My Favorite Products for Baking Anything Chocolate
When it comes to chocolate desserts, a few small swaps can make a huge difference. Over the years, I’ve found that using specialty salts, sugars, and flavorings from The Spice & Tea Exchange not only enhances chocolate but also gives baked goods a unique, bakery-quality finish.
Here are my favorite go-tos — and how you can use them as swaps in your recipes:
1. Vanilla Sea Salt (TSTE)
Instead of regular salt, try Vanilla Sea Salt. It adds a subtle vanilla warmth that pairs beautifully with chocolate.
Swap: Replace your recipe’s salt with Vanilla Sea Salt (1:1). Works especially well in brownies and chocolate cake.
2. Chocolate Sea Salt (TSTE)
For double the chocolate flavor, swap in Chocolate Sea Salt. It intensifies the cocoa notes and makes for a stunning garnish.
Swap: Use it in place of half (or all) of the salt in the recipe. Try sprinkling a pinch on warm cookies or brownies right out of the oven.
3. Pure Vanilla Extract & Vanilla Paste (TSTE)
Vanilla is essential in any chocolate recipe, and a high-quality extract or paste makes a noticeable difference. The Spice & Tea Exchange carries both — and they’re pantry staples in my kitchen.
Tip: Swap vanilla paste in place of extract for added richness and those beautiful vanilla bean specks.
4. Espresso Powder (King Arthur)
This one’s my secret weapon. A touch of espresso powder enhances chocolate without making desserts taste like coffee. My favorite comes from King Arthur.
Swap: Replace 1–2 teaspoons of flour with espresso powder so you don’t add extra bulk. A must in brownies!
5. Dark Cocoa Sugar (TSTE)
Deep, rich, and chocolatey — this sugar can replace part of your regular sugar for extra fudginess.
Swap: Replace 25–50% of the sugar in your recipe with Dark Cocoa Sugar. Perfect in chocolate cakes or crinkle cookies.
6. Roasted Espresso Sugar (TSTE)
This sugar brings a subtle coffee kick that makes chocolate desserts taste more grown-up.
Swap: Replace 25–50% of the sugar with Roasted Espresso Sugar. It’s especially delicious in chocolate chip cookies or buttercream frosting.
Nearly all of these swaps are pantry staples from The Spice & Tea Exchange, with one special exception — my trusty espresso powder from King Arthur. Together, they’re the secret behind my favorite chocolate desserts.
By swapping in just a portion of salt or sugar, you can layer in flavor without throwing off the recipe. It’s a simple way to take your baking from everyday to extraordinary.
Because when it comes to chocolate, the details really do matter. 🍫✨
