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The Best Homemade Dark Chocolate Bar Recipe

This chocolate bar recipe is not only super easy to whip up, but so much more delicious than store-bought! Make your own homemade candy bars with just 3 simple ingredients: cocoa powder, cacao butter and maple syrup.

A stack of homemade chocolate bars with cocoa powder and a gold foil wrapper in the background

My girls and I like to experiment with making all kinds of treats from scratch. We’ve made marshmallows, lollipops, caramel dip…It’s just fun to experiment and try different ingredients and methods to come up with the yummiest results!

We’ve wanted to make our own chocolate for a long time and after some trial and error, we’ve hit on the perfect combination of flavor and texture that we literally cannot stop sneaking bites of!

Making real chocolate from scratch is a complex process, but this simplified method is as easy as melting three ingredients together and pouring them into a mold to harden.

A word of warning, once you make your own chocolate bars, you will probably get as hooked as we have and want to try making every flavor combination you can think of!

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Cacao butter, cocoa powder, maple syrup and salt on a counter

what you need for this chocolate bar recipe

ingredients

  • Food Grade Cacao Butter – While you can use coconut oil instead, I’ve found that cacao butter gives you a much more shelf stable, traditional chocolate bar that holds it’s shape better.
  • Unsweetened Cocoa Powder – I like to use Hershey’s cocoa powder, but any brand will work.
  • Pure Maple Syrup – To lightly sweeten your chocolate. You can use honey, but it will affect the flavor of the chocolate more than maple syrup will.
  • Salt – Adding a pinch of salt isn’t necessary but it works so well with the chocolate, I wouldn’t leave it out.
Two silicone chocolate bar molds with melted chocolate in them

Tools to Use:

how to make Dark chocolate bars from cocoa powder

Prep – Grate or chop the cacao butter son that it melts quicker.

Heat – Using either a microwave or double boiler on the stovetop, melt the cacao butter. If you’re using a microwave, heat at 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the cacao butter is completely melted.

Combine – Add the cocoa powder and maple syrup to the cacao butter and stir until the mixture is smooth.

Pour into the Molds – Carefully pour the mixture into each chocolate bar mold and let it sit and harden for at least an hour at room temperature.

Melted chocolate being spread into chocolate bar molds with a spatula

Tips for success

Store – Wrap the chocolate bars in foil or stick them in a ziplock bag and store them at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Substitutions – Coconut oil can be used in place of cacao butter, but it will add a coconut flavor and the finished bars will be softer and more easily melt.

Honey or agave syrup can be used in place of maple syrup.

Variations – Try recreating your favorite chocolate bar flavors using the recipes below!

Three chocolate bars, a bowl of cocoa powder and gold foil on a counter

different chocolate bar flavors to try

Mint

Mix a half teaspoon of peppermint extract into the chocolate mixture before pouring it into the molds. Sprinkle in some candy canes for an added minty crunch!

crisp rice

Pour a thin layer of the melted chocolate mixture in the molds and let it set. Sprinkle lightly crushed rice crispy cereal over the chocolate. Finish filling the molds the rest of the way up with the melted chocolate.

Sea salt

Add a generous pinch of sea salt to the melted chocolate after filling the molds.

raspberry

Pour a thin layer of the melted chocolate mixture in the molds and let it set. Sprinkle lightly crushed freeze dried raspberries (or strawberries) over the chocolate. Finish filling the molds the rest of the way up with the melted chocolate.

Coffee

Pour a thin layer of the melted chocolate mixture in the molds and let it set. Sprinkle chopped espresso beans over the chocolate. Finish filling the molds the rest of the way up with the melted chocolate.

almond or pecan

Pour a thin layer of the melted chocolate mixture in the molds and let it set. Sprinkle chopped nuts over the chocolate. Finish filling the molds the rest of the way up with the melted chocolate.

Check out this recipe for milk chocolate bars with milk powder if you’re looking to make more of a Hershey’s chocolate type bar.

A stack of homemade chocolate bars with cocoa powder and a gold foil wrapper in the background

about this chocolate bar recipe

  • This recipe only calls for 3 ingredients and 5 minutes of active prep time!
  • Making your own chocolate bars, you are in complete control over the ingredients and flavor your end up with
  • These bars are incredibly delicious! They melt in your mouth and are a lot creamier than store-bought chocolate
  • There are no refined sugars in this recipe
  • These chocolate bars are dairy free, gluten free and paleo friendly

FAQ about making homemade chocolate bars

What ingredients do I need to make homemade chocolate bars?

Homemade chocolate bars are made from three main ingredients:

  • Cocoa powder
  • Cocoa butter (or coconut oil)
  • Sweetener (sugar, honey, maple syrup, or agave syrup)
  • Optional: Flavorings and Add Ins

Can I make chocolate bars without cacao butter?

Yes, you can make chocolate with coconut oil in place of cacao butter, but the bars will not have the same glossy, smooth texture. Chocolate made with coconut oil also melts a lot easier at room temperature.

Can I add flavorings like mint, orange, or coffee?

You can really get creative with flavorings to customize your homemade chocolate bars. Add extracts (like mint, vanilla, or almond) or mix in finely ground coffee or orange zest.

How do I add toppings to my chocolate bars?

Start with a thin layer of chocolate. Then sprinkle add ins such as nuts, dried fruit, sea salt, candy pieces or even a layer of peanut butter. Finish filling the molds the rest of the way with melted chocolate mixture.

Can I use chocolate chips to make homemade bars?

Chocolate chips typically contain stabilizers or emulsifiers, which would affect the texture of homemade chocolate. It’s best to use high-quality cacao butter and cocoa powder for better results.

A stack of homemade chocolate bars with cocoa powder and a gold foil wrapper in the background

Pin these steps to try later. Tag @athomeontheprairie on Instagram to share what you’ve made with us!

A stack of homemade chocolate bars with cocoa powder and a gold foil wrapper in the background

Homemade Chocolate Bars

Yield: 2 bars
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes

Make your own homemade candy bars with just 3 simple ingredients: cocoa powder, cacao butter and maple syrup!

Ingredients

  • 100 grams cacao butter
  • 1/2 cup cocoa powder
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • a generous pinch of salt (optional)
  • 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Grate or chop the cacao butter son that it melts quicker.
  2. Using either a microwave or double boiler on the stovetop, melt the cacao butter. If you're using a microwave, heat at 30 second intervals, stirring after each interval until the cacao butter is completely melted.
  3. Add the cocoa powder and maple syrup to the cacao butter and stir until the mixture is smooth.
  4. Carefully pour the mixture into each chocolate bar mold and let it sit and harden for at least an hour at room temperature.

Notes

Store - Wrap the chocolate bars in foil or stick them in a ziplock bag and store them at room temperature for up to 1 month.

Substitutions - Coconut oil can be used in place of cacao butter, but it will add a coconut flavor and the finished bars will be softer and more easily melt.

Honey or agave syrup can be used in place of maple syrup.

Variations - Try recreating your favorite chocolate bar flavors using the recipes below!

Nutrition Information:
Yield: 4 Serving Size: 1/2 bar
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 315Total Fat: 26gSaturated Fat: 15gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 9gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 35mgCarbohydrates: 20gFiber: 2gSugar: 12gProtein: 2g

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