Sugar does not dissolve completely in cocoa butter as sugar is water soluble rather than fat soluble. While sugar will not dissolve completely in cocoa butter some easy tips can create a well-stirred mixture. Heating the cocoa butter and stirring it well will help them to come together to make cookies, cake or soaps.
This article will explore four ways to mix cocoa butter and sugar together successfully at home.
What Is Cocoa Butter?
Cocoa butter is a plant-based fat that comes from the cocoa bean. Even though it is called cocoa butter, there is actually no dairy or actual butter in the product. To make cocoa butter, the cocoa (or cacao) pods are harvested and the beans found on the inside of the pods are fermented, dried, and then roasted.
Once they’re roasted, they are then ground. Cocoa butter is high in saturated fat, similar to that of coconut oil. There are numerous uses for cocoa butter, including baking, cooking, and even using it on the skin.
If you are looking for cocoa butter and you find a product that is spelled “cacao” instead of “cocoa,” just know that they are the exact same thing. Some manufacturers spell it one way and some spell it the other way, but in the end, it is still cocoa butter and is really just one product and not two separate products.
Cocoa butter is a natural fat and the beans consist of half fat, making them a very fatty product that has tons of uses.
How to Mix Cocoa Butter and Sugar Together | 4 Tips
While sugar will not literally dissolve in cocoa butter, there are a few ways you can mix these two ingredients and get roughly the same results. Check out these easy tips that will help you to mix cocoa butter and sugar together.
1. Melt the Cocoa Butter and Then Add the Sugar
To mix sugar with cocoa butter more easily, start by melting the cocoa butter. You can use either a double boiler or a pan of water with a bowl on top of it.
Put the cocoa butter in the bowl and turn the heat on medium, then stir until the cocoa butter melts.
You can also place the cocoa butter in a microwave-safe container and heat it in 30-second increments until it’s melted. Keep the melted cocoa butter in the bowl and place the sugar into that before mixing it up well.
2. Make the Sugar a Little Finer
One of the reasons why sugar is so hard to dissolve is because their crystals tend to be large, so making them smaller can result in a better mixture when you’re done. Place the sugar in a food processor or blender and keep it in there until it is thoroughly blended.
The finer and smaller the sugar crystals are, the better they will mix in with the cocoa butter after it’s melted.
3. Cream the Two Ingredients Together
This method involves softening the cocoa butter only until it is no longer hard. Try to get it the consistency of regular butter, maybe a little hard, but not in liquid form. Then, you can take an electric mixer and combine the slightly soft cocoa butter and the sugar until it has a foam-like texture.
Don’t try to do this with cocoa butter that is totally melted because it won’t work. Use an electric mixer rather than attempting to do this by hand because it will simply take too long.
4. Add a Tiny Bit of Milk
A small amount of milk added to the sugar-cocoa butter mixture can also work. For every cup of melted cocoa butter you use, add roughly 1/3 cup of milk before you use an electric mixture to mix the three ingredients together.
If in doubt when you’re measuring the milk, aim for too little and not too much milk because if there is too much milk, it can have the consistency of fudge.
7 Tips when cooking with cocoa butter
Check out my top tips when using cocoa butter in recipes at home to make your recipe a success.
- Always use a double boiler or a heat-resistant bowl set over a pot of simmering water to melt cocoa butter. Direct heat can scorch and spoil the butter.
- To prevent overheating, heat the cocoa butter slowly and gently, stirring continuously until it’s melted. Always watch your cocoa butter when heating so it doesn’t burn on the bottom.
- Never let water or moisture come in contact with cocoa butter, as it can cause the butter to seize and form clumps.
- Add a pinch of salt or a splash of vanilla extract to your cocoa butter while melting it to enhance the flavor.
- Use high-quality cocoa butter for best results, as cheap cocoa butter can affect the taste and texture of your recipe.
- To ensure that your cocoa butter stays fresh and flavorful, store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
- When using cocoa butter in skincare or soap-making, consider adding other natural ingredients like essential oils, herbs, or flowers to create a unique scent and texture.
Summary
Sugar won’t completely dissolve in cocoa butter, but by heating it and stirring it well you can get the two ingredients to mix together. This will give you the perfect start to your baking.
Happy cooking.
I am an accredited practicing dietitian, experienced gardener and a dedicated cook. I love writing and sharing my experience so you can learn from my successes and mistakes.