AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate For All Your Baking and Holiday Needs

Just in time for all of your winter baking, gifting and chocolate drink indulgences, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is thrilled to introduce the brand’s newest products and packaging including Tasting Squares, Tablet Bars, Finely Grated Chocolate, and Gourmet Hot Cocoa.

Tasting Squares - Just the thing for when you want a satisfying bite, but not an entire bar. With rich layers of taste and a hint of spice, one square is a delicious treat!

Tablet Bars - Looking for a unique chocolate experience that can literally take you back in time? The chocolate is inspired by recipes from the 1700s. One bite is like having a tasty history lesson. Test your skills and see if you can guess what spices we’ve used.

Finely Grated Chocolate - Ready to enjoy a new chocolate experience? Whether baking a gift for friends, or experimenting with a prized family recipe, our Finely Grat­ed Chocolate is your perfect partner in the kitchen. An artisanal dark chocolate, the intriguing taste will surprise and delight you.

Gourmet Hot Cocoa - There is nothing more satisfying then a rich cup of hot cocoa. The Gourmet Hot Cocoa blend provides a creamy yet spicy taste experience that is literally unlike anything you’ve ever tried before. A unique combination of ingredients means that every sip is perfectly designed to satisfy.

Products feature: no preservatives, no artificial ingredients, Kosher, Rain Forest Alliance™ Certified, and 57% Cocoa.

For some baking inspiration, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate has partnered with Le Coucou Executive Pastry Chef Daniel Skurnick to highlight the unique flavor profile of the products and distinctive ease of use in four delicious seasonal recipes found here – https://www.dropbox.com/sh/0rmlld87ia7h9uc/AACpgG5V9hjA_W_A-yrI8cbja?dl=0

If you are not already familiar with AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, the brand has a unique place in the history of Mars Wrigley Confectionery and in the hearts and minds of people all over America who appreciate an artisanal, authentic approach to making and celebrating chocolate. Conceived of, and crafted by, a dedicated team of historians, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is the result of painstaking years of research by a multidisciplinary team of more than 115 experts from around the globe. Culled from the archives of some of the most venerated historic institutions, libraries and private collections in America, and in consultation with leaders in food history - from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation to The Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History, the passionate team has developed a chocolate product with a flavor profile drawn directly from the annals of chocolate’s historic past.

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is sold in over 100 living history sites, museums and specialty gift shops nationwide as well as on Amazon. 

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Stuffed Apple Roses with Chocolate Strawberry Sauce

Mars Chocolate North America has partnered with sites such as Fort Ticonderoga, Colonial Williamsburg, Mount Vernon, The National Archives, Monticello, and The Smithsonian to not only sell AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, fashioned off ingredient lists from the 1750’s, but also to educate consumers on the history of the Americas through the unique lens of chocolate. 

Some of the aforementioned venues including Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Fort Ticonderoga, National Archives, Old North Church and Genesee Country Village Museum will offer free samples, chats with AHC’s Chocolate Historian and 18^th century-inspired chocolate-making demonstrations. AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate has also collaborated with its site partners for a fantastic free E-zine filled with delicious summer recipes and fun facts to share with family and friends while summer entertaining.  A sampling of recipes can be found below:

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Stuffed Apple Roses with Chocolate Strawberry Sauce

This special treat comes to us from Florence L. Allen, chef de cuisine at Shield’s Tavern in historic Colonial Williamsburg. 

Serve warm to maximize the sweet apple chocolatey goodness.

Servings: 10-12

Prep Time: 45 minutes

Cook Time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

For the pastry:

• 1 pack pie dough (frozen or homemade)
• 3 teaspoons AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Drink Mix
• 2 Red Delicious apples, sliced
• 1 cup water, or more as needed 
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon nuts (your choice), roasted and crushed
• 10 tablespoons caramel sauce in a squeeze bottle (or preserves of your choice)
• For garnish: Cinnamon sugar (McCormick® brand)

For the sauce:

• ¾ cup powdered sugar
• 2 cup strawberries, diced
• 2 Tablespoons of AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Block, shaved

PREPARATION

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees, convection setting, low fan.
2. Prepare the pastry: Roll out the dough onto a lightly floured surface 1/8 inch thick. Sprinkle with 3 tablespoons AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Drink Mix, or more if desired. Flip the dough and repeat.
3. Combine water and lemon juice in a microwave-safe bowl. Core two large red apples, then slice into very thin strips with a knife, or use a mandolin for consistency. Place the slices immediately in the bowl.
4. Place plastic wrap over bowl and microwave for about 1 minute, but no more than 1½ minutes, until the apples are soft but not mushy. Uncover and drain water.
5. Roll the dough 1/8 inch thick. Slice the dough into strips 2 inches wide x 8 inches long to make 10-12 strips that are 8 inches wide. (This will help cook the pastry evenly.) Square the edges.
6. Squeeze a line of caramel sauce (or substitute preserves of your choice) across the middle of the dough, then sprinkle with cinnamon sugar, crushed nuts and AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Drink Mix. Top with a row of apple slices. The caramel sauce holds the apple in place and give it flavor.
7. Gently fold the pastry over the apple slices, pinch the ends together and roll the apples into a rose-like shape. Use two hands — you'll get the hang of it!
8. Grease muffin tin with a non-stick cooking spray or vegetable oil and place the pastry roses in tin. Bake for 25-35 minutes. Check the center of the roses with a toothpick to insure doneness. Cool in muffin tin for 10 minutes, then transfer to a cookie rack to cool completely, or serve warm. (They're terrific warm!)
9. For the sauce: Wash the strawberries, slice off the tops and dice, then place in a sauce pan over medium heat. 
10. Add powdered sugar and cook with the strawberries until the powder sugar has dissolved, stirring occasionally. Watch closely, it will burn fast.
11. Remove from heat and stir in 2 tablespoons of shaved AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Block.
12. Before serving, pour strawberry sauce in your desired serving dish. Place the pastries on top of the strawberry sauce and drizzle the roses with caramel sauce. Dust with powdered sugar and serve.

