DIY Superfood Chocolates

Happy Valentine’s Week, guys! One of the best things about Valentine’s Day are the sweet treats...amiright??? Well, for those of you who want to indulge but also want to nourish your body, I have the ultimate dessert for you - DIY Superfood Chocolates! This recipe is inspired by the wonderful Chocolate Covered Katie. Her decadently healthy blog is at www.chocolatecoveredkatie.com. I invited my awesome friend, Jamie from @jamiefitfoodie, over to the house to try this recipe. Like me, Jamie loves food but also loves making healthy choices without sacrificing flavor. We both love these chocolates! They meet both of our criteria: delicious and healthy. The great thing about this recipe is that you can add in all your fave flavors, or if you are making them for someone else, add in their favorite flavors. What could be better than getting totally personalized chocolates from someone special?!I’ve included two ways to make these chocolates. The first method uses raw cacao powder aka one of my fave superfoods. Raw cacao powder is made out of cold pressed cacao beans, as opposed to cocoa powder which roasts the cacao beans and changes the nutritional content. Raw cacao is full of so many antioxidants. Cacao contains serotonin and dopamine which also helps you feel good, and magnesium, which helps to make you feel more relaxed. The two other superfoods in this recipe are chia seeds and hemp hearts. Both chia seeds and hemp hearts are high in omega-3’s, protein, fiber and iron. Hemp hearts are also considered a “perfect protein” meaning that it contains the 20 amino acids needed by the body and also 9 essential amino acids that the body cannot produce.You can add so many other superfoods to these chocolates too, such as goji berries, maca powder, acai powder, flax seeds etc. etc. The possibilities are endless!Other great additions are berries, shredded coconut, pecans, golden berries, almond butter … pretty much anything you can get your hands on!The second method of making these chocolates is actually just melting your favorite chocolate chips. I love Lily's chocolates because they are sweetened with stevia and are fair trade and non-GMO. They are seriously the best dark chocolate chips I have tried and right now they are on sale at HEB! Love a good deal! These chocolates are so good! I really hope you give them a try. If you do post a photo on Instagram, tag me @nourish_with_renata and #nourishwithrenata on Instagram! I would love to see what you make!

DIY Superfood Chocolates: Method 1

A delicious and easy way to make a coconut oil based chocolate. Inspired by Chocolate Covered Katie. 

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup melted unrefined virgin coconut oil
• ¼ cup raw agave syrup
• ¼ -½ cup raw cacao powder
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp hemp hearts
• Optional toppings like berries (coconut, pecans, cinnamon, almond butter, goji berries etc.)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, mix together the coconut oil, agave syrup and ¼ cup raw cacao powder.
2. Taste and see if you need to add more cacao depending on how dark you want your chocolates to taste. You could also add more agave if needed.
3. Mix really well to ensure there are no lumps.
4. Add in chia seeds and hemp hearts and stir well,
5. Pour chocolate mixture into silicone candy molds or ice cube trays.
6. Top with your fave toppings.

Since these chocolates are made with coconut oil, they will melt at room temperature, so store in the fridge or freezer till ready to eat.

DIY Superfood Chocolates: Method 2

A second way to make these chocolates is even easier than the first way! 

Ingredients:

• One 9 oz bag of your favorite dark chocolate chips such as Lily’s
• 2 tbsp chia seeds
• 2 tbsp hemp hearts
• Optional toppings like berries (coconut, pecans, cinnamon, almond butter, goji berries etc.)

Instructions:

1. In a small bowl, add in the chocolate chips.
2. Microwave on medium-high heat for 30 seconds.
3. Remove bowl from the microwave and stir very well.
4. If not yet melted, add the bowl back to the microwave and heat for another 30 seconds, then stir thoroughly again.
5. Continue heating the chocolate in 30 second increments, stirring well after each heating burst, till the chocolate is melted, and no lumps remain. Be very careful not to scorch the chocolate as this will end up with a lumpy, burnt-tasting chocolate.
6. Add in the chia seeds and hemp hearts. Stir well.
7. Pour chocolate mixture into silicone candy molds or ice cube trays.
8. Top with your fave toppings.
9. Place in the fridge or freezer to set.

These chocolates are more stable at room temperature.