Learn how to make chocolate at home with real cocoa butter, cocoa powder, sugar, vanilla, and coconut milk powder! These ingredients come together and create a silky smooth and delicious homemade chocolate that melts in your mouth.
You can use the chocolate to make homemade chocolates, candy bars, and more. Head to your pantry and grab the ingredients and get to making the perfect smooth chocolate for all you sweet tooth cravings.
What is Cacao Butter?
Cacao butter is the fat that is extracted from from the cocoa bean. You will find it offers a yellowish-white color. It is edible and used in making homemade chocolate. You will find it has the aroma of a chocolate which is so delicious. The extra cocoa butter used helps to really give your chocolate that velvety smooth texture.
How to Make Chocolate
Full directions on how to make this homemade chocolate is in the printable recipe card. This is a quick walk through on how it is made.
Ingredients Needed:
- Cacao Butter – You will want to use cacao butter, which can be found at some retailers, specialty stores or you can shop online and ship to your home.
- Cacao Powder or Cocoa Powder – Cacao powder is different than cocoa powder, you will find that cocoa powder will alter the flavor if used instead of the raw cacao powder. It will help to create a pure chocolate that is rich in flavor, but either can be used in this recipe.
- Sweetener – You can use powdered sugar, monk fruit powder, cane sugar, or even a coconut sugar. This is going to be the sweetening agent to give this chocolate that rich flavor.
- Milk Powder – I used a coconut milk powder to make this a dairy free chocolate. You can use a plain dry whole milk powder if you don’t mind it having dairy.
- Salt – A pinch of salt is going to help to enhance all the flavors of the chocolate bars.
How To Make Chocolate: Step by Step Instructions
Step One: In a double boiler you are going to add some water in the bottom part and add your top heat proof bowl. Then bring the water to a gentle simmer.
Step Two: Next you will add the cacao butter to the bowl. Stir often to prevent it from burning. Once it is fully melted sift the cacao powder and milk powder, then stir into the melted cocoa butter.
Step Three: When the mixture is well combined add the powdered sugar, and mix until nice and smooth. Then turn off heat and remove bowl from the double boiler. If you want to add flavor like vanilla extract, spices, etc. Now is the time to add it.
Step Four: Now you will let the chocolate cool a bit then pour into your candy molds, or pour out into a mold or a rimmed baking sheet. Then allow the chocolate to cool completely.
Once the chocolate is set up, slice and serve up this decadent chocolate. Store leftover chocolate in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Helpful Tips for Success
- Make sure to keep the water at a simmer not a boil, as it can scorch the chocolate.
- I prefer to use a whisk to ensure the mixture whips up nicely and creates a super velvety texture.
- I suggest using a silicone mold for homemade chocolate bars because silicon works great at getting the chocolate out without being broken.
Mix In Items to Chocolate
- Crushed candy cane
- Peanut butter or Caramel Sauce drizzled on top
- Dried fruits or Nuts
- Chopped Candy Bars
- Extracts – Vanilla, orange, almond, etc.
- Coconut Flakes
- Melt some white chocolate and drizzle on top of the chocolate for a mixed flavor.
FAQ
No, do not use regular butter, as cocoa butter will offer the best texture to the chocolate. Feel free to experiment with the ingredients to see what fits your liking best. You can also try using coconut oil or ghee as well.
You can use an ice cube tray for making little chocolates, or you can pour into a prepared lined pan. Then once the chocolate is set, then slice into bars. This is a great recipe as you can use anything to make the chocolate. Or you can place the melted chocolate in a piping bag and make candy melts or chocolate chips on a parchment paper or wax paper lined tray.
Follow the method for making chocolate, but exclude the cocoa powder and add more milk powder and powdered sugar. I have my white chocolate recipe in the recipe card below for detailed instructions.
How To Make Chocolate
Learn how to make chocolate at home with simple ingredients like cocoa butter, powdered sugar, coconut milk powder and vanilla extract.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes + setting time
- Yield: 1 large bar 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/4 cup coconut milk powder, sifted
- 1/4 cup cocoa powder, sifted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- sea salt (optional)
White Chocolate Ingredients:
- 1/3 cup cocoa butter
- 1/2 cup + 2 tbs powdered sugar, sifted
- 1/2 cup 2 tbs coconut milk powder, sifted
- 1/4 tsp vanilla extract
- sea salt (optional)
Instructions
- Melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler. Once the cocoa butter is melted, pour the milk powder and cocoa powder into the melted cocoa butter and mix well.
- Next, add the powdered sugar, a pinch of sea salt, and vanilla extract and mix vigorously to combine the ingredients. You may use a food processor or blender to grind the mixture to make a smooth consistency.
- Pour the warm chocolate mixture into chocolate molds. Let the chocolate set for 1-2 hours. You may place the chocolate in a refrigerator to speed up the cooling time. Once the chocolate is set, remove it from the molds and serve immediately.
How To Make White Chocolate: Follow the instructions listed above but exclude the use of cocoa powder and use 2 tablespoons more of powdered sugar and coconut milk powder.
Nutrition Facts
- Serving Size: 1/2 recipe
- Calories: 583
- Sugar: 30.5g
- Fat: 48g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 3g
Cuphead
I have a sad story about eating chocolate. many years ago because of eating too much Chocolate I got poisoned, it made me feel scared every time I saw it but after many years when I had a lover I fell in love with this taste again, I Love the mint chocolate flavor.
PC
Hi Tiffany,
Is there a substitue for coconut milk power? Would love to try this chocolate recipe.
Thanks
Tiffany Marie
Yes, regular milk powder will work as well.