What Is White Chocolate?

Some of our favorite desserts like macadamia cookies, peppermint bark and black tie mousse cake rely on white chocolate for their signature flavor. But what is white chocolate anyway? What is it about this ingredient that takes these treats from good to great?

Is White Chocolate Real Chocolate?

If you want to get technical, no, white chocolate isn’t actually chocolate. By definition, chocolate is a combination of cocoa solids, cocoa butter, sugar and additional flavorings (like milk in the case of milk chocolate).

While white chocolate shares a few of these ingredients, it does not contain cocoa solids. These solids are the differentiating factor between these two types of candy.

So, What Is White Chocolate and What Is White Chocolate Made Of?

If white chocolate isn’t really chocolate, what is it? Simply put, it’s candy! But we’re OK if you still want to call this candy chocolate. Outside of the food science world, this term is widely accepted.

As for the ingredients, white chocolate contains a good amount of cocoa butter—a super creamy byproduct of the chocolate-making process. It gets much of its love-it-or-hate-it sweetness from sugar. The flavor is rounded out by milk, and the chocolate is held together by lecithin (an emulsifier).

The History of White Chocolate

Cavan Images/Getty Images

While chocolate has a long and storied history dating back more than 4,000 years (we have the ancient Mayas to thank!), white chocolate’s history is considerably briefer.

While variations on this kind of chocolate were made in the 1800s, it didn’t become readily available until 1936. That’s when, according to the Chocolate Museum, Nestlé began producing white chocolate commercially. This sweet was a hit and it grew in popularity over the decades.

Is White Chocolate Bad for You?

White chocolate is candy, so it’s not exactly the cornerstone of a healthy diet. Its primary ingredient is sugar.

However, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enjoy a bit of white chocolate now and again—the same way you’d enjoy any other favorite sweet treat.

If you want to get a little boost from your chocolate, Cleveland Clinic suggests opting for dark chocolate—the more cacao the better.

What to Make with White Chocolate

So, what is white chocolate good for in the kitchen? Plenty! White chocolate (and white chocolate chips) are a great foundation for making all types of candies including barks and truffles. White chocolate can also be used in cookies, cakes, bars and more.

Lastly, white chocolate is also a great way to finish all sorts of treats. A drizzle of white chocolate can take your sweets to the next level. Just remember to keep an eye out when melting chocolate; low and slow is the name of the game.

1 / 27

Triple Chocolate Peppermint Cookies Santa is sure to stop by your house if you leave these white chocolate and mint-topped cookies waiting for him. They're quick and easy for the whole family to make together. —Teresa Ralston, New Albany, Ohi Go to Recipe

White Chocolate TrufflesI use this white chocolate truffle recipe to make homemade holiday gifts. The candies are so easy to make and will look so pretty in a gift box.—Gloria Nolan, Peoria, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Elegant White Chocolate MousseSimply elegant is a fitting description for this smooth treat. Whipped cream teams up with white chocolate to make this easy white chocolate mousse recipe extra special. —Laurinda Johnston, Belchertown, Massachusetts

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Macadamia Nut CookiesHawaiian nuts and melty white chocolate chips make a fantastic combination in these buttery white chocolate macadamia nut cookies. —Cathy Lennon, Newport, Tennessee

Go to Recipe

Blackberry White Chocolate Cheesecake CupsI read that white chocolate intensifies the flavor of blackberries. It's true! The crunch of baking chips, the blackberry puree, and the sweet and salty pretzel crust make this a sensational mini dessert. —Arlene Erlbach, Morton Grove, Illinois

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Coconut BarkFull of macadamia nuts, coconut and ginger, this bark will transport you to a tropical island. Make sure to get the salted macadamia nuts to help balance the sweetness of the white chocolate. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Raspberry ThumbprintsWhen I pass around the cookie tray, all eyes land on these fancy thumbprints. The white chocolate filling and dab of jewel-toned jam will satisfy even the most discriminating sweet tooth. —Agnes Ward, Stratford, Ontario

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Unicorn ManesEveryone loves a classic shortbread cookie. Make each cookie magical with a quick dip into melted baking chips and rainbow-colored sprinkles. Your unicorns will love these rainbow bites. —Angela Lemoine, Howell, New Jersey

