Best Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolates of 2025

Ashley Abels Avatar
Ashley Abels
Last Updated: Jan 8, 2025

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Baking chocolates are an essential ingredient for any baker, and semi-sweet chocolate is a classic flavor that is perfect for a variety of recipes. These chocolates are made with high-quality cocoa solids and a touch of sweetness, making them ideal for baking cookies, cakes, and other desserts. They are also great for melting and using as a base for chocolate ganache, frosting, or truffles. Whether you're a professional pastry chef or a home baker, semi-sweet baking chocolates are a must-have in your pantry.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Cover #TOP 1
GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
ftb score rating icon 9.9
Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Cover #TOP 2
Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Cover #TOP 3
Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate
ftb score rating icon 9.6

Top 10 Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolates

GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Semi Sweet
24 Oz Bag
GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Cover
GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips Chocolate Chips for Baking, 24 OZ Bag

GHIRARDELLI Semi-Sweet Chocolate Premium Baking Chips are a great choice for Valentine's Day cookies and other baking needs. These chips are made with cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, and just the right amount of cane sugar, giving them a delicious, rich flavor. Customers love the quality of these chips and appreciate the larger 24 oz bag. They are also certified Kosher and allergen-free.

What We Like
Made with cocoa butter, unsweetened chocolate, and cane sugar
Delicious, rich flavor
24 oz bag is great value
Certified Kosher and allergen-free
Highly rated by customers
#TOP 2

Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate

61826
Natural
Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate Cover
Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar, Semi-Sweet Chocolate, 4 Ounce (Pack of 12)

Ghirardelli Premium Baking Bar Semi-Sweet Chocolate is a high-quality chocolate that provides a robust chocolate flavor to create a semi-sweet chocolate experience. It is made with real vanilla and is kosher. This chocolate is perfect for any baking or snacking needs, including chocolate chip cookies, muffins, brownies, or even just as a chocolate snack. Ghirardelli is committed to ultimate quality, from bean to bar, and inspired by the San Francisco home, they pour their hearts into everything they do to create truly exceptional chocolate experiences.

What We Like
Robust chocolate flavor
Real vanilla
Kosher
Great for baking or snacking
High-quality from bean to bar
#TOP 3

Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate

811-E4-U71
Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Cover
Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Semisweet Callets, 54.5% - 5.5 Lbs

Callebaut Belgian Dark Couverture Chocolate Semisweet Callets is a 54.5% cocoa content chocolate crafted in Belgium from whole roasted beans. It has a smooth flavor with subtle vanilla notes and is loved by chefs all over the world. It is perfect for confectionery, ganaches, mousses, biscuits, sauces, drinks and many other applications.

What We Like
High-quality and flavorful
Versatile for various culinary creations
Easy to melt with small callet size
Perfect balance of sweetness and bitterness
Great for both professional and home bakers

Guittard Semisweet Baking Bar, 3 Count

3101
3 Count (Pack of 1)
Guittard Semisweet Baking Bar, 3 Count Cover
Guittard, Semisweet Baking Bar, 2 Ounce, 3 Count

The Guittard Semisweet Baking Bar is a gourmet baking chocolate that comes in a pack of 3, each bar weighing 2 ounces. Made with all natural ingredients, this baking chocolate is perfect for creating delicious desserts. It is also Fair Trade certified, ensuring that the cocoa used is sourced ethically. This product falls under the category of Baking Chocolates.

What We Like
Finest chocolate
Versatile usage
Great depth of flavor
Perfect for ice cream
#TOP 5

Baker's Premium Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar

00043000054024
Brown
4 Ounce (Pack of 1)
Baker's Premium Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar Cover
Baker's, Premium Semi Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar, 4 oz

Baker's Premium Semi-Sweet Chocolate Baking Bar is a 4 oz. box of America's favorite premium chocolate since 1780. It is made with 56% cacao and cocoa butter, providing a decadent semi-sweet chocolate with a smooth finish. The easy-break bar allows for portioning into semi-sweet chocolate squares, perfect for baking, dipping or candy making. It is a great addition to any pantry, and can be stored in a cool, dry place. Additionally, it is Kosher.

What We Like
Premium quality chocolate since 1780
Smooth finish and decadent taste
Easy to portion into squares
#TOP 6

Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

5 lb (Pack of 1)
Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips Cover
Ghirardelli Chocolate Company Semi-Sweet Chips 1000 per lb, 5lb. Bag (Pack of 1)

Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet Chips are perfect for bakers and dessert lovers alike. With 1,000 chips per pound, you can easily measure out just what you need for your recipes. These versatile chips are ideal for mixing into cookies, topping off desserts, or even enhancing beverages. Their premium quality ensures that you get delicious chocolate flavor in every bite. Whether you're creating rich ganaches or airy mousses, these chips will elevate your culinary creations to the next level.

