Think outside the chocolate box: our favourite weird and wonderful recipes for World Chocolate Day

July 7^th is World Chocolate Day - sounds like the perfect excuse to indulge in all things chocolate, if you ask us! Chocolate has been getting us through breakups, pregnancy cravings, and (more recently) Netflix binges since ancient times - in fact, it was the Mayans who first discovered the delights of chocolate. In the 16^th century Spanish explorers brought it to the attention of the European aristocracy, and the rest is history. From chocolate fondue fountains to Easter eggs, and everything in between, chocolate has become a mainstay of life's special occasions, and it's hard to imagine a world without that sweet, creamy stuff.

So, we've collected our favourite out-of-the-box chocolate recipes, to inspire you in the kitchen this World Chocolate Day. Because, while some might claim that diamonds are a girl's best friend, we all know it's really chocolate that takes top spot.

Bake some classic chocolate brownies, with a twist

Everyone loves a thick slice of chocolate brownie, but if you have allergies or intolerances, it can be hard to find a recipe that caters to these dietary requirements and still tastes great. This recipe is gluten and grain free, and can easily be made dairy free and fructose-friendly too. It uses sweet potato as the main ingredient, so it's packed full of nutrients as well. Mix up the batter and bake in a brownie tin like this one, then store in a Decor Tellfresh container in the fridge or freezer - if it lasts that long!

Make a jar of healthy-ish hot chocolate

Homemade hot chocolate powder is great for gifts, or to keep in the pantry for when late-night chocolate cravings strike. All you need to do is combine a cup of cacao powder and a cup of coconut sugar in your food processor, along with a vanilla bean, a pinch of cinnamon, and a few scoops of protein powder, if you fancy. Whiz it up until well combined, and use two or three teaspoons per cup to make a scrumptious hot chocolate without the nasty additives you find in store-bought versions. If you're making it as a gift, pop it into a classic Kilner glass jar like this one, adding a little tag with the ingredients list and instructions written on it.

Whip up a decadent chocolate tart

Looking for the perfect dessert to make this weekend? We love this recipe from kitchen queen Nigella Lawson because it's easy to make, but will look super impressive on your dinner party table. You'll need a tart pan with a removable base like this one, so you can pop your tart out without the shell cracking or crumbling. Present it on a classic white cake stand, dusted with icing sugar and garnished with fresh raspberries and a few mint leaves, with double cream on the side - delish!

DIY cacao lip balm

Cacao lip balm tastes great, smells like heaven, and keeps your lips soft and smooth - and it's surprisingly easy to make! Simply combine a tablespoon of beeswax and four tablespoons of jojoba or coconut oil in a glass bowl like this one, and melt it over a pot of boiling water. Add a teaspoon of raw cacao powder, and stir until well-combined. You can also pop a few drops of essential oil in the mix if you like - peppermint or orange work well with the chocolate.

Pick up some cute little metal tins or cardboard lip balm tubes to pour it into, decorate with pens or stickers, and voila - you've got a sustainable, homemade gift your friends and family will love. It's also an awesome activity for a pre-teen girls sleepover party and, as they'll be taking their own lip balm home, you won't need to put together any party bags - winning!

Try some chocolate hummus - yes, it's a thing!

Who doesn't love hummus? It's the ultimate addition to the charcuterie platter that's sure to please everyone - even babies love the stuff! But have you ever tried (drumroll please)... chocolate hummus? Okay, hear us out - imagine a dip that tastes like cake batter, but is full of good stuff like protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants. Doesn't sound so crazy now, right?!

To make a chocolate hummus all you need to do is swap out the savoury ingredients like garlic and lemon, and add in some cacao, sweetener, and vanilla. Switch the tahini for your favourite nut butter and you've got a delicious, healthy dip that kids and adults will go crazy for. You can find a bunch of different chocolate hummus recipes here, all of which can be whipped up in a food processor or all-in-one multi-cooker. Store in a Pyrex glass bowl in the fridge, and serve with your favourite berries, homemade cookies, or breadsticks.

Feeling inspired to create some World Chocolate Day treats? We've got everything you need to get started online and in-store now at Harris Scarfe.

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