5 Irresistible Recipes to Celebrate the World Chocolate Day

"When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile." - Regina Brett

World Chocolate Day is July 7th. It's an annual celebration that allows chocolate lovers worldwide to enjoy their favorite dessert guilt-free. You can commemorate Chocolate Day by indulging in anything that has chocolate: from chocolate muffins, cake, chocolate candy bars, and hot chocolate.

Chocolate is made through the processing of seeds from the cacao tree. Once collected, the cocoa seeds undergo fermentation to enhance the chocolate flavor and reduce the sour and strong odor. After fermentation, the seeds are dried, cleaned, and roasted. Afterward, the shell is removed to produce the cacao nibs, which are then processed to make raw chocolate, also called the cocoa mass. ⁽¹⁾

The cocoa mass is liquefied to make chocolate liquor, which is molded with or without other ingredients. Chocolate liquor is separated into two parts: cocoa solids and cocoa butter. Each of their combinations produces different types of chocolate. For instance, the combination of cocoa solids and cocoa butter makes unsweetened chocolate. On the other hand, white chocolate only consists of cocoa butter, powdered milk, and sugar without cocoa liquids. ⁽¹⁾

History of World Chocolate Day

The inaugural World Chocolate Day was observed in 2009. The creator of Chocolate Day is not known. However, the day is observed on July 7th because chocolate was first introduced to Europe on this date around 1550. ⁽¹⁾

How to Celebrate World Chocolate Day

1. Indulge in your favorite chocolate bar.
2. Discover different types of chocolate from around the world.
3. Teach your children about the importance of chocolate and read books with chocolate themes, such as Candy's Chocolate Kingdom.
4. Order or make your favorite chocolate dessert.
5. Invite your friends for a chocolate-making conquest and make your favorite chocolate recipe.
6. Try out the chocolate recipes below on Chocolate Day and share pictures of your outcome on social media. Don't forget to use the hashtag #ChocolateDay and #motherearthproducts.

5 Recipes to try out on the World Chocolate Day

1. Chocolate Muffins with Blueberry ⁽²⁾

Try this moist, tasty, simple muffin recipe for breakfast on Chocolate Day. To make buttermilk, combine 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of fresh lemon juice or white vinegar. Allow it to settle for 5 - 10 minutes, occasionally stirring, until it thickens and curdles. The recipe will be ready in just 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3 cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup freeze dried blueberries
• ½ cup chocolate chips 
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 2 eggs
• ¾ cup caster sugar (super fine)
• 1 cup buttermilk
• ½ cup vegetable oil
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Directions

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Arrange a 12-hole muffin baking tin with muffin cases. Set aside.
2. Combine the flour, baking powder, and salt in a mixing bowl. 
3. Whisk the eggs and sugar together in a separate mixing bowl until thick and light in color.
4. Whisk in the buttermilk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract until well blended.
5. Fold in the dry ingredients in bits until just mixed (do not over mix). Incorporate the blueberries and chocolate chips. The resulting batter will be thick and lumpy.
6. Pour the mixture into the prepared pan, filling it all the way to the tops, and bake for 15   to 20 minutes, or until a toothpick or fork inserted into the center comes out clean.
7. Let it cool in the baking tin for about 10 minutes, and then transfer to a wire rack to cool fully.

2. Fruitcake with Chocolate Ganache ⁽³⁾

This delicious chocolate cake recipe is the best chocolate cake recipe. You'll believe it when you taste just one bite of this rich, creamy chocolate cake with chocolate icing. 

