, like truffles?
    Community Answer
    The chocolate is hard if you eat it right after you take it out of the fridge. You can, however, leave the chocolate outside of the fridge for a little while, until it softens. This may give you a similar texture to truffles.
  • Question
    If I add a cup of water to the mix, will that be a problem? Can I remove the water in any way?
    Community Answer
    The chocolate will not be creamy, but will become watery. There is no good way to remove it.
  • Question
    What can I use instead of butter?
    Community Answer
    Yogurt or sour cream are good substitutes, so is cream cheese. I like substituting half cream cheese and half sour cream if I run out of butter.
  • Question
    Will the chocolate be good in taste if no salt is added?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but it depends on your taste and as you can see above the recipe says that 1/4th teaspoon salt is optional.
  • Question
    Why does chocolate become oily?
    Community Answer
    The butter wasn't properly incorporated. You need to do Step 2 for longer.
  • Question
    How long does it take for the chocolate to freeze?
    Community Answer
    Try to leave it overnight for at least 11 hours.
  • Question
    What do I do if this doesn't taste like chocolate?
    Community Answer
    Cocoa powder by nature isn't sweet, it's bitter. You add sugar to balance it and give it a sweet note.
  • Question
    I made this but it came out more like chocolate taffy. What did I do wrong?
    Community Answer
    You probably added too much sugar, milk, or butter. All of these ingredients are soft, so adding too much of any of them could result in a "taffier" consistency.
  • Question
    Can I use raw honey instead of sugar? If yes, how much?
    Community Answer
    Yes, about half the amount of the sugar. But know that it may change the consistency.
  • Question
    Why does the chocolate melt as soon as it is taken out of the freezer? Should any stabilizers be added?
    Community Answer
    Don't freeze the chocolate. Just put it in the fridge to set so the chocolate won't melt but come to room temperature again
  • Question
    Can I use vanilla extract, and if so, do I need to decrease any of the other ingredients?
    Community Answer
    If you are concerned about changing the consistency, decrease the water by the amount of vanilla extract you add. It would probably be fine if you just added it in, though, since it would be a fairly small amount added.
  • Question
    Can I use milk powder instead of milk?
    Community Answer
    Yes, but the taste will not be as rich as if it would be if you used real milk.
  • Question
    How much chocolate does this make?
    Community Answer
    The recipe is approximately 1.35 lbs. I divided this recipe by 4 for enough to dip (spread on) a pound of strawberries.
  • Question
    Is the butter necessary, or can I use something else?
    Community Answer
    You could use margarine or coconut oil. It isn't very necessary, any oil-based creamy ingredient that sets hard when cooled will work, though the taste will vary greatly.
  • Question
    Can I substitute milk for the water, and will it be creamier?
    Community Answer
    The water is just used to heat up the butter and cocoa mixture. The steam causes it to melt. So switching the water for milk won't make it creamier.
  • Question
    Is homemade chocolate supposed to melt very easily?
    Community Answer
    Yes. Unless you temper the chocolate, it will melt very quickly.
  • Question
    Can I use this as a filling?
    Community Answer
    Yes, if you don't freeze it.
  • Question
    Can I just double the recipe?
    Community Answer
    Yes, you can.
  • Question
    What about using cocoa butter instead of cow milk butter?
    Community Answer
    This is actually better.
  • Question
    Can I add cream instead of milk?
    Community Answer
    Yes, cream can work well in place of milk.
  • Question
    After the chocolate is ready, can we eat it just like that, or is the freezing option compulsory?
    Community Answer
    It can be eaten any time you like, and none of the ingredients require processing. It is alright to cool it on the counter a while then move to the refrigerator. The freezer is an option, but cooling too quickly can stop or modify the re-crystalization of the sugars.
  • Question
    Why it is not coming out of the mold?
    Rita Neuburg
    Community Answer
    Using silicon molds helps in this case, also brushing or spraying the mold with some butter or oil next time will make them pop out easily. Let them sit on the counter top for a while to soften up, then pop them up.
  • Question
    Can I dip peanut butter balls into it?
    Rita Neuburg
    Community Answer
    You can totally dip peanut butter balls into it. Place a layer of chocolate in an ice cube tray, then put some peanut butter balls in, and make sure there is enough space around the peanut butter ball to add a top layer of the chocolate.
Ask a Question

      Return to Full Article