DIY Chocolate

DIY Chocolate: Easy But Not So Easy After all.

Making chocolate yourself is not difficult. EAT SMARTER will give you step-by-step instructions and show you how to make your own chocolate bar with whatever ingredients and flavors you would like. However, we have to say, while making chocolate is easy, it’s not as easy to eat it in moderation. Unfortunately, chocolate has a lot of sugar and a lot of fat. However, a little treat here and there is ok. After all what would life be without it?

DIY Chocolate: 2 Options

For one, it’s possible to buy chocolate mix, to mix it and to refine it with various ingredients. However, this only half counts as DIY chocolate. In order to rise up to the challenge and really make chocolate yourself you need these ingredients:

• 50 g / 1.7 oz. cocoa
• 50 g / 1.7 oz. vegetable shortening (from the organic grocery store or health food store)
• 200 g / 7 oz. milk powder
• 125 ml/ 4.2 oz. cream
• 100 g / 3.5 oz. honey

DIY Chocolate: How It Works

Fill a large pot with water and bring it to a boil. Create a water bath by placing a smaller pot into the large pot. Then melt the margarine in a separate bowl and pour it into the small pot. Next, add the milk powder and mix it with the cocoa. Mix everything well until there are no lumps. Then gradually pour out the cream. Now take the small pot from the water bath and keep stirring. Let the mixture cool slightly and then add the honey.

Spread the chocolate on a greased baking sheet, so the mixture is about as high as your finger. If the baking sheet is too large, build a frame with aluminum foil.

Other ingredients such as nuts, fruit, etc. can then be added into the chocolate. The hardest part is over and the chocolate just needs to dry. Put the chocolate in the oven for 10-20 minutes at 50-100 Celsius / 125 – 215 Fahrenheit. Take out the chocolate and let it air dry.

DIY Chocolate: Great Customization Options

If whole milk or dark chocolate is too boring, then refine your chocolate with spices, nuts etc.

These are the best options:

• Nuts (peanuts, hazelnuts, walnuts)
• Poppy
• Candied ginger
• Corn flakes
• Raisins
• Dried mango
• Coconut chips
• Cranberries
• Dried cherries
• Cinnamon
• Pistachios
• Pumpkin seeds
• Pink pepper (looks very decorative)
• M&M’s (for children)
• Oreo cookies
• Edible flowers

DIY Chocolate: How Long Does It Stay Good

Homemade chocolate should be consumed as quickly as possible because chocolate is sensitive to humidity, light, heat and external odors. If you want to store it for longer, pack it in an airtight container and store at 20 Celsius / 68 Fahrenheit.