The health benefits of eating dark chocolate have been in question for years. Cocoa, the base ingredient of chocolate, contains flavonol, which can reduce cell damage and improve the arteries, according to Mayo Clinic dietitian Katherine Zeratsky. Dark chocolate contains a higher amount of cocoa than milk chocolate and may be a heart health choice for candy recipes.
Step 1
Set the grater it in a bowl, and rub the bar over the front until your dark chocolate shreds into tiny pieces.
Step 2
Start the heat under the double boiler. A double-boiler system sets a smaller pan inside a larger one full of water. The water heats whatever is in the top pan. Set the heat to high and turn the heat down when the water steams but before it boils.
Step 3
Pour the shredded dark chocolate into the top pan of the double boiler, and stir as it melts.
Step 4
Place a candy thermometer into the melted chocolate, a temperature of 115 degrees Fahrenheit indicates the chocolate is ready.
Step 5
Tip the top pan over a cookie sheet and pour the chocolate out for cooling. Let the chocolate cool to 82 degrees.
Step 6
Fill a deep baking pan with water heated to 85 degrees. Set your tempered chocolate over the pan to keep the it melted while you make the candy.
Step 7
Toast shredded coconut in the oven at 325 degrees, take the coconut out once the tips brown. It should take just a few minutes.
Step 8
Stir the coconut into the tempered chocolate until the it distributes evenly over the pan. Repeat the process to stir in the walnuts.
Step 9
Lay waxed paper over a baking sheet. Scoop out spoonfuls of the chocolate mixture and drop it onto the wax paper. Place the pan in the refrigerator when full and allow the candy to become solid. It should take approximately 15 minutes.
Things You'll Need
- Grater
- Mixing bowl
- 7 oz. bar dark chocolate with 70 percent cocoa or cacao
- Double-broiler
- Candy thermometer
- Cookie sheet
- Deep baking pan
- 1 1/3 cup sweetened shredded coconut
- 1 bag chopped walnuts
- Waxed paper
References
- e University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center; Chocoholics' Delight: Hot Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Better Choices for Heart Health; 2010
- MayoClinic.com; Healthy Chocolate --- Dream or Reality?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; 2010
- Chocolate Candy Mall: Dark Chocolate Candy Recipes
- Chocolate Candy Mall: Tempering Chocolate
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