How to Make Chocolate Extract

Making chocolate extract at home is one way of ensuring that the chocolate type and flavour is exactly as you want it to be. It's also fun and if you already have the ingredients or can source them cheaply, making chocolate extract in bulk can prove cheaper if you use it a lot. Best of all though, the homemade variety is rich and the better quality dark chocolate and cocoa powder that you use, the better the end result.

Ingredients

Dark chocolate, high quality, for the best flavour
1 cup vodka
1/4 cup dark cocoa powder (high quality, such as Dutch processed)

Part 1

Part 1 of 3:
Making the Infusion

1
Tip the cocoa powder into the clean glass jar or bottle. Use a funnel to assist, if needed.
2
Pour the vodka over the cocoa powder.
3
Place the lid on and shake to combine well. Or, you can stir before adding the lid, then add the lid and shake.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:
Infusing

1
Leave the mixture to infuse. Place in a cool, dark cabinet and leave for 6 to 8 weeks minimum. If you can leave it for longer, that's even better.
- During this time, it is best if you can shake the mixture once or twice a week.^{[1]
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Part 3

Part 3 of 3:
Straining

1
Strain the extract. After you're satisfied that the chocolate extract is strong enough for your liking, strain it to make it pure.
2
Slightly dampen a coffee filter. Place this over the opening of the jar or bottle.
3
Pour the liquid through the filter and into another jar or bottle. This needs to happen gradually, as the filter will prevent fast pouring. Take it slowly and allow the liquid to drip through into the final storage container.
4
Squeeze the filter gently. At the end of the liquid, to get the last bits of chocolate infused liquid out, squeeze the filter with care. It can then be disposed of.
5
Place the lid on the strained liquid. This is your precious chocolate extract.
6
Done. The extract is now ready for use in your baking and cooking. Shake before use.

Things You'll Need

Jar or bottle, fresh and cleaned, for infusion; another one for the final storage container; both must have lids
Funnel, optional but useful
Coffee filter paper