Name: Lily's Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 10 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: 1 cup Cocoa Butter; 1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder; 1/2 cup Powdered Erythritol; 1 tsp Vanilla Extract; A pinch of Salt

These Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips, with their rich flavor and lower sugar content, beckoned me to create recipes that could satisfy the most discerning sweet tooth while aligning with a healthier lifestyle. So, apron donned and with the excitement of a kid in a candy store, I explored the possibilities these dark chocolate baking chips could offer. From classic chocolate chip cookies to innovative dessert ideas, each recipe promised to be a journey of discovery.

Table of Contents

How to make Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips

Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips are a brand of sugar-free chocolate chips sweetened with stevia and erythritol. They are popular choices for people following low-carb, keto, or diabetic-friendly diets. They are made with 55% cocoa and contain no added sugar but still provide a rich, chocolatey taste.

Ingredients:

1 cup Cocoa Butter: The fat extracted from the cocoa bean, which is a crucial ingredient for a smooth chocolate texture.
1 cup Unsweetened Cocoa Powder: For the deep, rich chocolate flavor.
1/2 cup Powdered Erythritol: A sugar alcohol that is keto-friendly and has a very low glycemic index. You can adjust this amount based on your desired sweetness. Ensure it’s powdered to avoid a gritty texture.
1 tsp Vanilla Extract: Enhances the chocolate flavor; ensure it’s a sugar-free version if strictly adhering to keto.
A pinch of Salt: Helps balance the sweetness and enhance the overall flavor.

Instructions:

Prepare the Molds: If you don’t have chocolate chip molds, you can use a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. After it sets, the mixture will be spread and then broken into chips.
Melt Cocoa Butter: Gently melt the cocoa butter in a double boiler or a heat-safe bowl over a pot of simmering water (not boiling, to avoid burning). Stir occasionally to ensure it melts evenly.
Add Cocoa Powder: Once the cocoa butter is fully melted and clear, gradually whisk in the unsweetened cocoa powder until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Sweeten the Mixture: Stir in the powdered erythritol, vanilla extract, and a pinch of salt into the cocoa butter and cocoa powder mix. Keep stirring until all the ingredients are fully dissolved and incorporated. Taste the mixture and adjust the sweetener if necessary.
Pour and Set: Pour the mixture into your molds or spread it thinly on a parchment-lined baking sheet. If using a baking sheet, you’ll aim to break the set chocolate into chips later.
Chill: Place the molds or baking sheet in the refrigerator (or freezer if you’re in a hurry) until the chocolate is fully set. This should take at least 1-2 hours in the refrigerator.
Forming Chips: If you use a baking sheet, break the chocolate into small chip-sized pieces once the chocolate is set. If you use molds, gently pop out the chocolate chips.
Storage: Store your homemade dark chocolate chips in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at cool room temperature.

Tips for Success:

Melting Cocoa Butter: Be careful not to overheat the cocoa butter. Keeping the heat low and steady is key to a smooth melting process.
Mixing Ingredients: Ensure the erythritol is powdered to avoid grittiness. If you only have granulated, you can blitz it into a fine powder using a spice grinder or blender.
Setting: If your kitchen is warm, it’s best to set the chips in the refrigerator to ensure they harden properly.
Experiment with Sweetness: The sweetness of commercial chocolate chips can vary, so feel free to adjust the erythritol to closely match your taste preferences.

What to serve with

Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips are incredibly versatile and can be used in various sweet and savory dishes. While they shine in baked goods, they can also complement a number of accompaniments.

