Easy Homemade Modica Chocolate Bars (VIDEO)

Making Authentic Modica Chocolate Bars at Home: The Traditional Sicilian Chocolate.

Hey there, chocolate lover! Have you ever wanted to make delicious artisanal chocolate bars right in your own kitchen? If so, you’ve come to the right place. I’m going to teach you how to make authentic Modica chocolate bars, a centuries-old Sicilian tradition.

These chocolates are like nothing you’ve ever tasted before – grainy, not too sweet, with hints of spices and citrus (if you like them). Once you try this recipe, you’ll never want to buy chocolate from the store again. Get ready for a chocolate adventure and impress your friends and family with a true Sicilian delicacy. Heat up your double boiler, it’s time to make chocolate!

The Origins of Modica Chocolate: A Bit of History

Modica chocolate has been made in Sicily for over 200 years, using techniques that originated with the Aztecs of Mexico. The Spaniards first brought chocolate to Sicily in the 16th century, and by the 1700s, the town of Modica had become renowned for its chocolate-making tradition.

The key to authentic Modica chocolate is its coarse, crumbly texture. Unlike most chocolate bars that contain cocoa butter and are smooth and creamy, Modica chocolate is made from cocoa paste, sugar, and sometimes spices like cinnamon, chili pepper, or vanilla. The ingredients are mix together, then hardened and crumbled, resulting in uneven chunks perfect for nibbling.

To make the chocolate, cocoa beans are first roasted, then crushed into a thick paste called cocoa mass or chocolate liquor. The paste is combined with sugar and placed in a heavy stone vessel called “piètra”. A long wooden stick called a spatula is used to turn and knead the mixture for hours until the sugar crystals break down and the chocolate develops its signature crumbly consistency. The chocolate is then poured onto a marble slab and hardened. Once set, it’s broken into rustic chunks that are packed and sold.

Obviously, the procedure for making Modica chocolate at home is much simpler, but the result will still be excellent!

Many say the slightly bitter, not-too-sweet flavor and gritty texture symbolize the hardy, unrefined spirit of Modica’s people. Experience a taste of Sicilian culture and history with each bite of Modica’s chocolate.

Traditional Ingredients for Modica Chocolate Bars

For authentic Modica chocolate, you’ll need just a few simple ingredients:

• Cocoa mass
• Cane sugar, in the same quantity as cocoa mass – The large crystals of raw cane sugar are key to achieving Modica chocolate’s signature crunchy texture. Brown sugar also works well.
• Optional: Vanilla, cinnamon, ginger or chili pepper. These classic Sicilian spices add warmth, spice and intrigue to the chocolate. Start with a tiny pinch and add more to taste.

Tools To Make Homemade Sicilian Chocolate

You’ll also need a few basic tools:

• A classic double boiler or saucepan to melt the chocolate.
• An instant-read kitchen thermometer to check the temperature of the chocolate.
• Molds to shape the bars. Traditionally, Modica chocolate was shaped into irregular rustic blocks, so you can also pour the chocolate onto a marble slab and break into pieces once cooled. Or you can use a Rectangular Baking Bread Loaf Pan, as I do in this video.

With high quality, whole ingredients and a little patience, you’ll be crafting delicious artisanal Modica chocolate bars in no time. Your friends and family won’t believe you made these gourmet chocolates at home!

Step-by-Step Recipe for Homemade Modica Chocolate Bars

To make traditional Modica chocolate bars at home, follow these steps.

Melt the cocoa mass using the bain-marie method. When the temperature reaches 35-36 °C (95-97 °F), remove from heat. Add the sugar (and spices) and mix roughly. The sugar will remain in crystal form because the temperature is not high.

When the temperature falls to 30 °C (86 °F), pour the mixture into the mold of your choice. You can choose silicone molds or a non-stick rectangular pan. In this case, I suggest you line it with parchment paper to make it easier to extract the chocolate.

Allow to cool completely, then break the chocolate into large pieces.

Modica Chocolate Storage Instructions

You can store Modica chocolate in a dry place for 2 weeks, preferably not in the fridge.

Homemade Modica Chocolate Video Recipe

So there you have it, now you know how to make traditional Sicilian Modica chocolate bars at home. Once you’ve tried this authentic recipe, you’ll never go back to store-bought chocolate again. The rich yet slightly gritty texture and the way it melts in your mouth—this chocolate is really something special. Share it with friends and family and introduce them to a taste of Sicily. Or keep a few bars hidden away just for yourself—we won’t tell! Either way, you can feel good knowing you’re helping keep this centuries-old tradition alive.

Making traditional Modica chocolate at home is a rewarding process. Savor the delicious result of your labor of love! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Buon Appetito!