This chocolate sorbet recipe requires two phases of preparation, but it’s still quite easy. The idea is to first blend a chocolate liquid emulsion, freeze it, and then re-blend it. No ice cream maker needed! I kept the ingredients list simple for a pure chocolate flavor.
2 cups water
8 oz chocolate*
1 vanilla bean** (optional)
pinch of salt
*I like dark chocolate, but you can really use any chocolate you like. I used Trader Joe’s “Pound Plus” dark chocolate, which is a great bargain and is pretty good chocolate. If you use it, it 8 oz will be about 15 squares.
**You could also use a Tbsp of extract.
Blend on high until you get a smooth liquid. It will heat up a bit as it blends. I think this is good because the chocolate will melt, which probably helps emulsify it. Then pour into ice-cube trays and leave to freeze solid in the freezer. (If you don’t have ice-cube trays you could use any small containers, like muffin cups. I would avoid freezing it into a single large block, because that would be hard to blenIf) This is best freshly blended, so you can save the ice cubes in a freezer container until you’re ready for sorbet.
When you’re ready, remove the frozen cubes of chocolate ice and return them to the Vitamix pitcher. Blend on high while using the tamper until the mixture starts to circulate, and then continue for another 5–10 seconds. Stop and serve it right away.
If you save some in the freezer it will get hard, and to scoop it you’ll need to thaw it a bit. I’ve read that you can use sugar, alcohol, or guar gum to increase scoopability. I’m particularly curious about guar gum, but I have not tried it yet.
I am also looking forward to trying this twice-blended method for making some nut-based sorbets in the future.
Update: this technique worked great for pistachio sorbet.
Oh my goodness! How soon can I get to Trader Joes!
Yum, how can you not love a chocolate sorbet, esp when it is this easy to make. Question: after I pour the warm emulsified chocolate into the ice cube tray, should I wait until it’s cooled down before I put it in the freezer? I look forward to seeing more recipes from you, especially one with pistachio (my favorite!) 🙂 Thanks. CH
I don’t worry about putting the chocolate emulsion straight into the freezer. It’s just lukewarm, and it cools a bit as you pour it.
I am also interested in pistachio sorbet, so I’ll have to give it a try sometime.
Pistachio sorbet recipe posted!
Pistachio Sorbet Recipe
Is trader joe’s chocolate NON GMO?
Oh my! This looks even better…and much easier…than Robin’s chocolate sorbet which she makes for us from time to time in her ice cream machine. There are going to be some happy campers up in the Eastern Sierra this weekend! Thanks, Adam.
Ithis chic sorbet recipe sounds great ! Does anyone know how to make a cappuccino in vitamix ?
Please thanks elda
I wonder what would happen if you put in a tangerine, or other citrus? Many years ago, Baskin-Robbins had a mandarin chocolate sherbet (aka sorbet) with super-dark chocolate that was pretty fabulous. It might be hard to get the tangerine flavor concentrated enough though.
Ohh, I’d like to try that with raspberry.
Just made this. I love the fact that it’s so simple to make. However mine didn’t turn out as yummy as I had hoped. It’s just not as creamy, and the icy part and the melted part didn’t blend that well. But I reminded myself this is a sorbet, not a gelato, so less creamy, less fat, lower calories. 🙂 I will try making this again, next time, adding nuts to get increased creaminess. I will also accent the flavor with some raspberry or coffee/espresso. If anyone has suggestions for a modified recipe, I’m eager to try it. Thanks Adams for sharing this simple recipe for a chocolate addict like me.
can you substitute ice cubes for the water in the first place…you know, for those of us who can’t delay gratification when chocolate is the ingredient/flavor!?!?! 🙂
btw – great recipe, thanx for sharing!!
You could, but I don’t think it would come out quite as smooth. Or, if you blended until really smooth, it probably wouldn’t be as frozen. Worth a shot though! Worst case: you eat a little bit, then keep blending until ultra smooth, freeze, then re-blend for round two.
Thoroughly enjoying your website Adam! Great advice, yummy recipes and fun reading everyone’s posts regarding their recipes and experiences with their Vitamix machines!
Wondering if instead of chocolate will using good quality free trade dark cocoa and almond or coconut milk make a good sorbet as well?
Yes, that would work. Obviously it wouldn’t have as pure of a chocolate flavor, but it would still be good. You would need to add some sweetener, since the chocolate in the above recipe has sugar and cocoa does not. If you use a non-calorie sweetener, it will come out icier, since sugar contributes to the texture.
Just made this and it was delicious. Thank you for the recipe. I used the 70% Icelandic chocolate from Whole Foods. I have one concern – how do you get every last bit out of the Vitamix? The blades made it impossible to get that last spoonful out!
Glad you liked it!
There are two possible ways to get the last bit out:
1) Use a silicone spatula. Here’s the one I use.
2) Add a little water or milk to the remnants, run the blades, then enjoy a little chocolatey drink.
Hello!
I made this with almond milk (made with Vitamix) and it turned out fantastic. The only issue I have is blending it. The tamp doesn’t work for me like it does for others making frozen dessert. I press all over and it never makes the 4 sections or becomes creamy. I even added more almond milk and finally gave up and had chunks. Any advice? Thank you, Stephanie
Here’s my first thought: what container are you using? If it’s the low profile 64-oz wide container, you will need to increase the batch size.
Ah, yes. I do have that one. I thought it would be better, but now I’m realizing that making frozen desserts for my kids is a pain because I have to make 3 times more than I want to.
(Adding liquid almond milk may make it not frozen enough to hold together as a frozen dessert. So, generally when you add extra ingredients to a frozen blend, it’s best for those ingredients to be frozen—it’s easiest to do with frozen fruit, but you could also add almond milk ice cubes.)
Adam, I fear that my wide-bottom is going to be an issue for 2-4 people sized desserts, yes? Is there a better option out there for me? I’d like something as large for soups, but also would like to have a normal portion of items to be blended well into frozen desserts. Thank you!
I’d recommend getting the 32-oz wet blade container. It’s the one shown in the picture in this post, and it works great for smaller size batches. You didn’t say which model you have, but if it uses the low profile 64-oz container, it can use the 32-oz container as well.
So sorry, Adam. I’m new at this 😉 Vitamix Pro Series 750
No worries! The 32-oz container definitely works with your model.
Adam, the 32-oz container works great! Thank you again. Stephanie
Thinking of adding some peanut butter when I blend the cubes… any thoughts on that?
Sounds good!
I have guests coming in a few hours. What does the second blending after freezing accomplish? I intend to put the first blended mixture into paper muffin holders and freeze and serve them like that. We will see what we get. Meanwhile, if anyone has the wisdom I seek as to reblending, I’d be happy for that.
The second blending breaks up any ice crystals and makes it softer.
If you eat it straight out of the freezer it will be pretty hard. The fat and sugar will make it so that it’s not frozen as solid as an ice cube, but it won’t be that easy to eat. It will still taste good though! I suppose there might be some medium state of frozen-ness where it’s not as hard.
The second blend makes it nice and scoopable.