How to Make Homemade Chocolate Chips (Simple & Budget-Friendly)
As backyard homesteaders, Daniel and I are always looking for ways to simplify our pantry and reduce the number of processed foods we bring into our home. One of the biggest surprises on this journey has been discovering how many everyday ingredients we can make ourselves—including chocolate chips. I know?! Homemade chocolate chips!!
At first, the idea of making homemade chocolate chips sounded complicated. But after looking at the ingredient labels on many store-bought brands, I decided it was worth trying. Not only are homemade chocolate chips surprisingly easy to make, but they also allow you to control the ingredients and sweetness level.
With grocery prices continuing to climb, making some pantry staples at home can also save money, especially when you buy ingredients in bulk. Plus, instead of storing dozens of specialty ingredients, you can keep a few versatile staples on hand and make what you need when you need it.
What’s Really in Store-Bought Chocolate Chips?
Many store-bought chocolate chips contain more than just chocolate. Depending on the brand, you may find ingredients such as:
- Refined sugar
- Soy lecithin
- Artificial flavors
- Milk solids
- Preservatives
- Vegetable oils
While not all of these ingredients are necessarily harmful, I prefer knowing exactly what’s going into the foods I make for my family. By making chocolate chips at home, you can skip many of the additives and create a simple version using ingredients you recognize.
Why Use Honey Instead of Sugar?
This recipe uses honey as a natural sweetener. Honey adds sweetness while keeping the ingredient list short and simple.
I love using honey because it’s a pantry staple in our home. We use it in everything from homemade bread to salad dressings and herbal teas. Having ingredients that can serve multiple purposes helps reduce clutter in the pantry and ensures nothing goes to waste.
Homemade Chocolate Chips Recipe
Prep Time: 10 Minutes
Piping Time: 8–12 minutes (Depends on how small you pipe the drops and how steady your hand is.)
Freezer Time: 15–30 minutes (Cacao butter firms faster; coconut oil may take closer to 30 minutes.)
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup melted cacao butter or coconut oil (Or fractionated coconut oil)
Directions
In a medium bowl, combine the cacao powder and honey.
Slowly pour in the melted cacao butter or coconut oil and stir until smooth and fully combined.
Transfer the mixture into a piping bag or small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner.
Pipe small chocolate chip-sized drops onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. I used a silicone mold and
piped/poured the mixture in.
Place the tray in the freezer until the chocolate chips are firm. This will usually take 15-30 minutes.
Once hardened, transfer them to a mason jar or an airtight container for storage.
How to Store Homemade Chocolate Chips
Because these chocolate chips don’t contain preservatives, proper storage is important. Keep them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Since they thaw quickly, you can grab what you need straight from the freezer and add them to recipes. They will also melt quickly, so keep that in mind. Mason jars work especially well because they help keep moisture out while allowing you to easily see how much you have left.
Ways to Use Homemade Chocolate Chips
These homemade chocolate chips can be used just like store-bought chips in:
- Cookies
- Muffins
- Pancakes
- Homemade granola
- Trail mix
- Oatmeal
- Yogurt parfaits
- Ice cream toppings
They’re also delicious eaten by the handful when you’re craving a little chocolate.
Why I Love Making Pantry Staples from Scratch
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned through backyard homesteading is that self-sufficiency doesn’t require a huge farm or acres of land. Sometimes it simply means learning how to make things yourself.
By keeping versatile ingredients like cacao powder, honey, and coconut oil on hand, I can make chocolate chips whenever I need them instead of buying another specialty item at the store. The result is fresher food, fewer preservatives, and often a little extra money left in the grocery budget.
That’s a win in my book.
Want more homemade pantry staple recipes? Be sure to sign up for The Oklahoma Homesteader newsletter, where I share simple recipes, gardening tips, and practical ways to become more self-sufficient right from your own backyard.
Homemade Chocolate Chips
3 ingrediant chocolate chips that vtaste amazing.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cacao powder or cocoa powder
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1/2 cup melted cacao butter or coconut oil (Or fractionated coconut oil)
Instructions
In a medium bowl, combine the cacao powder and honey.
Slowly pour in the melted cacao butter or coconut oil and stir until smooth and fully combined.
Transfer the mixture into a piping bag or small zip-top bag and snip off a tiny corner.
Pipe small chocolate chip-sized drops onto a parchment-lined baking sheet or tray. I used a silicone mold and piped/poured the mixture in.
Place the tray in the freezer until the chocolate chips are firm.
Once hardened, transfer them to a mason jar or an airtight container for storage.
Notes
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