Homemade Chocolate Candy Recipes
Making Your Own Chocolate From Scratch

Several years ago, someone wrote in asking me for chocolate candy recipes that can be made without buying chocolate as your base.  

I'm assuming that she didn't want to go to the trouble of extracting the cocoa herself from the beans of the cocoa tree, so I guess she was asking about recipes that start with cocoa powder and/or cocoa butter.

Honestly, the process of making chocolate candy from the beans is fascinating.  If you're interested, you can read more about the history and origins of chocolate. 

There used to be a very cool video illustrating the full process at Chicago's Museum of Science and History website.  It was gone the last time I checked, but I wouldn't be surprised if you could find something similar on Youtube.

Chocolate is basically a combination of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar, dairy, and vanilla. The ratio of each ingredient determines whether you end up with milk or dark chocolate in its varying degree of intensity.

Below are a couple of chocolate candy recipes using cocoa powder as the cocoa solid choice to build upon.  That's the most readily available cocoa solid. You can use raw organic cacoa if you want the healthiest and most beneficial of the options.  It doesn't have additives and is actually good for you. 

Basic Chocolate Candy Recipe

Ingredients

• 3 cups sugar
• 3 cups milk
• 5 tablespoons cocoa
• 1 tablespoon butter
• 1 teaspoon vanilla

Directions

1. Combine the sugar, milk, and cocoa in a saucepan and bring it to the boil while stirring. Boil until the mixture reaches the soft ball stage at 234-240 degrees F.
   
   
2. Remove from heat and stir in the butter and vanilla until mixture is creamy. Pour onto a buttered tray and allow to cool. Cut into squares and store in an airtight container.

*** Please note that the chocolate recipe above does not create a chocolate candy like that of a candy bar. I have yet to locate a simple recipe that does that from scratch. If you've got one, please share it with me using the form below, and I'll add it to the list.

Chocolate Candy Chews

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup butter or margarine
• 1/2 cup dark corn syrup
• 6 tablespoons baking cocoa
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3 1/4 cups powdered sugar, divided
• 3/4 cup nonfat dry milk powder

Directions

1. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Stir in corn syrup and cocoa, and bring to a boil.
   
   
2. Remove from heat and add the vanilla, 2 cups of the powdered sugar, and the milk powder. As you stir this, the mixture will become stiff.
   
   
3. Place mixture on a surface lightly dusted with powdered sugar and knead in the remaining powdered sugar. Continue kneading for 3 or 4 minutes until stiff.
   
   
4. Divide into four sections and roll each portion into an 18 inch rope. Cut into 3/4 inch pieces and wrap each piece in waxed paper or cellophane. Store in the fridge.

Here's a fun tip:  Making homemade chocolate candy together is a great bonding experience that you can share with your children.  You can use it to help them with their math skills (measuring) and science skills (chemistry), as well as a time of laughter and talking.  You can even use your creations as a gift to bless someone going through a difficult time or an elderly shut-in.  This will also help you teach your children to have a heart of service toward others.  Have fun!