7 Best Brands of Cocoa That Every Baker Should Use ...

Cocoa: the magical powder that transforms an ordinary dessert into a heavenly masterpiece. If you're anything like me, the mere sight of a brownie or a slice of rich chocolate cake triggers a Pavlovian response. As we venture into 2024, uncovering the best brands of cocoa for baking is more relevant than ever. Why? Because baking is not just a hobby anymore; it's therapy, a passion, and let's be honest, a route to making friends (and influence people) without saying a word. So let’s get our hands chocolaty and explore the best cocoa brands every baker should have in their pantry.

Why are these brands so crucial, you might ask? Well, buckle up, buttercup. As someone who has spent countless weekends trying and failing (and sometimes succeeding!) to bake the perfect chocolate tart, I've come to realize the quality of cocoa can make or break your recipe. If your cakes are turning out more like dense bricks despite following that cookbook religiously, the answer might lie in the cocoa powder you're using, not in your baking skills.

Over the years, I’ve become something of a cocoa connoisseur - or a cocoa addict, depending on whom you ask. My mixing bowls and I have seen it all, from that gritty, chalky despair in a tin to the smooth, velvety perfection that makes you want to weep tears of joy. You may not know it, but different cocoa brands bring out different flavors and textures in your baked goods. Some brands boast a dark, intense flavor perfect for those obsessed with all things chocolate, while others provide a mild, approachable taste ideal for everything from cookies to mousses.

Imagine hosting a tasting party –touted in my article's Difference in Quality and Origin section– where your friends get to compare brownies baked with different cocoa brands. Spoiler alert: they'll never go back to store-brand cocoa once they’ve sniffed and nibbled on the divine!

Navigating the dizzying array of available cocoa powders can be outright daunting, especially with terms like Dutch-process, natural, alkalized casually thrown around in recipes. Don't worry, friends, we’ll break it all down in our Types of Cocoa segment. By the end of this intro (and article), you'll have a concrete understanding of why these seven brands stand out as the unsung heroes of your kitchen. And next time someone praises your decadent chocolate torte, you can whisper, “It’s the cocoa,” and bask in your newfound reputation as a baking genius.

So grab your whisks and put on that apron. We’re diving into a world where cocoa dreams come true, and desserts reign supreme!

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Frontier Natural's Black Cocoa

One of the best brands of cocoa is also an organic one, and one I’m particularly partial to. Frontier Natural is a wonderful brand to turn to for quality spices, mixes and of course, cocoa! Black cocoa is a very intense dark cocoa powder that is like the kind of chocolate used in Oreo cookies. It’s super fine, really rich and tastes amazing! It’s also used in many dark chocolate cakes or really intense chocolate recipes. It’s called black cocoa because it’s ultra Dutch-processed, which means it’s washed with an alkaline solution (baking soda) first, and then processed. This creates a deep, black color, giving it the name. This takes out the bitter flavors so more of the deep chocolate notes come through. If a recipe calls for black cocoa, be sure that you use black cocoa and not regular, because the recipe has other leavening agents like baking soda and baking powder used to produce the best tasting cake. If you change black cocoa out for unsweetened, the results won’t be the same. You can buy many brands of ultra Dutch-processed, but Frontier Natural is one of my favorites because it is free of pesticides, chemicals and fertilizers, and has a really fresh taste to it. Learn more at frontiercoop.com.

Droste

Droste is another fantastic brand for using Dutch-processed cocoa, made in the Netherlands. This cocoa powder is not as alkalized as black cocoa, which is ultra Dutch-processed. Droste still has a deeper flavor than regular cocoa, just not quite as rich as ultra Dutch. Droste’s cocoa has notes of sweetness, along with rich flavors, and it has natural red tones in it from the cocoa. Find out more at droste.nl,

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The Droste cocoa powder is renowned for its exceptional consistency and smoothness, making it a favorite for bakers aiming for that exquisite balance in their confections. For those looking to infuse their creations with a European flair, Droste offers an authentic touch with its carefully selected beans and processing methods. Ideal for chocolate lovers who prefer a touch more complexity without veering into excessively bitter notes, this cocoa powder can elevate the simplest recipes to a gourmet status, be it in decadent brownies or a velvety chocolate sauce.