Go to Recipe

Coconut Key Lime ThumbprintsThis is the cookie recipe I created for the Las Vegas World Food Championships in 2013. It's similar to a shortbread thumbprint cookie, but with lots more personality. —Amy Freeze, Avon Park, Florida

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

White Chocolate-Cappuccino CookiesThese adorable cookies shaped like coffee cups don't last long with my friends and family. For an even richer flavor, I use a mocha latte coffee mix. —Nancy Sousley, Lafayette, Indiana

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Chocolate Pomegranate CandiesThis recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York

Go to Recipe

Triple Chocolate Mousse TorteWhen it's too hot to bake something sweet but you're craving chocolate, my chocolate mousse torte is all you need. Stack up the layers any way you like. —Samantha Hernandez, Vacaville, California

Go to Recipe

Holiday White Chocolate FudgeWhen December arrives, friends and family eagerly await my creamy white fudge. It's a little something different from the traditional chocolate. —Gioviana Buser, Riverside, California

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Pumpkin DreamsIf you like pumpkin pie, you'll love these delicious pumpkin cookies dotted with white chocolate chips and chopped pecans. Drizzled with a brown sugar icing, they're irresistible.

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Peppermint FudgeI make many batches of this minty peppermint fudge to give as Christmas gifts. It's not too sweet, so it appeals to lots of palates. —Sue Schindler, Barnesville, Minnesota

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Peppermint White Hot ChocolateMy soothing white hot chocolate is a great warm-up after a wintry day spent sledding or ice skating. Or include it as a festive addition to brunch or an afternoon tea party. —Darlene Brenden, Salem, Oregon

Go to Recipe

Cheesecake PopsThis is a very quick, easy and fun dessert for any occasion. The possibilities are endless with these cute bites. Customize them for any occasion by using different toppings. —Evelyn Moore, Elk Grove, California

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Cranberry BlondiesFriends sometimes ask me to make these for wedding receptions. For a fancier presentation, I cut the bars into triangle shapes and drizzle white chocolate over each one individually. —Erika Busz, Kent, Washington

Go to Recipe

Double DelightsYou get the best of both worlds with these chocolate and vanilla cookies. They're an appealing addition to any cookie tray. I usually serve them at the holidays, when they're often the first cookies to disappear, but you can have them any time of year. —Ruth Ann Stelfox, Raymond, Alberta

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

White Chocolate-Strawberry TiramisuHere's a twist on a classic dessert that highlights another flavor combo my husband and I love: strawberries and white chocolate. Lighten it up if you'd like—I've had good luck with light nondairy whipped topping and reduced-fat cream cheese. —Anna Ginsberg, Chicago, Illinois

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Christmas TorteTalk about a scene-stealer! This raspberry-filled cake, an exceptional dessert for any meal, is an especially lovely ending for a holiday feast. —Carol Gillespie, Chambersburg, Pennsylvania

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Decadent Fudge CakeEveryone loves the rich flavor in this decadent cake made with four types of chocolate. —Anna Hogge, Yorktown, Virginia

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate-Cranberry BiscottiThe original version of this recipe was handed down from my great-aunt. Through the years, my mother and I have tried different flavor combinations, but this version has become a favorite. —Brenda Keith, Talent, Oregon

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Cookies 'n' Cream FudgeI invented this confection for a bake sale at our children's school. Boy, was it a hit! The crunchy chunks of sandwich cookie soften a bit as the mixture mellows. It's so sweet that one panful serves a crowd. —Laura Lane, Richmond, Virginia

Go to Recipe

Dipped GingersnapsI get tremendous satisfaction making and giving time-tested yuletide treats like these dipped gingersnaps. Dipping them in white chocolate makes much-loved gingersnaps even more special. —Laura Kimball, West Jordan, Utah

Go to Recipe

White Chocolate Raspberry PancakesWe grow berries in the summer, and I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate them into our meals. I created these white chocolate raspberry pancakes on a whim, and my husband thought they were great! Semisweet chocolate chips can easily be substituted for the white baking chips. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin

Go to Recipe

Taste of Home

Curry-Kissed Coconut FudgeIf you love Thai flavors and love fudge, you'll adore this creamy coconut fudge sprinkled with a hint of sweet curry powder. —Sarah Meuser, New Milford, Connecticut

Go to Recipe