Putting chocolate chips in the blender is absolutely possible, but there are a few things to keep in mind to make sure you get the results you want. Blenderizing chocolate chips can be a quick and easy way to make chocolate sauce, chocolate powder, or incorporate chocolate into smoothies and other recipes. With the right techniques, chocolate chips can turn into a smooth, creamy chocolate blend in the blender.
Quick Overview
Yes, you can put chocolate chips in the blender! When blended, the chocolate will break down into a smooth chocolate sauce. Blending chocolate chips works best with a high powered blender that can handle thick ingredients. You’ll want to blend the chocolate with some liquid to help it incorporate smoothly. Consider adding milk, cream, or even water. For best results, use short blending intervals, scraping down the sides as needed. Melted chocolate can also seize up if overheated, so pulse intermittently and don’t overblend. With the right techniques, chocolate chips can easily blend into creamy chocolate perfection.
Can All Types of Chocolate Chips Be Blended?
Most types of chocolate chips can be blended, including:
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- Dark chocolate chips
- Milk chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
- Peanut butter chips
- Butterscotch chips
The key is to blend the chocolate with liquid to facilitate the melting and breakdown of the chips. Dark, milk, and white chocolate may require a bit more liquid than semisweet or milk chocolate chips. Compound chocolate chips with less cocoa butter may also blend up thicker.
Why Would You Want to Blend Chocolate Chips?
Blending chocolate chips can be a quick shortcut for:
- Making chocolate sauce or syrup
- Adding chocolate to smoothies, milkshakes, or coffee drinks
- Making chocolate powders or drinking chocolate
- Mixing chocolate into batters and recipes
- Icing cakes or cupcakes with chocolate buttercream
- Drizzling chocolate over ice cream or other desserts
Since chocolate chips are already portioned out, blending them eliminates the need to chop up or melt chocolate bars. The blender does the work for you!
Tips for Blending Chocolate Chips
Follow these tips for the smoothest, lump-free chocolate chip blend:
- Use a powerful blender – You’ll need a high speed blender like a Vitamix or Ninja to thoroughly breakdown the chips.
- Add liquid – Blend the chips with milk, cream, water, coffee, or other liquids to help create a smooth consistency.
- Warm the liquid – Warming the added liquid helps the chips melt faster and blend more smoothly.
- Blend in short intervals – Pulse the blender periodically instead of running it continuously.
- Scrape down the sides – Use a spatula to redistribute chunks stuck to the blender walls.
- Avoid overheating – Don’t overblend or the chocolate can get too hot and seize up.
- Strain for smoothness – If needed, strain the blended chocolate through a sieve for ultra smooth results.
Following these tips will give you silky smooth homemade chocolate blend in minutes using your blender and chocolate chips.
Chocolate Chip Blending Ratios
The liquid you blend with the chocolate chips is key. Aim for these mixing ratios:
| Liquid | Chocolate Chips |
|---|---|
| 1/4 cup milk or cream | 1 cup chocolate chips |
| 1/3 cup milk or cream | 2 cups chocolate chips |
| 1/2 cup milk or cream | 3 cups chocolate chips |
For thicker sauces, use less liquid. For thinner mixtures, add more liquid as needed. The fat content of the liquid also matters – heavy cream will make a thicker blend than skim milk, for example.
How to Make Chocolate Syrup with Chips
It’s easy to whip up chocolate syrup in the blender using chocolate chips. Here’s how:
- Add 1 cup chocolate chips and 1/4 cup milk or cream to your blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth, stopping to scrape down sides as needed.
- Add up to 1/4 cup extra liquid if needed for desired consistency.
- Pour blended chocolate into an airtight container and refrigerate up to 3 weeks.
- Drizzle over ice cream, pancakes, fruit, or anything you desire!
For thicker fudge-like syrup, use less milk or cream. For a thinner syrup, add more liquid and blend until smooth.
Chocolate Syrup Variations
Customize your chocolate syrup blend:
- Mint chocolate – Add 1/4 tsp peppermint extract.
- Orange chocolate – Blend in 2 tbsp orange juice.
- Raspberry chocolate – Swirl in 2 tbsp raspberry puree.
- Mocha – Replace 1 tbsp milk with 1 tbsp coffee.
- Spiced chocolate – Add dashes of cinnamon, nutmeg, or cayenne.
Let your imagination run wild coming up with fun flavors of chocolate syrup using chocolate chips and your blender!
Blending Chocolate Chips for Smoothies
Chocolate chips can blend right into smoothies for a nutrient-packed, kid-friendly treat. Here are some tips:
- Use 1/4 to 1/2 cup chocolate chips per smoothie.
- Blend with milk or yogurt rather than water for creaminess.
- Add peanut butter or avocado for a thick, creamy texture.
- Bananas pair especially well with chocolate.
- Pulse the chips to break them down before blending completely.
- Top with whipped cream, chocolate shavings, and other goodies!
Chocolate peanut butter, chocolate banana, and chocolate berry smoothies are just a few tasty options.
Example: Chocolate Peanut Butter Smoothie
- 1 banana
- 1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup chocolate chips
- 1 tbsp peanut butter
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Ice as needed
Blend all ingredients until smooth. Top with peanuts if desired.
How to Make Chocolate Milk with Chips
Blending chocolate chips into milk is an easy way to make homemade chocolate milk. Simply:
- Add 1 cup milk and 1/4 cup chocolate chips to the blender.
- Blend until the chips are fully incorporated and the milk turns chocolatey brown.
- Pour into a glass and enjoy!
