A beloved Bengali treat, cham cham is distinguished by its gentle sweetness and spongy texture. But if you’re a chocolate lover, how about adding rich, creamy chocolate to this classic dessert to make it even better? Chocolate Cham Cham is a fusion dessert that combines the rich flavor of chocolate with the classic flavors of Cham Cham to create a tasty and unusual dish that will definitely impress your palate.
I’ll walk you through the steps of preparing Chocolate Cham Cham in this blog, which is the ideal dessert for anyone who loves chocolate or wants to try a unique take on a traditional Indian delicacy.
Chocolate Cham Cham Ingredients
Regarding the Cham Cham, or Chena:
- One liter of full-fat milk, used to make cottage cheese or chhena.
One-half cup sugar (for chhena)
- One teaspoon vinegar or lemon juice (to curdle the milk)
- Optional: ¼ teaspoon baking soda (for added softness)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons maida all-purpose flour
- One tablespoon of cornflour (optional; extra binding)
- An optional pinch of cardamom powder for flavor
In reference to the Chocolate Syrup:
- One hundred grams of dark chocolate (or milk chocolate, if you want)
- 2 to 3 tablespoons of cream or milk (for a smooth chocolate coating)
- Optional: 1 tsp cocoa powder (for added chocolate flavor).
- ½ cup sugar (optional, depending on chocolate sweetness) for the syrup
- One tablespoon of optional butter (for added richness)
Regarding Garnish:
- Sprinkles or flakes of chocolate
- Nuts chopped (walnuts, pistachios, or almonds)
- A chocolate ganache drizzle (optional)
- Powdered sugar (for dusting; optional)
Easy Chocolate Cham Cham Recipe Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Cottage Cheese, or Chhena.
- Boil the Milk : In a heavy-bottomed pan, start by boiling the full-fat milk. Stirring constantly will keep the milk from scorching. Reduce the heat as soon as the milk reaches a boil.
- Curdle the Milk : Stir carefully and gradually add vinegar or lemon juice to the heating milk. As the milk starts to curdle, it will separate into liquid whey and solid curds. When the milk has entirely curdled, turn off the heat.
Take out the Curds: To separate the whey from the chhena, strain the curdled milk using a fine sieve or muslin cloth. To get rid of any acidic flavor, rinse the chhena under cold water.
- Hang the Chhena : To drain any extra liquid, tie a muslin towel and hang it for half an hour. The chhena should be somewhat damp but not drenched.
- Knead the Chhena : After it has drained, knead the chhena for ten to fifteen minutes, or until it is soft and smooth. To help bind the dough together, you can add a small amount of cornflour or all-purpose flour (maida) if it feels too sticky or crumbly.
Step 2: Construct the Cham Cham
- Get the Dough Ready: To the kneaded chhena, add a pinch of baking soda (optional) and cardamom powder. For a further two to three minutes, knead the dough until everything is thoroughly combined.
- Form the Cham Cham : Separate the dough into tiny pieces, approximately ranging in size from 1 to 1.5 inches. Form them into cylinder-shaped or oval pieces. To ensure they cook in the syrup evenly, make sure they are all the same size.
Step 3: Simmer the chocolate syrup with the Cham Cham.
Get the Chocolate Syrup Ready: Melt the milk or dark chocolate in a microwave or double boiler. To make the chocolate more pourable and smoother, stir in two to three tablespoons of milk or cream. Add the cocoa powder and a teaspoon of butter for richness at this point, if using.
- Make the Sugar Syrup (Optional): Heat ½ cup sugar with cup water until the sugar dissolves completely if you like a sweeter syrup. If you’re using sweetened chocolate, you don’t need to do this step because the chocolate syrup will be sweet enough on its own.
- Combine Syrup and Chocolate: After the chocolate melts, whisk it until a smooth consistency is achieved. To thin the melted chocolate and facilitate coating the Cham Cham, stir in the sugar syrup, if using.
- Simmer Cham Cham in Syrup: Place the formed Cham Cham pieces in the chocolate syrup and place over low heat to soak for 20 to 25 minutes. A portion of the chocolate syrup will seep into the Cham Cham, making it spongy and mushy.
Step 4: Present and Garnish
- Roll in Chocolate Shavings or Sprinkles: For extra texture and flavor, roll the cooked and soaked Cham Chams in chocolate shavings or chocolate sprinkles.
- Add Chopped Nuts: Add chopped nuts such as almonds, pistachios, or walnuts to the Cham Cham for an additional crunch.
- Chocolate Ganache Drizzle (Optional): You can add a dab of chocolate ganache, which is created by melting chocolate and combining it with cream, to the Cham Cham to make it even more decadent.
- Serve : Depending on your tastes, you can serve the Chocolate Cham Cham warm or cold. It’s a delicious treat that’s perfect for celebrations, family get-togethers, or anytime you just can’t get enough chocolate!
Advice for the Ideal Chocolate Chai
- Use Good Quality Chocolate: Use good-quality milk or dark chocolate, as the chocolate will have a major influence on the dessert’s flavor. While milk chocolate will make the dish creamier and sweeter, black chocolate with a greater cocoa % will have a more strong chocolate flavor.
- Avoid Overcooking: Use low heat to cook the Cham Cham in the syrup. It’s important to cook the Cham Cham in the chocolate syrup slowly over low heat to avoid making them too hard or stiff.
- Customize the Chocolate Flavor:
- everal chocolate varieties can add even more intrigue to this delicacy. For a different take, try flavored chocolate, white chocolate, or hazelnut chocolate.
- Avoid Over-soaking: Although the cham cham leaves a trace of syrup, if it is left in the chocolate syrup for an extended period of time, it may become overly mushy and lose its structure. After 20 to 25 minutes of letting it absorb the syrup, take it out of the syrup.
Final Thoughts
The ultimate treat for everyone who enjoys both rich chocolate and traditional Indian sweets is Chocolate Cham Cham. A rich, spongy delicacy with the ideal ratio of sweetness to chocolate richness is produced when you combine creamy chocolate with cham cham. This Chocolate Cham Cham is sure to please, whether it’s served for a special occasion or just as a treat for you.
Savor this fusion dessert and show your loved ones how to reinvent a well-known classic. This dish is perfect for any occasion or just a chocolatey treat, and it will leave everyone begging for more! 🍫✨
