Hershey's? Yeah, Hershey's. I'm not usually so crazy about Hershey's chocolate, but their cocoa is cheap and easy to find. I recently tried their Special Dark cocoa for the first time, and I was impressed.
Special Dark is a Dutch process cocoa, which means that it has been processed with an alkali. This affects the cocoa's interaction with leavening agents; Dutch process cocoa will not react to baking soda and so it can only be used with recipes that call for baking powder. In general, its taste usually is lighter and sweeter and has less bitter or sour notes. Hershey's Special Dark, however, is intensely, quietly dark, like an Oreo cookie.
I've made great cupcakes and brownies with this!
I've been baking a Rompope*-Chocolate cake for 15 years (oh my, I hadn't realized it was that long already) -using Hershey's regular cocoa powder. Since the recipe is almost too sweet, and it calls for baking powder, I guess you could try it with Dutch process cocoa. Click on my name for details.
*in case you're wondering, rompope is a Mexican eggnog-like drink.
My partner sent me to get some cocoa for the chocolate crinkles she was making for the holidays and I came home with the regular and this dark chocolate, with a suggestion to go 1/2 and 1/2 in the crinkle recipe. I do say, they were the best cookies ever... like fudge brownies in a cookie shape.
I've used it in my red velvet cupcakes. Absolutely wonderful. It really enhances the color and flavor of the cupcakes.
where in the albany area is it available?
Mark - it should be available next to the regular baking cocoa in the baking aisle at your grocery store.
I've tried price chopper and hannaford with no results. Any suggestions?