Chocolate Pudding (Eggless & No Oven)
History of ChocolateThe chocolate we enjoy today—whether in candy bars, pralines, or desserts—has come a long way from its origins. Before the 16th century, chocolate was not eaten as a sweet treat but consumed as a rustic, bitter, and frothy drink in ancient Mesoamerica.Mesoamerica is a historical and cultural region in North America, stretching from central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica. It was home to several advanced civilizations, including the Maya and Aztecs.Chocolate is made from the beans of the cacao tree. In Mesoamerica, the natives would grind these beans and mix them with cornmeal and chili to create a bitter, spiced beverage. This drink was believed to be energizing and revitalizing.The people of Mesoamerica considered the cacao tree sacred, believing it was a divine gift from the gods. Cacao beans were so valuable that they were even used as currency, and the chocolate drink was often served at important feasts and ceremonies.In 1519, when the Spanish encountered cacao during their conquest of the Americas, they brought the beans and the recipe for the drink back to Europe. At first, the bitter flavor made it suitable mostly as a medicinal drink for digestive issues. However, once ingredients like honey, sugar, and vanilla were added, the drink became a beloved delicacy among the Spanish elite.As its popularity spread, cacao plantations were established in South America to meet rising demand. Unfortunately, this led to the use of African slaves to cultivate the plantations.A major turning point in chocolate history came in 1828 when Dutch inventor Conrad Van Houten developed the cocoa press. This device separated the fat (cocoa butter) from the cocoa solids, leaving behind a fine cocoa powder—the same type used today to make drinks, desserts, and chocolate.Then, in 1875, a Swiss chocolatier added powdered milk to cocoa, creating milk chocolate—a sweeter, creamier version that quickly gained popularity.From there, chocolate evolved into one of the world’s most loved treats. By the 20th century, its demand had exploded globally, and chocolate became a household favorite across cultures and countries.
Ingredients
- Cookies (plain) – 160 gms/ 2pkts
- Butter (unsalted, melted) – 3tbsp
- Milk – 2cups
- Cream – ½ cup
- Cinnamon stick – 1no
- Dark chocolate chopped – 150gms/ 1cup (approx.)
- Orange Rind – ½ an orange
- Sugar (fine grain) – 6tbsp
- Cocoa powder – 2tbsp
- Corn starch – 3tbsp
- Vanilla extract – 2tsp
- Butter (unsalted) – 2tbsp
- Almonds roasted – handful
- Mint leaves – a sprig
- Grated chocolate – for garnish
Instructions
- Crush the cookies in a blender and add melted butter. Remove and add a spoon full in a serving glass.
- In a pan add milk, cream, chocolate chunks, orange rind and cinnamon powder. Bring it to a boil and remove. Add sugar, corn starch, coco powder, vanilla extract and whisk it. Put it back on to the stove and bring it to a boil so that the cornflour thickens it. Remove and add in unsalted butter and toasted almonds.
- While it is still warm portion it out in a glass on top of the cookie crumb and serve garnished with orange rind, cinnamon stick, cherry, mint leaf and grated chocolate.
Chocolate Tips & Tricks - While buying Chocolate
- More bitter better. Remember more cocoa % more chocolate in it. You are paying for chocolate not sugar
- Chocolate should have both cocoa and cocoa butter. If the packet says emulsifiers and/or oils or fats added, then avoid that chocolate.
While cooking Chocolate
- Chop it into chunks before melting it. Always heat chocolate slowly. Best is on a double boiler, but you can use a microwave as well. If you are clear you want to melt chocolate, then buy chocolate chips
- Sometime after opening the wrapper of chocolate, we find a whiteness over chocolate. Don’t worry its not gone bad it is bust the cocoa butter that oozed out when the chocolate got warm while it was still in its wrapper.
- Make sure there is no water on the bowl to spatula when melting chocolate. When melting chocolate water is its enemy. If a drop of water enters melting chocolate the entire chocolate with seize and become clumpy.
- Use a non-metal spoon to mix chocolate Bread knife or sedated knife is the best knife to chop chocolate
Extra shots History of Chocolate
- Modern day chocolate that we eat as candy, bars and pralines came about in 16th century, until then chocolate was used to a make a rustic, bitter and foamy drink in Mesoamerica.
- Mesoamerica is a historical region and cultural area in North America. It extends from approximately central Mexico through Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and northern Costa Rica.
- Chocolate Is made from the beans of the cacao tree. And the natives of Mesoamerica used to grind the beans and mixed with corn meal and chilli to make a bitter drink. The drink was invigorating that is full of energy and making one feel strong.
- The miso American people believed that cocoa that is chocolate tree is a gift of God from the heavens
- Cacao beans were used as currency and the bitter drink was served at feasts.
- In 1519 with the Spanish visit and they first drinking the cacao drink, they carried it back to Europe with them. Because of its bitter taste it was considered a medicine for upset stomach but once honey, sugar and vanilla were added to it to make the taste more palatable the drink became very popular in Spanish courts.
- The Spanish elite liked it so much that soon they started drinking it at home daily, and as demand for cacao rose slaves from Africa were taken to south America to cultivate cacao plantation.
- In 1828 the cocoa press was invented by Conrad Van Houten. This press would separate the cocoa butter and leave behind cocoa powder. This cocoa powder is the powder we still use today. The same cacao is used to make drinks, sweets and yes chocolate.
- Very soon a Swiss chocolatier added powdered milk to cocoa in 1875 thus inventing milk chocolate.
- From there chocolate became everybody’s favourite and by the 20th century the demand for chocolate grew huge.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!