Surprise someone with chocolate desserts on Valentine’s Day

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Published: 02/11/2014 - Updated: 06/17/2016

• Author: Nayeli Reyes

It's almost Valentine's Day, the date celebrating the day of love and friendship. For many it is an important date and for others not so much, but it is always good to use it as an excuse to celebrate, whether it is with your partner, friends, family or just yourself, if you do not have anything planned, chocolate desserts are a must on this day. Chocolate is a great antidepressant that can brighten your day: Besides having antioxidants, surely with any of these recipes, you and your loved ones will light up on this special day.

Classic brownies

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup of butter
• 1/3 cup of bitter chocolate
• 3/4 cup of sugar
• 2/3 cup of flour
• 3 tbsp. of Cocoa
• 2 eggs
• 1 tsp. of Vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp. of salt

Preparation

1. Melt the butter in a bain-marie along with the bitter chocolate until the chocolate is dissolved, with no lumps and is thoroughly incorporated.
2. Remove from the heat and add the eggs, beating in little by little.
3. Add sugar and continue beating.
4. Add the vanilla extract to the mixture.
5. Sift flour with salt and add to the preparation slowly to avoid lumps.
6. Pour the mixture into a rectangular greased and/or floured mold.
7. Bake at 180°C for about 40 minutes or until a crust forms on the top and the center is still slightly moist.
8. Take out of the mold when cool and cut into individual bite sized portions.

Bitter chocolate cookie snacks

Ingredients

• 1 cup of butter
• 1/4 cup of cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp. of brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. of Corn Syrup
• 2 cups of Vanilla Cookies *select your own favourite
• 1/2 cup of plain chocolate

Preparation

1. Melt the butter in a heavy saucepan until dissolved completely.
2. Add the melted cocoa to the butter gradually and beat with a wooden spoon or balloon whisk.
3. Add the corn syrup and brown sugar, combining over a low heat. Cook for a few minutes until the mixture begins to thicken.
4. Coarsely crush the cookies – They do not have to be perfect.
5. Remove the butter and cocoa mixture from the heat and add the crushed cookies.
6. Pour the mixture into a mold previously lined with wax paper or foil.
7. Smooth the surface to compact the mixture and leave it to form a suitable consistency that does not crumble when cut.
8. Cool to room temperature overnight.
9. Melt the dark chocolate in a bain-marie and place over the preparation, smoothing with a spatula and leaving to crystallise.
10. Cut into small squares.

Chocolate Cupcakes

Ingredients

• 30g of Milk Chocolate
• 2 tbsp. of whipped cream
• 1 cup of flour
• 1 tsp. of Baking Powder
• 1/4 tsp. of salt
• 1 knob of butter
• 1 cup of sugar
• 2 Eggs
• 2 tbsp. of milk
• 1 tbsp. of Cocoa

Preparation

1. Cream the butter with the sugar until fluffy.
2. Add the eggs little by little, making sure to scrape the bowl between each to make sure it is appropriately incorporated.
3. Sift flour, salt, cocoa and baking powder in a bowl.
4. Add to the mixture, alternating with milk and whipped cream.
5. Finally add the previously melted chocolate (you can use a bain-marie or a microwave) and add little by little, ensuring it has a smooth consistency.
6. Pour the mixture into cupcake molds.
7. Bake at 180°C for about 30 minutes and enjoy!

• Nayeli Reyes

  Nayeli is an expert cook, with the title of Chef by the International Culinary School of Guadalajara (Mexico), where she obtained the honorable mention for her great talent and dedication. In Biomanantial.com she presents her best recipes so that we can prepare them easily.