Whether you’re planning to make cookies, brownies, muffins or a cake, adding chocolate always makes everything better.
But what happens when you’re in the middle of baking and realize you’re out of chocolate chips?
One option is to run to the store for a last-minute purchase.
But if you’re in a pinch, you might be wondering if you can use a chocolate bar instead.
Let’s find out right away!
The short answer is you can definitely use a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips. In fact, it might even be a better option in some cases. As you get to choose the type and quality of chocolate, you may find that your baked goods turn out even better than anticipated.
If you’re using a regular chocolate bar, you can simply chop it up into smaller pieces to use in your recipe.
Whether you prefer milk chocolate, dark chocolate, or white chocolate, feel free to use your favorite type of bar (or a mix)!
This is a great option if you don’t have chocolate chips on hand and don’t want to make a special trip to the store.
Just keep in mind that chocolate chips are designed to keep their shape when heated, so your baked goods may turn out a little differently if you use a chocolate bar instead.
But overall, you’ll still get that delicious chocolate flavor that you’re looking for!
Now let’s take a closer look at the actual difference between chocolate bars and chocolate chips so you’ll know exactly how your delicious treats will turn out!
Are Chocolate Chips And Chocolate Bars The Same?
Chocolate chips and chocolate bars are not the same.
Chocolate chips are made with a specific type of chocolate that has a higher percentage of cocoa butter.
This helps the chocolate chips hold their shape when being heated, which is why they’re ideal for baking.
Chocolate bars are made with a different type of chocolate that has a lower percentage of cocoa butter.
This type of chocolate is better for eating as it is, or for melting and using in other recipes.
If you want the chocolate chips to hold their shape and not melt all over your cookies, it’s best to use actual chocolate chips.
But if you don’t mind a little chocolate leakage, then a chocolate bar will do the trick!
How To Chop Chocolate For Baking (Cookies, Brownies, Cake, Muffins)
If you’re using a chocolate bar instead of chocolate chips, you’ll need to chop it up into smaller pieces before adding it to your batter.
This can be done easily with a sharp knife and a cutting board.
Start by chopping off one end of the chocolate bar, then turn it so that the flat end is facing down.
From there, simply chop the chocolate into small pieces, making sure they’re all roughly the same size.
If you’re making cookies, you’ll want the chocolate pieces to be around the same size as chocolate chips.
For brownies, cake, or muffins, you can make the pieces a little larger or smaller, depending on your preference.
I personally like to use a little bit of both large and small pieces for a chocolatey blast in every bite!
Once you’ve chopped up the chocolate, simply add it to your recipe in place of the chocolate chips.
Your baked goods will still be delicious, it’s just the texture that will be a little different.
Can I Use Hershey Chocolate Bars For Baking?
If you’re looking for a chocolate bar to use for baking, Hershey’s chocolate bars are a great option.
They come in a variety of flavors, so you can choose the one that best fits your recipe.
And since Hershey’s chocolate bars are made with high-quality chocolate, you can be sure that your baked goods will turn out tasting great.
So if you’re out of chocolate chips and you only happen to have a Hershey’s chocolate bar on hand, don’t worry, you can still use it for baking!
Can You Use Lindt Chocolate For Baking?
Lindt chocolate lends itself very well to baking, as it has a smooth texture and rich flavor.
It’s also easy to turn into smaller pieces, so you can use it as a chocolate chips substitute.
Lindt chocolate is known for being a bit pricier than other types of chocolate, but it’s definitely worth the splurge for its superior taste and quality.
Can You Chop Chocolate Chips In A Blender?
If you need to chop chocolate chips for a recipe, you can definitely use a blender.
Simply add the chocolate to the blender and pulse it until it’s chopped into small pieces.
This is a great option if you need to chop a lot of chocolate at once, or if you want the chocolate to be a very fine consistency.
Just be careful not to overdo it, or you’ll end up with chocolate powder instead of chocolate chips!
Using a powerful blender is essential when it comes to chopping up chocolate.
I personally love to use my Ninja blender for this (and many other purposes!). It is powerful, quick, compact and comes with handy extra’s.
Can You Use Cacao Powder Instead Of Chocolate Chips?
If your only option is to use cacao powder instead of a regular chocolate bar or chocolate chips, it’s definitely doable.
Cacao powder is made from ground-up cacao beans, so it has a very intense chocolate flavor.
It can be used in place of chocolate chips in most recipes, although the texture will be a bit different.
The best way to use cacao powder is to mix it with a little bit of water until it forms a paste.
Then, simply add it to your recipe in place of the chocolate chips.
Can You Use Baking Or Cooking Chocolate Instead Of Chocolate Chips?
Baking chocolate or cooking chocolate are great substitutes for chocolate chips.
They’re made with high-quality chocolate, so they’ll give your baked goods a delicious chocolate flavor.
Depending on the recipe, you may need to chop the chocolate into smaller pieces before adding it.
And keep in mind that baking chocolate and cooking chocolate can be bitter if used in large quantities, so it’s best to use them sparingly.
Final Thoughts
So, if you were hesitating to use a chocolate bar for baking because you weren’t sure if it would work, hopefully this article has put your mind at ease.
Chocolate bars can definitely be used in place of chocolate chips, and they’ll taste just as delicious.
Whenever a recipe calls for chocolate chips, I know I personally deliberately choose chocolate bars over chips for a more intense and rich chocolate flavor in my baking.
So go ahead and give it a try the next time you happen to be out of chocolate chips!
There’s a great chance you’ll be pleasantly surprised.