Dark Chocolate Recipe

Feeling tired and stressed lately? Well, maybe all you need is a luscious, creamy, and delicious Dark Chocolate for dessert or snacks! Let this easy homemade chocolate recipe put you at ease.

You’ll only need three ingredients to make this dark chocolate in the comfort of your home. Incorporate this in your favorite baked goods for added chocolatey goodness!

How to Make Dark Chocolate

Make the best quality dark chocolate at home using simple ingredients and even simpler steps!

Ingredients

Cocoa nibs

These are tiny unsweetened yet chocolatey beans that are rich in antioxidants and nutrients. Cocoa nibs are low in sugar but high in fiber and protein to promote weight loss. 

This ingredient is beneficial for reducing inflammation, boosting immunity, regulating blood sugar, improving heart function, and preventing cancer. Cocoa nibs can be incorporated into smoothies, pastries, oatmeal, coffee, and more! 

Coconut oil

Coconut oil is beneficial for moisturizing the skin, improving metabolism, and enhancing brain function. Surprisingly, you won’t even notice a coconut-like flavor once it’s incorporated into the chocolate. 

It helps with solidifying the chocolate and giving it a thicker and creamier consistency. 

Confectioner’s sugar

You may recognize this as powdered sugar. It is commonly used in pastries, particularly in icing and fudge recipes. This adds a quality to the chocolate that almost melts in your mouth! 

The confectioner’s sugar is sweet so it tones down the bitterness of the cocoa nibs for the best chocolate flavor ever. 

Did you ever expect that it only takes these three ingredients to make dark chocolate at home? Trust me, even the process of making it is therapeutic and stress-free! 

Directions

1. Spread cocoa nibs on a lined baking tray.
2. Bake them at 150°C for 3 minutes in a preheated oven.
3. Leave it to cool before transferring the baked cocoa nibs into a miller. 
4. Mill the roasted cocoa nibs on high speed. 
5. Combine the milled cocoa nibs with the confectioner’s sugar and coconut oil.
6. Mill them together at high speed again until it becomes slightly thick in consistency. 
7. Pour the contents into the chocolate mold.
8. Refrigerate for 4 hours or until solidified.
9. Wrap it in parchment paper, store it in a resealable bag, and refrigerate. 

Doesn’t it taste heavenly and delicious? This dark chocolate recipe is also extremely healthy because it uses all-natural, preservative-free, and safe to eat! 

Tips to Make Dark Chocolate

How to Purchase, Store, and Prepare Cocoa Nibs

Selection. Cocoa nibs are readily available in grocery stores. You will usually purchase them in packages or packets. If there are samples at the grocery store, go for ones with a nutty and earthy flavor. 

Storage. Vacuum seal the cocoa nibs in airtight containers or resealable plastic bags. Store them in a dark and cool area of your kitchen. Check the cocoa nibs for signs of mold or changes in fragrance. 

Preparation. This recipe recommends roasting the cocoa nib in the oven. However, you can also do it over a stove. Spread the nibs over a skillet and let it roast over medium heat for up to 10 minutes with stirring to prevent burning.

How to Make and Store Confectioner’s Sugar

Not all households have confectioner’s sugar ready in stock but the good thing is, it’s actually easy to make! Use a tablespoon of cornstarch for every cup of sugar. 

Process these two ingredients in a blender or food processor until they become white and velvety. Store this in a clean airtight container and let it sit at room temperature to last up to months. 

How to Mill Ingredients Without a Miller

For the cocoa nibs, you can powderize them using a grinder or a food processor. Then, gradually add the confectioner’s sugar (whether store-bought or homemade) and the coconut oil until the consistency becomes semi-liquid. 

In case you don’t have a miller or any of the mentioned equipment, you can powderize the cocoa nibs with a mortar and pestle. Do this in batches to achieve fine granules. 

You can also cook them together in a pan. Heat the coconut oil before adding the powdered cocoa nibs and the confectioner’s sugar. Once content with the flavor and consistency, pour them over the chocolate molds and refrigerate. 

How to Temper Chocolate Without Molds

Aside from chocolate molds, you can also use ice cube trays! Additionally, shallow containers and cupcake molds can make good containers for chocolates. You can simply slice them with a knife once they have solidified. 

Dark Chocolate Variations

This chocolate recipe for vegan and gluten-free foodies is the one for you. You can guarantee that it’s made from scratch! You have great liberty over the flavor and ingredients to mix it according to your liking. 

You can add vanilla extra, agave, and cocoa butter for a unique and richer flavor. Put in a pinch of sea salt to tone down the sweetness or bitterness. For variety, you can mix in some nuts, raisins, or berries before pouring it into the chocolate mold. 

Recommended Tools

• Oven: Roast the cocoa nibs in the oven. 
• Miller: Mill the ingredients to achieve a smooth and creamy texture. 
• Chocolate mold: Pour them on the chocolate mold to solidify. 
• Baking tray: Bake the cocoa nibs on a baking tray in the oven.
• Parchment paper or resealable bag: Wrap and store the dark chocolate with these materials.

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How to Serve and Use Dark Chocolate

Aside from eating it as snack, you can also use this for breakfast meals and desserts. For instance, you can grate it to add to your oatmeal or granola bars. It can also be used as a garnish for fruit bowls or as an add-in for ice cream. 

It is a popular ingredient for pastries such as cakes, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, muffins, bread, pies, tarts, and more! You can melt it into a dip or sauce, spread it over a slice of bread, or turn it into candy bars. 

According to NDTV, the best time to eat dark chocolate is on an empty stomach and 30 minutes before your first meal for the day – this is especially recommended if you are trying to lose weight. 

Of course, you are free to eat dark chocolate whenever you feel sleepy, stressed, and tired. It can also relieve menstrual pain for women experiencing cramps. 

Storage Tips

• At room temperature: In an article in Still Tasty, homemade dark chocolate bars can last up to 3 weeks at room temperature. Wrap it in parchment paper and consume it within a few days. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the benefits of dark chocolate?

Dark chocolate is one of the healthiest chocolate variants in the world. According to Healthline, dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants and vitamins for blood pressure, stress relief, heart health, and more!

What are the disadvantages of dark chocolate?

An article by Healthify stated that dark chocolate must be consumed in moderation by pregnant and breastfeeding mothers. Excessive consumption of dark chocolate can also trigger bleeding disorders and palpitations.

Is eating dark chocolate daily healthy?

Yes, you can eat dark chocolate every day as long as you consume it in moderation and with other healthy food and drinks.

 

This post may contain general information and does not constitute professional medical advice. Always seek information or advice from a qualified medical professional. Please read the full disclaimer for details.