Chocolate is high in magnesium, a mineral in which 68 percent of us are deficient. Magnesium helps maintain muscles, nerve function, heart health, bone density and the immune system. Chocolate cravings can actually be an indicator of iron deficiency in pregnant women.
This warning system can help prevent anemia, which can be passed down to the next generation. Chocolate is also high in antioxidants, which can help fight the signs of aging. Moreover, chocolate can help with symptoms of premenstrual syndrome, and the theobromine and phenylethylamine contained in chocolate can help combat depression and stress.
Chocolate also naturally contains caffeine, which is good for a temporary energy boost. The amount of caffeine in dark chocolate is actually only between 5 and 10 milligrams. In comparison, one cup of coffee contains between 100 and 150 milligrams of caffeine. The real problem with most chocolate treats is what is added to them, not the chocolate itself.
Store-bought chocolate candies can contain high fructose corn syrup, soy lecithin, artificial colors and flavors, partially hydrogenated oils, vanillin, carrageenan and tert-Butylhydroquinone (TBHQ). These ingredients can affect your immune system, cause chronic inflammation, affect neurological responses and even trigger degenerative diseases. Also, almost all chocolate candies on the market contain genetically modified ingredients, while the selection of organic dark chocolate in stores can be expensive and limited.
Below are some healthy, easy recipes for an assortment of chocolate candies. If you are allergic to chocolate or don’t want any caffeine in your candy, you can use carob instead. Carob tastes just like chocolate but its pods are actually legumes that are high in protein and B vitamins.
These recipes are mostly raw, which means the nutrients are intact and you will require no cooking skills to enjoy them. Raw cacao on its own is very bitter, but you can use it to make the recipes completely raw.
Cacao is the unprocessed, unheated version of cocoa and can be bought as a powder, chopped nibs or in its whole form. Here I will show you how to make a variety of treats including truffles, fudge, chocolate sauce and other delectables with whole, natural ingredients.
Healthy chocolates made with whole foods and superfoods
Versatile chocolate with coconut oil
Prep Time:
15minutes
Cook Time:
nocook
Total time:
Serves:
4
Recipe by:The Alternative Daily
Coconut oil is an incredible disease fighting machine. It can help balance blood sugar, lower blood pressure, reduce your risk of heart disease, improve digestion, and boost your metabolism and your immune system. It is antimicrobial, antibacterial, antifungal and an antioxidant. It can remain in a liquid state in hot temperatures and freeze in colder temperatures. This makes it a perfect ingredient to make versatile chocolate treats.
Ingredients
1/4cupcoconut oil
2/3cupcocoa powder
2tablespoonsnatural sweetener (coconut sugar, honey or organic cane sugar)
2tablespoonsof organic milk or milk alternative (optional)
Servings: servings
Instructions
Homemade Chocolate Bar
Melt the coconut oil by running warm water over the jar, melting it in a pot or placing it in the microwave for a few seconds.
Add cocoa powder to the coconut oil. Add milk or a natural milk alternative if you want a milk chocolate. Leave it out otherwise. Then add your natural sweetener.
Stir together and you have the base for any chocolate treat. Pour into a glass container or a candy mold and pop it in the freezer until it hardens. You can leave it hot and gooey to use as a chocolate fondue or a chocolate glaze. Pour it over ice cream or frozen yogurt to use it as your own Magic Shell. Make the batch thicker and you have yourself a homemade chocolate bar.
For a guilt-free Dark Chocolate Brittle
Line parchment paper on a square pan.
Pour the chocolate mixture into the pan.
Top it with almonds for an almond brittle, or peanuts for a peanut brittle. Pop it in the freezer until it hardens completely.
Recipe Notes
Peanuts are high in biotin, which can help you in growing your hair or nails, and manganese, which helps with bone strength, regulating blood sugar and helps your body to produce collagen. Almonds are great for regulating brain function, cholesterol, bone density, heart health and immune system. You can break them into pieces or cut into squares. Freeze leftovers unless you want liquid chocolate. Either way, you can’t go wrong.
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Chocolate candies that are stuffed with nutrition
Prep Time:
30minutes
Cook Time:
nocook
Total time:
Serves:
4
Recipe by:The Alternative Daily
Most chocolate bars on the market are stuffed with nuts, caramel, coconut and cookies. For healthier versions, use nuts, date paste, organic coconut shreds and an organic, gluten-free shortbread of your choice. Other options include peanut butter cups and mint patties.
Ingredients
1/4cupcoconut oil
2/3cupcocoa powder
2tablespoonsnatural sweetener (coconut sugar, honey or organic cane sugar)
2tablespoonsof organic milk or milk alternative (optional)
3/4cupof peanut butter
3teaspoonsof natural sweetener (honey, coconut sugar or organic cane sugar)
3/4cupof cocoa butter or coconut butter
3teaspoonsof natural sweetener (honey, coconut sugar or organic cane sugar)
1/4teaspoonof peppermint oil
2mint leaves or 2 spinach leaves (optional for green color)
Servings: servings
Instructions
To make a healthier peanut butter cup
First follow the recipe for making a hardened coconut oil chocolate bar.
