Novelty Chocolate Recipes
May 9, 2014 4:00 PM Subscribe
Flavor my chocolates, please? Bonus points for uncommon.
I "make" chocolate by assembling equal parts cocoa powder and (slightly less) coconut oil, then the next smaller measuring cup's worth of powdered sugar (honey and maple don't work so great, but agave does, and granulated/brown sugars give it a mexican chocolate texture). So that's my basic recipe. Then I just put the sauce in a mold or on wax paper. If you make the chocolate itself differently, I'm happy to hear about it, but I feel that I have the basic chocolate part more or less down.
Then I add other stuff. This is where I'm looking for suggestions. I have run through my cupboard but I haven't run out of potlucks to attend. Here's what I've done so far:
- plain
- milk. using powdered milk. it's kind of meh.
- orange ginger, using orange zest, maybe orange oil, and ginger shreds. maybe also vanilla or a spice?
- nut. just throwing various nuts in
- salted almond-hazelnut. Using both chopped nuts and small amounts of almond and hazelnut extracts. this one is my favorite!
- rocky road. using vegan marshmallows and chopped almonds. i might also add a little vanilla, but I don't remember.
- peanut butter cups these are hit and miss because I haven't sorted out a good peanut butter filling recipe yet.
- toasted coconut
- reverse smore is on the to-do list. I have graham crackers that I can crumb and I'll cut up bits of marshmallow.
- pretzel bits I'll probably do a batch with pretzel bits in it some time.
- coffee throwing in a few beans per chocolate piece. I use different shapes to indicate whether or not they're caffeinated beans.
- coffee replacer "chocolate" - using chicory imitation coffee powder in place of cocoa powder.
I "make" chocolate by assembling equal parts cocoa powder and (slightly less) coconut oil, then the next smaller measuring cup's worth of powdered sugar (honey and maple don't work so great, but agave does, and granulated/brown sugars give it a mexican chocolate texture). So that's my basic recipe. Then I just put the sauce in a mold or on wax paper. If you make the chocolate itself differently, I'm happy to hear about it, but I feel that I have the basic chocolate part more or less down.
Then I add other stuff. This is where I'm looking for suggestions. I have run through my cupboard but I haven't run out of potlucks to attend. Here's what I've done so far:
- plain
- milk. using powdered milk. it's kind of meh.
- orange ginger, using orange zest, maybe orange oil, and ginger shreds. maybe also vanilla or a spice?
- nut. just throwing various nuts in
- salted almond-hazelnut. Using both chopped nuts and small amounts of almond and hazelnut extracts. this one is my favorite!
- rocky road. using vegan marshmallows and chopped almonds. i might also add a little vanilla, but I don't remember.
- peanut butter cups these are hit and miss because I haven't sorted out a good peanut butter filling recipe yet.
- toasted coconut
- reverse smore is on the to-do list. I have graham crackers that I can crumb and I'll cut up bits of marshmallow.
- pretzel bits I'll probably do a batch with pretzel bits in it some time.
- coffee throwing in a few beans per chocolate piece. I use different shapes to indicate whether or not they're caffeinated beans.
- coffee replacer "chocolate" - using chicory imitation coffee powder in place of cocoa powder.
Peanut butter.
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2014
If you have never tried chocolate flavoured with chili you're missing out. You'd need to experiment to find out how much you like (not real chillies obviously, powder/flakes etc) but the sweetness followed by the heat is divine.
posted by billiebee at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2014 [7 favorites]
posted by billiebee at 4:07 PM on May 9, 2014 [7 favorites]
You might get some inspiration poking around the Theo's shop. They do weird flavors like chai, bread, fig fennel & almond, curry. My favorite by far is their whiskey caramels. You might want to play with whatever chilies grow near you.
posted by Mizu at 4:11 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by Mizu at 4:11 PM on May 9, 2014
I had a chocolate with lemongrass and mint (together) recently. I didn't love it, but it was definitely unusual, and it wasn't awful.
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by Bulgaroktonos at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2014
Response by poster: Chuao's website gave me the following ideas: Puffed rice, honeycomb. And I just remembered the chocolate that inspired this question: banana chip.
