Cream Cheese Brownie Pie

Mexican Chocolate Ganache Brownies

Double Chocolate Diamonds

Chocolate Lovers Pie

With Valentines Day just around the corner we’re all thinking about chocolate. The word chocolate comes from the Aztec work meaning “bitter water” and the bitter  drink the ancient Aztecs made from crushed cocoa beans and spices wouldn’t fly with chocolate lovers today. But even the ancients new a good thing and chocolate comes from a cocoa bean whose name means “food of the gods”. Based on our love for chocolate, I believe chocolate really was heaven sent.

There are so many kinds of chocolate available, but for baking the most common types are  unsweetened, bittersweet, semi-sweet and milk chocolate. Chocolate should be stored, tightly wrapped, in a cool dry place.  And there are varying opinions on how to melt it.  Some people like to melt  chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water but if any steam or liquid gets into the chocolate it will harden up, which is called seizing. You can rescue seized  chocolate by adding about a tablespoon of oil to every 6 ounces of chocolate. I like to avoid seizing all together, though, by melting chocolate on defrost in the microwave. It takes just a few minutes. Stop just before the chocolate is fully melted, and then stir  until its smooth.

If you’re looking for inspiration for Valentines Day chocolate treats, look no further than Crisco.com You’ll find plenty of baking tips for success every time you bake.