Then mix peanut butter with honey, coconut sugar or organic cane sugar and smear it on top of the hardened chocolate.
Pour some more coconut oil chocolate on top and pop it back in the freezer until it hardens.
To make peppermint patties
Use the same method as with the peanut butter cups, but replace the peanut butter with a mint cream instead. There are multiple ways to make a healthy mint cream. Stir peppermint oil into a coconut butter or cocoa butter. If you want it to be green, blend some spinach or mint leaves into the mixture. Peppermint oil is a great medicinal oil that helps with your immune system, digestive system, respiratory system, circulatory system. It also helps to reduce pain and headaches, as well as reducing inflammation.
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Healthy Fudge Recipes
Prep Time:
15minutes
Cook Time:
nocook
Total time:
Serves:
4
Recipe by:The Alternative Daily
Fudge and truffles are known for being rich, decadent sweet treats. Although they are normally high in calories and refined sugars, these desserts can actually be made using whole foods that are really good for you.
Ingredients
1cupcoconut oil
1/2cupof cocoa powder
3tablespoonsof natural, liquid sweetener
2dropsof peppermint oil (optional for mint fudge)
2tablespoonsof peanut butter or nut butter (optional for nut butter fudge)
Toppings of your choice
3cupsorganic, unsweetened coconut shreds
1/2cupcocoa powder
3tablespoonsof natural, liquid sweetener (honey, organic maple syrup or pure organic sugar cane syrup)
2teaspoonsvanilla extract
2dropsof peppermint oil (optional for mint fudge)
2tablespoonsof peanut butter or nut butter (optional for nut butter fudge)
Toppings of your choice
Servings: servings
Instructions
To make chocolate Fudge recipe 1
Mix softened coconut oil with cocoa powder using a 2-to-1 ratio.
Then add raw honey, organic maple syrup or pure organic sugar cane syrup to sweeten to taste. You could add some drops of peppermint oil or a teaspoon or two of your favorite nut butter. Allow the mixture to set in the fridge.
Add nuts or dried cherries, dried cranberries or goji berries for a fiber-rich twist on traditional fudge. Dried fruit is not only high in fiber, but is really good for digestion. Goji berries and dried cranberries are considered superfoods because they are high in antioxidants and have a lot of health benefits. Cranberries are high in vitamins and minerals and can treat and prevent a number of problems including urinary tract infections, kidney stones, lung inflammation and cardiovascular disease. Goji berries help to control diabetes, boost the immune system, reduce cardiovascular disease, and protect the liver and brain.
To make chocolate Fudge recipe 2
If you prefer coconut meat to coconut oil, there is another healthy fudge recipe you should try. In a bowl, add organic, unsweetened coconut shreds to cocoa powder and vanilla extract. Sweeten to taste using the liquid sweeteners mentioned above and stir. Place in a square or rectangular container lined with parchment paper. Allow to set in the fridge until hardened. Although these two bake-free fudges sound delicious, some people are truffle people.
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Healthy Truffles Recipes
Prep Time:
15minutes
Cook Time:
nocook
Total time:
Serves:
4
Recipe by:The Alternative Daily
For all you truffle people out there, there are multiple ways to create delicious fudge.
Ingredients
3/4cupCocoa butter
1/4cupcocoa powder
4teaspoonsof natural sweetener (coconut sugar, honey or organic cane sugar)
1/4cupcoconut oil
2/3cupcocoa powder
2tablespoonsnatural sweetener (coconut sugar, honey or organic cane sugar)
2tablespoonsof organic milk or milk alternative (optional)
Topping of your choice
1cupdates
1/4cupcocoa powder
Topping of your choice
Servings: servings
Instructions
Truffle recipe 1:
Mix cocoa butter with cocoa powder, organic sweetener. Roll into a ball and dip into the versatile coconut oil chocolate mixture mentioned earlier. Sprinkle some coconut sugar or shreds, goji berries, cacao nibs or chopped nuts and freeze.
Truffle recipe 2:
Soak dates overnight, blend them with cocoa powder and roll into a ball. Roll them in healthy toppings like cocoa powder, nuts, hemp seeds, chia seeds, coconut shreds or cacao nibs and allow them to set in the refrigerator until firm.
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Date Paste
Prep Time:
5minutes
Cook Time:
nocook
Total time:
Serves:
4
Recipe by:The Alternative Daily
Dates are naturally sweet and can be pulsed with water in a blender to create a caramel sauce for a gooey caramel truffle center. If you use it that way, use the versatile chocolate as a coating. You can also use this date paste as a topping for your fudge.
Ingredients
1cupdates
Enough water to cover the dates
Servings: servings
Instructions
To make this caramel alternative, you’ll need to blend the dates and water in a blender.
Recipe Notes
Dates help with digestion, are high in fiber and minerals, boost energy and can help with intestinal problems, allergies, anemia, bone strength, your heart and nervous system.
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If you have tried any of these, let us know what you think. What are some healthy chocolate recipes you have tried? Please share them with us so we can try your delicious, nutritious desserts.
