My first dairy free Christmas was decidedly bleak - we were brand new to being dairy free and had no idea of what was out there that was safe to eat. This year, there is a good amount of choice available and so hopefully there's something for everyone. As usual, I've tried to track where these can be found. And, as at Easter, I've decided to cut down the waffle and provide some easy comparison charts to help you find the dairy free chocolate that's right for YOU!
This table shows the range of products available and where to find them:
Advent Calendar
|
Selection Box
|
Chocolate Novelty Figures
|
Chocolate Boxes
|
Chocolate Coins
|
Tree Decorations
| |
Ayni
|
Shapes for Advent calendars – online only
|
x
|
Online only
|
Online Only
|
x
|
x
|
Booja Booja
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Waitrose, Sainsbury’s
Holland & Barrett Ocado
|
x
|
x
|
Choices
(also make Tesco, Sainsbury’s & Asda’s free from chocolate)
|
Sainsbury’s Tesco
Asda
Holland & Barrett Ocado
|
Holland & Barrett
Ocado
|
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
Asda
|
Sainsbury’s Holland & Barrrett Ocado
|
Sainsbury’s
Tesco
Asda
|
X
But see this post!
|
Cocoa Libre
|
x
|
x
|
Holland & Barrett
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
D & D Chocolates
|
Online only
|
x
|
Online only
|
Online only
|
x
|
Online only
|
Kinnerton
|
By pre-ordering online only
|
x
|
Asda Ocado
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Moo Free
|
Sainsbury’s
Waitrose Ocado
|
Sainsbury’s Ocado
|
Waitrose
Ocado
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
No Muu
|
Shapes for Advent calendars – online only
|
x
|
Online only
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Plamil
|
Holland & Barrett
|
x
|
Holland & Barrett
|
x
|
x
|
x
|
Please note, you may need to shop in the larger supermarkets to find these products and avoid disappointment. Holland and Barrett may well hold some great promotions nearer Christmas, if you can hold your nerve and wait until then!
 |
| The Choices Advent Calendar under the Sainsbury's label |
You may see larger ranges of chocolate listed elsewhere as dairy free, but many of them contain traces or are made on the same production lines as milk products. All of the chocolate in this table is definitely dairy free - no may contain dairy or traces of dairy in this little lot!
This table shows key allergen information for these dairy free chocolate brands:
Dairy Free
|
Gluten Free
|
Soya Free
|
Egg Free
|
Nut Free
|
Vegan
|
|
Ayni
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Booja
Booja
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
x
|
y
|
Choices
(also make Tesco, Sainsbury’s & Asda’s
free from chocolate)
|
y
|
y
|
*Lecithin
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Cocoa
Libre
|
y
|
y
|
*Lecithin
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
D
& D Chocolates
|
y
|
y
|
May Contain
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Kinnerton
|
y
|
y
|
*Lecithin
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Moo
Free
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
x
|
y
|
No
Muu
|
y
|
y
|
May
Contain
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Plamil
|
y
|
y
|
May Contain
|
y
|
y
|
y
|
Y = yes
*Soya Lecithin is the oil from the Soy bean. Technically,
this should not cause a reaction in those allergic to soya, as the protein has
been removed, but those who are particularly sensitive may still react. If
unsure please consult with your Doctor/Dietitian.
Brand Lowdown:
Ayni
Ayni make handmade raw chocolate, which is naturally dairy free. Unfortunately only available online, it is quite reasonably priced and there is a good range of novelty shapes and lollies, some of which are made with white dairy free chocolate. They even make a chocolate house kit! Check out their products here.
