Upgrade your Desserts: Scharffen Berger Chocolate Contest

There are some times where compromising and taking shortcuts in the kitchen are OK. Weeknight quiche using a pre-made crust, store-bought cupcake mix spruced up with new flavors–these are excusable.

But sometimes, compromises aren’t allowed, like when making the absolute to-die-for, perfect dessert–and picking the right chocolate makes all the difference.

That’s why Scharffen Berger chocolate is challenging dessert perfectionists everywhere in their new contest, asking them to step up to the plate and elevate their favorite classic dessert with a new twist and Scharffen Berger’s special blend chocolates. Grandma’s whoopie pies, the classic chocolate chip cookie–contestants will have to pull out all the stops to put a new twist on favorite chocolaty desserts, and say “no” to shortcuts with the unparalleled quality of Scharffen Berger bars, chunks, or cocoa.

The prizes are just as sweet: The Grand Prize winner, picked in March, will receive $10,000, a gift package of chocolate, and three signed cookbooks from the contest’s celebrity chef judges. Elizabeth Faulkner of Citizen Cake and The Next Iron Chef, founder John Scharffenberger, cookbook author Alice Medrich, food blogger Matt Armendariz, and our very own Babette Pepaj will be judging the sweet stuff, so make it shine!

Need some inspiration to get the creative juices (or chocolate syrup) flowing? Check out these classic chocolate recipes, and start brainstorming how you can make them fresh and new with your twist and Scharffen Berger chocolate.

Chocolate Pudding

Co-Founder John’s mom made this a household favorite, turning something as casual as pudding into a refined, delicious dessert.

Chocolate Ganache

Chocolate Ganache is a must-have in the arsenal of any pastry chef, and can be made with any water-based liquid to suit your dessert needs, from cream to soy milk.

John’s Classic Drinking Chocolate

A delicious dessert doesn’t have to be complex. High-quality ingredients, like 99% Cacao Unsweetened Chocolate, can turn hot chocolate into an indulgent, delicious dessert.

Rich Mocha Tofu Mousse

Talk about a twist! Tofu can add a great silky texture to mousse, which can be a decadent dessert on its own, or dressed up in a number of creative ways.

That Chocolate Cake

Everyone needs a great chocolate cake in their recipe box, and this one is hard to beat. Are you up to the challenge?

John’s Favorite Brownie

Brownies are another chocolate must-have, easily customized and spruced up with anything you can think of adding. Get started with this classic base recipe.

Want to submit your own recipe for the Elevate a Classic Dessert with Scharffen Berger Chocolate contest? Visit www.ScharffenBerger.com

Also, visit the Scharffen Berger Chocolate Maker page on Facebook or follow @ScharffenBerger on Twitter. You won’t find a tastier twitter account!

Visit Scharffen Berger on BakeSpace and check out their cookbook “Classic Chocolate Recipes” in the new Cookbook Cafe!

Filed in: This Week in Food