If you’re an avid DIYer you most likely have attempted a nut butter, nut cheese, or nut milk. Now it’s time to step out of the box and try your hand at making your own chocolate!

First and foremost, you need more than cacao, sugar, and your choice of butter or butter alternative. You need cacao butter!

Cacao butter is a “pure, stable fat that is pressed out of cacao beans” and is actually “considered a vegetable fat.” It’s sourced from cacao beans through a process called Broma in which the butter is allowed to drip from roasted cacao beans and is collected. Did you know that cacao butter is naturally vegan and contains zero dairy products? That’s right! Which is why it makes for a wonderful veggie-friendly kitchen baking ingredient staple.

This integral ingredient will not only give your chocolate that creamy and delicious flavor, but it also helps give it that chocolate bar snap and crack. By making your own chocolate, you have the power to avoid dangerous refined sugars and veggie oils, go organic, and choose raw cacao which is also a powerful adaptogenic agent and filled with antioxidants.

Looking to get some cacao butter asap? Here are a few cacao butter products that are 100 percent vegan, organic, and include zero unrefined sugars.

1. Divine Organics Raw Vegan Cacao Butter

Divine Organics Raw Vegan Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

This Divine Organics Raw Vegan Cacao Butter meets all the demands of a conscious shopper including non-GMO, kosher, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, vegan-friendly, and raw. The cacao beans are sourced from Ecuador, Peru, and Venezuela where high-quality beans are grown. This raw cacao butter is full of antioxidants, healthy fat, and minerals such as magnesium. Plus, this product is free of additives, fillers, sugars, and artificial or processed ingredients. Use this cacao butter as a vegan substitute for dairy-based butter or even rub it into your skin as a cream to protect against harsh UV rays, Pollution, and chemicals. A 16-ounce bag costs $14.99.

M. D. Standifird says “I had never been a fan of “white chocolate” until I gave up sugar. Then I came to appreciate the subtle flavor of cacao butter and it’s versatility in combining with other flavors (lemon, lemon & walnut, lemon & pecan, cinnamon, cinnamon & vanilla, orange, etc.) If, like me, you’ve given up sugar and have resorted to making your own desserts at home this is an excellent base for candies or ingredient to stiffen or enrich a recipe. If you’re still using sugar and make your own desserts this is an excellent product. It melts easily and is smooth and creamy. It has a subtle almost nutty flavor and works easily in any recipe. I’ve also given up dairy and put in my coffee every morning. I made some for a friend and he calls it my special coffee.”

2. Sunfood Superfoods Cacao Butter

Sunfood Superfoods Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

This Sunfood Superfoods Cacao Butter is CCOF certified organic, non-GMO project verified, gluten-free, Earth kosher, and vegan-friendly. Sunfood Superfoods promises this cacao butter to be filled with healthy fat — including essential omega fatty acids — and antioxidants. This cacao butter can be used in your favorite smoothie or bulletproof coffee, substituted for dairy butter in ice cream and other dessert recipes, and can be used topically for glowing, vibrant, and revitalized skin. A 1-pounce bag costs $31.99.

H. Y. khan says “I tend to eat too much chocolate but this is great as an alternative b/c I eat a few of these disks and it satisfied my desire for some fat but I don’t have the desire to eat lots of them. plus it has some omega’s in it. so bonus.”

3. Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Cacao Butter

Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

When it comes to trusted vegan food products, Terrasoul is one of the top brands on the list! This Terrasoul Superfoods Organic Cacao Butter is USDA certified organic, non-GMO project verified, kosher, gluten-free, raw, and vegan-friendly. Terrasoul cold presses their raw cacao butter from high-quality Peruvian Criollo variety cacao beans. They are proud to provide healthy, high-quality foods at low prices. A 1.5-pound bag costs $20.99.

Christy Queen says ” can’t get enough of this Terrasoul Cacao butter!! I ordered this originally by the suggestion of a vlog that I follow about healthful eating and have been using it every day since I purchased my first bag of it a little over a month ago (I just purchased my second bag). This is raw, non-deodorized cacao butter so the aroma is mouth watering– imagine the smells of a chocolate crafting shop! Although, don’t be fooled, it doesn’t taste quite as you would expect without manipulation and some other ingredients. The label claims you could use it in the cosmetic making, but if you do, be prepared for people to want to lick you!”

4. Wild Foods Raw Organic Cacoa Butter Wafers

Source: Wild Foods Raw Organic Cacoa Butter Wafers/Amazon

These Wild Foods Raw Organic Cacoa Butter Wafers are simple and pure, sourced from small-batch artisanal cacao made with natural and environmentally-friendly methods. These wafers are fresh, raw, and food-grade making them perfect for vegan baking! With that said, Wild Foods recommends a variety of uses for their cocoa butter wafers besides cooking and baking including soap, lotion, body butter, lip balm, acne, hair products, dry skin, eczema, itchy skin, and sunburn care. A 4-ounce bag costs $9.99.

Psilyguy says “Amazing cocoa butter, smells EXACTLY like dark chocolate and I’ve been making butter coffee, face scrubs and lip balms with this stuff…. the taste is absolutely astounding. I take a wafer and literally dedicate it just to rubbing on my lips, hair, and body. Amazing used as it is or melted down to make balms and lotions.”

5. Navitas Organics Cacao Butter

Navitas Organics Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

This Navitas Organics Cacao Butter is proud to offer a high-quality product that is also certified fair trade. This cacao butter is filled with healthy fats, vital nutrients, and antioxidants. It is USDA certified organic, non-GMO project verified, kosher, gluten-free, and vegan-friendly. Along with being keto and paleo, this cacao butter is great for vegan baking, warm beverages, and raw desserts! Plus, this cacao butter can also be used in natural DIY skincare products such as a homemade moisturizer or body butter. An 8-ounce bag costs $8.67.

