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Do you love giving homemade gifts during the holidays? If so, this recipe for homemade chocolate buttons is perfect for you! These little dark chocolate treats are easy to make and can be packaged in festive jars or boxes for a healthy edible gift. Your friends and family will thank you!
Page Contents
Ingredients You’ll Need
The basic recipe for homemade chocolate buttons is just two ingredients. Then add your favorite toppings. This recipe can be as simple or elaborate as you like.
- Dark Chocolate (I’m using Hu Simple Dark Chocolate)
- Coconut Oil
- Toppings of your Choice (I’m using various combinations of rose petals, sea salt, mixed fruit and nuts, toasted coconut, and bee pollen* on each chocolate button)
*Omit bee pollen if vegan
A complete list of ingredients can be found in the recipe card below.
Why Hu Simple Dark Chocolate?
There are so many reasons to use Hu Simple Dark Chocolate in this recipe. Number one, it’s utterly delicious! Creamy, smooth, and has just the right amount of bitterness. I also love it because it’s an organic quality dark chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa, so it’s packed with good-for-you antioxidants.
Hu vow never to use any unnecessary and scarily named ingredients. So, you can rest assured you’re eating natural real food. I mean, just take a look at the simple list of ingredients:
- organic cocoa mass
- organic unrefined coconut sugar
- organic cocoa butter
Hu’s Simple Dark Chocolate is also vegan, gluten-free, and paleo approved if you are actively following a paleo lifestyle.
Not a fan of dark chocolate? No problem. Hu also carries a range of milk chocolate varieties.
Enjoy a 15% discount on Hu Chocolate! Offer applies to all dark and milk chocolate, plus all the delicious flavor variations and variety packs. Apply the code FOODGEEK at the checkout (affiliate link).
How To Make Homemade Chocolate Buttons Step-By-Step
- Prep Chocolate
Break the chocolate into pieces and place it in a bowl with the coconut oil.
- Melt Chocolate
Place the bowl over a small saucepan of simmering water.
Tip: The most important thing is to ensure the saucepan is set over low heat.
Tip: The bottom of the bowl must not come into contact with the water.
- Stir
Stir with a metal or wooden spoon until the chocolate mixture has melted and is lusciously smooth.
- Pour
Using a teaspoon, pour the chocolate onto a prepared baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Then use the bottom of the spoon to thin out the chocolate spreading it into rounds. Then, add your toppings. Set to one side to firm up.
Tip: If you are in a hurry or the room temperature is too warm in hot weather, place them in the fridge to set.
Tip: If you want perfectly round chocolate buttons, you can use a silicone mold instead of going freehand.
- Enjoy!
Once the chocolate has set, peel the chocolates off the baking parchment and enjoy!
Full recipe and ingredients list in the recipe card below.
Why You’ll Love Homemade Chocolate Buttons
- A Great Gift – Yep, homemade chocolate buttons make great year-round gifts. But, I do tend to gift them most at Christmas. Just pop them in a jar, box, or bag tied with ribbon, and you’ve got an affordable present that is quick to make but will also mean the world.
- Customizable – There are so many topping options for these homemade chocolate buttons. I’ve shared my favorites below! Personalize them with your giftee’s favorite flavors and make their day!
- Quick & Easy – there really couldn’t be a more straightforward recipe. You’ll be impressed with the simplicity.
- Portion Controlled – These little chocolate buttons are the perfect size to satisfy a chocolate craving without over-indulging. Win!
Recipe Variations
- Dark Chocolate – While I’m using quality dark chocolate, you could use milk or white chocolate if you prefer. Since chocolate is the main ingredient in this recipe, the quality of the chocolate is essential for flavor and its ability to melt smoothly.
- Coconut Oil – Provides a silky smooth melted chocolate with a glossy lusciousness. But it is entirely optional.
- Toppings – There are so many toppings you could use for this recipe. I’ve shared my favorites below.
- Flavor Variations – For a twist on flavor, how about adding a few drops of oil-based flavoring (or food-grade essential oils) to your melted chocolate? The flavorings must be oil-based, or the chocolate will seize and turn lumpy. Some examples of oil-based flavors are mint, orange, hazelnut, and ginger, to name a few.
Toppings
My go-to toppings for this homemade chocolate buttons recipe are:
- Dried Rose Petals – A slightly luxurious topping that adds a floral and subtly sweet flavor to the chocolate buttons.
- Sea Salt – A simple but brilliant topping that brings out the chocolate flavor.
- Mixed Nuts – A combination of pistachios, hazelnuts, and almonds works great. Roughly chop the nuts, so they are easy to sprinkle and stick well to the chocolate buttons.
- Unsweetened Dried Fruit – My favorite fruity fix is cranberries, apricots, and raisins. They glisten on top of the buttons beautifully – perfect for the festive season.
- Toasted Coconut – Chocolate and coconut are a match made in heaven.
- Bee Pollen – Not only does bee pollen bring a slightly sweet taste to the chocolate buttons, but it adds a satisfying crunch. I also love the vibrant gold color, which adds even more festive golden sparkle.