Desserts and Baked Goods:

Ice Cream: Sprinkle the Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips over a scoop of vanilla, mint chocolate chip, or any flavor of ice cream you prefer. They add a lovely crunch and richness to each bite.
Yogurt Parfaits: Layer Greek yogurt, granola, fruit, and a sprinkle of these dark chocolate chips for a healthy yet indulgent treat.
Pancakes or Waffles: Stir the chips into your pancake or waffle batter, or sprinkle them on top while they’re hot, allowing the chips to melt slightly for a gooey chocolate experience.
Trail Mix: For a sweet and nutritious snack, create a homemade trail mix by combining Lily’s dark chocolate chips with nuts, dried fruits, and whole grain cereal.
Muffins and Quick Breads: To add a chocolatey surprise, add these baking chips to the batter for muffins or quick bread recipes like banana bread or zucchini bread.

Pairings with Drinks:

Coffee: Serve a handful of these chips alongside a hot cup of coffee—the bitterness of the coffee pairs extraordinarily well with the sweetness of the dark chocolate.
Hot Chocolate: Use the chocolate chips to make a richer hot chocolate, or sprinkle them on top of whipped cream as a decadent garnish.
Wine: If you’re serving wine, pair these chips with a full-bodied red wine or a sweet dessert wine that complements the dark chocolate flavor.

Savory Options:

Cheese Board: Incorporate a small bowl of dark chocolate chips on a cheese board for a surprising element that contrasts well with the savory and creamy flavors of cheese.
Bacon: Chocolate-covered bacon has become a popular delicacy, and you can simulate that by sprinkling chocolate chips over warm, crispy bacon for a unique sweet and salty snack.

Ingredients Substitutes

Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips are known for being a lower-sugar, keto-friendly option compared to traditional chocolate chips, making them a popular choice for those looking to reduce their sugar intake without sacrificing flavor.

1. Cocoa Powder and Sweetener Blend:

For a basic homemade substitute, you can create a mix that emulates the flavor of dark chocolate chips.

Ingredients: Unsweetened cocoa powder, a sweetener of your choice (such as erythritol, stevia, monk fruit sweetener for a low-carb option, or coconut sugar for a more natural alternative), and coconut oil or cocoa butter.

Method: Melt the coconut oil or cocoa butter, whisk in the cocoa powder until smooth, and then add your chosen sweetener to taste. Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined tray in small drops or into a mold to set in the refrigerator.

2. Unsweetened Baking Chocolate and Sweetener:

If you have unsweetened chocolate bars, you can use them as a base to add your sweetener.

Ingredients: Unsweetened baking chocolate and a preferred sweetener.

Method: Melt the unsweetened chocolate gently using a double boiler. Once melted, stir in your choice of sweetener until well combined. Spread the mixture thinly on a parchment-lined tray or drop it into chip-sized portions, then chill until set.

3. Carob Chips:

For those allergic to cocoa or wanting to avoid caffeine, carob chips are an excellent alternative. They are naturally sweet and have a taste similar to chocolate.

Ingredients: Carob chips are usually found ready-made and can be a direct 1:1 substitute for dark chocolate chips in recipes.

Consideration: Keep in mind that carob has a different flavor profile and is sweeter than dark chocolate.

4. Nut or Seed Butter with Cocoa:

Creating a chocolate-flavored spread utilizing nut or seed butter provides a creamy and rich alternative, suitable for adding to baked goods or as a topping.

Ingredients: Choose a smooth nut or seed butter (like almond butter or sunflower seed butter), cocoa powder, and a sweetener.

Method: Mix the nut or seed butter with cocoa powder and your choice of sweetener to taste. This mixture can be used in dollops in baking or melted as a drizzle over treats.

5. Cacao Nibs:

While not a direct substitute in terms of texture, cacao nibs can provide the chocolatey flavor with the added benefit of being sugar-free and packed with antioxidants.

Ingredients: Pure cacao nibs are available in health food stores.

Usage: Use them whole or lightly crush them as a healthier, crunchy alternative to chocolate chips in recipes.

Final Thoughts

By following this guide, you can create a decadent, low-sugar dark chocolate chip alternative for baking, snacking, or melting—a perfect homemade version of Lily’s Sweets Dark Chocolate Baking Chips.

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