Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Hot Cacao Nuggets


Hot Cocoa Nuggets are the perfect thing for this time of year, or maybe share it with someone?  (makes a lovely gift!)

Simmer the following in a saucepan over medium low heat:

-1 cup heavy cream
- 1 pinch course sea salt (or two pinches, if you like more of the salt taste in your desserts)

About 450 g good dark chocolate (70ish % is ideal I think)
If using ounces then about 16 ounces.

Chop your chocolate and place in a dry bowl (never get your chocolate wet so use dry utensils!)

When the cream is simmered pour over and let stand for 10 minutes then begin to blend and whisk until smooth.

Place in the fridge for about 2 hours.

Remove and at this point if you want rough shapes just slide the hardened piece of chocolate out of the bowl (use a bowl it's easier to slide out of this shape than something square) and then using a large knife chop the large piece of "hardened" ganache into almost equal size pieces (dicing action works!)

Mix about 2/3 cup cocoa powder and 2/3 cups powder sugar together and roll the nuggets around to coat.
Place in jar and keep in fridge!

When ready to prepare drop a nugget (or two, depending on their size really and the size of the cup) and sweeten with whatever you choose (I recommend sweetened condensed milk for that rich cocoa experience but some people like agave..etc so I did not sweeten them)

If you'd like to pre sweeten them (if it's for a gift and you want a no fuss experience involved for the receiver) then add sweetened condensed milk into the mix at the start. Also for flavours like peppermint or cinnamon or whatever floats your boat then you can infuse your cream with spices or add flavouring drops when blending with the chocolate.

I hope you enjoy!


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