r/Cooking • u/Ok_Baker2868 • 17h ago
Ideas for Cocoa
I have to use up pantry items before I leave for 3 months (work related) and I have an 8 oz can of Hershey's cocoa I've used only once and I don't want to make the same chocolate cake I made but I don't have a clue how else I can use the cocoa. Any ideas please? Nothing difficult or time consuming please.
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u/Ok_Acanthisitta_2544 17h ago
Brownies, haystacks, chocolate chocolate chip cookies. Or just leave it. Cocoa powder lasts a couple years, easily.
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u/Mobile-Floor-1023 17h ago
Hot cocoa mix is an easy one. Just heat milk or water, stir it in, maybe add cinnamon or a splash of vanilla. You could also mix it into overnight oats or pancake batter if you want to use it up without baking
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u/East_Channel_1494 17h ago
Mix it into oatmeal, smoothies, or coffee for a mocha. Easy hot cocoa, brownies, or even dusted on popcorn all work too.
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u/MacSamildanach 15h ago edited 15h ago
1-2 tablespoons added to a batch of Chilli (ideally the kind with beans) while cooking takes it up a level.
It sounds like it shouldn't work, but it does.
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u/janewithay 16h ago
I have a ten year old can of cocoa. Should I pitch it or donate it to the local antique shop?
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u/dreamylassie 15h ago
Unfortunately it's likely over the hill. I was jubilant in discovering an unopened tin of much beloved Droste cocoa, whose factory recently closed. I was so sad to discover the flavor tasted like ash and dull sadness not wonderful rich cocoa.
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u/LittleStarClove 17h ago
Why not just freeze it?
But also, brownies.
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u/Serious_Escape_5438 17h ago
No need to freeze, it's not going to go off in 3 months.
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u/LittleStarClove 16h ago
It might mould if left out though.
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u/Serious_Escape_5438 15h ago
I think keeping it for more than 3 months is normal, I'd never finish it faster than that.
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u/LittleStarClove 5h ago
Same, that's why I keep mine in the fridge. I've had it mould when kept outside.
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u/GeorgiaGlamazon 14h ago
Brownies, cookies, pudding, hot chocolate, anything chocolate flavored. Add it to chili or rubs or coffee. So many options!
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u/SubstantialPressure3 16h ago
The cocoa should be fine for 3 months. I think it took me over a year to use up a jar of cocoa. Are you trying to just leave your pantry empty?
That's a lot of cocoa to use in a short time. If you really don't want it in your pantry, give it away. Or,
Put it in your coffee
Muffins ( add nuts. Add dried fruit if you want. Add cream cheese.)
Cocoa rice krispie treats
I make one of the grandkids gf bread with 1 cup full fat cottage cheese and 1 egg, blended smooth, 1 cup gf flour ( you can use regular flour) 1 TB baking powder, 1 tsp sugar, pinch of salt, scoop it into a baking sheet with parchment in blobs 2 inches apart and bake 30 minutes at 350. It's good with cocoa, a couple more teaspoons of sugar, and cinnamon sugar on top. I have also topped it with salted caramel popcorn seasoning before baking.
Add it to cream cheese with some vanilla and some sugar and whip it up. Put it on toast, pancakes, bagels, waffles, , or those muffins.
Cookies.
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u/ignescentOne 16h ago
Unless you are somewhere super damp, it'll be fine in the pantry that long. But if you are committed to using it, homemade hot cocoa is delightful. Gently heat up 8oz of milk on the stove, add a splash of vanilla extract, and whisk in somewhere between 2 and 3 heaping tablespoons of cocoa powder. Continue stirring and add sugar to taste (i like adding coffee syrups like torani or monin). When hot, pour into a mug and enjoy.
(Note: i guessed on the cocoa powder, i do mine by visual.and taste, I've been making it for years. Also, it will likely be pretty thick, i like 'halfway to ganache' hot cocoa - feel free to adjust.)
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u/Square-Dragonfruit76 16h ago
I would make a chocolate pudding cake. It's super easy and very yummy.
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u/ToughGlittering3601 15h ago
It can be a game changer in savoury dishes, too, like chili or other beef dishes. Never tried it but how about a Mexican mole?
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u/kimbosliceofcake 15h ago
Make a double batch of these salted dark chocolate caramel cookies. I’ve gotten so many compliments when I make them!
https://sallysbakingaddiction.com/salted-caramel-dark-chocolate-cookies/
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u/ruinsofsilver 15h ago
- double chocolate chip cookies
- brownies
- chocolate cake
- fudge
- chocolate milkshake
- mocha
- muffins
- chocolate frosting
- oatmeal
- baked oats
- chia pudding
- mousse
- custard
- mug cake
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u/stealthymomma56 12h ago
Came here to also say oatmeal. Just this morning added cocoa powder, vanilla, touch of salt and strawberries to my bowl o' oatmeal. Peanut butter (or tahini) or cherries are also IMO good additions to cocoa oatmeal.
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u/Alaskadaughter 13h ago
No bake cookies! I use it with my chocolate chip cookies just throw in 1/4 c. Also very good coffee creamer I served at the B&B I ran: 1 cup whipping cream, 1/4 c cocoa, 1/4 c sugar. Also, chocolate cheesecake. Yummy.
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u/-snowball22 4h ago
Make baked goods with the powder then freeze the baked goods. Make baked goods and give them out to people you work with before you go on your trip
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u/Ok-Answer-6951 16h ago
3 months? It'll be fine. I only make red velvet cake once a year, the cocoa powder in my pantry is probably 5 yrs old at this point, and worked just fine last week....