I like to vary the toppings on each button. Some have just one topping, some two, and some have them all. That way, you can never get bored with a batch. However, use what you love. And, perhaps more importantly, use what you have in the pantry. Use one or all of these toppings – it’s totally up to you.
Alternative toppings might include:
- Nut butter
- Seeds (pumpkin, sunflower, chia, sesame)
- Freeze-dried strawberries or raspberries
- Melted chocolate of a different color to your buttons
- Chopped-up chocolate bars, chocolate flakes, chips, or chunks
- Candied walnuts
- Sugar-free rainbow sprinkles & chocolate sprinkles
- Puffed rice or quinoa
- Cocoa powder
How to Store Your Homemade Chocolates
Stored in a sealed container, these homemade chocolate buttons will stay perfectly fresh for about 4-5 days.
Tips For Making The Perfect Chocolate Buttons
The secret to success in making these homemade chocolate buttons is all about how you melt the chocolate. So, if you’re looking for the tastiest chocolate treat or want to impress your friends and family with the perfect chocolate gift, read on for some tips to ensure they come out perfect every time.
1The Best Way To Melt Chocolate
The best way to melt chocolate is to use a double boiler (bain-marie) on the stovetop. Simply take a saucepan and fill it with about two inches of water. Bring the water to a gentle simmer to generate steam. Then place a heat-proof bowl on the saucepan. The bowl should be larger than the saucepan so that it doesn’t come into contact with the simmering water. The steam from the water will gently heat the bowl and melt the chocolate until it is silky smooth, and glossy. Stirring the chocolate regularly will help the melting process, ensuring the chocolate heats and melts evenly. Avoid boiling the water and using high heat or risk scorching the chocolate.
2Melting Chocolate In The Microwave
Heating chocolate in the microwave is quicker than on the stovetop, but there is more risk of the chocolate burning or seizing. The trick is to go slow. Place your chocolate in a microwaveable bowl and heat it in 30-second bursts. After each 30-second interval, stir the chocolate. Keep going until the chocolate has melted.
3Using Chocolate Chips Instead Of A Chocolate Bar
Chocolate chips often contain stabilizers like lecithin to help them maintain their shape, which can affect how they melt. Ideally, use high-quality chocolate chips and monitor them closely as you melt them.
4How To Avoid Seizing
When your chocolate turns gritty, it is likely because it has been melted at too high of a temperature or water has come into contact with it. This gritty texture is known as seizing, where the sugars in the chocolate have separated from the fat. If your chocolate has seized due to high-temperature melting, you may be able to save it by adding some oil, such as coconut oil. In this recipe, I am using coconut oil anyway, which should lessen the chances of your chocolate seizing in the first place. However, if your chocolate is burnt or seized due to adding liquids, it is best to start from scratch, heating slowly.
Making this Homemade Chocolate Buttons Recipe? I’d love to know how it turns out. Get in touch via the comments section, and let me know!
Recipe
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Homemade Chocolate Buttons Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes
- Yield: 48
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Do you love giving homemade gifts during the holidays? If so, this recipe for chocolate buttons is perfect for you! These little treats are easy to make and can be packaged up in festive jars or boxes for a sweet edible gift. Your friends and family will thank you!
Ingredients
Chocolate Buttons (basic recipe)
- 8.45 oz (240 g) dark chocolate (I’m using Hu Simple Dark Chocolate*)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
Toppings (optional & not included in nutritional panel)
- dried rose petals
- sea salt flakes
- dried fruit
- mixed nuts
- toasted coconut
- bee pollen (I’m using The Travelling Bee Co. Honey Bee Pollen)
Instructions
- Preparation: Gather and prepare your ingredients, and line two baking sheets with baking parchment. Fill a small saucepan with 2 inches of water, and place it on the stovetop over low heat. Let it come to a gentle simmer.
- Melt: Break the chocolate into small pieces in a medium-sized heatproof bowl larger in size than your saucepan. Add the coconut oil. Place the heatproof bowl onto the saucepan of gently steaming water. Stir regularly so the heat melts the chocolate evenly. Once melted, remove the bowl of chocolate from the heat and set it to one side, allowing it to cool down slightly. This ensures the chocolate doesn’t spread out too much when you create your buttons.
- Pour: Using a teaspoon, pour the chocolate onto your prepared baking sheets lined with parchment paper. Using the bottom of the teaspoon, spread the chocolate into rounds.
- Sprinkle: Then, sprinkle your chosen toppings onto each button. You can use the same toppings on each button or vary them slightly, so each has a slightly different flavor combo.
- Cool: Set your chocolate buttons aside to cool. You’ll want them to harden completely before handling them. Once the buttons have set, lift them off the baking parchment and store them in an airtight container.
Notes
- To get 15% off Hu Chocolate, use code FOODGEEK at the checkout (affiliate link).
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cooling & Setting: 30 mins
- Cook Time: 15 mins
- Category: Snacks
Keywords: christmas, healthy, edible gifts, healthy snacks, chocolate
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