National Milk Chocolate Day

How is milk chocolate different from other chocolates? It’s a mix of cocoa solids and either dry or condensed milk. While dark chocolate is traditionally used as a baking ingredient, this lighter version is used to make chocolate candy bars, hot chocolate, and many other delicious desserts.

Did you know that chocolate actually has mood-enhancing benefits? That’s right—chocolate can make you happy! This is due to the fact that it contains a stimulant called theobromine and a compound called anandamide. Now that’s a reason to celebrate!

History of National Milk Chocolate Day

Daniel Peter, the inventor of milk chocolate, was born in the village of Moudon, located in the Canton of Vaud, in beautiful, mountainous Switzerland in 1836. Peter attended school and graduated there.

Later on in life, Daniel Peter had formed a strong friendship with his neighbor, Henry Nestle, who had settled in Vevey, Switzerland, about 1843. Nestle had developed a process to make baby food in which he used what was then called a “milky flour.” It was at this point in his life that Daniel Peter asked himself the question, “Why not try to make a chocolate containing milk?”

This idea stayed with the young Daniel Peter to the point of becoming an obsession with him. He further realized that in order to stay in the chocolate market, already principally controlled by Caliller, Suchard, Kohler, and others, he must produce a new product that would become

pleasing and desired by the consumer.It should be noted by all that since the early 20th century, the countries of Europe have been producing milk chocolate of varying qualities.

It should also be understood that the development of the process by Daniel Peter was created in the community of Vevey, with the Canton of Vaud, in Switzerland, and further pointed out that the first chocolate process, although not milk chocolate, was also created in Vevey, Switzerland, by Francois Louis Cailler, at the age of twenty-three, upon his return to that community from France and Italy in 1819.

Our research has found that National Milk Chocolate Day was started by the Confectioner’s Association.

How to celebrate National Milk Chocolate Day

Enjoy your favorite milk chocolate on this day and maybe try out some recipes with milk chocolate in them.
Maybe try this one for a Chocolate Candy Bar Cake

• What you will need:
• 1 (18.25 ounce) package devil’s food cake mix
• 1 1/2 cups milk
• 3 eggs
• 3/4 cup vegetable oil
• 1 (3.5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
• 1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
• 1 (12 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
• 1 cup chopped pecans
• 4 (1.5 ounce) bars milk chocolate candy, coarsely chopped

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C). Grease and flour 3 (8 inch) pans.
2. In a large bowl, combine cake mix, milk, eggs, oil and instant vanilla pudding mix. Beat on low speed until blended. Scrape bowl, and beat 4 minutes on medium speed. Pour batter into prepared pans.
3. Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of the cake comes out clean. Allow to cool.
4. To make the frosting: In a large bowl, beat the cream cheese with the white sugar and confectioners’ sugar until smooth.
5. Fold in the whipped topping, pecans and chopped chocolate.
6. Spread between layers and on top and sides of cake.