Facebook Twitter Instagram
    Pinterest Twitter Instagram RSS Facebook
    Buy GO DAIRY FREE and EAT DAIRY FREE today!
    Go Dairy Free
    • Need to Know
      • Newbies Start Here!
      • Take the Challenge!
      • Dairy-Free FAQs
      • Latest News
      • Milk Allergies
      • Lactose Intolerance
      • Other Health Issues
      • Testimonials
      • Calcium Guide
      • Holidays & More
      • Best Books
      • The Community
    • Recipes
      • Recipes by Category
        • Alisa’s Recipes
        • Sarah’s Recipes
        • Appetizers
        • Beverages
        • Bread
        • Breakfast
        • Cheese Substitutes
        • Condiments & Dressings
        • Cream Substitutes
        • Desserts
        • Entrees
        • Kids Can Cook
        • Milk Substitutes
        • Pasta
        • Salad
        • Sandwiches
        • Sauces
        • Sides
        • Snacks
        • Soup
      • Full Dairy-Free Recipe Index
      • Gluten-Free Recipe Index
      • Vegan Recipe Index
    • Reviews
      • Dairy Substitutes
        • Butter
        • Cheese
        • Cream
        • Creamer
        • Dessert Toppings
        • Ice Cream
        • Ice Cream Novelties
        • Milk
        • Yogurt
        • More Kitchen Essentials
      • Sweets & Snacks
        • Protein Shakes
        • More Creamy Beverages
        • Snack & Protein Bars
        • More Snacks
        • Chocolate
        • Cookie Dough
        • Cookies & Brownies
        • Pies & Cakes
        • Pudding & Mousse
        • More Sweet Treats
      • Meal Makers
        • Baking Mixes
        • Bread Products
        • Breakfast Pastries
        • Cereal & Granola
        • Cheesy Pasta & Rice
        • Frozen Pizza
        • More Entrees
        • Dip and Spreads
        • Salad Dressing
        • Sauces
      • All Product Reviews
        • New Product Reviews!
        • Browse by Product Type
        • Full Review Index
        • Gluten-Free Review Index
        • Vegan Review Index
    • Grocery Guide
      • Alisa’s Dairy-Free Kitchen
      • Brands We Love
      • Dairy Substitutes
      • Dairy Ingredient List
      • Understanding Food Labels
      • No Dairy Product Lists
      • Ordering Specialty Foods
      • Best Grocery Stores
    • Eating Out
      • Fast Food Listings
      • Recommended Restaurants
    • My Books!
      • Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition (best seller!)
      • Eat Dairy Free 1st Edition (full color!)
      • eBooks & Printables
      • Book Supplements & Resources
    • About Us
      • Meet Us
      • Contact Us
      • Join Us
      • Work With Us
    Go Dairy Free
    You are at:Home»Food and Grocery»Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar (Holiday Hacks!)

    Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar (Holiday Hacks!)

    8
    By Alisa Fleming on November 14, 2018 Food and Grocery, In The News, News, Popular Food Guides

    So you forgot order an advent calendar in time, or maybe you can’t deal with shelling out over $20 each year for a single calendar. Or perhaps you simply can’t find an advent calendar that meets your allergy or other dietary needs. No matter the reason, I’ve got some fun solutions for you to make your own chocolate advent calendar! Naturally mine is dairy-free, but you can make it vegan, paleo, nut-free – whatever you need. I’ve got tips and ideas galore for you!

    Holiday Hacks - Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar - dairy-free, vegan, nut-free, paleo - whatever you need! Several ideas to make it easy and fun.

    Holiday Hacks to Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar

    On a recent Trader Joe’s shop, Tony spotted a big pile of Trader Joe’s chocolate advent calendars for just 99 cents each. He asked, “couldn’t you just remove the mold and fill it with dairy-free chocolate?” And we both thought, why not try it?! This did prompt me to think about chocolate concerns, and to come up with some inexpensive, easy, and fun ideas that could suit almost any dietary need!

    My Super-Cheap Chocolate Advent Calendar

    Step 1: To make this inexpensive calendar, I popped it open on both ends and carefully pried the mold from the cardboard calendar (it was glued, but pulled away easily).

