National White Chocolate Day

Next National White Chocolate Day Monday, 22 September 2025

White Chocolate lovers, it is your time to shine as September 22nd is the day we celebrate National White Chocolate Day. It is a sweet and creamy occasion dedicated to the rich and luscious white chocolate.

Whether you like them in candy bars, as desserts or paired with other flavors, the charm white chocolate has is unrivaled, and it continues to explode taste buds across the world with flavors.

National White Chocolate Day should not be confused with International Chocolate Day on September 13th, National Milk Chocolate Day on July 28th, World Chocolate Day on July 7th, and National Chocolate Day on October 28th.

What Is White Chocolate

White chocolate, unlike its dark and milk chocolate counterparts, does not contain cocoa solids. It’s made from a blend of cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, and often vanilla, resulting in a creamy and sweet confection with a distinct texture and flavor profile. This absence of cocoa solids gives white chocolate its characteristic pale color and sets it apart from other types of chocolate.

The Rich History of White Chocolate

Early Recipes

The concept of “white chocolate” goes back to the late 19th century with recipes being published in 1869, 1871, and 1872. These older versions were very different from modern white chocolate.

For example, Henry Blakely's 1871 recipe had white sugar, rice flour, arrowroot powder, vanilla, cocoa butter, and gum Arabic boiled in water which supposedly produced a confection with a chewy texture rather than the smooth, creamy texture we associate with white chocolate today.

Modern Production

White chocolate nowadays, is essentially a concoction of milk chocolate without including cocoa solids. The base recipe for milk chocolate was developed in 1875 by Daniel Peter, a Swiss Chocolatier. However, it wasn't till the early 20th century that the idea of white chocolate started to take shape.

T.B. McRoberts, in December 1916 addressed rumors that Swiss chocolatiers created a “snow-white” chocolate to mimic the snow-capped Swiss Alps by writing in the International Confectioner. He ruled out the idea saying that bleaching cocoa products to achieve a white color would be unhealthy and impractical.

The first modern white chocolate bar was produced by the Nestlé, the Swiss company in 1936 known as Milky bar. It marked the official debut of white chocolate in Europe.

Nestlé, a major player in the Swiss chocolate industry and owner of the Peter-Caller-Kohler factory, is generally credited with creating the first white chocolate bar. The motivation behind this innovation was to use up excess milk powder and cocoa butter.

White Chocolate in the United States

White chocolate was introduced to the United States in 1946, thanks to Frederick E. Herbert of Herbert Candies in Shrewsbury, Massachusetts.

After encountering “white coat” candies in Europe, Hebert introduced the confection to American consumers.

By the late 1940s, other chocolate manufacturers, such as Kuno Baedeker for the Merckens Chocolate Company, developed their own white chocolate formulas.

Popularity and Market Presence

As white chocolate gained popularity, white versions of well-known chocolate bars emerged. Toblerone released a white chocolate version in 1973, and Hershey's Kisses followed suit in 1993. As of 2024, white chocolate made up 10% of the chocolate market. It is growing at a rate of 4.87% per year.

Way to Celebrate National White Chocolate Day

National White Chocolate Day can be savored in numerous delightful ways. Here’s how you can celebrate National White Chocolate Day:

Enjoy the simple pleasure of a white chocolate bar, whether plain or with flavors like raspberry or almond. Transform your morning coffee with a white chocolate mocha. Dip fresh strawberries in melted white chocolate for an elegant and delightful treat. The combination of juicy strawberries and smooth white chocolate creates a perfect balance.

Indulge in a white chocolate-infused cheesecake. Bake cookies with white chocolate chips and macadamia nuts for a delicious combination.

National White Chocolate Day on September 22nd is perfect for exploring and enjoying white chocolate. Share your favorite creations with friends and family, making this day a sweet celebration to remember with the hashtag #NationalWhiteChocolateDay on social media.