What We Like
High-quality chocolate flavor
Convenient chip size
Versatile for various recipes
Great for foodservice professionals
#TOP 7

Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate Squares

Semi Sweet Chocolate Baking Squares
4 Ounce (Pack of 4)
Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate Squares Cover
Baker's, Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate Squares, 4oz Box (Pack of 4)

Baker's Semi Sweet Baking Chocolate Squares are a great choice for baking cakes, brownies, and fudge. This pack of 4 4oz boxes is a heat sensitive item, so please check with the seller for refunds before ordering during the summer months. Customers have praised the product for its delicious taste and ease of melting, though some have reported that it arrived melted.

What We Like
Delicious taste
Easy to melt
Pack of 4 boxes
#TOP 8

Valrhona Equatoriale 4661 55% Dark Semi Sweet Chocolate Callets

DDA60
8 Ounce
Valrhona Equatoriale 4661 55% Dark Semi Sweet Chocolate Callets Cover
Valrhona Equatoriale 4661 55% Dark Semi Sweet Chocolate Callets from OliveNation for Baking & Enrobing - 1/2 lb

Valrhona Equatoriale 4661 55% Dark Semi Sweet Chocolate Callets are perfect for coating, enrobing, baking, candy making, ganache, molding & more, offering a delicious taste in an easy-to-melt form. This chocolate is ideal for patisserie and confectionery, making it an all-purpose choice for baking. Please note that OliveNation may re-package products into smaller containers for your convenience.

What We Like
Easy to melt form
All-purpose chocolate for baking
Delicious taste
#TOP 9

Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bars

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Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bars Cover
Baker's Semi-Sweet Baking Chocolate Bar 56% Cacao (Pack of 6) 4 oz Bars Lot of SIX

Baker's Semi-Sweet Bars are perfect for your baking needs. The easy break feature allows you to snap off just the right amount, making portion control a breeze. Being all-natural means you can enjoy these bars without worrying about artificial ingredients. With a convenient pack of six, you’ll always have chocolate on hand for your recipes or treats. Whether you're making cookies, brownies, or other desserts, these bars provide a rich, semi-sweet flavor that enhances your creations and satisfies your sweet tooth.

What We Like
Easy to break off pieces
All-natural ingredients
Convenient six-pack
Rich semi-sweet flavor
#TOP 10

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks

Enjoy Life
96DD
5 lb (Pack of 1)
Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks Cover
Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks, Baking Chocolate Chips Bundle, Vegan, Dairy Free, Gluten Free, Nut Free, Kosher, Soy Free Allergy Friendly, 5 Lbs.

Enjoy Life Mega Chunks are perfect for your baking needs, offering 20 pounds of large, semi-sweet chocolate pieces delivered in four convenient bags. These vegan chocolate chips come from a dedicated facility that is free from nuts and gluten, making them ideal for school-safe snacks or adding a delicious touch to your breakfast parfaits and pancakes. Certified gluten-free and Non-GMO, they provide a worry-free snacking experience. Whether you're melting them for treats or using them in your favorite recipes, these indulgent chocolate chunks are safe to share but tasty enough that you might want to keep them all for yourself.

What We Like
Vegan and allergy-friendly
Convenient bulk packaging
Gluten-free and Non-GMO
Perfect for baking and snacking
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Is baking chocolate the same as semi-sweet?

Sweet baking chocolate contains more sugar than bittersweet and semisweet varieties, and semisweet varieties contain more sugar than bittersweet varieties. Sweet and semisweet baking chocolate is prepared with a chocolate liquor content between 15 and 35 percent.

2. What can I substitute for Baker's Semi-Sweet Chocolate?

Substitute Variation If you like sweeter baking chocolate, use a proportion of 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder to 1 tablespoon sugar to 1 teaspoon melted butter or shortening (or oil). This will equal 1 ounce of semisweet baking chocolate.

3. What is semi-sweet cooking chocolate?

Technically, semi-sweet chocolate is a form of dark chocolate. Both typically consist of cocoa solids, sugar, an emulsifier and vanilla. There is no precise amount of sugar that categorises chocolate as semi-sweet. However, the name usually refers to chocolate that contains no more than 50% sugar.

4. What is a semi-sweet chocolate baking bar?

A complex chocolate with peaks of tart fruit and cherry top notes. Floral aromatics lead to an astringent lingering sensation with chocolatey endnotes. Three, two-ounce bars per box.

Editor's Notes

During our semi-sweet baking chocolate research, we found 24 semi-sweet baking chocolate products and shortlisted 10 quality products. We collected and analyzed 36,706 customer reviews through our big data system to write the semi-sweet baking chocolates list. We found that most customers choose semi-sweet baking chocolates with an average price of $14.03.

The semi-sweet baking chocolates are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of semi-sweet baking chocolates, including Ghirardelli, Callebaut, Guittard, Baker's, OLIVENATION. The seller of top 1 product has received honest feedback from 385 consumers with an average rating of 4.7.

Written by
Ashley Abels Avatar

Ashley Abels is a former restaurant executive and has worked in the restaurant industry for 15 years. She is also a gourmet who loves tasting different cuisines and trying out all kinds of cooking methods. The food she writes about will make you want to try it!