### Chocolate Sandesh Recipe – A Bengali Delight for Celebrations and Children’s Gatherings
Bengali desserts are celebrated for their deep flavors and distinctive textures, with sandesh (or sondesh) being among the most cherished types. Sandesh is a tender, melt-in-your-mouth delicacy crafted from fresh chenna (Indian cottage cheese) and is frequently made during festivities like Durga Puja and Diwali. Among the array of sandesh flavors, chocolate sandesh is particularly a pleasing delight, especially for children at gatherings.
#### Ingredients
– **For the Chenna:**
– 1 liter full-cream milk
– 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice or vinegar (for curdling)
– **For the Chocolate Sandesh:**
– 1 cup fresh chenna (prepared from the above)
– 2-3 tablespoons cocoa powder or drinking chocolate
– 1/2 cup powdered sugar (adjust to your preference)
– 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (optional)
– Chopped nuts (for decoration)
#### Instructions
**Step 1: Prepare the Chenna**
1. Heat the full-cream milk in a heavy-bottomed pan. Once boiling, lower the heat and gradually add lemon juice or vinegar, stirring gently until the milk curdles.
2. After curdling, take it off the heat and strain the curds using a muslin cloth or a fine sieve to separate the whey.
3. Rinse the chenna under cool water to eliminate the sourness from the lemon juice or vinegar. Squeeze out the extra water and allow it to sit for about 30 minutes under a heavy weight to firm up.
**Step 2: Create the Chocolate Sandesh**
1. In a mixing bowl, mix the fresh chenna, cocoa powder, and powdered sugar. Combine thoroughly until the mixture is smooth and creamy. Adjust the sweetness by adding more or less sugar according to your liking.
2. If desired, add cardamom powder for a fragrant element and mix well.
3. Portion the mixture into small bits and shape them into small discs or any preferred form. Molds can be used for more elaborate designs.
4. Decorate with chopped nuts for extra texture and taste.
**Step 3: Chill and Serve**
1. Place the shaped chocolate sandesh in the refrigerator for approximately 30 minutes to firm up.
2. Serve chilled as a delightful dessert at gatherings or during celebrations.
#### Conclusion
Chocolate sandesh is not only a pleasure for the palate but also an aesthetically pleasing dessert that can be savored by both kids and adults. Its rich chocolate taste paired with the softness of chenna makes it an ideal sweet for festivities. Whether you are organizing a gathering or celebrating a holiday, this chocolate sandesh recipe is bound to delight your visitors and bring joy to children’s faces. Enjoy preparing this charming Bengali sweet and share it with those dear to you!