Last Updated on January 24, 2023
If you have ever wondered how to make dark chocolate into milk chocolate, we have the ultimate guide with a variety of methods you can use!
We have all been in a pinch before where you only desperately need some milk chocolate, but only have dark chocolate left in the pantry. Luckily, we will show you two methods on how to turn dark chocolate into milk chocolate.
What Is Chocolate?
You all know it! We all absolutely love it! Chocolate is a candy made from cocoa beans. The beans get harvested, fermented, dried, and finally undergo processing. The first process that takes place is when the cocoa nib is ground and liquefied, creating a chocolate liquor. Chocolate liquor is the purest fluid form that chocolate comes in.
This chocolate liquor is then further processed into two main parts; cocoa solids and cocoa butter.
Making chocolate
The ratio of chocolate liquor and cocoa butter that is used is what determines the type of chocolate you have. Sugar is also a common addition to chocolate and is what it used to create the sweeter varieties.
You get three main categories of chocolate; dark chocolate, milk chocolate, and white chocolate.
Dark chocolate is made with a combination of cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, and sometimes vanilla. Milk chocolate is made using cocoa liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, milk or milk powder, and vanilla. And finally, white chocolate is made with only cocoa butter, sugar, milk or milk powder, and vanilla.
Working with percentages
Legally, chocolate is categorized based on the number of cocoa solids (cocoa liquor and cocoa butter) they contain. For example, dark chocolate contains anywhere between 50-90% cocoa solids. Milk chocolate only contains between 10-50% of cocoa solids, and naturally white chocolate doesn’t contain any.
So, a 45% milk chocolate only contains 45% cocoa solids and the rest is sugar and other additives.
70% dark chocolate is made from 70% cocoa solids and only 30% additives like sugar and vanilla.
How To Make Dark Chocolate Into Milk Chocolate
There are two main options you can follow here. The first is to blend different types of chocolates to meet in the middle. The second is to add ingredients that will help lower the percentage.
Blending chocolate
So, in order to lower or up a chocolates’ percentage, you will have to blend different types. It is very simple actually. If you need to make white chocolate (with 0% cocoa liquor) into milk chocolate (which has to have between 10-50% cocoa solids), then you can add a high percentage of milk or dark chocolate.
If you want to use this method to turn dark chocolate into milk chocolate, simply add an equal amount of melted white chocolate to melted dark chocolate.
How To Make Milk Chocolate From Dark Chocolate
As we have mentioned above, you can blend melted dark chocolate with melted white chocolate to create milk chocolate.
Another very easy way which we will be covering today is to add milk-based ingredients to melted dark chocolate. By doing so you will automatically lower the cocoa solids percentage and therefore, the category into which the chocolate falls.
This is a very easy method to turn dark chocolate into milk chocolate and you can play around with the intensity of the chocolate as much as you would like to. You can create a 10% milk chocolate, or a 50% milk chocolate. It all comes down to the ratios you use!
The process is very similar to ganache making and you probably will end up with slightly thicker chocolate, but you can have a look at our tips and tricks sections on how to thin it.
What you will need to turn dark chocolate into milk chocolate
Ingredients
- 150 g dark chocolate, chopped
- 75 ml milk
- A dollop of butter
Equipment
- Small pot
- Large glass mixing bowl
- Measuring cups
- Silicone spatula
Step by step instructions for how to make milk chocolate from dark chocolate
Step 1: Melt the dark chocolate
Start off by melting the dark chocolate over a double boiler. Place a small pot with water on the heat and bring it to a boil. Then, add the chopped dark chocolate to a large glass bowl and place it over the small pot of boiling water. The glass bowl should touch the water to ensure the chocolate heats slowly and evenly. Stir the chocolate as it heat, removing it every 30 seconds for a while to prevent it from overheating.
You can continue the process until your dark chocolate has been fully melted.
Step 2: Add the milk and butter
This is where practice makes perfect and you might need to do a few tries. There are a lot of factors that will determine exactly how much milk and butter you need to add. Even the humidity plays a role!
So, we would recommend starting with about 75 ml of milk and a dollop of butter, but you might need some more.
Once the chocolate has fully melted, remove it from the heat and slowly add in the milk and butter while constantly stirring the mixture.
Step 3: Use or mold the chocolate
You can use the now milk chocolate immediately in its melted form, or you can place it into molds and allow it to set in the refrigerator.
Tips And Tricks
- So, as we have mentioned before, you can play around with the ratios to alter the flavor (and percentage) of the chocolate and even adjust the consistency. If you are looking for an exact recipe on how to make dark chocolate into milk chocolate, you will only find a guide as everyone has a different preference.
- The more milk products you add, the softer your chocolate will become. If you want your chocolate to be solid at room temperature, you only have to add a bit of milk.
- You can also melt the chocolate in a microwave in a microwave-safe bowl. Only add it for 30–second intervals, stirring in between to help prevent the chocolate from seizing.
Learn more about The Best Orange Cream Filling for Chocolate.
Servings And Preparation Time
| Baking Time | Preparation Time | Servings |
| 0 minutes | 15 minutes | 150-200 grams |
The Best Instructions On How To Turn Dark Chocolate Into Milk Chocolate – Final Thoughts
This is an extremely fun activity to do with the kids or a great opportunity for you to play around with your milk chocolate recipe. You can truly create custom-baked goodies that everyone will be obsessed with!
If you loved this tutorial on making milk chocolate from dark chocolate, please share it with your friends and let us know in the comments if you have any questions!
Read more about How To Melt White Chocolate In The Microwave.
Lindy Van Schalkwyk is a culinary specialist with a background in Advanced Cooking, Advanced Pâtisserie, Media Communications and Nutrition. She has gained invaluable experience in the culinary industry having worked in some of the top restaurants in Africa in 2016 and 2017. Her expertise in nutrition has enabled her to develop recipes for special dietary needs. In 2018, Lindy began working in the Food Media industry, focusing on recipe development, recipe writing, food writing and food styling.