Chocolate Day is celebrated on February 9, marking the third day of Valentine’s Week, which begins on February 7 and culminates on February 14 with Valentine’s Day.
This special day is a sweet occasion for friends, family, and loved ones to exchange chocolates as a token of love, affection, and gratitude.
While store-bought chocolates are certainly appealing, homemade treats, crafted with love, possess a truly unique and special charm.
Here’s a special guide to delicious and easy-to-make chocolate recipes that are sure to melt hearts.
Chocolate Walnut Fudge
Chop walnuts. Heat a nonstick pan. Add butter and dark chocolate and cook on low heat till chocolate melts. Add condensed milk and cook on medium heat for 2-3 minutes. Add khoya, half of the chopped walnuts and mix well. Cook for 5-6 minutes. Transfer the mixture to a lined glass tin, sprinkle the remaining walnuts and set aside for 2-3 hours .Cut into squares and serve.
Homemade Chocolate Truffles
Chop the dark chocolate into small pieces and place it in a heatproof bowl. Heat the heavy cream in a saucepan until it just begins to simmer, then pour it over the chocolate. Stir until smooth and shiny. Add butter and mix until fully incorporated. Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1-2 hours until firm. Roll the chocolate into small balls and coat them with your choice of cocoa powder, nuts, or coconut.
Chocolate Mousse
Melt chocolate and 100ml cream in a double boiler and remove when it dissolves completely. Mix whipping cream, sugar and vanilla extract and thicken it till it froths. Now fold in the melted chocolate and pour it into cups. Garnish with some grated chocolate. Refrigerate and once chilled serve.
Chocolate-Covered Strawberries
Melt the chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or in the microwave. Dip each strawberry into the melted chocolate, ensuring it is evenly coated. Place the dipped strawberries on a parchment-lined tray. Let them cool in the refrigerator for 30 minutes until the chocolate hardens.
Chocolate Brownie
Sift together the flour and cocoa powder using a sieve. Keep aside. Combine the curds and soda-bi-carb in a bowl, mix well and keep aside. Combine the melted butter, powdered sugar, vanilla essence and ½ cup of hot water in another bowl and whisk well. Add the curds-soda mixture and mix well.
Add the flour mixture and walnuts and mix gently to make a smooth batter of dropping consistency. Grease a 150 mm. (6″) diameter shallow microwave-safe dish using butter. Line it with a piece of greaseproof paper at the bottom of the dish and again grease it using a little butter.
Pour the batter into the greased and lined microwave-safe dish, spread it evenly using a spoon and microwave on high for 4 minutes. Cool slightly and unmould by turning upside down on a plate. Remove and discard the grease-proof paper and serve hot.
