Alton Browns Cocoa Syrup Recipes

CHOCOLATE SYRUP: RELOADED

Steps:

• Pulse the cocoa powder and salt in the bowl of a food processor several times until smooth.
• Whisk together the sugar, water, and corn syrup in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil over medium heat.
• Turn the food processor on and let it run continuously while carefully pouring the boiling-hot sugar mixture into the feed tube. Follow with the vanilla and cardamom.
• Let cool for 15 minutes before transferring via funnel into a large squeeze bottle.Then cool completely before refrigerating for up to 3 months. Or divide into two containers, refrigerating one, stashing the other in the freezer where it will keep indefinitely. Unless, of course, you come back and eat it the next day.

HOT COCOA

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl and incorporate evenly. In a small pot, heat 4 to 6 cups of water.
• Fill your mug half full with the mixture and pour in hot water. Stir to combine. Seal the rest in an airtight container, keeps indefinitely in the pantry. This also works great with warm milk.

COCOA SYRUP

Steps:

• Bring the water, sugar, and corn syrup to a boil over medium heat in a 3-quart saucier. Decrease the heat to low and gradually whisk in the cocoa powder. Continue to whisk until all the cocoa has been incorporated. Cook until slightly thickened, about 5 minutes. Remove from the heat and add the vanilla and salt. Let cool for 15 minutes, then pour into squeeze bottles using a funnel. Store in the refrigerator.
• To use, place the squeeze bottle in hot water for 10 minutes. Squeeze into cold milk and stir for delicious chocolate milk or serve on your favorite ice cream. And, hey, it's fat free!

COCOA BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F. Butter and flour an 8-inch square pan.
• In a mixer fitted with a whisk attachment, beat the eggs at medium speed until fluffy and light yellow. Add both sugars. Add remaining ingredients, and mix to combine.
• Pour the batter into a greased and floured 8-inch square pan and bake for 45 minutes. Check for doneness with the tried-and-true toothpick method: a toothpick inserted into the center of the pan should come out clean. When it's done, remove to a rack to cool. Resist the temptation to cut into it until it's mostly cool.

COCOA NIB FRAPPE

Steps:

• Pulse the cocoa nibs in a spice grinder 3 to 4 times until the nibs are coarsely chopped. Place the nibs in a 1-quart microwave-safe measuring cup and add the 16 ounces of milk. Microwave on high for 3 to 4 minutes or until the milk reaches 160 degrees F. Steep at room temperature for 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, combine the chocolate, sugar, water and salt in the carafe of a 1-liter French press. Set aside.
• After steeping, return the nib-milk mixture to the microwave and heat on high for 2 minutes until it simmers or reaches 185 degrees F. Strain the hot nib-milk mixture through a fine-mesh strainer into the French press carafe. Set aside for 1 minute, and then stir to combine the chocolate and milk. Pump the plunger of the French press 10 to 15 times to froth and aerate. Pour the mixture into a standard ice cube tray and freeze until solid, 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
• Combine the frozen hot chocolate cubes with the 4 ounces of milk, half-and-half or coffee in a blender and blend until smooth. Serve immediately.

ALTON BROWN'S COCOA SYRUP

Steps:

• In a medium or large pot, bring water and sugar to a boil.
• Whisk in cocoa, vanilla, salt, and corn syrup until all the solids have dissolved.
• Reduce sauce until slightly thickened.
• Strain and cool to room temperature.
• Pour into squeeze bottles.
• Keep in the fridge.
• One serving equals about 1/2 cup.