For a richer, creamier drink, use half-and-half or heavy cream instead of regular milk. You can also add vanilla, cinnamon, peanut butter, or other mix-ins.
Iced Chocolate Milk Variation
To make iced chocolate milk, blend milk, chocolate chips, and a cup of ice until frosty and chilled. Sweeten with sugar or honey if desired. Top with more ice and enjoy with a straw.
Making Hot Chocolate with Blended Chips
Craving piping hot chocolate made from real chocolate, not powdered mix? Just blend and heat:
- Add 1/4 cup chocolate chips and 1/3 cup milk or cream to a blender.
- Blend until smooth. The mixture will be thick.
- Transfer chocolate mixture to a small saucepan and gently heat on the stove until steaming but not boiling.
- Pour hot chocolate into mugs and top with marshmallows or whipped cream if desired.
For extra rich hot chocolate, use half-and-half or heavy cream. Add a dash of vanilla or cinnamon too if you like.
Pro Tips
- Heat the milk or cream first before blending for faster melting.
- For frothy hot chocolate, blend with a small amount of boiling water then heat up.
- Use a double boiler instead of direct heat to prevent scorching.
Making Powdered Chocolate Milk Mix
Make your own chocolate milk mix to store using blended chocolate chips:
- Blend 1 cup chocolate chips with 1/4 cup powdered milk until powdered.
- Sift through a fine mesh strainer to remove any remaining chunks.
- Store chocolate powder in an airtight container up to 1 month.
- To serve, whisk 2-3 tablespoons chocolate powder into cold milk until blended.
Customize your mix with added sugar, vanilla, instant coffee powder, or other flavors as desired. Then simply shake or whisk with milk whenever a chocolate milk craving strikes!
Baking and Cooking with Blended Chips
Blending chocolate chips opens up all sorts of possibilities for using them in cooking and baking:
- Frosting – Blend chocolate chips with softened butter for chocolate buttercream.
- Truffles – Fold blended chips into ganache and chill until firm.
- Pudding – Blend chocolate into instant pudding mixes.
- Cookies – Mix into cookie doughs for chocolate chunk baked goods.
- Mousse – Lightly fold blended chocolate into whipped cream or egg whites.
Blend white, milk or dark chocolate chips depending on the recipe and your flavor preferences. Get creative with incorporating blended chocolate chips into all kinds of desserts and treats!
Troubleshooting Chocolate Chip Blending Problems
While blending chocolate chips is easy when done properly, here are some common issues and how to avoid them:
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Chunky, uneven texture | Use more liquid or blend longer. Strain if needed for smoothness. |
| Blender is struggling and noisy | Add more liquid or stop and scrape down sides of blender. |
| Chocolate is too thick and pasty | Blend in more milk, cream or water a little at a time until smoother. |
| Chocolate seizes up and hardens | Avoid overheating. Use lower speeds and pulse blender. |
With some trial and error, you’ll learn how much liquid your blender needs for silky smooth chocolate blends every time.
Cleaning Your Blender After Chocolate
Chocolate can be tricky to clean from a blender but these tips help:
- Rinse immediately so chocolate doesn’t dry on.
- Fill blender with warm soapy water and pulse to clean interior.
- Use a bottle brush to scrub blender blades and bottom.
- For stubborn dried chocolate stains, fill blender with warm water and dissolve a denture tablet.
- Blend on high for 1 minute, then rinse thoroughly.
- Wash blender by hand or run through dishwasher.
Taking the time to properly clean your blender prevents chocolate buildup that can be difficult to remove later on. Keeping your blender well maintained ensures it will function optimally for chocolate and other recipes.
Storing and Freezing Blended Chocolate
Store blended chocolate properly to retain the best texture and flavor:
- Refrigerate – Keep sauces, syrups, and mixes chilled in airtight containers up to 3-4 weeks.
- Freeze – For longer storage, freeze chocolate blends in ice cube trays or muffin tins then transfer to bags. Thaw before using.
- Avoid heat – Don’t leave chocolate blends out at room temperature or in hot places.
- Reheat gently – When reheating for recipes, use low heat and stir frequently to prevent scorching.
With proper storage methods, blended chocolate stays smooth and delicious to use in all your chocolate creations!
Common Questions
Can I blend all types of chocolate?
Most types of chocolate chips and bars can be blended, including semisweet, dark, milk, and white chocolate. Compound chocolate or confectionery coating may have a harder time blending smoothly. Avoid blending chocolate with additions like nuts or cookie chunks as those can damage blender blades.
Is blended chocolate safe to eat raw?
Yes, chocolate blended from safe ingredients like chocolate chips and milk is completely safe to consume without further cooking. Of course, always use good food safety practices when handling.
How long does blended chocolate last?
Properly stored blended chocolate will last 3-4 weeks refrigerated or several months frozen. Keep chocolate blends in airtight containers and avoid temperature extremes. Reblend if consistency becomes uneven after freezing.
Can I use cocoa powder instead of chocolate chips?
You can blend cocoa powder with milk, cream or water to make a chocolate mixture. However, it will have a more bitter, intense chocolate flavor compared to using chocolate chips which have added sugar. Adjust sweetness to taste if using unsweetened cocoa.
Conclusion
From chocolate syrup to hot chocolate mix, blending chocolate chips makes enjoying chocolate in recipes easier than ever. With some simple techniques and the right ratios, you can whip up homemade chocolate blends in minutes right in your blender. Get creative with blending chocolate into all kinds of drinks, frostings, desserts and treats! Just remember to blend with liquid for smoothness and avoid overheating for the best results.