Booja Booja
Booja Booja chocolate truffles are simply LUSH! They are on the somewhat pricey side, but they taste worth it. A small box from Waitrose or Sainsbury's will set you back about £6.95/£6.99. Larger boxes can be purchased from Holland and Barrett, but the largest selection by far can be found on Ocado.
 |
| A little luxury! |
Choices/Celtic Chocolates
This brand originates from Ireland. They produce chocolate under their own label, as well as for Tesco, Asda and Sainsbury's free from label. They make a good range of Christmas chocolates. You can get best value by buying it under Asda's label, on the whole. Their Advent calendar is noticeably more expensive at Tesco and Holland and Barrett! Most of their chocolate is 'milk' chocolate, but they also make a white chocolate Santa and some dark chocolate mints.
 |
| Tesco? Choices actually! |
 |
| Sainsbury's? Choices! Same product, different wrapper! |
 |
| These Santas come in white or milk style chocolate |
Cocoa Libre
I first came across this brand the other year and loved it. It is gradually becoming more available and I'm really excited to see this brand now available on the High Street at Holland and Barrett. Woo hoo! Otherwise the full range of their chocolate can be found online here. By the way, if you can't find it in your local Holland and Barrett, you can order online and have it delivered to your local store.
 |
| Love these cheeky little penguins - available in mint or milk flavour |
D & D Chocolates
D & D chocolates use Plamil chocolate to make a nice range of seasonal offerings, including Christmas tree decorations!! You can find their range here. Their chocolate is a bit darker and firmer than some other dairy free chocolates, but I've heard their mint chocolate snowmen are lovely and won an award the other year! D & D Chocolates also make a carob range for those who can't have chocolate.
Kinnerton
This brand of dairy free chocolate is decidedly dark, rather than milk chocolate. Unfortunately, if you want one of their Advent calendars, you've missed the boat for this year. However, if you join their mailing list, they'll warn you next year. If you shop in Asda, you may well spot their hollow chocolate Santas, which would make perfect stocking fillers.
 |
| Actually quite a nice size in real life - kiddo loved hers last year! |
No Muu
No Muu is a small family business, whose aim is to make safe dairy free treats suitable for kids. Their Lego men (not Christmas I know, but such fun) are pretty cute! Their range of novelty chocolate shapes includes white chocolate as well. Check out their Christmas range here.
Moo Free Chocolates
This brand is very popular with those who miss their normal milk chocolate. Usually Sainsbury's and Waitrose stock the Advent calendars and Mini Moo Santas, but I haven't seen them there this year just yet, although Sainsbury's have got their selection boxes. Waitrose always tend to take longer to get seasonal free from stock in.
 |
| Their selection box includes one of their chocolate Mini Moo Santas |
Plamil
Plamil's range can usually be found in Holland and Barrett. Their cheeky little chocolate snowmen are a hit in our house! They also make Holland and Barrett's own label chocolate products, such as their Advent calendar. If you can't find what you want in store, check out Plamil's online shop, here.
 |
| You can now buy the Plamil snowmen in mini packs - great for stocking fillers! |
Online
The good news is that should you find it difficult to find dairy free chocolate locally, there are places you can buy it online. Try the following websites if you are struggling to find dairy free chocolate locally:
Tasha's Dairy Free Delights (also make own dairy free chocolate products using Plamil)
And... chocolate that is not quite dairy free enough for us
Not all 'dairy free' products are equal! Although Vegan products are made without milk, they may be made on factory production lines where other products that do contain milk have been made. This could mean that they contain traces of milk, which can cause problems for those who are quite sensitive to milk. However some people choose to be dairy free and those who are allergic to dairy have varying levels of sensitivity, so here are a few other brands that might interest those of you who are okay with traces of milk:
Aldi
Hotel Chocolat
Lidl
Montezuma's dark chocolate
Zero Zebra - claim to be allergen free but are made on production lines where allergens have been handled and have caused mild allergic reactions in some allergic individuals.
Finally:
Hopefully this post has provided you with the information you need to find the chocolate that is right for you. The information included in this post may change over time, so follow @dairyfree on Twitter or Dairy Free Baby and Me on Face Book, to keep track of any updates.
Please note:
This post is not an advert. I have not been paid to write this post. I am not sponsored in any way, even by advertising. I do not receive products free to review, although I have often been offered them. This is to try and maintain an unbiased approach. All views expressed are my own (unless I've asked for The Hub's or Kiddo's).
Related Posts:
we picked up some coins and an advent calender in Sainsburys today... still waiting on the Mini moos calenders here too :(
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