Cocoa Blocks 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.

HOT CHOCOLATE BLOCKS ON A STICK

Steps:

• 1. Line an 8x8 pan with foil and lightly spray. Set aside. In a large saucepan over medium heat, mix together cream, sweetened condensed milk and coffee. Heat until it starts to steam, stirring occasionally. Do Not Allow to boil. Remove from heat, add chocolate, stir slightly, just enough to cover chocolate and allow to sit for 8-10 minutes. Then return to a low heat, stir steadily until all chocolate has melted. Pour into prepared pan. Refrigerate 6 hrs or overnight.
• 2. Lift chocolate out of pan, onto cutting board. Remove foil and cut into 36 pieces. (approx 1 1/4" blocks. That's 6 rows with each row cut into 6) You may need to dip your knife in hot water, wipe dry quickly then slice, for the cleanest cuts...I did this with every row. I made homemade Vanilla Bean Marshmallows (you could use large store bought marshmallows) and placed one of them on top of each block and inserted wooden stick. Wrap in plastic wrap or wax paper to store.
• 3. To Use: Heat 6-8 oz of milk, add stick of chocolate and stir until melted. ENJOY!!!
• 4. ***Lark suggest adding other flavors as well, such as 1T mocha, orange or raspberry flavoring, she also added in a dash of cinnamon...stir these in before you pour into pan.

ONE MINUTE CHOCOLATE ICING

Steps:

• In a saucepan, combine sugar, cocoa powder, milk, butter and vanilla. Bring to a rolling boil, stirring constantly, and cook for 1 minute. Remove from heat. Using an electric mixer, beat icing for 3 minutes, or until mixture cools and thickens to spreading consistency. Spread onto completely cooled cake.