Tuesday, June 22, 2010

German Chocolate

Did you know that German chocolate cake has NOTHING to do with the country of Germany? The dessert gets its name from Sam German, the man who created a mild baking chocolate for Baker's Chocolate Company in 1852. The chocolate was named after him, but an entire century passed before the cake recipe we know became popular.

Try this recipe using Sam's chocolate from Baker's Chocolate Company.

Espresso Brownies page 163 Tastes & Treasures
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
3 tablespoons instant espresso powder
1 cup sugar
2 eggs
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup walnuts, chopped
Preheat the oven to 325 degrees. Combine the chocolate and butter in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave until blended, stirring occasionally. Add the espresso powder and stir until dissolved.
Combine the chocolate mixture, sugar, eggs, vanilla and salt in a mixing bowl and beat vigorously until blended. Add the flour and beat just until combined. Stir in the walnuts. Spread the batter in a buttered and floured 8 X 8 inch baking pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the edges pull from the sides of the pan. Cool in the pan on a wire rack for 15 minutes. Cut into squares and cool completely on the wire rack. Store in an airtight container.

Makes 16 brownies