    Step 2: Then I popped out the dairy-based chocolate and thoroughly washed the mold to remove any residue of the chocolate. If you are dealing with a severe food allergy, see my candy molds idea below.

    Step 3: Next I melted down some dairy-free dark chocolate and dairy-free white chocolate, and used teaspoons to fill the molds. I then tapped it several times on the counter to settle the chocolate into the molds. I used homemade dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free chocolate, which made this calendar even more affordable!

    Step 4: I placed the mold in the refrigerator and it took just 20 minutes for the chocolate to completely set up.

    Step 5: I popped the chocolates to loosen them from the molds, but did not remove them, and then slid the mold back into the advent calendar. Finally, I closed the ends and used scotch tape to ensure they stayed closed.

    Holiday Hacks - Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar - dairy-free, vegan, nut-free, paleo - whatever you need! Several ideas to make it easy and fun.

    Other Chocolate Advent Calendar and Mold Options

    A lot of shops, even dollar stores, have cheap advent calendars where the chocolate mold can be removed. And the beauty is that you can reuse the mold in the future to make more holiday chocolates!

    But if you have concerns about being able to clean away all of the chocolate residues (and allergens), then you can buy new holiday chocolate candy molds. If you don’t have time to order online, you can usually find molds like this at stores like Walmart, Hobby Lobby, or Michael’s.

    Of course, you will need a calendar to put those chocolates in if you buy your own molds, or if you are reusing a chocolate advent calendar mold.

    Two of my favorite inexpensive refillable advent calendars are this Aparty4u Garland Style Felt Calendar and their Christmas Tree Pocket Felt Calendar. This Papierdrachen Box Set is also a fun semi-DIY option that people love. 

    If you are short on time, or want to go completely homemade, there are some very cute DIY options out there to channel your crafty side. Or you can keep it really simple with this mini paper bag advent calendar or recycled paper bag advent calendar (decorate as you wish!).

    Choosing Your Chocolate

    When doing molded chocolate, I love to use homemade. For this chocolate advent calendar, I whipped up mini batches of the Bittersweet Quick Chocolate and White Chocolate recipes from my book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook (2nd edition). There is also a Mylk Chocolate recipe in my book that works great for making your own chocolate shapes. I find it much cheaper to make my own chocolate, and I love being able to customize the intensity, sweetness, and even flavor.

    If you prefer store-bought chocolate, see my Dairy-Free Chocolate Chip Guide. It includes top food allergy-friendly, paleo and sugar-free options, and it includes different flavors of chocolate chips.

    Holiday Hacks - Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar - dairy-free, vegan, nut-free, paleo - whatever you need! Several ideas to make it easy and fun.

    Special Diet Notes: Chocolate Advent Calendar

    This fun idea can be dairy-free / non-dairy, egg-free, gluten-free, grain-free, nut-free, peanut-free, soy-free, vegan, vegetarian, allergy-friendly, sugar-free, and even paleo! Just use the best chocolate for your needs.

    5.0 from 1 reviews
    Make Your Own Chocolate Advent Calendar
     
    Print
    Prep time
    20 mins
    Total time
    20 mins
     
    This really isn't much of a recipe, but rather an idea and process. See the post above for chocolate suggestions to meet every dietary need, and inexpensive calendar ideas.
    Author: Alisa Fleming
    Recipe type: Dessert
    Serves: As many as you need!
    Ingredients
    • Holiday candy molds or an advent calendar mold removed
    • Dairy-free chocolate (your choice of type; I used homemade; see tips in post above)
    • Teaspoons or small condiment squeeze bottle
    Instructions
    1. If using a prefilled calendar, carefully remove the mold from the calendar (you can usually open at least one end). Pop out the chocolates that it came with, and then thoroughly wash the mold to remove any residue. (See the tips in the post above regarding severe food allergies.)
    2. Melt the chocolate.
    3. Fill the molds with chocolate using a small teaspoon or a condiment squeeze bottle.
    4. Place the molds in the refrigerator for 20 to 30 minutes, or until the chocolate is set.
    5. If using a prefilled calendar, slide your new mold back into the calendar and close or seal the opening.
    6. If using a fillable calendar, pop the chocolates from the molds and place them in the days.
    3.5.3229

    For More of My Recipes & Tips Get Go Dairy Free!

