It’s International Chocolate Day this Sunday… here’s how to get your chocolate fix for less

Calling all chocoholics! Sunday 13 September is International Chocolate Day, so you officially have an excuse to treat yourself.

But before you celebrate with a big bar of your favourite chocolate, you don’t need to splash the cash to satisfy that sweet tooth.

In fact, there are plenty of easy ways you can enjoy your chocolate fix for less. 

First up: grab a £1 chocolate brownie

If you’re heading out for a meal this Sunday, you could finish it with a chocolate treat without giving your wallet a meltdown.

Bella Italia is celebrating International Chocolate Day by offering its indulgent Chocolate Brownie for just £1, usually priced from £8.

The one-day offer is available on Sunday 13 September 2026 when you purchase a main meal at participating Bella Italia restaurants.

So, if you’re planning an Italian feast, you can save room for dessert and tuck into a chocolate brownie for just a quid. Not bad!

You’ll need to sign up online to receive a coded voucher before you can claim the offer.

More ways to get your chocolate fix for less

You don’t have to wait for a special offer to enjoy chocolate on a budget. A few simple swaps can make your favourite treats much kinder to your bank balance.

Try supermarket own-brand chocolate

Don’t automatically reach for the big-name brands.

Supermarket own-brand and budget chocolate can be surprisingly good and is often considerably cheaper. If you’re buying chocolate for baking, melting or simply keeping in the cupboard for emergencies, the cheaper option can be well worth trying.

Do a quick price-per-100g comparison rather than looking only at the price on the shelf. A bigger-looking bar isn’t always the better deal.

Look for multipacks and larger bars

If you know you’ll eat chocolate regularly, buying larger packs or multipacks can sometimes work out cheaper.

But there’s one important rule: only bulk-buy if you’re actually going to eat it. There’s no saving money if you buy three giant bags of chocolate because they’re on offer and then end up eating them all!

Check the reduced section

Keep an eye out for supermarket markdowns and clearance shelves.

Chocolate can be reduced after seasonal events such as Easter, Christmas and Valentine's Day, even though it may still have plenty of life left in it.

And if you’re not bothered about the packaging being covered in hearts, eggs or snowflakes, you could pick up a bargain.

Use cocoa powder

A tub of unsweetened cocoa powder can go a surprisingly long way.

You can use it to make hot chocolate, add a chocolatey kick to smoothies, or bake brownies, cakes and cookies at home, often for much less than buying individual chocolate treats.

Keep a jar in the cupboard and you’ll always have the makings of a quick chocolate fix without having to pop to the shops.

Make a little chocolate go further

Sometimes the trick isn’t buying cheaper chocolate, it’s making the chocolate you already have last longer.

Pair chocolate with something filling

Try adding a little chocolate to foods such as nuts, fruit, yoghurt or peanut butter.

Combining a sweet treat with something more filling can make it feel more satisfying, so you may find you don’t need quite as much chocolate to hit the spot.

Turn it into a topping

You don’t necessarily need a whole bar to make breakfast or a snack feel indulgent.

Chop or grate a small amount of chocolate and sprinkle it over porridge, yoghurt, fruit or toast.

A little chocolate can add plenty of flavour without using half the bar.

Savour it

If you tend to eat a chocolate bar without really noticing it, try slowing down.

Take a small piece, let it melt and actually enjoy it. Dark chocolate with a higher cocoa content can have a particularly intense flavour, so a smaller amount may be enough to satisfy your craving.

Put the rest of the bar away before you start eating. If the entire bar is sitting next to you, it can be remarkably difficult to pretend it doesn't exist!

Bake your own treats

If you love brownies, cookies or chocolate cake, making them yourself can work out cheaper than buying individual desserts.

You can also control exactly how much chocolate goes in, and a homemade batch can give you several portions for the price of one café or restaurant dessert.

Freeze a few portions and you’ve got a ready-made chocolate treat for another day.

So, how will you celebrate?

International Chocolate Day is a great excuse to enjoy a little chocolate without feeling that you need to spend a fortune.

Whether you’re treating yourself to Bella Italia’s £1 Chocolate Brownie, picking up an own-brand bar at the supermarket, baking something chocolatey at home or simply making one square last a little longer, there are plenty of ways to join in and get your fix for less.