4 Fun Things to Do With Chocolate (Besides Eat It!)

Ah, February. It’s known as the National Chocolate Lovers Month and with Valentine’s Day, a month for lovers. Hundreds of chocolate and other candies come out in barrels at shopping and grocery stores.

While eating all that chocolate is great, why not try something new with it? Here are some other fun things to do with it, besides eating.

 

1.  Red Wine Hot Chocolate

Martha Stewart’s official Facebook page called it “spectacular,” Cosmopolitan magazine called it “the best of both worlds,” Kitchn, a popular recipe site, called it “the answer to your cold-weather blues.” What is it? Red wine hot chocolate.

Now, you might be thinking, “why not just mix rum or whiskey to my hot chocolate?” or “I’ve had chocolate wine and it wasn’t my thing” or even just “Ew.” But before you write off this delicious drink (and it is delicious!) know that red wine hot chocolate is smoother and silkier than when liquor is added and it’s different than chocolate wine.

Wine is good. Chocolate is also good. Together? They are unstoppable.

 

Serves 2

1 1/2 cup milk

1 cup red wine (we recommend Cabernet Sauvignon)

1/3 cup dark chocolate chunks

Optional: Whipped cream on top

In a saucepan over medium heat, combine milk and chocolate chips. Whisk constantly until the chocolate is melted into the milk and you have a thick and creamy hot chocolate. Empty in the red wine. Pour into 2 mugs or 6-8 smaller glasses and top with whipped cream.

 

2.  Chocolate Face Mask

Chocolate is a great face stimulator. Because cocoa contains anti-aging properties that help hydrate, rejuvenate and tone your face, it’s able to battle blemishes and refresh the skin.

 

1 mashed avocado
3 tablespoons of raw cacao powder (70% or more cocoa)
2 teaspoons honey
1 tablespoons cinnamon

Mix all the ingredients up. Gently massage the mixture onto your face and leave it on for about 25 minutes. Rinse the mask off with warm water.

 

3.  Chocolate Candles

Do you have some old candles that you don’t know what to do with? How about turning them into romantic chocolate candles?! Here’s how to do it:

 

1 Chocolate Bar

1 Empty Can

Old Candle Wax

Candle Wicks

1 Empty Container

1 Saucepan filled 1/4^th with water

Cut the top off of the can with scissors. Break up the chocolate bar and put the pieces into the can and put the wax on top of the chocolate. Start boiling water and place the can in it when it starts steaming. After a few minutes, you should notice the wax starting to melt. Mix the items in the cup thoroughly with a spoon to make sure all of the chocolate and wax are melted and properly mixed together. Once they are melted and mixed, pour the concoction into the container. Stick the wicks in. Wait 20 minutes for it to cool and set. You will notice a considerable color change from brown to cream. Wait 24 hours for the proper smell to develop.

 

4.  Chocolate Lip Butter / Balm

If you’re kissing your sweetheart or are just trying to fend off chapped lips, try out this delicious and moisturizing chocolate lip butter. It’s easy to make, smells amazing, and tastes pretty good, too (though we don’t recommend having this as a snack).

 

4 Tbsp jojoba, almond, or olive oil

1 Tbsp grated beeswax or beeswax pearls

1 tsp honey

1/4 tsp vitamin E oil (or 3 punctured, squeezed out liquid vitamin E capsules)

7 drops lavender essential oil (or other essential oil)

1 tsp cocoa powder

1 tsp colored, natural lipstick (optional, if you want it to have a hint of color)

Warm the oils, beeswax and honey in a small, stainless steel pot or bowl. Be sure to warm it on VERY low heat (you can use a double boiler, if you’d like). Stir until the beeswax is completely melted. Remove from heat and quickly whisk in the essential oil, vitamin E, cocoa powder, and colored lipstick. Place the bottom of the bowl into a shallow pan of ice water and continue whisking quickly as you add the honey. Once the honey is incorporated, quickly transfer the balm into your lip balm container (tube or tin) and allow to set for 3 hours.

 

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Recipe Credits

Red Wine Hot Chocolate – immaeatthat

Face Mask – lahealthyliving

Chocolate Candle – instructables

Chocolate Lip Balm – crunchybetty

 

Image Credits

Red Wine Hot Chocolate –  immaeatthat

Face Mask – stylesatlife

Chocolate Candle – cf.ltkcdn

Chocolate Lip Balm – crunchybetty