Hershey’s Dark Cocoa

If you’re not into pricey baking items, no need to be! Made right here in the U.S., Hershey’s Dark Cocoa is probably my favorite of all cocoas out there, and it’s the absolute most affordable too! You can find this at any supermarket or grocery store, and its taste is simply incredible. It’s Dutch-processed, yet Hershey also blends a bit of regular unsweetened with it for a better flavor profile. Truly, I could eat this stuff with a spoon! It works well with a variety of recipes, and can even be stirred into hot chocolate or coffee, which I love! It sifts well, mixes well and doesn’t have a bitter aftertaste at all. It also makes great shakes and smoothies. For less than $4, this brand gives you an amazing quality of cocoa that’s indescribable. You can learn more at hersheys.com,

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It's the perfect staple for your pantry, especially when you're in the mood to whip up some decadent chocolate treats. Whether you're aiming for that rich, moist chocolate cake, fudgy brownies, or irresistible cookies, Hershey’s Dark Cocoa has got you covered. It's not just for bakers; even casual cooks looking to add a hint of chocolatey goodness to their creations will find that it blends seamlessly. And since it's so widely available, running out of it means you're just a quick trip away from restocking. It's truly a game-changer in the kitchen – versatility at its most delicious and affordable.

Hershey’s Unsweetened Cocoa

Now, let’s talk about unsweetened cocoa powders, and start with one of the best! Hershey’s is a classic cocoa to turn to for that chocolate flavor we all grew up loving. This variety by Hershey’s is not Dutch-processed, so it will have a slightly more acidic and bitter taste. When baked, however, it works remarkably with the baking soda and baking powder called for in recipes to create a smooth chocolate flavor. Hershey’s brand is famous for a reason, and regardless of the affordability of this cocoa, it belongs in any baker’s kitchen. Discover more about it at hersheys.com,

Valrhona

One of the most recommended brands of chocolate in the world is Valrhona, a French company, which produces a high quality chocolate and cocoa that many professional bakers and cookbook authors use. This brand of cocoa lends a rich, deep flavor profile that’s also smooth and warming. It is also Dutch-processed with an alkali wash, so it’s deeper in chocolate flavor and less bitter. Read more about it at valrhona-chocolate.com.

Related: 8 Cacao Recipes to Try Now ...

Ghirardelli

You won’t find me without a Ghirardelli baking bar in my pantry, and there’s always a square in my purse! However, Ghirardelli also makes a fantastic cocoa powder, not just baking bars. If you’re looking for a rich, deep chocolate flavor, try Ghirardelli’s Unsweetened Cocoa Powder. It’s rich in flavor, much like Hershey’s unsweetened. It isn’t Dutch-processed, so will be more acidic and slightly bitter, but I enjoy the flavor of this cocoa to use in many baking recipes. It has a light brown, slightly red color. You can find it at any grocery store nationwide, or discover more at ghirardelli.com.

Rodelle Baking Cocoa

Rodelle is my personal favorite choice for buying vanilla extract, but this brand’s cocoa powder is also excellent. It lends a rich, deep flavor with a sweet smell. It’s also Dutch-processed and lends more of a fudgy flavor than regular unsweetened cocoa. Not all Dutch-processed cocoas are the same. Many are richer than others, and I’m preferable to richer varieties like Rodelle for giving baked goods that deep, super rich chocolate flavor. This cocoa is available only in one ounce sizes, so I don’t recommend buying it if you use it a lot, but for a special occasion, this is an excellent brand to use. Find out more at rodellekitchen.com.

Do remember that if I didn’t use your favorite brand, I don’t mean harm. These are just my personal favorites and ones highly recommended by professional sources. Everyone’s taste buds are different, though I can probably be safe saying we all love chocolate, right? Now, if you’re a baker, I’d like to hear from you! What brand of cocoa do you turn to for your baking needs?

Sources: davidlebovitz.com, joyofbaking.com, joythebaker.com

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They have 8oz canisters of the Rodelle cocoa for only $6.15 on Amazon.

Write a comment ..the best chocolate I ever tasted came from Guatemala. A friend visited there, the cocoa was made in the backyard of this lady he had met. Real cocoa is slightly sweet but more bitter.

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