Tag #ChocoMagic

NATIONAL MILK CHOCOLATE DAY

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On July 28th dive into the ever-popular National Milk Chocolate Day. When it comes to chocolate, this sweet easily pleases.

On average, we recognize three chocolate holidays a month. Interestingly, July celebrates chocolate as often as February. 

Solid chocolate, when combined with either powdered, liquid or condensed milk, is known as milk chocolate. While candy bar makers use milk chocolate to make their most popular candy bars, the treat isn’t the healthiest of the chocolates. Dark chocolate takes home the honors for nutrition. With added sugar and fat, milk chocolate packs on the calories. Add to that, milk chocolate’s popularity in baked goods, and the calorie count keeps going up. Don’t forget, we add it to specialty coffee drinks and other beverages, too.

DOVE PROMISES Milk Chocolate Candy Individually Wrapped Bulk Pack (43.07 oz, 150 Piece) Bag
DOVE PROMISES Milk Chocolate Candy Individually Wrapped Bulk Pack (43.07 oz, 150 Piece) Bag
HERSHEY'S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars, 1.55 oz (36 Count)
HERSHEY’S Milk Chocolate Candy Bars, 1.55 oz (36 Count)
M & M's Milk Chocolate Candies, Milk Chocolate, 38 Oz Bag
M & M’s Milk Chocolate Candies, Milk Chocolate, 38 Oz Bag
HERSHEY'S, KIT KAT and REESE'S Assorted Milk Chocolate Candy Variety Box, 27.3 oz (18 Count)
HERSHEY’S, KIT KAT and REESE’S Assorted Milk Chocolate Candy Variety Box, 27.3 oz (18 Count)
Chocolate Gift Basket, Candy Food Gifts Arrangement Platter, Gourmet Snack Box, Birthday Present Idea, Corporate Him & Her, Men Women Sympathy Family Parties & Get Well- Bonnie & Pop
Chocolate Gift Basket, Candy Food Gifts Arrangement Platter, Gourmet Snack Box, Birthday Present Idea, Corporate Him & Her, Men Women Sympathy Family Parties & Get Well- Bonnie & Pop

In fact, we’ve been adding milk to chocolate beverages since the mid-17th century. But, in 1875 Daniel Peter invented milk chocolate by mixing a powdered milk developed by Henri Nestlé with the liquor. It’s been milk chocolate bliss ever since. 

Since the days are heating up, melt that chocolate down. Drizzle it on some ice cream or mix it into some popcorn. Nobody said this holiday would be difficult.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #MilkChocolateDay

Enjoy your favorite milk chocolate. Create a sweet treat and share with friends. Don’t forget to share on social media and tag with #MilkChocolateDay.

Fannie May, Milk Chocolate Candy, S'mores and Peanut Butter Pretzel Snack Mix, 2 Pack (18 oz and 22 oz Bags)
Fannie May, Milk Chocolate Candy, S’mores and Peanut Butter Pretzel Snack Mix, 2 Pack (18 oz and 22 oz Bags)

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE PUDDING DAY

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This food holiday National Chocolate Pudding Day is observed each year on June 26th.  Chocolate pudding has been loved by children and adults for many years.  Usually eaten as a snack or dessert, chocolate pudding is also used as a filling for chocolate creme pie.

Historically, chocolate pudding is a variation of chocolate custard, using starch as a thickener instead of eggs.  The 1903 edition of Mary Harris Frazer’s Kentucky Receipt Book and the 1918 edition of Fannie Farmer’s Boston Cooking School Cook Book both have recipes for the earlier version, using both eggs and flour.

  • In 1934, General Foods (Jello) introduced chocolate pudding mix as “Walter Baker’s Dessert.”
  • In 1936, it was renamed “Pickle’s Pudding.”

Chocolate pudding is usually made with milk and sugar, flavored with chocolate and vanilla then thickened with flour or cornstarch.  Some recipes do use eggs when making the pudding.

Chocolate pudding can be purchased ready-made and sold in grocery stores, convenience stores and gas stations.  The popular brands include Jell-O by the Kraft Foods Corporation and Snack Pack by Hunt’s.

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HOW TO OBSERVE

Enjoy some delicious Chocolate Pudding as a dessert or as a snack. Try this homemade Chocolate Cornstarch Pudding recipe. Use #NationalChocolatePuddingDay on social media.

Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Snack Pack Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups
Snack Pack Milk Chocolate and Chocolate Fudge/Milk Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Snack Pack Milk Chocolate and Chocolate Fudge/Milk Chocolate Pudding, 4 Count Pudding Cups
Amazon Fresh, Chocolate Pudding Cups, 4 Count#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Amazon Fresh, Chocolate Pudding Cups, 4 Count
Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 5.9 oz Box, As Seen on TikTok#NationalChocolatePuddingDay
Jell-O Chocolate Instant Pudding & Pie Filling Mix, 5.9 oz Box, As Seen on TikTok

NATIONAL CHOCOLATE MINT DAY

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Recognized by the US National Confectioners Association, National Chocolate Mint Day is observed annually across the nation on February 19th. This holiday has been set aside for all the chocolate mint lovers to eat their favorite treats all day long.

The Aztecs and Mayans are given much credit for their ways with chocolate. And while chocolate was brought back to Europeans, they were not fond of the dark, bitter bean, so they used more for medicinal purposes.

As it was mostly consumed as a hot beverage, Europeans mixed mint, cinnamon and other spices to make it more palatable. Over time, they added sugar, and the combination of chocolate and mint became fashionable.

Fast forward to the mid-1800s when inventions and improvements in processes made it possible for confectioners to begin mass-producing chocolates. Even then, small candy shops served a local public. Advertisements for mint chocolates, or chocolate mints, did not start showing up in newspapers until the turn of the century.

Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto Friendly, 12 Count by Quest Nutrition
My husband loves these.  Quest Nutrition Ultimate Variety Pack, High Protein, Low Carb, Gluten Free, Keto FrienMy husband loves these.  dly, 12 Count

by Quest Nutrition

The International Dairy Foods Association states that mint chocolate chip is the 10th most popular flavor of ice cream.

One of the earliest mass-producers of chocolate mints was Huyler’s in New York. Their chain of stores spread across the country. 

YORK Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties, Valentines Day, Shareable Stand up party bag, bulk candy, 35.2 oz by York
YORK Dark Chocolate Peppermint Patties, Valentines Day, Shareable Stand up party bag, bulk candy, 35.2 oz

by York


We find mint chocolate in everything from ice cream to brownies, cookies and candies, liquors and sauces. Girl Scouts first sold Thin Mint cookies in 1953 and are still their most popular cookie. Mint chocolate is also the name of an herb with edible leaves that tastes like chocolate and mint.

Andes Creme De Menthe Thin Mints, 120-Count Thins by Tootsie Roll
Andes Creme De Menthe Thin Mints, 120-Count Thins

by Tootsie Roll


HOW TO OBSERVE #ChocolateMintDay

Below is a favorite frosting recipe for chocolate cake. It looks great decorated with chocolate mint candies, a perfect way to celebrate National Chocolate Mint Day!

Mint Frosting for Chocolate Cake

1 package cream cheese (8 0z), softened
1/4 cup butter or margarine, softened
3-1/2 cups powdered sugar
1 teaspoon mint extract
Green food coloring

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy.  On low speed, beat in mint extract, 2 to 3 drops of green food coloring and 3-1/2 cups powdered sugar until mixed.  Beat on medium speed until fluffy. Store frosted cake in refrigerator.

Use #ChocolateMintDay to post on social media. Combine with National Vet Girls rock day, and give to as many female veterans as you can find.

NATIONAL HOT CHOCOLATE DAY

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Every year on January 31, National Hot Chocolate Day warms people up across the country. Try celebrating this, timeless cold-weather beverage.

Hot chocolate is a warm beverage made with ground chocolate, heated milk or water, and sugar. In America, we often use the terms hot chocolate and hot cocoa interchangeably. However, the two beverages are different. Try it with you favorite cookie or cake if you’re feeling really indulgent, and need a break from that New Years diet you started.

Cocoa vs Hot Chocolate 

We make hot cocoa with cocoa powder, heated milk or water, and sugar. We’re able to do this thanks to a process developed by father and son chemists. The thicker, more flavorful beverage, we make hot chocolate from ground chocolate containing cocoa butter. It’s also called drinking chocolate. Hot chocolate has also been around longer than hot cocoa. In the early 1800s, Casparus van Houten Sr. developed a process to separate the cocoa solids from the butter. His son, Coenraad Johannes made those fats more soluble in water. Together their processes made cocoa powder possible.

But before then, everyone drank hot chocolate. This thicker, creamier beverage often offered medicinal benefits for stomach ailments during the 19th century. In the 17th and 18th centuries it was a rare treat. Especially in some European countries like Britian. Long before the beverage’s popularity in Victorian times, it served in ceremonial culture. 

2000 years ago, the Mayans likely created the first chocolate beverage. A cocoa beverage was also an essential part of Aztec culture by 1400 AD. Europe popularized the drink after it was introduced from Mexico in the New World.

