Chocolate squares

Delicious chocolate squares

The dessert I propose to you today is a simple yet splendid recipe that combines textures and flavors in an irresistible way. These chocolate squares are perfect for any occasion, from parties to family gatherings or simply to indulge yourself on less inspired days. With a crunchy cookie base and a rich chocolate cream, these squares will win you over immediately.

Preparation time: 30 minutes
Cooling time: 3-4 hours
Total: 4 hours and 30 minutes
Number of servings: 12-16 squares

Ingredients:

*For the cookie base:*
- 500 g Petit Beurre cookies (or another preferred type)
- 200 g unsalted butter
- 125 g sugar
- 5 tablespoons high-quality cocoa powder
- 2 teaspoons rum essence
- 150 ml milk

*For the chocolate cream:*
- 250 ml liquid cream
- 200 g dark or milk chocolate (choose quality, it is essential!)
- 2 tablespoons butter

Preparation:

1. Preparing the cookie base
Start by crushing the cookies. If you don't have a blender, no worries! A fun method is to put them in a sturdy bag and crush them with a rolling pin or a meat tenderizer. Make sure to achieve a fine texture, which will help form a compact base. Petit Beurre cookies are the ideal choice due to their delicate taste and crunchy texture.

2. Mixing the ingredients
In a large bowl, combine the crushed cookies with the melted butter (make sure it’s not hot), sugar, cocoa, rum essence, and milk. Mix everything well until you obtain a smooth paste. If you wish, you can add coarsely chopped nuts, hazelnuts, or raisins for extra texture. Each added ingredient brings a personalized touch, so feel free to experiment!

3. Forming the base
Prepare a 20x30 cm tray, lining it with parchment paper or greasing it with a little butter. Pour the cookie mixture into the tray and level it well with a spatula or the bottom of a glass to achieve an even surface.

4. Preparing the chocolate cream
In a small saucepan, heat the liquid cream over medium heat. When it starts to boil, remove it from the heat and add the chocolate broken into small pieces and the butter. Let it sit for a few minutes, then mix well until the mixture becomes smooth and glossy. It is important to use quality chocolate, as the final taste of the dessert depends heavily on it.

5. Assembling
Pour the chocolate cream over the cookie base, ensuring it spreads evenly. Let the dessert cool to room temperature, then cover it with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 3-4 hours or until the cream is well set.

6. Serving
After the cooling time is up, take the dessert out of the fridge and cut it into squares. You can place them in paper candy or muffin cups for easy serving. These chocolate squares are perfect to be enjoyed alongside a cup of coffee or tea, but also as a sweet treat during a gathering with friends.

Helpful tips:
- If you want to enhance the flavor, you can add a little vanilla or cinnamon to the cookie mixture.
- You can replace the Petit Beurre cookies with Oreo cookies for a more decadent version.
- If you love fruit desserts, add some banana or strawberry slices between the layers of cookies and cream.

Nutritional benefits:
This dessert contains simple ingredients that offer both pleasure and nutrients. The cookies are a source of carbohydrates, the butter provides healthy fats, and dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants. Of course, moderation is key, but you shouldn’t feel guilty about indulging yourself from time to time!

Frequently asked questions:
- Can I use another type of chocolate? Absolutely! You can experiment with white chocolate or different flavor combinations.
- What can I do if I don’t have butter? You can replace the butter with margarine or coconut oil, depending on your preferences.
- How long can I keep the chocolate squares? They store well in the fridge for about a week, but they are so delicious that they won’t last long!

Let’s try this chocolate square recipe together! I promise that every bite will be an explosion of flavor, and you will be proud of your success in the kitchen. Enjoy!