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by aniola at 4:18 PM on May 9, 2014
Dried fruit? Cherries, blueberries, figs...
posted by rabbitrabbit at 4:20 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by rabbitrabbit at 4:20 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Rose water and cardamom is a favorite of mine.
posted by Specklet at 4:26 PM on May 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
posted by Specklet at 4:26 PM on May 9, 2014 [3 favorites]
1. cornflakes
2. wasabi coated peanuts
3. candied flowers (lilac, rose)
Oh, and how about a two toned version? Kinda like here.
posted by travelwithcats at 4:29 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
2. wasabi coated peanuts
3. candied flowers (lilac, rose)
Oh, and how about a two toned version? Kinda like here.
posted by travelwithcats at 4:29 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Cardamom.
Chocolate chevre truffle. (I still intend to work this idea into cheesecake, one day. I've had it, it's fantastic, but it does not last.)
Rosemary.
Basil.
Chili is great.
Sichuan pepper.
Cocoa nibs.
posted by jeather at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2014
Chocolate chevre truffle. (I still intend to work this idea into cheesecake, one day. I've had it, it's fantastic, but it does not last.)
Rosemary.
Basil.
Chili is great.
Sichuan pepper.
Cocoa nibs.
posted by jeather at 4:39 PM on May 9, 2014
Response by poster: From chat:
- Basil + sundried tomato!
- Pink pepper + citrus
- Toffee
- Balsamic
- Smoked chipotle
- potentially spent grains from beer
- Jam center
posted by aniola at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2014
- Basil + sundried tomato!
- Pink pepper + citrus
- Toffee
- Balsamic
- Smoked chipotle
- potentially spent grains from beer
- Jam center
posted by aniola at 4:49 PM on May 9, 2014
I like cayenne pepper in chocolate (for that Oaxacan flavor), but Chiles Tepin give excellent flavor (and heat!) as well.
The local fancy chocolatier does lavender-infused chocolate that is TO DIE FOR.
posted by carsonb at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2014
The local fancy chocolatier does lavender-infused chocolate that is TO DIE FOR.
posted by carsonb at 4:51 PM on May 9, 2014
Oh man, it also occurs to me that a mole-inspired chocolate (with cumin and chiles, etc) could be really interesting.
posted by phunniemee at 4:57 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by phunniemee at 4:57 PM on May 9, 2014
In Korea you can get chocolate layered with kimchi spices. I liked it.
posted by kathrynm at 4:59 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by kathrynm at 4:59 PM on May 9, 2014
Parmesan or asiago cheese-- can combine this with balsamic.
posted by BibiRose at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by BibiRose at 5:01 PM on May 9, 2014
Barbecue potato chips. (This and the parmesan cheese idea via Vosges-Wild Ophelia. I love the bar with potato chips in it!)
posted by BibiRose at 5:06 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by BibiRose at 5:06 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Cinnamon is really good with chocolate. Freeze-dried berries and other fruit?/
posted by Fig at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by Fig at 5:54 PM on May 9, 2014
Nthing lavender, chiles, figs, cardamom, chai spices.
Fennel seed or anise seed would be good too.
Lilliebelle makes an awesome blue cheese truffle.
I had a fantastic chocolate bar from Hu Kitchen that had almond butter and puffed quinoa in it.
Patric Chocolate had a limited edition Oatmeal Chocolate Cookie bar with maple sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey-sweetened and toasted oats. It was amazing. Other companies add oats, nuts and fruit to chocolate for a sort of granola bar flavor.
Patric also does a Mole bar. Someone above mentioned mole spices. You might find it helpful to look at Patric's ingredients for some ideas.
Some kind of beer reduction would be nice. I used to get Guinness truffles from a place that's sadly no longer in business.
Alma Chocolates does a divine Thai Peanut Butter Cup with coconut milk, ginger, lime and Thai chiles.
A local chocolatier (Intrigue Chocolates) does a black cherry truffle bar from reduced black cherry juice that's amazing. Other ideas from them--toasted sesame seeds, black lava salt, grains of paradise.
posted by creepygirl at 6:13 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Fennel seed or anise seed would be good too.
Lilliebelle makes an awesome blue cheese truffle.
I had a fantastic chocolate bar from Hu Kitchen that had almond butter and puffed quinoa in it.
