Chocolate baked goods are always delicious, aromatic and beautiful. However, not only cocoa powder can be used as a flavoring and coloring agent.
It is necessary
Carob, chocolate bar, instant coffee, Nesquik instant drink
Instructions
Step 1
Carob
This product is practically indistinguishable from cocoa in appearance. Unless the shade of the carob is not so saturated. It also tastes very much like cocoa, but only with sugar. The taste of carob is rich and sweet, so you don't need to add sugar during baking. However, carob, unlike cocoa, does not contain substances that affect the psyche (caffeine, theobromine). It is believed to be beneficial for the gastrointestinal tract and help with diarrhea.
Step 2
Carob powder is obtained from the dried fruit of an evergreen plant called the carob. The homeland of this tree is such Mediterranean countries as Spain, Cyprus, Italy and some others. Another advantage of carob is that it is rich in natural dietary fiber. In addition, it contains various vitamins and minerals: A, B, B2, D, phosphorus, magnesium, calcium, potassium, copper, iron. Carob has the ability to absorb water: from this it becomes sticky. Therefore, as a thickener, carob can give the product such qualities as thickness, viscosity, shine. The powder can be a substitute not only for cocoa, but also for sugar in various confectionery and chocolate recipes.
Step 3
Chocolate bar
Chocolate is a cocoa butter confection. It is generally accepted that one chocolate bar can replace 3 tablespoons of cocoa. The most successful choice for replacement is black (bitter) chocolate. It consists of cocoa liquor, powdered sugar and cocoa butter. So, in this type of chocolate, various additives are minimal.
Step 4
In addition to the specified ingredients, milk chocolate contains milk powder or dry cream. And also such food additives as waffles, raisins, nuts, candied fruits can be found. Keep in mind that chocolate products always come with aromatic additives. However, this will only be a plus for baking. White chocolate is unlikely to be a substitute for cocoa as it is produced without the addition of cocoa powder. The disadvantage of chocolate is that it contains theobromine and caffeine: substances that affect the mental state of a person. Another unwanted element in chocolate that you have to put up with is oxalic acid. It is its excess that causes acne in adolescents. In carob, however, oxalic acid is absent.
Step 5
Instant coffee combined with condensed milk
Use a couple of tablespoons of instant coffee to add color to the baked goods. Of course, this product has a specific flavor. However, in baked goods, it can be drowned out with various flavors as needed. Consider that coffee is the champion in caffeine, theophylline and theobromine. These substances are stimulants, so they can become addictive over time. In addition, they affect the psyche and nervous system of a person, cause disorders. Combine coffee with condensed milk in baked goods for a sweet taste.
Step 6
Nesquik and similar cocoa-based instant drinks
If you do not have cocoa on hand, then easily replace it with an instant drink like "Nesquik". The advantage of such a powder is that it is necessarily produced with the addition of vitamins and minerals. After all, this is the favorite drink of growing children. Very often Nesquik powder has some kind of flavoring: creamy, vanilla, and so on. Please note that the composition of Nesquik may vary depending on the country of origin. Practice shows that you should not trust Asian producers of Nesquik, as well as from the Middle East regions. Sometimes they can contain pathogens of intestinal infections.