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is an authentic historic chocolate made from ingredients available in the 18th Century. The recipe repre­sents a true taste of chocolate the way our ancestors would have enjoyed it. Made with all-natural ingredients and no preservatives, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate comes in four unique formats: chocolate sticks, chocolate bites, chocolate baking/grating blocks, and finely grated chocolate drink mix. The perfect souvenir from your upcoming summer travels, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is sold exclusively at over 200 fine gift shops at historic sites, museums and historic inns across the USA and Canada. It is also available online. Learn more about AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate at http://www.americanheritagechocolate.com/, on www.Facebook.com/AmericanHeritageChocolate, on Twitter @Choc_history and on Pinterest @chochistory or NOW on Instagram at @AmericanHeritageChocolate.

These along with other fantastic historical recipes and fun chocolate history facts will be available on July 2 when AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate launches an E-Zine available to anyone who registers to receive a copy at www.americanheritagechocolate.com. 

Make AMERICAN HERITAGE® Historic Fudge

A charming take on a classic from the New-York Historical Society's BV Cookery, circa early 20^th Century, gets a modern-day boost from AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate. Perfect for sharing!

When visitors flock to some of America’s most iconic historic venues this July 4^th holiday, they’ll learn much about our nation’s history but also have the opportunity debunk the many legends and myths about chocolate. 

For example, did you know that cacao beans were used as form of currency dating back to the Aztec Empire, Christopher Columbus discovered America AND chocolate, bringing cacao beans back to the Spanish court in the early 1500s, George Washington drank “chocolate cream” at breakfast, Benjamin Franklin sold chocolate in his print shop, or chocolate has traditionally been included in military provisions throughout history.

Servings: 60 squares

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups sugar
• ½ cup AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Drink Mix
• Butter the size of a large egg (about 4 tablespoons, with extra to grease the pan)
• 1 cup milk

PREPARATION

1. "Boil until it's sugary on the sides of the pan and puffs up and is thick," is all the undated manuscript offers. 
2. We offer the following elaboration: Combine sugar, milk and AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate Drink Mix in a medium saucepan, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil. 
3. Reduce heat and simmer.
4. To check if it's done, drop a small ball into a bowl of cold water. It should form a soft ball. Or use a sugar thermometer and cook until 240 degrees F. 
5. Remove from the heat and beat well with a spoon. The mixture should be very thick and about to set. 
6. Pour into a greased 8x8-inch baking pan and let cool. Cut into squares and serve. 

These along with other fantastic historical recipes and fun chocolate history facts will be available in July when AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate launches an E-Zine available to anyone who registers to receive a copy at www.americanheritagechocolate.com. 

Chocolate Granita, Perfect for the Holidays, by American Heritage Chocolate

With AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, individuals have a culinary partner for making new stories of their own - from creating to entertaining to educating. Try this for the holidays. 

Chocolate Granita

Give this icy refresher a try: Chocolate Granita, a chocolate treat served in Italy. 

Grazie Così Buono

Active Time: 20 minutes

Time to Freeze: additional 3 to 4 hours

Serves: 6

Ingredients

1 C brewed coffee (regular or decaffeinated)

1 C water

½ C sugar

1 ⅔ blocks (5 oz) American Heritage Chocolate blocks, finely chopped (or ¾ C AHC drink mix)

Directions

1.     In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine the coffee, water, and sugar. 

Bring to a simmer. Once simmering, whisk in the chocolate, and continue to whisk until melted, about one minute.

2.     Transfer mixture to a square glass or metal baking dish. Place on a level surface in freezer. After about 45 minutes, use a fork to begin to scrape the granita. Leave granita in freezer, scraping with a fork every 30 minutes until a fluffy, snow-like texture has formed, about 3 to 4 hours.  Once the entire granita has reached this consistency, it is ready to serve. 

Celebrate Chocolate's Global Influence with American Heritage Chocolate

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate is unique because it taps into the stories of our collective past - from chocolate’s Mesoamerican roots, dating back over 3500 years, to its place in the lives of European and Colonial American families. And…its history is surprising. For instance, a lesser known fact is that chocolate was a drink for thousands of years, only becoming a confection in the mid-19^th century.

