Make Your Own Chocolate and Giveaway

There is no better way to start your week off than with chocolate, right?

I made my kids' day by telling them that we were going to make our very own chocolate today! Using supplies and information provided by Glee Gum's Make Your Own Chocolate (from scratch) Kit, we started by learning all about the history of chocolate and about how it is made. There was a great little article that came with my box that we used to help us all appreciate and understand everything that goes into our favorite tasty little treats. They also included two cacao beans, so my kids could get a real feel for how chocolate starts out. They both insisted on eating them. My daughter ended up spitting it out. My son kept announcing that it was delicious, and he loved it. I tried it, and it definitely resembled chocolate, but was not nearly as tasty. (Those are the cacao beans pictured below, in case you weren't sure what in the world it was)

Then, the fun began. We used all the ingredients that they included in the kit: organic cocoa butter, organic cocoa powder, confectioner's sugar, starter crystals, a temperature indicator, and paper candy liners. I thought we could use the stove, but you have to have a double boiler, which we don't have. So, we ended up using the microwave to melt the cocoa butter, then add the cocoa powder and sugar. From there, you mix that all together until it is smooth. 

Then, you use their little temperature indicator to get it to right temperature. This is where I ran into problems. I couldn't get that part to work. I don't know if I wasn't patient enough or what. But, no fear - whether it is tempered and perfect or not, it will still taste delicious.

Next, you add the starter crystals and stir. (pictured below)

When you have it all mixed together well, you spoon chocolate and anything additional you want to add in like nuts, dried fruit, etc. into these handy dandy little paper liners. (pictured below)

Set them in the fridge for 15 minutes or so, and you will have yourself a grand total of 8 oz of delicious chocolate! It is pretty easy to do, but I highly recommend having an adult or two around for helping with directions and handling the hot bowl.

This was such a fun project. I find lots of value in helping children understand how food is made and where it comes from. Since there is no chocolate bar tree, it was great to help my children understand and appreciate what goes into making chocolate. Plus, they saw how much sugar and butter went into making this, which helped them understand why chocolate is a special treat.

This is such a fun way to teach and learn! Hands on projects are the best, and I highly recommend this for parents to do with their children, teachers with their students, and as a party activity! Besides this Make Your Own Chocolate Kit, Glee Gum also offers Make Your Own Chewing Gum and Make Your Own Gummies. Check out everything else they offer, as well!

Guess what? (1) lucky reader will win (1) kit of their choice (Make Your Own Chewing Gum, Gummies or Chocolate)!! This giveaway is only open to residents of the continental US.

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Cara was provided product to review. No other compensation was given. All opinions expressed are 100% her own.