Keto Advent Calendar
Today I’m going to show you how to make a Keto Advent Calendar!
I grew up loving Christmas and that enthusiasm has stayed with me to this day! One of the things I loved to do during the Christmas season each year was the advent calendar. Growing up we had an advent calendar with pockets and a tiny little mouse that moved each day closer to Christmas (see below). My two younger sisters and I used to take turns (and truly argue) moving the mouse each day.
Some years we would each also get our own chocolate advent calendar (usually from the Dollar Tree). I loved opening the cardboard flap each day and getting my very own delicious piece of chocolate to help me count down to Christmas. I still enjoy using an advent calendar as an adult and this is how the idea for a chocolate Keto Advent Calendar was born.
I knew there was a way to recreate a sugar free, low carb and Keto friendly advent calendar.
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What is a low carb or Keto Advent Calendar?
The advent calendar originated in the 19th century where religious families made a chalk mark every day of December until Christmas Eve (see more here). Today, an advent calendar typically has small numbered flaps which when opened on each day of Advent (December 1-24th) reveal a picture, treat or prize celebrating the Christmas season.
A low carb/Keto Advent calendar allows you (and me) to celebrate the Christmas season with chocolate without all of the extra carbs and sugar.
Sugar Free Advent Calendar
The cool thing about this Keto Advent Calendar, is that it uses the store bought calendar base and the mold inside, but we replace the sugary chocolate inside with low carb sugar free chocolate instead.
This is a super easy project and should be budget friendly. So, if you aren’t a Pinterest perfect crafter (I know I am not), this is a project for you!
What supplies do I need?
- A boxed advent calendar. I bought mine at Aldi for $1.19. You can also check the dollar store for these. If for some reason you can’t find these in store, you can order them online for about $5-7 (see ideas here). And remember, we are replacing the chocolate inside so you don’t need to worry about the macros!
You can also try one of these from Amazon:
2. Chocolate.
- I used Lily’s Chocolate chips (get them here or at your local grocery store)
- Your other option is to make your own chocolate using this recipe:
- melt 3oz baker’s choclate
- add 1 TBSP of coconut oil or cacao butter
- add stevia to taste (I used about 20 drops for dark and rich chocolate)
How do I make this Keto Advent Calendar?
There are going to be quite a few steps, but it is not complicated!
The basic idea is to take a pre-made advent calendar, dump out the sugar-filled chocolates and then refill the plastic mold with Keto-friendly chocolate. Once the Keto-friendly sugar-free chocolate has hardened, you will replace the plastic insert into the cardboard mold and you’re done. Simple.
Don’t be intimidated by the steps. Give it a try-you’ll love it!
1. Cut open the top of your advent calendar’s outer cardboard shell. Make the cut neat, since you will be replacing the plastic insert back in the shell at the end
2. Slid out the plastic insert that holds the sugar-filled chocolates. Sometimes the plastic insert is held to the cardboard with glue or adhesive, so go slow and separate the plastic from the cardboard and slide the cardboard out.
3. Pop-out each piece of chocolate until the plastic mold is empty.
I suggest you throw out these chocolates so you aren’t tempted….that’s what I did to be safe. Or pass these on to someone you know can enjoy them.
4. Melt your chocolate.
The easiest way is to melt 3 oz of Lily’s chocolate chips either in the microwave, on the stovetop or over a double boiler-just make sure you don’t burn the chocolate!
If you don’t have Lily’s chocolate chips, melt 3oz baker’s chocolate, 1 TBSP coconut oil or cacao butter. After melted add drops of stevia to taste. I used about 20 drops and the chocolate was very dark, rich, and yummy, but add more ti fit your taste!
5. Pour the melted chocolate into the plastic mold.
I found using a measuring cup with a spout makes this step easier.
You can also use a candy dropper if you have one.
The best piece of advice I can give you is DON’T pour this straight from the pan-it won’t work and will create a huge mess. Ask me how I know? 🙂
Then let this cool at room temperature. Don’t refrigerate or freeze this.
If you live somewhere exceedingly warm, and the chocolate won’t set, put it in the refrigerator, but just know that the chocolate will lose some of it’s shine.
Your mold might end up looking something like this:
Try to wipe up as much of the chocolate as you can. But if not, don’t worry, this is going to be covered by the outer cardboard box shell of the calendar itself, so you won’t even notice it.
6. After the chocolate has cooled and is completely set (the time will depend on the temperature of the room, but usually a few hours), slide the plastic mold back into the cardboard calendar shell. You may have to tape the top of the box where you had cut it open to ensure a tight seal.
Keep the Keto Advent Calendar horizontal if possible. This will prevent the chocolates from slipping out of the mold if the reseal on the box isn’t tight enough.
Your finished project should look like this:
Comment below with a photo of your Keto Advent Calendar!
Happy Keto Holidays 🙂
This is a cool idea