andrejthechef
UKDessertSnackVegetarianGluten-free

Wonka Chocolate Bars

A rich, snapping dark chocolate bar wrapped in gold foil and paper, homemade in the style of the bar that might hide a Golden Ticket.

prep
20 min
cook
10 min
total
30 min
serves
8
level
easy
Wonka Chocolate Bars, from Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)

The entire plot of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971) turns on five golden tickets hidden at random inside ordinary chocolate bar wrappers, setting off a worldwide buying frenzy before Charlie Bucket finds the last one and earns his way into the factory.

A real homemade bar needs proper tempering to get that same clean snap and shine, melting most of the chocolate and then stirring in the rest gradually rather than melting it all at once.

Part of our 40 famous movie foods list.

method

  1. Melt about two-thirds of the chopped chocolate gently in a heatproof bowl over a pan of simmering water, or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often, until smooth.

  2. Remove from the heat, and stir in the remaining chocolate a little at a time, letting each addition melt in before adding more. This tempers the chocolate, giving it a glossy finish and a proper snap.

  3. If using cocoa butter, melt it separately and stir it in at this stage.

  4. Pour the tempered chocolate into a chocolate bar mold, tapping gently to remove air bubbles.

  5. Scatter with sea salt flakes if using.

  6. Let set at room temperature, or chill briefly to speed things along, until completely firm.

  7. Unmold the bars, and wrap in gold foil, then a printed paper wrapper if you like, for the full presentation.

chef's tips

  • Tempering the chocolate properly, melting most of it and then stirring in the rest gradually, is what gives a homemade bar the same clean snap and shine as a bought one, rather than a dull, soft result.
  • A chocolate bar mold makes this far easier and more consistent than trying to shape bars freehand on a tray.
  • In Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971), the entire plot turns on five golden tickets hidden inside ordinary Wonka bar wrappers, which sets off a worldwide buying frenzy and sends five children, including Charlie Bucket, into Wonka's factory.
  • Wrapping the finished bars in gold foil is purely presentation, but it is a nice, simple nod to the Golden Ticket premise if you are making these for a themed occasion.