Hershey's Cocoa, Special Dark, 8-Ounce Cans (Pack of 6)

by Hershey's

• Intensify and enrich your desserts
• Traditional Dutch processing techniques
• Adds rich chocolate flavor
• Quiet dark like an Oreo cookie
• Qualify as Gluten Free using Standards proposed by FDA

Product Description

A premium cocoa that adds rich chocolate flavor to any recipe. Crafted using traditional dutch processing techniques, the smooth and sophisticated taste will intensify and enrich your desserts. Dark chocolate, also known as sweet or semi-sweet chocolate, typically has a higher percentage of cacao solids than milk chocolate. Dutch process cocoa will not react to baking soda and so it can only be used with recipes that call for baking powder. In general, its taste usually is lighter and sweeter and has less bitter or sour notes. Hershey's Special Dark, however, is intensely, quietly dark, like an Oreo cookie.

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12 x 9 x 4 inches ; 4.1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B001EQ4SHK
• UPC: 034000053001
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #13,777 in Grocery & Gourmet Food (See Top 100 in Grocery & Gourmet Food)
  • #32 in Grocery & Gourmet Food > Pantry Staples > Cooking & Baking Supplies > Baking Chocolates, Carob & Cocoa > Cocoa

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

36 of 37 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars This blend is not the same as the Special Dark of a few years ago. August 31, 2008

By Aaron Alter

Although this cocoa is called Special Dark, it isn't the same Special Dark cocoa of a few years ago. The previous Special Dark was 100% Dutched Cocoa, while the current Special Dark is a blend of Dutched and Natural Cocoas, so it isn't as dark or as strong as the previous one. It is very good and has a pleasant fruity taste as compared to the more bitter and richer cocoa taste of its predecessor. Initially I preferred the previous Special Dark, but am getting used to the new blend. The price is very good.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars My secret ingredient revealed July 5, 2008

By My Lisa

I make some pretty killer brownies, that always draw requests for the recipe whenever I make them. A little while back I tried making them with Hershey's Special Dark cocoa and it really pushed my brownies to a decadent level. Ever since I finished my last container, I've been scouring the local groceries in search of some more, and had just about giving up on ever finding it again. What a surprise to find it on Amazon--I'm thrilled!

24 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!!! December 11, 2008

By Spirit

I was between the Girardelli (I don't know if that's how you spell it) and this Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark. I had tried Girardelli's powdered cocoa before and remember the first time I tried it as hot chocolate I thought to myself it's ok but nothing amazing so this time I bought the Hersheys. The first thing I noticed is the almost black-gray color when you mix it into the hot milk with barely a trace of brown. That didn't seem too appetizing but I prefer it to having artificial colors added. From the first sip the taste was amazing! One of those situations where you just can't put the cup down and keep taking small sips even though this liquid was steaming hot. I made it with powdered milk (0 fat) raw sugar, and a quarter teaspoon of salt. The dark chocolate taste is amazingly full and satisfying. When I started to drink this I thought I might get a stomach-ache since it looked so dark but not at all (Used a very heaping teaspoon)

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Warning for brownie addicts - this bakes up fantastic! July 15, 2011

By Cinci Linda

Amazon Verified Purchase

I use this Hershey's Cocoa Special Dark in King Arthur Flour's brownie recipe and I'm telling you, it makes the most luscious, decadent brownies. Follow the recipe to the "T"...it calls for heating the sugar/butter mixture twice, resulting in that gorgeous shiny topped brownie you see in bakeries, and a teaspoon of espresso powder. (I get mine right here on Amazon: Ferrara Instant Espresso powder). I also use a good quality vanilla.

Anyway, my husband's co-workers, my college son & his roommates, my two teenage daughters and all their marching band pals, love love love my brownies. I know this Special Dark blend of Hershey's Cocoa helps make them extra special!!

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Best Cocoa for drinking July 10, 2010

By BetterWays

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've been drinking this for several years and just looked on Amazon because lately it's not available in any of my supermarkets. It's value is that it is half natural cocoa which is extremely high in antioxidents and half dutch processed which dissolves and blends well. I can just stir in a teaspoon full into plain hot water for a healthy, delicious bitter cocoa drink. Way better than coffee.

The only things that could make it any better is being organic and from fair trade sources.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Yes, it's DARK! June 12, 2010

By Naomi Williams

Amazon Verified Purchase

This stuff is really hard to find in the stores when it's not the holiday season. I was thrilled to find it here at Amazon for a decent price.

I've been making raw vegan chocolate avocado pudding, and the color just isn't as appetizing when you use regular cocoa; you need the special dark to avoid it turning out greenish-brown.

In case you're wondering, here's the recipe:

5 Tablespoons Hershey's Special Dark Cocoa
5 Tablespoons honey or agave (agave gives a milder taste)
3/4 C full-fat coconut milk or cream (canned is fine)
1 tsp vanilla
2 ripe avocados

Throw it all in a blender and blend, blend, blend until it's totally smooth. Spoon into small dishes (this stuff is rich!) and chill. That's it! You won't believe how awesome this tastes; you don't taste the avocado at all.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars I live off this stuff!~ A healthy alternative chocolate flavoring. March 14, 2010

By Vivian Lesende

Amazon Verified Purchase

I've discovered that this cocoa is a wonderful healthy flavoring for protein shakes and yogurt. This dark chocolate variety even has antioxidants. I get my chocolate fix for only 10 calories per tablespoon! Mix it in yogurt and freeze for an extremely low-fat, low-sugar healthy yogurt. Also, I often mix some of this and protein powder in yogurt for a post-workout recovery food. I stopped being able to find it at my grocery store; I'm pleased to see I can order it from Amazon in bulk for even cheaper.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Can't beat it for the price! September 13, 2011

By Adam

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a VERY hard to find product. We searched all of our local stores with no luck.

After not being able to locate it we though we'd try regular Hershey's Cocoa but it was a flop. The flavor just wasn't there like it was with the dark.

I was very pleased to find the product on Amazon. The price is amazing and the shipping was very quick. They packaged the containers very well, too.