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 homemade healthy chocolate 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.
Can chocolate really be good for you?
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.
Always remember: just because something’s good for you, that doesn’t mean you should eat it in large amounts!
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.
How to make homemade healthy chocolate with just three simple ingredients:
- cacao powder
- melted coconut oil or coconut butter
- honey, maple syrup, or rice malt syrup
Mix them together, and add your favourite fillings, like nuts, dried fruit or coconut, to make delicious chocolate that’s good for you too.
Freeze for a few hours, and that’s it!
You don’t even need chocolate moulds to make individual chocolates, an ice cube tray will do the job just as well.
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.
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.
You’ll find plenty more simple, flavour-packed recipes here on my blog that work beautifully for post-menopausal bodies.
If you haven’t already, I recommend grabbing a copy of my free Post-Menopause Breakfast Makeover.
Your body responds differently now to food, stress, sleep and movement, so the old “just eat less” rules don’t work anymore.
The Makeover Guide shows you how to build satisfying breakfasts that support your post-menopausal body, for sustainable weight loss.
You can read more about it here:
Post-Menopause Breakfast Makeover
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3 INGREDIENT HEALTHY CHOCOLATE RECIPE
Ingredients
- ¼ cup coconut oil or coconut butter
- ⅓ 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
Nutrition per Serve
NUTRITION NOTE
Nutrition information should be used as a guide only
Don’t forget to pin this recipe for later!