Additionally, while its rich history gives us context for chocolate’s intriguing global story, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate, with its historic pedigree and variety of product formats, provides an inspiring, versatile way to make, bake, test, explore, play, share and show love. 

Chocolate Cardamom Poke Cake

Yield: 12 Servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Additional Time to Set: 3 hours

Ingredients

For the Cardamom Cake:

3 cups all-purpose flour

1 3/4 C sugar

1 1/2 tsp. baking powder

1 Tbsp. cardamom

3/4 tsp. salt

4 large eggs

3/4 C butter, melted

1 cup whole milk

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

For the Chocolate Pudding:

2 1/4 C whole milk, divided

1 ½ Tbsp. cornstarch

1/2 C sugar

Pinch of salt

1 egg

2 egg yolks

1 cup AHC chocolate drink mix

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter, at room temperature 

Directions

For the Cardamom Cake:

1.     Pre-heat oven to 350F, and grease a 9 x 12 inch glass or metal baking pan.

2.     In the bowl of a standing mixer fitted with a paddle attachment, or in a large bowl, if using a hand mixer, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder, cardamom, and salt. Add the remaining ingredients, and beat on medium speed until combined, about two minutes.

3.     Pour the batter into the prepared pan, and bake in the pre-heated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. While the cake bakes, make the chocolate pudding.

Directions

For the Chocolate Pudding:

1.     In a small bowl, whisk the cornstarch with 1/4 cup of milk, until smooth. Set aside.

2.     In a medium saucepan, over medium-high heat, combine the remaining milk with the sugar and salt. Whisk until the mixture reaches a boil, then pour the cornstarch mixture into the pot, whisking constantly. Allow the mixture to reach a boil, then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking constantly, until the pudding is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, about 2 minutes. 

3.     In a medium bowl, whisk the whole egg with the egg yolks. Temper the eggs by gradually whisking about 1 cup of the hot pudding into the eggs until thoroughly incorporated, then scrape this mixture back into the saucepan. Cook the pudding over medium heat, whisking constantly, until it just comes to boil, about 1 minute.

4.     Add the chocolate and butter and whisk until melted, and the pudding is smooth, about 1 minute. Remove from heat and set aside until the cake has finished.

5.     Once the cake is baked, use the handle of a wooden spoon to poke holes over every ½ inch of the cake, poking only about half-way down the cake. Pour the still warm pudding evenly over the cake. Cover, and place in the refrigerator to set, about 2 hours, before serving. Poke cake will last, refrigerated, 4 days.

Chocolate + Tahini Ice Box Pie

AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate has a unique place in the history of MARS, Inc. and in the hearts and minds of people all over America who appreciate an artisanal, authentic approach to making and celebrating chocolate.

The brand’s unique flavor profile makes it a joy to explore new ideas! Like the complexity of a fine wine, a bite of AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate reveals layers of taste. That should be no surprise. The mildly spicy and slightly sweet recipe is flavored with a blend of 11 spices and ingredients available during the 18^th century that range from the heat of chili peppers, to the warmth of vanilla, to the freshness of orange peel.

Chocolate’s global story finds a natural home in America.  One nation of many, with a history of welcoming peoples from across the world, America truly is an international melting pot. Celebrating a cross section of generations and cultures, from Hispanics, Native Americans, Japanese Americans, African Americans, Jewish Americans and European Americans, among others, all peoples/cultures have a Chocolate Story, whether it is 3,500 years old or 200 years old.

To celebrate chocolate’s global influence on our American culture, a story of connection that brings people together, spanning time and place, AMERICAN HERITAGE® Chocolate invites you to try our international recipes and experiment with exciting new ways to share love.

Chocolate + Tahini Ice Box Pie

Yield: 8 servings

Active TIme: 30 minutes

Addition Time to Freeze: 3 hours

Ingredients

For Chocolate Sauce:

3/4 C cream

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp. unsalted butter

2 blocks (6 oz) AHC chocolate, chopped (or ¾ C drink mix)

1 tsp vanilla extract

For No-Bake Graham Cracker Crust:

9 whole graham crackers

7 Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted

¼ C packed brown sugar

Pinch of salt 

For Tahini Ice Cream:

Two pints Vanilla ice cream, softened out of freezer for 30 minutes 

3 Tbsp. tahini

Directions

For Chocolate Sauce:

1.     In a medium saucepan over medium heat, combine all ingredients and whisk until melted, about 5 minutes. Set aside.

For No-Bake Graham Cracker Crust:

2.     In the bowl of a food processor fitted with a blade attachment, pulse the graham crackers into a fine crumb. Add the remaining in ingredients and blend until combined.

3.     Press the graham mixture into a 9-inch pie plate and set aside.

For Tahini Ice Cream:

1.         In a large bowl, mix the softened ice cream with the tahini.

2.        In the pie pan lined with graham cracker crust, place ½ cup of the chocolate sauce and spread evenly over the bottom of the crust. Add all of the tahini ice cream, cover with plastic wrap, and freeze for at least 3 hours, until set.

3.         When ready to serve, reheat the chocolate sauce over low heat until warm. Drizzle the pie with the warm chocolate sauce and extra tahini, serve immediately.

 ENJOY!