Do you dream in chocolate? Do you have to have it on a daily basis? Does chocolate give you life? Basically I’m asking… are you a chocolate person? If you are, you know the pain of running out of your favourite chocolate bar. But what if I told you I have a solution? This article is going to teach you how to make chocolate at home.
That’s right folks!
No – it’s not going to be the exact same as a chocolate bar. But it’s made with just a few simple ingredients that you probably have in your home. Plus? It can be ready in under 30 minutes. In fact, it can be ready in 1 minute if you don’t freeze or refrigerate it and eat it with a spoon (basically what I do every single night).
So why should you make your own chocolate?
There are so many reasons why you should learn how to make your own chocolate! From health benefits, to time and money saved, making your own chocolate is a life-saver.
It saves money
A really good quality dark chocolate bar might be $4-5. Making your own chocolate is the price of coconut oil, raw cacao powder, vanilla and a little maple syrup. The cost is closer to half that – less if you buy in bulk!
It has simple ingredients
Finding a good quality chocolate bar can be tough. Many of them use emulsifiers like soy lecithin or other odd additives to keep the ingredients mixed over time.
I bet 99% of all chocolate bars are made with refined sugar – this is not a healthy ingredient. Sugar can throw our blood sugar out of whack, further stressing our body and making us feel crummy. Usually our energy levels suffer. This homemade chocolate recipe uses maple syrup – and although it still contains sugar, it’s natural and unrefined. Bottom line though, too much sugar is a no-no.
It’s easy and quick!
Honestly this recipe will take you less than five minutes to make, and it’s super easy. Probably the easiest recipe you will ever make! And it’s SO versatile. You can enjoy your homemade chocolate in so many ways.
Raw cacao has health benefits!
Raw cacao (not cocoa) is the unrefined cacao from the cacao bean. It’s filled with polyphenols which are strong antioxidants that fight free radicals and inflammation.
Raw cacao is also heart-healthy! It’s been shown to increase the amount of nitric oxide in the blood which helps to relax blood vessels and allow blood to flow more easily. In fact, it has also been shown to reduce blood pressure and reduce the risk of stroke. Woah!
Cacao can also improve mood and reduce stress. Seriously. This study shows that daily consumption of chocolate improved stress levels of new moms. Another study shows that cacao can improve feelings of calmness and contentment.
It also contains magnesium, a mineral that many of us are deficient in. Magnesium is responsible for over 300 roles in the body, and it’s especially key for relaxation. Muscle relaxation, nervous system relaxation – all of it! If you’re stressed or anxious, consider if you’re getting enough magnesium in your diet.
There are more reasons I advocate dark chocolate right here!
How to Make Chocolate at Home
OK so now that I’m done convincing you, it’s time to show you how to make chocolate at home. Let’s go!
Homemade Raw Cacao Chocolate
A delicious, simple and nutritious homemade chocolate that can be whipped up in under 5 minutes. Chocolate craving satisfied.
Prep time: 5 minutes
Optional freezing time: 30 minutes
Total time: 5-35 minutes
Ingredients
1/2 cup coconut oil (I like nutiva)
3/4 cup raw cacao powder (I like giddy yoyo for the best flavour and texture!)
3 tbsp raw maple syrup (For example, Canadian Heritage)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract (I use Simply Organic vanilla extract)
Optional ingredients:
- Peppermint extract – if you like peppermint chocolate!
- Peanut butter – swap some coconut oil with peanut butter for a chocolate-peanut butter mix.
- Nuts and seeds – if you’re making a chocolate bark, sprinkle your nuts/seeds of choice to add some texture once the mixture is poured onto the parchment paper (see below).
Instructions
- Warm the coconut oil in a saucepan.
- Mix in the cacao powder. Add in the vanilla and maple syrup and mix.
- Optional: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and pour the “chocolate mix” on it. Stick it in the freezer for about 30 minutes and it should freeze like chocolate bark. If it’s too liquidy, throw it in the fridge for a few minutes for the coconut oil to solidify a little bit. Then pour on the parchment paper and place in the freezer.
Personally – I just pour a little bit of the chocolate mixture into a small container and enjoy it with a spoon. The rest goes into the fridge and I eat it over the next day or two. But if you like the idea of making a chocolate bark, that’s a very easy way to enjoy the chocolate in a more traditional way.
Enjoy!
This post was sponsored by Healthy Planet Canada. Thank you for continuously supporting this website and my mission to share holistic nutrition tips and tricks to optimize your health.
Sources:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26125676
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/14757265
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23810791
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