Decadent Chocolate Sauce Recipe

Ingredients and Preparation

Ingredients

• 1 pint of milk
• 2 ounces of high-quality chocolate (preferably 70% cocoa)
• 4 tablespoons of sugar
• 2 tablespoons of boiling water
• 4 egg yolks
• 3 additional tablespoons of sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon of salt
• 1/2 cup of cold milk

Instructions

1. Heat the Milk: Pour one pint of milk into a double boiler and place it over medium heat.
2. Prepare the Chocolate Mixture: Shave two ounces of high-quality chocolate and place it in a small pan. Add four tablespoons of sugar and two tablespoons of boiling water. Stir the mixture over low heat until it becomes smooth and glossy.
3. Combine with Hot Milk: Add the chocolate mixture to the hot milk in the double boiler. Stir well to combine.
4. Prepare the Egg Mixture: In a separate bowl, beat together the yolks of four eggs, three tablespoons of sugar, and a quarter teaspoon of salt. Add half a cup of cold milk to this mixture and stir well.
5. Incorporate the Egg Mixture: Gradually pour the boiling milk and chocolate mixture into the egg mixture, stirring constantly to prevent the eggs from curdling.
6. Cook the Sauce: Return the combined mixture to the double boiler and cook for five minutes, stirring continuously until the sauce thickens.
7. Cool the Sauce: Pour the sauce into a cold bowl and place the bowl in a larger bowl filled with cold water. Stir occasionally until the sauce cools completely.

Serving Suggestions

This versatile chocolate sauce can be used in a variety of ways:

• Over Puddings: Drizzle over cold or hot cornstarch pudding, bread pudding, or snow pudding.
• As a Dessert: Serve in custard glasses as a soft custard or fill the glasses two-thirds full and top with whipped cream.

Interesting Facts and Stats

• Chocolate Consumption: The average American consumes approximately 9.5 pounds of chocolate per year (Statista, 2021).
• Health Benefits: Dark chocolate, which contains at least 70% cocoa, is rich in antioxidants and has been linked to improved heart health (Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health).
• Global Market: The global chocolate market was valued at $130.56 billion in 2019 and is expected to reach $187.08 billion by 2027 (Fortune Business Insights).

Conclusion

Creating your own chocolate sauce at home is not only rewarding but also allows you to control the quality of ingredients. Whether you're using it to enhance a dessert or enjoying it on its own, this rich and creamy sauce is sure to delight your taste buds. For more information on the benefits of dark chocolate, visit Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.

Sources:

• Statista. (2021). Per capita consumption of chocolate in the U.S. from 2000 to 2020. Retrieved from Statista
• Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. (n.d.). Dark Chocolate. Retrieved from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
• Fortune Business Insights. (2020). Chocolate Market Size, Share & COVID-19 Impact Analysis. Retrieved from Fortune Business Insights