If you're looking for a decadent, yet guilt-free candy bar, this Vegan Chocolate Bar Recipe is the answer! With just 5 simple ingredients, you'll be on your way to the best homemade chocolate bars you've ever tasted! So leave the store-bought chocolate on the shelf and make this easy recipe instead.
When I first started eating a plant-based diet, I struggled at first with finding dairy-free chocolate. I wish I had known then how easy it is to make your own homemade version from scratch! All you need are three ingredients, less than five minutes of prep, and you have your own easy homemade vegan chocolate bar!
This recipe makes a healthier alternative to the vegan candy bars you'll find at your local grocery store. Not only will these melt-in-your-mouth plant-based bars satisfy your chocolate craving, but they're great for gifting to family and friends too!
The best part is that these dairy-free chocolate bars are so incredibly easy to make, that you'll wonder why you never tried making them before. I feel certain you're sure to love this luscious dark chocolate bar recipe!
If you love this homemade vegan chocolate recipe, try my vegan peanut butter cups and vegan chocolate bark next.
What You'll Need to Make Raw Vegan Chocolate Bars
Making your own chocolate bars is easy! You'll only need a handful of ingredients to make this healthy chocolate.
- Cacao Butter: This is the fat that is extracted from the cacao bean and is used as the base of this vegan recipe. You can also use cocoa butter but note that it is more processed and refined than cacao butter.
- Cacao Powder: Raw cacao beans are fermented, roasted, and milled into a powder that is used to add a chocolaty flavor to the cacao butter. You can also use unsweetened cocoa powder, but note that it is more processed than cacao powder.
- Coconut Sugar: Adds sweetness to this homemade chocolate recipe. Grinding up the sugar keeps the candy from being too gritty.
- Vanilla Extract: Enhances the flavor of the chocolate while balancing the sweetness of the sugar and counteracting the bitterness of the chocolate.
- Cacao Nibs: These are crumbled cacao beans and add some crunch to the chocolate bars.
- Chocolate Mold: You will also need a chocolate mold if you want to create a traditional-looking chocolate bar. I purchased mine for $4 on Amazon by searching for chocolate mold. You can do that, or use any other mold to shape the chocolate into whatever form you like!
⭐️ PRO TIP: Keep in mind that this chocolate is quite bitter! For me personally, I like to make a big batch and then chop it into chocolate chips and add it in baked goods. But if you like your chocolate super dark and bitter, this one's for you!
Variations and Substitutions
- Crispy Crunch Bars: Make homemade chocolate crunch bars by adding in some organic crispy rice cereal.
- Add Nuts: Mix in some chopped macadamia nuts, pecans, peanuts, almonds, or other nuts of choice.
- Peanut Butter Chocolate: Make peanut butter chocolate bars by mixing in some all-natural peanut butter. Or change things up by swirling in some almond butter, cashew butter, or hazelnut butter.
- Sweeter Flavor: If you like your candy a bit sweeter, add in a little maple syrup or agave syrup.
- No Cacao Nibs? Swap the cacao nibs for some vegan chocolate chips or vegan white chocolate chips.
- Chocolate & Sea Salt: Sprinkle on some coarse sea salt before refrigerating for a delightful sweet and salty combination.
How to Make Homemade Vegan Chocolate Bars
- Melt the cacao butter using a double boiler. Add water to a saucepan and then place the cacao butter in a bowl on top of it.
- Add the cacao powder to the melted cacao butter and mix until smooth.
- Add the ground coconut sugar and vanilla extract to the melted cacao mixture.
- Remove the melted chocolate mixture from the heat and fold in the cacao nibs.
- Pour into chocolate molds and refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes.
- Carefully remove the candy from the chocolate bar mold and enjoy!
- To enjoy, simply break it apart with your hands, just like regular chocolate!
Serving Suggestions
This homemade chocolate is perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth. It also makes a great gift for the holidays or birthdays when wrapped in colorful foil and tied with a ribbon.
You can also cut it into squares and add it to a dessert charcuterie board along with these brownie truffles. You can also chop it up and add to all your favorite chocolate baked goods such as these vegan chocolate chip muffins.
Expert Tips
- Store the homemade chocolate bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Be sure to keep the heat on low when melting the cacao butter to avoid burning it. The cacao butter will start to melt between 88°F and 95°F and should not exceed 118°F.
- For best results, use high-quality cacao butter and cacao powder instead of cocoa butter or cocoa powder.
- Allow the bars to fully form in the refrigerator before removing them from the molds.
Video
Recipe FAQs
To be considered vegan, a chocolate bar must not contain any animal-derived ingredients such as dairy milk or honey.
Vegan candy bars that can be found at most grocery stores include Enjoy Life as well as many varieties of Hu, Mr. Beast, Raaka, Chocolove, and Theo.
Eating dark chocolate has been said to help reduce the risk of heart disease and lower blood pressure due to the antioxidants and minerals it contains such as iron and magnesium. However, chocolate is high in calories and saturated fat, and therefore should only be enjoyed in moderation.
More Healthy Vegan Treats
Homemade Vegan Chocolate Recipe
Equipment
- chocolate mold you can purchase them on amazon for about $4 If that's not something you want to do, you can pour the chocolate into
Ingredients
- 7 tablespoon cacao butter
- 6 tablespoon cacao powder
- 3 tablespoon coconut sugar ground up to a powder in a blender
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoon cacao nibs
Instructions
- Start by melting your cacao butter. Use the double boiler method (add water to saucepan, and place the cacao butter you are melting in a bowl on top of it). Keep the heat on low, you don't want to heat the cacao butter too much.
- Once all of the cacao butter has melted, add your cacao powder and mix them well.
- Then add your ground up coconut sugar and vanilla extract. Mix them well.
- Take the chocolate off the heat, then fold in the cacao nibs.
- Your chocolate is ready to pour into the mold!
- Refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes and you have your own homemade vegan chocolate.
- To enjoy, simply break it apart with your hands, just like regular chocolate!
Notes
- Store the homemade chocolate bars in an airtight container at room temperature for 2-3 weeks. You can also keep them in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or the freezer for up to 6 months.
- Be sure to keep the heat on low when melting the cacao butter to avoid burning it. The cacao butter will start to melt between 88°F and 95°F and should not exceed 118°F.
- For best results, use high quality cacao butter and cacao powder instead of cocoa butter or cocoa powder.
- Allow the bars to fully form in the refrigerator before removing them from the molds.
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