From Kristina - Chicago, IL
I watch your show on TV and wanted to make your Chocolate Chevron Cake, however, I am unable to find the can of Hershey's chocolate syrup anywhere. Can I use the squeeze bottle of Hershey's syrup instead?
Ina's Answer:
Unfortunately, Hershey's has discontinued the 16-ounce can of chocolate syrup. You can certainly use the squeeze bottle. Because syrup is measured by weight -not volume-16 ounces of chocolate syrup measures as 1 1/3 cups.
From Judy Hayden - St. Louis, MO
I want to make the Chocolate Chevron Cake. I'm not clear on one issue - how do I get the cake from the rack after I have completely iced it. I'm nervous about getting it to my serving plate in one piece.
Ina's Answer:
Good question! I use a large, flat spatula to transfer the cake to a serving plate. Here is a link to a spatula similar to the one I use. I use it to toss roasted vegetables, remove cookies to a cooling rack, and for so many other things, too!
From Laura Delaporta - Clinton, CT
I will making your Chocolate Cassis Cake and was wondering how far in advance I can make it before my party.
Ina's Answer:
You can bake the cake up to a few days in advance, wrap it well and refrigerate it, and then add the ganache just before serving. You don’t want to refrigerate the cake once it’s been glazed.
From Cynthia - Punta Gorda, FL
May I make the Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake a few days ahead and put it in the freezer?
Ina's Answer:
Unfortunately you can't freeze the Mocha Chocolate Icebox Cake, but you can make it up to 2 days in advance and keep it in the refrigerator.
From Dorothy Hayers - United Kingdom
I am not familiar with Hersheys chocolate syrup. Do you know of a U.K. equivalent?
Ina's Answer:
Unfortunately, I am not aware of a UK equivalent, but I do that know Hersheys chocolate syrup is available to purchase on Amazon.com.uk.
From Elizabeth Ramsey - Atlanta, GA
What brand of chocolate chunks do you use in your chocolate chunk cookies?
Ina's Answer:
I use Nestle Toll House Chocolate Chunks. They are available at most large grocery stores in the baking aisle!
From Sheila - Pelham, AL
How do you keep cookies crisp? Mine always get soft.
Ina's Answer:
The crispness of a cookie often depends on the recipe. Some chocolate chip cookies are crispy, while others are soft and chewy. My Chocolate Chunk Cookies have crisp edges with a chewy center.
From Juliette - Bradley Beach, NJ
I noticed that when you make white chocolate chocolate cookies, the dark chocolate bark, and the white chocolate bark, you use 1 pound bricks of “good chocolate." What brand do you use and where can you find it?
Ina's Answer:
I prefer Lindt, Callebaut, or Valrhona chocolate. I buy them at specialty food and cooking stores, or online at Amazon.com.
From Greg - Charlottesville, VA
I want to make your Outrageous Brownies for a family gathering, but there are nut allergies among the guests. If I leave out the walnuts should I still use the 1/4 cup of flour that was to be used to dredge them with?
Ina's Answer:
Yes! Toss the chocolate chips with the 1/4 cup flour as the recipe directs, simply omitting the walnuts.
From Molly - St. Louis, MO
What are your favorite hostess gifts?
Ina's Answer:
For a hostess gift, I prefer not to bring something that the host feels obliged to serve for dinner, but instead I bring something they can serve after dinner, like a box of Fran's Chocolate's caramels, or for breakfast the next day, like my favorite coffee and granola.
From Kimberly Pepper - Minnesota
I made your chocolate ganache cake for Easter. The recipe called for one 16-oz can of Hershey's syrup. I bought a 24-oz bottle and had my daughter measure 2 cups (16 fluid ounces) and add it to the mix. Only after it was too late did I realize the 24-oz bottle was empty meaning we had added too much syrup. Can you help explain why 2 cups of syrup is more than 16 ounces?
Ina's Answer:
Hershey's chocolate syrup is measured by weight, not volume, so a 16-ounce can of the syrup actually measures 1 1/3 liquid cups, not 2 cups.
From Diane Harris - Michigan
When you say good white chocolate, what do you mean?
Ina's Answer:
I use bars of white chocolate, preferably Lindt or Callebaut.
From Melanie Young - Oxford, MS
I want to make your recipe for Chocolate Crème Brûlée, but I don't have a kitchen blowtorch. Can I use the broiler to caramelize the tops?
Ina's Answer:
Yes, just watch them carefully and depending on the broiler, you may have to move the crème brûlées around so the sugar caramelizes evenly.
From Shirley Cole - Michigan
I made your chocolate dipped strawberries for Valentine's day! They were great except they stuck to the glass plate. What did I do wrong?
Ina's Answer:
I would recommend dipping the strawberries and letting them cool on parchment or wax paper. When they're cooled and the chocolate has hardened, peel the paper off and place the strawberries onto a serving dish- that should solve the problem!
From Esther - Sunset Beach, NC
I have a question about Tate's chocolate chip cookies. Is there something special about these that would affect the Mocha Icebox Cake, or can I use any brand?
Ina's Answer:
Tate's cookies are very thin and crisp, which makes them perfect for soaking up the mocha whipped cream. However, any similarly thin and crisp chocolate chip cookie should work for the recipe.
From Pete Mapelli - Carmel, NY
Can the Decadent (Gluten-Free) Chocolate Cake be made with regular flour?
Ina's Answer:
Yes! Just substitute 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour for the gluten-free flour.
From Mindy - Port St Lucie, FL
I would like to deliver baked goods to my neighbors and friends for the holidays. What is something super easy to make, that I can make a lot of, and that also keeps with the holiday spirit? Thank you!
Ina's Answer:
I like to bakes small loaf cakes to bring to people for the holidays. I have a dozen loaf pans and I make a mixture of lemon cakes, pound cakes, carrot cakes, and chocolate cakes. If you allow them to cool completely on the counter, wrap them well, and refrigerate them, they will last for several days in the fridge until you can bring them as gifts. Happy holidays!
From Laura Quinn - Derry, Ireland
What would you recommend baking for homemade Christmas gifts?
Ina's Answer:
I love to make Salted Caramel Nuts, White Chocolate Bark (Barefoot Contessa How Easy Is That?) and Rum Raisin Truffles (Barefoot Contessa Foolproof)!
From Debbie D. - Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
What brand of chocolate chips do you use?
Ina's Answer:
From Susan R. - Bethesda, MD
How far in advance can I make your Chocolate Ganache Cupcakes?
Ina's Answer: