5 Ways to Use Unsweetened Dark Chocolate in Your Baked Goods
- Jan 11, 2022
Chocolate is a food that nearly everybody can agree is delectable and divine. It’s delicious, of course, but it also triggers the release of both endorphins and serotonin in the brain. Therefore, it makes our taste buds happy, our stomachs happy, and yes-- even our brains happy. It is an edible pleasure that nearly everyone enjoys.
Unfortunately, chocolate causes some devastating issues to the human body as well, especially when it’s eaten in large quantities, such as weight gain, acne, obesity, diabetes, and heart issues. One of the key ingredients in chocolate that can lead to these issues, however, is the added sugar content. When switching to eating unsweetened dark chocolate, you get more of the benefits and less of the detriments.
Some people don’t often enjoy dark chocolate without the added sugar, though, as it can taste bitter and be lagging in sweetness. This type of chocolate has tons more benefits than sweetened chocolate: it is one of the greatest natural antioxidant sources on Earth, lowers your risk of heart disease, is loaded with minerals, is fibrous, and so much more.
Some people stay away from bakeries because of the high amount of sugar if they are health-conscious, so adding some baked goods they can eat would be a great idea for all. Even adjusting some classic recipes with healthier ingredients could be an advantage. In order for them to fully enjoy the health benefits of this natural, healthy, and yummy treat, we have compiled a list of five great ways to use unsweetened dark chocolate in your baked goods.
1. Use as a Glaze or Ganache
If you are looking to spice up some of your already delicious baked goods with some healthier dark chocolate, try adding a dark chocolate glaze or ganache. Depending on your baked good and preference, either or could be a delectable addition to a delectable treat.
This means you have plenty of options for your unsweetened dark chocolate. After melting it and combining it with the right amount of cream, you can then use it on donuts, in truffles, dessert sauces, cake fillings, and icings. The possibilities are endless and scrumptious!
2. Dip Baked Goods into the Melted Chocolate
Who doesn’t love a baked good that has been dipped in chocolate? It adds an exciting new flavor to one part of the dessert while also adding an aesthetically pleasing element. You can melt this dark chocolate, whether it be in the form of chips or bars, and dip biscotti, cookies, brownies, and other handheld desserts into it. It’ll be a decision you soon won’t regret!
3. Replace Sweetened Chocolate in Recipes
You could try simply altering a recipe that you know well already. Some recipes flourish with dark chocolate, even unsweetened chocolate. Double dark chocolate cookies, for one example, comes to mind. Anything that calls for dark chocolate in the recipe could be replaced with the unsweetened version. This allows you to better control the sweetness level and sugar content of these desserts.
A way of doing this is simply replacing regular dark chocolate chips with the unsweetened kinds. There will hardly be any noticeable difference in flavor, sweetness, and texture. Have fun with this healthier chocolate by experimenting with it in your favorite treats.
4. Use in Keto Baked Goods
One of the most popular diets in recent years is the keto diet. It only allows its dieters a maximum of 20-50 grams of carbohydrates per day. Therefore, their baked goods intake is low to none, as these tend to be high in carbohydrates and sugar.
However, if you supply your keto customers with delectable desserts they can eat, you will certainly get and keep their attention. Some classic chocolate recipes for keto followers are keto fudge fat bombs, keto brownies, keto cookies-- the list goes on. It’s surprisingly simple to alter regular dessert recipes to make them keto, and one of these easy ways is by using the power of dark chocolate that has no added sugar.
5. Make it Into a Fine Decoration
If you don’t want to take too much away from your original recipe or if you want to simply add a little pizzazz to your dessert, then adding this ingredient as a decoration is certainly a great option for you. You can try shaving a dark chocolate bar and sprinkling it on top. There are also dark chocolate sprinkles to use that are unsweetened and make for a neat decoration.
Unsweetened dark chocolate may sound unappealing for some, but when it’s used accurately and efficiently, it can be just as enjoyable as any other chocolate. In some cases, it might be even more so! At Stover & Company, we are proud to present all of our customers with the finest materials so they can create the best baked goods in their bakery, including delectable chocolate of all kinds.