    Go Dairy Free 2nd Edition - The Ultimate Guide and Cookbook for Dairy-Free Living with Over 250 Recipes!

    Alisa Fleming
    • Website

    Alisa is the founder of GoDairyFree.org, Food Editor for Allergic Living magazine, and author of the best-selling dairy-free book, Go Dairy Free: The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance, and Casein-Free Living, and the new cookbook, Eat Dairy Free: Your Essential Cookbook for Everyday Meals, Snacks, and Sweets. Alisa is also a professional recipe creator and product ambassador for the natural food industry.

    Related Posts

    Open Nature Almond Frozen Dessert Reviews & Info - dairy-free and vegan ice cream at the Albertsons family of stores - replaces their almondmilk flavors

    Open Nature Almond Frozen Dessert gets Fancy with New Look and Flavors

    Open Nature Oat Frozen Dessert Reviews & Info - Dairy-Free & Vegan Oatmilk Ice Cream line in 5 flavors. Sold at the Albertsons family of stores (including Safeway, Vons, Randall's, United, etc)

    Open Nature Expands Oat Non-Dairy Ice Cream Line with 3 New Flavors

    Primal Kitchen No Dairy Alfredo Sauces Reviews & Info - dairy-free, gluten-free, soy-free, and now nut-free! Also suitable for vegan, keto, and paleo diets. Two varieties.

    Primal Kitchen Alfredo Sauces makes Rich & Creamy Pasta for All

    8 Comments

    1. Nicole Dawson on November 18, 2018 9:09 pm

      Those are great ideas Alisa. I haven’t done an advent calendar due to food allergies but this would be a fun and easy alternative for us.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 19, 2018 6:42 am

        Definitely! They are so easy to make.

        Reply
    2. Hannah on November 14, 2018 8:40 pm

      So freaking smart, and cute! I’ve never gotten into the whole advent calendar thing, but now I want to start a new tradition.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 17, 2018 7:40 am

        Oh I think you need to Hannah! This holiday tradition has your name all over it.

        Reply
    3. Kaila Proulx on November 14, 2018 6:07 pm

      OMG I love this idea!! So much more fun making your own than buying one at the store…and definitely higher quality too! 🙂

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 14, 2018 8:12 pm

        Definitely … I love quality control 🙂

        Reply
    4. Dianne on November 14, 2018 11:48 am

      This is such a fun project! I used to love getting chocolate advent calendars when I was little.

      Reply
      • Alisa Fleming on November 14, 2018 8:13 pm

        Me too! And I think adults deserve them too 🙂

        Reply

    Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

    Rate this recipe:  

    Go Dairy Free - The Guide and Cookbook for Milk Allergies, Lactose Intolerance and Casein-Free Living
    https://www.vegantreats.com/

    22 Dairy-Free & Vegan Alternatives to Cadbury Creme Eggs

    Free Food Journal! With detailed symptom tracker. Electronic - you can fill, save, and email it on your phone, tablet or computer! Or print it out! Great for Elimination Diets, Health Goals, Doctor and Dietitian Appointments, and More.

    The FREE Food Journal that You and Your Doctor will Love

    Enjoy Life FoodsFames Chocolates. From Brooklyn with loveEat dairy free bookChocolate Emporium
    Go Dairy Free is the leading website for information on the dairy-free diet. We share dairy-free recipes, product reviews, news, recommendations and health guides to aide those with milk allergies, lactose intolerance or a general need or desire to live without dairy. Dairy-free does include milk-free, lactose-free, casein-free and whey-free, too! We also offer ample resources for gluten-free, soy-free, food allergy, vegan and paleo diets. Please note that ingredients, processes and products are subject to change by a manufacturer at any time. All foods and products should be considered at risk for cross-contamination with milk and other allergens. Always contact the manufacturer prior to consumption. Disclaimer - All Rights Reserved - Privacy Policy Go Dairy Free © 2005-2022 Fleming Marrs Inc.

    Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.