How do I convert recipes to use baking chocolate instead of cocoa?

[freemotion]

I got this fantastic deal (see the "save $ today" thread) on baking chocolate, 99%, and want to make ice cream from goat's milk and fresh eggs (raw) and all the recipes call for cocoa.

I also would like tips on how to convert other recipes to use this wonderful baking chocolate.

Thanks!

 

[me&thegals]

I would just melt it, cool it somewhat and mix it in. I don't think the extra fat in baking chocolate is going to hurt an ice cream recipe. Save some for me!

 

[mrs.puff]

I don't think you can convert chocolate to cocoa, just cocoa to chocolate (by adding oil/butter). So it might be kinda hard to use it in recipes where cocoa is essential, but I think me&thegals is right on. Maybe in baking, you could reduce the total fat a little, and melt the chocolate to add in. Sounds like if it's 99%, you might not need to reduce fat content at all.

 

[freemotion]

Yeah, that's what I did for my hot chocolate this morning. I put a little water in my mug and added a square, and carefully nuked it and stirred. Then fresh milk, still warm from the goat, and a little more nuking (oh, it so bothers me to nuke my milk! Sometimes I just drink warm chocolate instead. Too lazy to put it in a pan, I guess... )

It was SOOOOO smooth and much sweeter, I wonder why. I didn't change anything else about how I make it. Better quality, no doubt. Can't wait to make the ice cream.

I think for things like ice cream, pudding, etc it will be fine. I don't really bake much, but on occasion will make a half-batch of brownies with fresh-ground flour. I guess those also can stand a little variation in the amount of fat vs dry ingredients. Probably not so good to mess with a finer cake recipe, etc, which I am less likely to make.

I really have to go buy more of this chocolate. It seems that less sweetener is needed with it, which is also good for me.

 

[patandchickens]

To get it to melt into the warm milk (or whatever), you can grate it in, instead of just plopping in the whole chunk

Have fun!

Pat

 

[freemotion]

To get it to melt into the warm milk (or whatever), you can grate it in, instead of just plopping in the whole chunk

Have fun!

Pat

Oh, like with a cheese grater?

And boy-oh-boy, am I gonna have fun! Not this week, though, my Tues-Wed "weekend" just disappeared at the prospect of 10 horses to massage at a nearby show. That will take me away from my ss projects, but will take the worry out of the bills this month!

Chocolate ice cream will have to wait until the real weekend, I have half of Saturday off. Something to look forward to!