Much of the “white chocolate” out there isn’t real chocolate. Check the label: If you see “vegetable oil” instead of “cocoa butter,” it’s an inferior product without delicious chocolate flavor.

White chocolate is made from sugar, milk, cocoa butter, vanilla and lecithin (a natural emulsifier to smooth the chocolate, also listed as soy lecithin). That’s it.

If you care about the best ingredients, buy real white chocolate. We use the real deal from Guittard of San Francisco and Callebaut of Belgium. Otherwise, it’s analogous to using margarine instead of butter. You’ll really notice the difference in flavor.

Both of these white chocolate chip brands have a sweet, fresh cream flavor. The Guittard chips we’re currently using have nutty undertones and hints of citrus and vanilla. (Vanilla is an ingredient in white chocolate, while citrus notes come from the type of cacao beans used to make the cocoa butter.)

Buy the real deal, made with cocoa butter,
not vegetable oil. Photo courtesy Lake
Champlain Chocolate.

If there’s no cocoa butter, a product can’t be called chocolate. It can be called “imitation chocolate,” but no major brand wants that on its label! Thus:

 
 
Where To Find White Chocolate Chips

 
If you can’t find white chocolate chips, chop up a white chocolate bar. Our favorite—for eating as well—is from Green & Black’s, available at Whole Foods Markets, many other retailers and online.
 
 
FOOD TRIVIA: A bonus for the caffeine-conscious, there’s no caffeine in white chocolate.
 
 Chocolate Lover? Find our favorite chocolate in the pull-down menu in the right column.