Chocolate Stash & What to Make Next

PinSave

This post may contain affiliate links.

Lately I’ve been trying to thin out my cupboards and organize them more.  That’s code for, I’d rather not spend money on non-perishable grocery items until I use up what I have on hand.

Case in point the Curried Ginger & Raisin lentils were made with all on-hand ingredients

Curried Ginger & Raisin Lentils in dish with fork

And so were the Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cakes

Microwave Blueberry Banana Oat Cakes

And so were the Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars

Three Microwave Chocolate Peanut Butter & Oat Snack Bars on white plate

Speaking of Chocolate, when I was going through my cupboards I realized I have quite a stash.  And this is just a fraction of it.

Various chocolate bars and chips on countertop Semi-sweet chocolate chipsBittersweet Fine Artisan Dark Chocolate BarBaker's Semi-Sweet Baking BarVanilla Almond Bark Block

I did do a post about what my on-hand cupboard and pantry staple items are, and yes, chocolate is clearly a key item.

Chocolate makes the world go round, right?

Since we’re talking about a Chocolate Stash, if you need Chocolate Recipes ideas, I have a whole page dedicated to them.

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge

Chocolate Peanut Butter Fudge
Chocolate Covered Oreo Balls
Raw Vegan Dark Chocolate Fudge Balls

From my last post about picture taking in public, it was interesting to hear everyone’s comfort levels.  Some of you are very comfortable and you don’t care at all about snapping away while others are more conservative and self-conscious about it all.

It seems that a point and shoot may make things a little easier and more comfortable than lugging a DSLR out, too.

And it was great to read about what you used to think was a big deal, but have now realized, isn’t such a big deal after all.   I think it’s great when we can keep life in perspective and not sweat the small stuff as much.

Lots of great comments on that post.  Thank you!   And thanks to all the first time commenters, new blog readers, and de-lurkers for stopping by and saying hi!

If you need anything else to get your Chocolate Monster going, try a No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ball with Chocolate Chips.  You can add a high protein option to them, too.

Close up of No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Ball

No Bake Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Dough Balls
Questions:

1. Do you have a stash of anything on hand?  If so, what?

I like to keep a stash of paper products (toilet paper, kleenex, paper towels)

Toiletry items (shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, floss, body wash, soap, etc.)

Household items like cleaners and detergents

And of course, I keep a stash of all things sweet and wonderful on hand from sugar to chocolate!
I’ve posted about my cupboard & pantry staples before
 
2. Do you keep chocolate on hand?

This is a super silly question for me…yes!

3. What should I make next with chocolate? Or what are you going to make next with chocolate?
Cookies, cakes, pies, snack bars, dessert balls, frosting….So many options.
Let me know what you’d like to see me make next!  What are you making next?

About the Author

Welcome to AverieCooks! Here you’ll find fast and easy recipes that taste amazing and are geared for real life. Nothing fussy or complicated, just awesome tasting dishes everyone loves!

Get the latest recipes via email!

Leave a Comment

Please note: I have only made the recipe as written, and cannot give advice or predict what will happen if you change something. If you have a question regarding changing, altering, or making substitutions to the recipe, please check out the FAQ page for more info.

Comments

  1. I’d say that like you, I always have Kleenex, toilet paper, toothpaste, etc on hand. I buy all that stuff at Costco b/c I like the “bulk” aspect of it. Other than that I stash canned beans, for sure. It can be a bit ridiculous at times. HA! Currently, I’m hoarding the v-day cinnamon hearts like its my job. I <3 those things. ;) As for chocolate, I always have 1 Lindt dark sea salt & one Lindt chili chocolate bars hanging around. I eat 2 squares after dinner each night as a "dessert".

  2. oh my gosh! chocolate stashes are tHE BEST!! i currently have a mega nut butter stash… i have 10 jars open.. yeah, you read it right

  3. We have also been thinning out the cupboards and the fridge / freezer before buying more food at the store. And then making meals that give us more than 1 meal.

    Served your GF PB Marshmallow squares with Chocolate frosting to our dinner guest last night. I cut them up into tiny bite-size pieces and put them out on a platter. His thoughts “these are addictive!”

    Just restocked our personal care stash: deodorant, toothpaste (for hubby), and shampoo. They were all on sale, so we bought 3-4 of each.

    I keep dark chocolate on hand, as well as some semi-sweet chocolate chips to be used in baking / unbaking.

    Next? It might try the PB Fudge.

  4. We always keep a stash of paper towels, tp, dish rags, etc. :) I would probably hoard all sorts of other fun stuff but my apt is already popping at the seams. :)

  5. I usually have a stash of beans/lentils (canned), paper products, feminine products … and Almond Milk.

    I also currently have a stash of liquid hand soap (the Body Shop was having a sale :-))

  6. I have a stash of odd grains, and canned legumes.

    not very exciting.

    not as much as chocolate.

    MAKE BROWNIES.

    mmmm
    xoxoxo

  7. Here are a couple of ideas for chocolate recipes:

    Vegan, gluten-free chocolate cheesecake

    Some sort of chocolate on chocolate cookie (GF would be a huge bonus).

    Creative flavors of hot chocolate. I do this a lot: mint hot choc, chai hot choc, etc. Maybe you can come up with some flavor combo I haven’t thought of.

      1. Thanks for the linkage. Sometimes I do a flavored mocha. Basically 2/3rd hot chocolate, 1/3 coffee, plus any added flavor.

  8. I’m feeling exactly the same way about using up what we already have–which is sad because grocery shopping is such a favorite hobby of mine, I’ve gotta restrain myself! For me, this means using up freezer fare (e.g. frozen meals, bagged veggies, homemade baked goods, etc.). But what I *always* have on hand (in extreme quantity/variety) are “BARS”! Amazing Grass, Pure, PROBAR, Clif C/Z-Bar/Crunch, Vega, Jocalat, Bora Bora, Nugo — you name it; I’ve got it! It seems crazy because there’s a drawer completely filled with them, yet I don’t eat them as often as I used to (while away at school), but they most definitely come in handy for unexpected circumstances, car rides, long appointment waits, traveling, etc.! I imagine that this becomes even more true when kids are in the picture. :) That said, I enjoy my own baked goods a lot more… hence the small turnover in my bar stash. PS- There’s definitely a raisin, Amy’s Kitchen, and chocolate stash too! ;)

  9. I always have at least one extra package of tp, kleenex, shampoo, etc on hand. Always. One is emptied, and it goes on the list for next time I’m at Target. Pantry always has diced tomatoes, beets, sauerkraut, pickles, and Yes, of course, chocolate. And hard candies. I’m an addict.

    I always have fresh veggies on hand too, but if I ever run out of lettuce or greens, that is an instant trip to the store, even if its all I need. Gotta have my daily salad! (Followed by my daily chocolate.)

  10. I stash food! I am seriously like a squirrel. I always have a snack with me!
    I’m more of a fruity dessert person than a chocolate person. However, I would love to see a vegan version of a Carmello candy bar!