Sometimes a girl’s just gotta have some dark chocolate in her life. I’m not talking the kind you grab off the store shelf. I’m talking the kind you make with your own hands. The most raw an ingredient you can get next to the actual bean. I’m talking raw cacao. Cacao beans are found within the pod-like fruits of the Cacao tree.
Not to be confused with cocoa. Cocoa is the processed (roasted) version of cacao, where most of the antioxidants and flavonols are destroyed. Cacao (so they say) is cold pressed and devoid of all the fat, (cocoa butter) thereby leaving a high concentration of flavonols. Antioxidants fight free radicals in your body that cause damage to healthy cells that cause disease. Flavonols are naturally occurring antioxidants. Flavonols are found in many fruits, vegetables, teas, and wine. Antioxidants and flavonols are essentially the same, but did you know that the cacao bean boasts one of the highest concentrations of flavonols and magnesium present in any other food on Earth?
Here’s where the controversy comes in. As we all know, studies are performed that tell us something is super healthy for us, only to find out years later, no, it’s actually bad for us, based on another study, that studied the study. I think you get where I’m going with this. You will always have your nay sayers who oppose and your proponents who advocate certain foods. As individuals, we each have to do our own research and know where to draw the line on what is good for us and what is not.
Proponents say raw chocolate is good for us because it is mood enhancing which helps fight depression, is great for cardiovascular health, lowers cholesterol, and its high flavonol content helps fight other diseases like cancer.
Opponents would say, it’s is a stimulant and is bad for your cardiovascular system, it’s addictive because it causes the brain to release endorphins, which in turn causes tolerance, which in turn causes cravings for increased amounts. Blah blah blah.
The bottom line here is about moderation and incorporating a variety of healthy foods into a balanced diet. Period. End. Of. Story. Now, let’s get on to the recipe. Shall we?
Raw Cacao Almond Bliss Rounds
Coconut Filling
1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (I used a fresh coconut and shredded in a food processor)
3 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil
2.5 tablespoons organic maple syrup (or raw honey)
1 tsp organic vanilla
pinch of salt
* Note: you can substitute a ½ can organic sweetened condensed milk. This will make your mixture more moist, but sweeter. Eliminate honey or syrup.
Raw Cacao Dark Chocolate:
1 cup cacao powder
½ cup virgin coconut oil melted
1 Tbsp cacao butter melted
4 Tbsp maple syrup (or raw honey)
2 Tbsp organic confectioner’s sugar (optional)
1 tsp vanilla
Mix all ingredients in food processor (or bowl) until well mixed and paste like. Shape into patties of your choice and place on tray lined with wax paper. Top with organic whole roasted almond dipped in syrup or honey so it will stick to top. Place in freezer to set for 15 minutes.
In mixing bowl pour in cacao powder. Add melted coconut oil and. (Heat coconut oil and cacao butter together and only enough to melt.) Whisk well. Wisk in rest of ingredients until mixture is smooth and shiny. Place a toothpick in coconut patties and dip in chocolate.
Spoon over any parts not covered and place on wax paper. Place all chocolates in refrigerator to set. Store in covered containers in fridge.
I can’t think of a healthier chocolate to satisfy my craving. While I don’t indulge in this everyday, I do make it a part of my balanced diet. With all those health benefits, how could I not?
Recipe Type: Candy
Author: Sherri @ The Kitchen Prescription
Raw Cacao recipe adapted from Primally Inspired.
Ingredients
- Coconut Filling
- 1 cup shredded unsweetened coconut (I used a fresh coconut and shredded in a food processor)
- 3 tablespoons organic virgin coconut oil
- 2.5 tablespoons organic maple syrup (or raw honey)
- 1 tsp organic vanilla
- pinch of salt
- * Note: you can substitute a ½ can organic sweetened condensed milk. This will make your mixture more moist, but sweeter. Eliminate honey or syrup.
- Raw Cacao Dark Chocolate:
- 1 cup cacao powder
- ½ cup virgin coconut oil melted
- 1 Tbsp cacao butter melted
- 4 Tbsp maple syrup (or raw honey)
- 2 Tbsp organic confectioner’s sugar (optional)
- 1 tsp vanilla
Instructions
- Mix all ingredients in food processor (or bowl) until well mixed and paste like.
- Shape into patties of your choice and place on tray s lined with wax paper.
- Top with organic whole roasted almond dipped in syrup or honey so it will stick to top.
- Place in freezer to set for 15 minutes.
- In mixing bowl pour in cacao powder.
- Add melted coconut oil (Heat coconut oil and cacao butter together and only enough to melt.)
- Whisk well.
- Whisk in rest of ingredients until mixture is smooth and shiny.
- Place a toothpick in coconut patties and dip in chocolate.
- Spoon over any parts not covered and place on wax paper.
- Place all chocolates in refrigerator to set.
- Store in covered containers in fridge.
