HEALTHY HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES

These homemade chocolates are both a pleasure and a breeze to make. The base chocolate recipe contains a mere three ingredients, and is all done and dusted in less than 5 minutes! Then, you can get as creative as you like with molds and flavours.

But first things first, these treats are healthy!

Raw cacao is one of my pantry staples! It originates from the seed of the Thebroma Cacao Tree and unlike cocoa which is roasted at high temperatures, raw cacao is fermented, ground into paste and separated into powder and butter: both of which we are using in this recipe.

Raw cacao is a powerful antioxidant. Flavanols, the primary flavonoid in cacao beans and nibs, benefits cardiovascular health, improving blood flow to the heart and brain. Cacao contains theobromine, a mild energising stimulant helps with focus and alertness, and has a diuretic affect and therefore can help to detoxify the body. Phenylethylamine is a mood enhancer and a gentle antidepressant - which is why chocolate (the real deal chocolate, not the confectionery) makes you feel good. There's essential minerals to boot: magnesium (great for PMS), calcium, iron, zinc, copper, potassium and manganese, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B3, C, E and Pantothenic acid.

Better yet, these chocolates contain no refined sugar, no dairy, and no random additives like soy and vegetable fat. It's Paleo, GAPS friendly, plant-based, clean, vegan, kid friendly and downright good for everyone!! You can either use maple, honey or go completely fructose free with rice malt syrup.

For the basic chocolate recipe, you'll need

• 1 cup of Cacao Butter
• 1 cup of Raw Organic Cacao Powder, Dutch Cocoa or if you don't want to break the bank, regular cocoa powder works a treat too, it's just not as nourishing.
• 1/4 cup rice malt syrup or maple, to your preference (I like my chocolate bittersweet, so I start with a little and add more to taste).
  
• A pinch of salt

This makes enough chocolates to share with at least 6 people.


Method

• Gather and prepare your ingredients, including the flavours you want to add (scroll down for inspiration!)
  
• Melt cacao butter in a double boiler or a glass bowl and pan over medium heat. To ensure all the nutrients are retained, it's best if the water and the bowl don't touch (let the steam do the melting).
  
• When cacao butter is melted, remove from heat and add cacao powder, your sweetener of choice and a pinch of salt.
  
• Mix well, taking care not to let any water (even a drip!) get into your mixture.
  
• Pour the chocolate into your molds to harden.

Spice things up

Now for the fun part! Get in touch with your inner crafter and put together some amazing flavour combinations. Be careful as some, especially spices and essential oils, pack an extreme punch! Taste test everything! Here are a few of my favourites:

• Peppermint essential oil
• Orange or lemon extract, zest
• Brewed espresso
• Slivered almonds
• Crystallized ginger
• Sea salt

• Cacao nibs
• Desiccated coconut
• Cayenne pepper or chilli flakes
  
• Goji Berries
• Cardamon
  
• Cinnamon

Some you will mix into the liquid chocolate, others you can sprinkle on top of semi-solid chocolate. Once you've finished, let harden in the fridge or at room temperature before removing from the molds. 

Enjoy!