Some recipes, like my chocolate cupcakes and cheesecake stuffed chocolate cake, call for an additional step to bloom the cocoa powder. This involves combining the cocoa powder and a hot liquid, typically either hot water or hot coffee. Like with tea leaves or coffee grounds, hot liquid extracts the flavor from the cocoa powder, making it richer and more flavorful. Blooming your cocoa can make a BIG difference in the flavor of your dessert, so don't skip it!