For the love of chocolate, and our health
If you’re searching for a healthy chocolate alternative this holiday, but still want to please the chocolate lover, we’ve offered some alternatives that are health conscious. You won’t find any added sugar, butter or flour in these recipes, but don’t worry, the taste is still mouth-watering and they are sure not to disappoint even the most discriminating of chocolate lovers!
Always eat chocolate in moderation, and remember to choose carefully, being cognizant of how many calories, sugar and fat the chocolate contains. Mannatech’s new chocolate PhytoBurst® nutritional chews are another great option for the holiday. They support your diet with balanced nutrition, providing essential nutrients with food-sourced vitamins, minerals and phytonutrients. Learn more and order yours today, as these are available for a limited time.
Healthy Avocado Chocolate Cookies
From http://thesmoothielover.com
Ingredients:
3/4 cup ripe avocado
½ cup coconut sugar
1 egg
½ cup dark cocoa powder
50 g. dark chocolate chunks
½ tsp. baking soda
Instructions:
- Preheat oven to 175°C / 350° F.
- In a bowl using a hand mixer (or make everything in a food processor), mix together avocado and coconut sugar until smooth. Add in the egg.
- Mix in the cocoa powder and baking soda.
- Stir in chocolate chunks.
- Using two spoons place dollops of cookie dough in a baking sheet with parchment paper. The cookie won’t spread as much as usual cookies when baking, so make sure to flatten them out a bit with the back of the spoon.
- Bake for 8-10 minutes or until the cookies don’t stick as much to the paper as they did before baking.
- Cool down. Store in an airtight container in the fridge.
German-Chocolate Fudge Bites
From http://chocolatecoveredkatie.com/2012/02/08/german-chocolate-fudge-bites/
Ingredients:
3/4 cup pitted dates
½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1/16 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons cocoa powder (or raw cacao powder)
2 tablespoons shredded coconut
1/3 to ½ cup raw pecans
Instructions: Blend all ingredients together. Pack the dough together. Roll into balls, cookie-cutter shapes, or bars. Or, use this for a pie crust.
Skinny Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Shake
From www.themessybaker.com
Ingredients:
1 frozen banana (no substitute)
½ cup light vanilla or chocolate almond milk
1 tablespoon cocoa powder
2 tablespoons fat-free Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons peanut butter
1 teaspoon agave or honey
Instructions: Place all of the ingredients in a blender. Blend until smooth and creamy. If the shake is too thick, add a little more almond milk.
Homemade Dark Chocolate Cups
From http://empoweredsustenance.com
Ingredients:
1/4 cup cocoa powder
1/4 cup coconut oil
2 tablespoons raw honey or pure maple syrup
Pinch of salt
OR 1 cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips (they are dairy/nut/soy free)
Unbleached baking cups for liners
Instructions:
- If you are using the cocoa powder/honey/coconut oil: In a small saucepan, whisk together all ingredients over low heat until smooth. Remove from the heat and let sit at room temperature until slightly thickened. The texture should be like a thick glaze consistency. It may be necessary to put it in the fridge for a few moments. But keep an eye on it, because it will harden very quickly in the fridge.
- If you are using chocolate chips: Melt the chocolate chips over very low heat, stirring with a spatula. Heat until just melted and don’t over heat. It is now ready to use for the next step.
- Line a muffin dish with about 5 liners. Using a pastry brush, coat the cupcake liners with the chocolate mixture. It should be thick enough to be fully opaque. Thicker is better. It may help to do one coat, let that sit, and then do another coating of chocolate.
- Stick in the refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Carefully peel away the cupcake liners.
- Fill them with fresh fruit!
