Make your own healthy chocolate, it’s easy

If you love dark chocolate, or you’re looking for a way to “healthify” your chocolate habit, then you’ve got to give this healthy chocolate recipe a try!

I discovered how easy it is to make your own chocolate a few years ago, and it’s a lot better for you too.

Chocolate is a treat that I’ve always enjoyed, and it’s even better when you make it yourself and you know exactly what’s in it.

Give the gift of healthy chocolate

 

Don’t just keep this yummy chocolate recipe to yourself, why not give some home-made choccies as a gift for Easter or Christmas?

Use some cute moulds, add a few different fillings and toppings and put them in a pretty jar or box.

close up of a box of healthy chocolates

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Can chocolate really be good for you?

It’s a great question and I’d like to just say yes, but of course, it’s not quite that simple!
 
Based on everything I’ve learned, I believe that dark chocolate can be good for you, in small amounts. Milk chocolate on the other hand, not so much, sorry!
 

A little bit of good quality dark chocolate on a regular basis is good for you (see the facts below).

Save the milk chocolate for an every now and then treat.

Quality and quantity are the key factors, as with everything you eat.

When buying dark chocolate, choose good quality chocolate that contains at least 70% cocoa, as it has the least amount of sugar.
 

Always remember: just because something’s good for you, that doesn’t mean you should eat it in large amounts!

close up of sea salt nut chocolate clusters

Some facts about dark chocolate

  • The cocoa bean has been around for centuries, ancient civilisations like the Incas, Aztecs and Mayans used cocoa beans to make bitter chocolately drinks.

 

  • To make cacao nibs, the shell is removed from the cocoa bean and the beans are fermented, dried and roasted.

 

  • Raw cacao powder is high in fibre and is a good source of protein, iron, magnesium, phosphorous, manganese and copper – but don’t confuse it with drinking chocolate or cocoa powder which can contain sugar and other additives.

 

  • Cacao powder and cacao nibs are great to use when cooking, baking and making raw treats.

 

  • And don’t forget smoothies, protein shakes and brekkie bowls – you can add a teaspoon of cacao powder or throw in a handful of cacao nibs for a delicious chocolatey flavour and an extra anti-oxidant boost.

 

  • It seems that chocolate really can cheer you up as it raises seratonin levels in the brain and it contains phenyl ethyl amine that acts as a mood elevator.
close up of the inside of a home made healthy chocolate

This healthy chocolate recipe uses just three simple base ingredients:

  1. cacao powder
  2. coconut oil or coconut butter
  3. honey, maple syrup, or rice malt syrup

Then you add your favourite fillings, like nuts, dried fruit or coconut, to make delicious chocolate that’s good for you too.

You don’t even need chocolate moulds to make your own healthy chocolates, an ice cube tray will do the job just as well.

A box of home made chocolates sitting on a bench

Chocolate nut clusters: a delicious variation

One of my favourite variations is these chocolate clusters with nuts and sea salt.

You don’t even need moulds to make them, just plop blobs of the mixture onto a baking tray and freeze.

I’ve been using almonds or cashews, and I’d recommend experimenting to find your own favourite.

How to make these healthy chocolate snacks:

Mix up the base chocolate recipe (see recipe card below), then stir ½ cup of chopped nuts into the chocolate mixture.

Put the bowl in the fridge for about 30 minutes, until the chocolate is just firm.

Remove the chocolate mixture from the fridge, and place small spoonfuls onto a baking tray lined with baking paper.

Sprinkle lightly with sea salt and then freeze the clusters for at least 2-3 hours, until they’re firm.

close up of the centre of a chocolate cluster

Some other healthy ways to indulge in chocolate

 

For a special occasion treat, you have to make my EASY CHOCOLATE TRUFFLES.

I recommend giving these CHOCOLATE CAKE MUFFINS a try. They taste amazing and they’re made with whole food ingredients.

Have a scroll through this post for more EASY CHOCOLATE TREAT recipes.

I’ve got lots more HEALTHY SNACKING IDEAS for you in this post too.

Click the badge below to visit the Twinkl blog, where you’ll find more great EASTER RECIPES and other resources for a fun and active long weekend.

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home made chocolates in a box tied with gold ribbon

3 INGREDIENT HEALTHY CHOCOLATE


It's easy to make your own chocolate, and it's good for you too!
4.7 from 11 votes
Print Pin
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: Australian, International
Keyword: healthy chocolate, home made chocolates
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Freeze time: 4 hours
Total Time: 4 hours 10 minutes
Servings: 12 chocolates
Calories: 94kcal

Ingredients 

  • ¼ cup coconut oil or coconut butter
  • cup raw cacao powder
  • ¼ cup rice malt syrup, honey or pure maple syrup

Optional Fillings

  • Chopped nuts
  • Dried berries/fruit
  • Shredded or desiccated coconut
  • Sea Salt

Instructions

  • You can use chocolate moulds, but it's not absolutely necessary. An ice cube tray or silicone min muffin tray work just as well.
  • Gently warm the coconut oil/butter and rice malt syrup in a small saucepan over a low heat, or in a small bowl in the microwave.
  • Stir until they are well mixed; this should only take a minute or two.
  • Remove from the heat and stir in the cacao powder so that all of the ingredients are well combined.
  • Pour the mixture into the tray or moulds until they're almost full. Sprinkle in your choice of toppings and put into the freezer for 3 or 4 hours.

Notes

These chocolates are best stored in the freezer.
I started out using coconut oil, but I've since graduated to half coconut oil and half coconut butter as it gives a creamier taste and texture to the chocolate!

Nutrition

Serving: 1chocolate | Calories: 94kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1.3g | Fat: 5.9g
Love this recipe? Show me your pics!

**NUTRITIONAL INFORMATION IS ESTIMATED AND SHOULD ONLY BE USED AS A GUIDE.

Read more about WHY CALORIE COUNTING ISN'T AN EXACT SCIENCE

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healthy chocolate pin image with a chocolate cluster, and a box of chocolates

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