Patric Chocolate had a limited edition Oatmeal Chocolate Cookie bar with maple sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and honey-sweetened and toasted oats. It was amazing. Other companies add oats, nuts and fruit to chocolate for a sort of granola bar flavor.
Patric also does a Mole bar. Someone above mentioned mole spices. You might find it helpful to look at Patric's ingredients for some ideas.
Some kind of beer reduction would be nice. I used to get Guinness truffles from a place that's sadly no longer in business.
Alma Chocolates does a divine Thai Peanut Butter Cup with coconut milk, ginger, lime and Thai chiles.
A local chocolatier (Intrigue Chocolates) does a black cherry truffle bar from reduced black cherry juice that's amazing. Other ideas from them--toasted sesame seeds, black lava salt, grains of paradise.
posted by creepygirl at 6:13 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
This summer I made coconut-curry fudge and cherry-chili fudge to great acclaim. I used shredded, sweetened coconut and the curry powder in my cabinet for the one. For the other, dried cherries and pure ancho chili powder. I wound up having to use a LOT of chili powder for the heat to show through, though.
Vosges is a good source for interesting chocolate flavors, as is Chocolove.
I have a plan to make a bacon-bourbon-salted caramel fudge at some point soon, too, but since I haven't made it yet I can't tell you how it will turn out.
posted by Andrhia at 6:22 PM on May 9, 2014
Vosges is a good source for interesting chocolate flavors, as is Chocolove.
I have a plan to make a bacon-bourbon-salted caramel fudge at some point soon, too, but since I haven't made it yet I can't tell you how it will turn out.
posted by Andrhia at 6:22 PM on May 9, 2014
- I love pistachios and chocolate. Don't chop the pistachios too small or you'll lose the flavor.
- This may be too junk-food-y, but Capn'n Crunch.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:44 PM on May 9, 2014
- This may be too junk-food-y, but Capn'n Crunch.
posted by Room 641-A at 6:44 PM on May 9, 2014
Tea! I once had Earl Grey infused chocolate, which was fantastic.
posted by eponym at 7:19 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by eponym at 7:19 PM on May 9, 2014 [1 favorite]
Recchiuti does a bunch of interesting chocolates, one particular favorite that I haven't seen mentioned above is their tea-infused varieties. I think Jasmine is my favorite, and they also have Bergamot and Pearl Mint versions.
posted by madmethods at 7:21 PM on May 9, 2014
posted by madmethods at 7:21 PM on May 9, 2014
My boyfriend loves the lemon-juice soaked mango in white chocolate pralines I make for him.
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:44 AM on May 10, 2014
posted by LoonyLovegood at 4:44 AM on May 10, 2014
In West Africa they make a drink called bissap, which is basically sweetened iced hibiscus tea. I have often thought it would be yummy in a chocolate.
posted by solotoro at 4:53 AM on May 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by solotoro at 4:53 AM on May 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
I saw wasabi choc the other day
posted by tanktop at 6:58 AM on May 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
posted by tanktop at 6:58 AM on May 10, 2014 [1 favorite]
If you are trying tea, lapsang souchong (the leaves are smoked)
Lavender
Amaretto
Crystallized ginger
posted by bunderful at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2014
Lavender
Amaretto
Crystallized ginger
posted by bunderful at 7:59 AM on May 10, 2014
* juniper and lime
* cinnamon, bitter almond and chile
* ementhaler or gruyere and bittersweet chocolate paired well on my plate
* Tea infused chocolates were delicious, as I recall
* mango and chile and a touch of lime
* wine jelly centers maybe interesting
* just for the novelty, huitlacoche better known as corn smut or Mexican truffle
posted by jadepearl at 5:48 PM on May 14, 2014
* cinnamon, bitter almond and chile
* ementhaler or gruyere and bittersweet chocolate paired well on my plate
* Tea infused chocolates were delicious, as I recall
* mango and chile and a touch of lime
* wine jelly centers maybe interesting
* just for the novelty, huitlacoche better known as corn smut or Mexican truffle
posted by jadepearl at 5:48 PM on May 14, 2014
I just had a bar from Chuao that had pop-rocks in it, which was really fun to eat.
posted by Fig at 7:16 PM on July 9, 2014
posted by Fig at 7:16 PM on July 9, 2014
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by aniola at 4:06 PM on May 9, 2014