ThisVue says “I typically don’t EVER buy things based on people’s recommendations (my tastes are highly selective) but this is one that I decided to purchase based on a recommendation. I was told it would taste like WHITE CHOCOLATE but NO, that’s not the case at all…it’s not a bad taste, but it certainly doesn’t taste like WHITE CHOCOLATE… the smell is very nice though and I use this to bake. All in all, a good decision made by me.”

6. SAAQIN Raw Cocoa Butter

Source: SAAQIN Raw Cocoa Butter/Amazon

This SAAQIN Raw Cocoa Butter promises to be 100 percent pure, vegan-friendly, and organic. Instead of arriving in a difficult to measure block, SAAQIN provides their cacao butter in small disks. This cacao butter is great for homemade creams, lotions, shampoos, and other skincare products that provide a natural moisturizer. A 16-ounce bag costs $17.89.

kbuell says “Melt nicely and add such a rich flavor to homemade chocolate. I also add to my ‘fatty coffee/bullet-proof coffee/hot cocoa’ for an added dose of fat with a rich, decadent taste. The convenience of the little discs versus the chunks makes this product easier to use and easier to melt.”

7. Food to Live Organic Cacao Butter

Source: Food to Live Organic Cacao Butter/Amazon

This Food to Live Organic Cacao Butter is USDA certified organic, non-GMO, contaminant-free, and vegan-friendly. This cacao butter is perfect for cooking, especially homemade chocolate. Plus, this cacao butter can also be used for all-natural beauty products such as moisturizers and hair conditioning. Food to Live promises their cacao butter to be rich in a large number of acids, vitamins, and trace elements. A 1-pound bag costs $13.29.

Samantha S. says “I use this is my bulletproof coffee in place of butter and it is wonderful.”

8. Wilderness Family Naturals Wildly Organic Raw Cacao Butter

Wilderness Family Naturals Wildly Organic Raw Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

Unrefined and cold-pressed, this Wilderness Family cacao butter hits all the marks! This Wilderness Family Naturals Raw Cacao Butter is certified Fairtrade, USDA certified organic, non-GMO project verified, and vegan-friendly. This cacao butter is perfect for cooking, baking, and can be used in natural DIY beauty products to promote healthy, vibrant, and moisturized skin! Wilderness Family Naturals promises their product to be highly stable. An 8-ounce bag costs $18.99.

letsgoplaces says “There were no inedible pieces in the bag like other brands have had. My son enjoys these. A word to the wise though. Being fog headed I wasn’t thinking that along with the health benefits there is also a hefty amount of natural caffeine in these so be prepared for a buzz if you aren’t used to caffeine in your body. Definitely, a high-quality product as compared to other brands.”

9. Raw Food World Raw Organic Cacao Butter

Raw Food World Raw Organic Cacao Butter/Amazon.com

This Raw Food World Raw Organic Cacao Butter is 100 percent USDA certified organic! Plus, this cacao butter was sourced from heirloom non-GMO cacao beans. On top of that, Raw Food World promises this raw cacao to have a very low lead and cadmium count, which can be found in higher amounts in other raw cacao products. A 16-ounce bag costs $14.95.

RacerR says ” bought this product to use as a face cream. I was a little hesitant to buy this in the hot summer weather but did so anyway. It has been 100 degrees this month of July so I really took my chances. When the product arrived, it was a bit soft, but not melted. I did put the bag in the freezer for a bit though. Later on, when I was ready to make the cream, I opened up the package and the pieces were in medium size chunks which were perfect for me to just take out what I needed and start. The smell is divine by the way! I measured half a cup of the cacao butter and put in a glass bowl, then put the bowl on top of a small cooking pot which was filled with water. You can use a double boiler, but I don’t have one. I put the heat on medium and stirred the cacao butter until melted. Once melted, I added 1/2 cup of coconut oil and stirred together. I then took it off the heat and let cool. Once cool I poured into a small glass container and put in the freezer until hard. I keep the jar at room temperature to use. It gets soft because I keep my house pretty warm, but the consistency is still fine to use. It is great for the skin and reduces wrinkles. Great product!”

10. Plant Guru Raw Cocoa Butter

Source: Plant Guru Raw Cocoa Butter/Amazon

This Plant Guru Raw Cocoa Butter is as pure as you can find! It’s 100 percent natural, 100 percent vegan, non-GMO, food-grade, and completely unrefined. Swap our your dairy-based butter for this cacao butter, which has a delicate chocolate aroma. It’s a great ingredient for smoothies, desserts, and any chocolate recipe. You can also use this cacao butter as a beauty product to moisturize or treat dark spots, stretch marks, wrinkles, acne, scars, and even burns. A 16-ounce jar costs $16.95.

Lisa Andrews says “I was looking for raw Cocoa Butter for use to make my own body butter and had no idea where to start. So I did look at a few brands on Amazon and at first thought, I wanted to buy the small discs. However, this product received a lot of great feedback on scent, quality, and packaging. I also thought that the form it came in (hunks) would be better for me. Shipping was excellent, packaging was excellent and the product itself is amazing! From the first time, I opened it, the scent alone was intoxicating, like pure sweet chocolate. The pieces alone can be used on your skin or even lips as a lip balm. I have yet to make my homemade body butter but am looking forward to doing so and certainly, would purchase this product again!

We also highly recommend downloading our Food Monster App, which is available for iPhone, and can also be found on Instagram and Facebook. The app has more than 15,000 plant-based, allergy-friendly recipes, and subscribers gain access to new recipes every day. Check it out!

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