The Culinary Connoisseur
Chocolate or Not?
08
Jun
Jun
Some people will argue white chocolate is not actually
chocolate. It certainly doesn’t look like chocolate as we know it, and it
doesn’t smell like chocolate. But it is called white chocolate, so is
it chocolate or not?
chocolate. It certainly doesn’t look like chocolate as we know it, and it
doesn’t smell like chocolate. But it is called white chocolate, so is
it chocolate or not?
During the chocolate manufacturing process, cocoa butter is
extracted from the cocoa bean. To create white chocolate, the cocoa
butter is combined with milk, sugar, and other flavoring ingredients, but none
of the cocoa bean is included. White chocolate is chocolate that does not
contain any cocoa solids, or “chocolate liquor”—chocolate in its raw,
unsweetened form; not the alcoholic drink. Some would consider white
chocolate not chocolate because none of the cocoa solid is part of the end
product. However, if you were to smell cocoa beans and raw cocoa butter, it is
the cocoa butter that would have the distinct chocolate smell. The cocoa
bean doesn’t smell sweet at all. And cocoa butter did come from
the cocoa bean.
extracted from the cocoa bean. To create white chocolate, the cocoa
butter is combined with milk, sugar, and other flavoring ingredients, but none
of the cocoa bean is included. White chocolate is chocolate that does not
contain any cocoa solids, or “chocolate liquor”—chocolate in its raw,
unsweetened form; not the alcoholic drink. Some would consider white
chocolate not chocolate because none of the cocoa solid is part of the end
product. However, if you were to smell cocoa beans and raw cocoa butter, it is
the cocoa butter that would have the distinct chocolate smell. The cocoa
bean doesn’t smell sweet at all. And cocoa butter did come from
the cocoa bean.
Unlike those other types of chocolate, there are regulations
determining what may be marketed as “white chocolate.” In the United States, since 2004, real white
chocolate must be at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, and 3.5%
milk fat, and no more than 55% sugar or other sweeteners. Previously,
American brands needed to apply for special licenses to sell white chocolate.
determining what may be marketed as “white chocolate.” In the United States, since 2004, real white
chocolate must be at least 20% cocoa butter, 14% total milk solids, and 3.5%
milk fat, and no more than 55% sugar or other sweeteners. Previously,
American brands needed to apply for special licenses to sell white chocolate.
Because it contains no cocoa solids, white chocolate has
only trace amounts of the caffeine as well as the other anti-oxidant
ingredients found in semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. This, of course, is referring to dairy white
chocolate.
only trace amounts of the caffeine as well as the other anti-oxidant
ingredients found in semi-sweet or bittersweet chocolate. This, of course, is referring to dairy white
chocolate.
Parve white coating, also known as confectioner’s coating
should not be confused with the real stuff as it’s made from solid
or vegetable fats, and contains nothing of the cocoa bean. These products
may not be labeled for sale as “white chocolate.” They are usually whiter than dairy chocolate
as the cocoa butter is what gives it that creamy color. Recently, however, we
have introduced a parve white coating that does contain some cocoa butter,
giving it superior flavor. It’s a great option when dairy is not an option.
should not be confused with the real stuff as it’s made from solid
or vegetable fats, and contains nothing of the cocoa bean. These products
may not be labeled for sale as “white chocolate.” They are usually whiter than dairy chocolate
as the cocoa butter is what gives it that creamy color. Recently, however, we
have introduced a parve white coating that does contain some cocoa butter,
giving it superior flavor. It’s a great option when dairy is not an option.
No—these are not “blondies.” Just taste them and enjoy
the true gooey texture of brownies!
the true gooey texture of brownies!
10 tablespoons unsalted butter (1 ¼ stick)
6 ounces white chocolate spread (available at The
Peppermill)
Peppermill)
3/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup pecans, lightly chopped
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line an 8×8 inch baking pan with aluminum
foil leaving an overhang on each side. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and
set aside.
foil leaving an overhang on each side. Spray with nonstick cooking spray and
set aside.
In a medium size saucepan, melt the butter. Add the white
chocolate spread. Stir the mixture to combine. They won’t completely mix
together, but that’s ok. Allow to cool
slightly.
chocolate spread. Stir the mixture to combine. They won’t completely mix
together, but that’s ok. Allow to cool
slightly.
Whisk in the sugar, followed by the vanilla, eggs and
salt. Make sure the mixture isn’t too
hot when you add the eggs, otherwise they may scramble. Whisk together the
mixture until smooth and evenly combined; carefully fold in the flour. Stir in
pecan pieces.
salt. Make sure the mixture isn’t too
hot when you add the eggs, otherwise they may scramble. Whisk together the
mixture until smooth and evenly combined; carefully fold in the flour. Stir in
pecan pieces.
Pour the batter into prepared pan and bake for 26 to 28
minutes, or until the top is set and the sides are starting to pull away from
the pan and the top is golden. An
inserted toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, or clean. Allow the
brownies to cool fully in their pan.
minutes, or until the top is set and the sides are starting to pull away from
the pan and the top is golden. An
inserted toothpick should come out with a few moist crumbs, or clean. Allow the
brownies to cool fully in their pan.
When they’re cool, lift the brownies out of the pan using
the aluminum foil edges. Carefully peel back the sides of the foil; then cut
into 16 squares or 20 small bars.
the aluminum foil edges. Carefully peel back the sides of the foil; then cut
into 16 squares or 20 small bars.