Nostalgia 30 Oz Electric Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker for Homemade Hot Cocoa, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Mochas, and Warm or Cold Milk Foam #NationalHotChocolateDay
Nostalgia 30 Oz Electric Frother and Hot Chocolate Maker for Homemade Hot Cocoa, Cappuccinos, Lattes, Mochas, and Warm or Cold Milk Foam
Moss & Stone Electric Milk Frother For Making Latte, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate, Automatic Cold Hot Milk Frother & Warmer, Foam Maker, Auto Shut-Off, Detachable Base & Non-Stick Interior.#NationalHotChocolateDay
Moss & Stone Electric Milk Frother For Making Latte, Cappuccino, Hot Chocolate, Automatic Cold Hot Milk Frother & Warmer, Foam Maker, Auto Shut-Off, Detachable Base & Non-Stick Interior.
Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Handheld Foam Maker for Lattes - Whisk Drink Mixer for Coffee, Mini Foamer for Cappuccino, Frappe, Matcha, Hot Chocolate by Milk Boss (Black)#NationalHotChocolateDay
Zulay Kitchen Powerful Milk Frother Handheld Foam Maker for Lattes – Whisk Drink Mixer for Coffee, Mini Foamer for Cappuccino, Frappe, Matcha, Hot Chocolate by Milk Boss (Black)
FOXNSK Self Stirring Mug, 400ML Electric Mixing Cup Self Stirring Coffee Mug High Borosilicate Glass Mixing Coffee Mug Rotating Home Office Stirring Cup Suitable for Coffee/Milk/Protein Powder #NationalHotChocolateDay
FOXNSK Self Stirring Mug, 400ML Electric Mixing Cup Self Stirring Coffee Mug High Borosilicate Glass Mixing Coffee Mug Rotating Home Office Stirring Cup Suitable for Coffee/Milk/Protein Powder
Make it and Benefit

Hot chocolate can be enjoyed in a variety of combinations, topped with whipped cream or marshmallows. Sometimes a sprinkle of cinnamon or a dash of peppermint makes the chocolate extra special. In the United States, an instant form of hot chocolate is popular. It is made with hot water or milk and a packet containing mostly cocoa powder, sugar, and dry milk. People enjoy topping it with marshmallows or whipped cream.

There are health benefits to drinking hot chocolate. Cocoa contains significant amounts of antioxidants that may help prevent cancer. It has also been shown that the cocoa beans help with digestion. The flavonoids that are found in the cocoa also have a positive effect on arterial health.

My favorite fact about chocolate is the way it effects your brain. Did you know it signals the pleasure center of your brain? This is why you get that warm contentment feeling after chocolate. One more reason to look forward to those boxes of chocolates at Valentine’s Day. Of course you can always just order your own year round.

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HOW TO OBSERVE #NationalHotChocolateDay

Enjoy a cup of hot chocolate. You can make it with dark or milk chocolate. While you’re at it, try experimenting, too. Add some cinnamon or other flavors to your chocolate. Of course, inviting a friend to join you is essential to the celebration, too. Try adding these toppings.

  • Whipped cream
  • Marshmallows
  • Sprinkles
  • Candied fruit

Take a photo and use #NationalHotChocolateDay to post on social media.

Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix, 0.85-Ounce Packets (Pack of 10)#NationalHotChocolateDay
Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Hot Cocoa Mix, 0.85-Ounce Packets (Pack of 10)
Valentine's Day Hot Chocolate Bombs with Marshmallows, Made with Belgium Chocolate, Milk Choco Melting Delights, 3 Count, Total 3 Bombs, Net 4.23 Oz #NationalHotChocolateDay
Valentine’s Day Hot Chocolate Bombs with Marshmallows, Made with Belgium Chocolate, Milk Choco Melting Delights, 3 Count, Total 3 Bombs, Net 4.23 Oz
Original Cadbury Drinking Chocolate Imported From The UK England The Best Of British Drinking Chocolate Imported From The UK England#NationalHotChocolateDay
Original Cadbury Drinking Chocolate Imported From The UK England The Best Of British Drinking Chocolate Imported From The UK England
Delicious Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs - Set of 8 - Melting Hot Cocoa Filled with Marshmallows – Ideal Hot Cocoa Bombs for Birthdays, , Parties and Anniversaries – Tasteful Christmas Experience Choco Bombs. #NationalHotChocolateDay
Delicious Christmas Hot Chocolate Bombs – Set of 8 – Melting Hot Cocoa Filled with Marshmallows – Ideal Hot Cocoa Bombs for Birthdays, , Parties and Anniversaries – Tasteful Christmas Experience Choco Bombs.