Ingredients

• 1 cup freeze dried cranberries
• ¼ cup freeze dried grapes
• ½ cup freeze dried cherries
• 1 cup self-rising flour
• 2 cups (80% dark) chocolate chunks 
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten with a fork
• ½ cup ground almond 
• 3 tablespoons cocoa
• 7 oz. butter
• 1 cup raisins
• 1 cup currants 
• ¾ cup dark brown sugar
• ½ cup mixed peel (syrup soaked citrus rind)
• ½ cup brandy
• ½ tablespoon extract
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice

Directions

1. Mix butter, sugar, brandy, chocolate, vanilla extract, and dried fruits in a large pan. Gently heat, occasionally stirring, until everything has dissolved. Take the pan off the heat.
2. Preheat the oven to 300°F. Line a 20cm/ 7in round or 18cm/ 7in square deep cake tray with two layers of parchment paper. Wrap several layers of newspaper around the outside and tie with a string.
3. Combine the flour, almonds, chocolate, and spice.
4. Meanwhile, stir eggs into the partially cooled chocolate mixture we prepared in step 1. Then add the almond and flour mixture. Pour the mixture into the prepared tin and bake for about 1 hour 45 minutes, or until a fork or toothpick inserted into the center comes clean.
5. Cool in the tin before decorating. You can preserve the cake in an airtight container for 2 months.

3. Chocolate Pineapple On-a-Stick ⁽⁴⁾ 

Convert fruits into a crispy, healthy, and irresistible dessert by covering with melted chocolate. You can substitute pineapple with freeze dried bananas or apples. To make the "magic shell" firm chocolate effect, melt the dark chocolate chips with 1 tablespoon coconut oil before dipping as suggested.

Ingredients

• 1 cup freeze dried pineapple
• ½ cup white chocolate chips
• 1 cup semisweet dark chocolate chips 

Directions

1. Rehydrate the freeze dried pineapple.  
2. Place the chunks on paper towels and blot out any excess liquid
3. Place a skewer or toothpick in the center of each pineapple piece. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
4. Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler, and then pour them into a large glass. Dip each pineapple piece in the melted chocolate.  
5. Shake off any extra chocolate from each pineapple slice. 
6. Repeat the dipping process with the remaining pineapple pieces on the baking sheet. 
7. Allow all of the chocolate to harden completely.
8. Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler in a sealable plastic bag.
9. Snip the tip of the piping bag and spread the chocolate across the pineapple pieces. 
10. Leave the chocolate to be completely firm before serving.

4. Blueberry Chocolate Milkshake ⁽⁵⁾

This spicy shake is one of a kind that manages to be both rich and subtle. To prepare white chocolate sauce, heat 1 tablespoon nonfat milk in a small saucepan, and then mix in 3 tablespoons white chocolate morsels until melted. Serve chilled, topped with marshmallows, cream, and a drizzle of chocolate spread.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup freeze dried blueberries, plus 3 berries for garnish
• ¼ cup white chocolate sauce
• 1 tablespoon white chocolate shavings
• ¾ cup skim milk
• ¾ cup vanilla ice cream
• ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
• Whipped cream as a garnish

Directions

1. Combine the ice cream, blueberry puree, chocolate shavings, milk, white chocolate sauce, and cardamom in a blender. Blend until frothy.
2. Pour the shake into a glass. Top with whipped cream and garnish with the three blueberries.

5. Chocolate and Berries Smoothie ⁽⁶⁾

The most delicious method to quench your chocolate cravings on World Chocolate Day is this chocolate berry smoothie made with just enough chocolate to seem like a dessert rather than a healthy treat. Adding too much cocoa powder can make this bitter. If you like more sweetness than bitterness, reduce the cocoa powder by half.

Ingredients

• 1 cup freeze dried strawberries
• ½ cup freeze dried bananas
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 cup milk
• ¼ tablespoon vanilla extract
• Stevia drops (optional)

Directions

1. Combine milk, strawberries, bananas, cocoa powder, and vanilla in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Taste and add stevia drops as needed.

Did you try any of these recipes on Chocolate Day? Do share your feedback in the comment section below.

References

1. https://nationaldaycalendar.com/world-chocolate-day/
2. https://marshasbakingaddiction.com/blueberry-chocolate-chip-muffins/
3. https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/recipes/chocolate-fruitcake
4. https://www.justataste.com/chocolate-pineapple-recipe/
5. https://www.washingtonpost.com/recipes/lana-turner-milkshake/10670/
6. https://www.tasteandtellblog.com/berry-smoothie/#tasty-recipes-49460

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