Gygi Guide to Cocoa Powder

We know that cocoa powder is a staple ingredient for so many bakers. And everyone seems to have their tried-and-true favorite. But while researching all the types of cocoa powder, we came to learn so much more about this product. And now, we truly believe that any serious baker should have two or maybe three different cocoa powders at their disposal. What kind do you choose? Well, here is a guide to the types of cocoa powder that will give you everything you need to know and more.

Cocoa Powder Glossary

When we first started exploring the types of cocoa powder there were so many terms and phrases were just weren’t familiar with. It was almost like the world of cocoa powder has its own language. So to remedy that, we made a glossary of all the useful terms that might crop up while we talk about cocoa. Find the glossary here.

Choosing the Best Cocoa Powder

There are so many varieties of cocoa powder out there. Choosing the right one comes down to knowing both the process (natural vs Dutch) and the fat content. Natural cocoa powders are light in color, more acidic, do not easily absorb water, and react best with baking soda. Dutch-process cocoa powders are darker in color, have a milder flavor, absorb water a little easier, and react best with baking powder. Read more here.

variety of different colored cocoa powders

What if a Recipe Doesn’t Specify the Type of Cocoa Powder?

Now that you know there are so many different types of cocoa powder, how do you know which one to use in your recipe? Well, hopefully, it offers some kind of designation. But if not, there are a few tips you can use to sort it out. Read more here.

All About Black Cocoa

The black sheep. The dark cocoa is shrouded in mystery. The deep, dark secret to the blackest cakes and buttercreams. It all comes down to this key ingredient. Read more here.

8 Simple Ways to Use Cocoa Powder

Ready for a few simple treats and snacks that will help you use up all of that cocoa powder sitting idle in your pantry? We got you covered! There are so many fun and tasty ways to put this ingredient to work in your kitchen. And these quick solutions will have you using up that cocoa powder in no time. Read more here.

four spoons holding different colored cocoa powder

3 Substitutions for Cocoa Powder

Don’t have cocoa powder in the house? We know it happens. So what can you do if you are in the middle of a bake and need a substitute for cocoa powder? Here are some of the things you might try when you get in a pinch. Read more here.

Chocolate Cake Showdown

Ready to put all of the different types of cocoa powders to the test? We found eight different types of cocoa powders to try, just in our store. And then we came up with two additional wildcard cakes. It was so fun and such an enlightening test. Find out the results here.

stack of cakes baked with different types of cocoa powder

Chocolate Buttercream: Melted Chocolate vs. Cocoa Powder

When it comes to chocolate buttercream are you camp melted chocolate or camp cocoa powder? We have been making it in our kitchen with melted chocolate for a long time. But when we found out that some people make it with cocoa powder it piqued our interest. What would a side-by-side comparison of these two buttercreams look like? Read more here.

The Brownie Bake-Off

At the first mention of cocoa powder, everyone immediately thought of brownies. And in the store, everyone wants to know what cocoa powder is the very best for brownies. Luckily, most brownies do not call for leavening agents and you can use any cocoa powder you want. So it really does come down to the cocoa powder with the best taste and most luxurious mouthfeel. Want to see the results? Read more here.