Vegan Chocolate for the Serious Chocolate Lover

              

          I think a good life is one in which you can enjoy chocolate every single day, not gain a pound, and not feel guilty about it.  Chocolate in moderation is good for anyone but lets be honest, who only eats one Hershey Kiss™ when you have a whole bag? Maybe some people do, but I lack self control in that department. In most cases before I even realize it I have eaten around seven in one sitting. Yea... don’t say that hasn’t happened to you!  

            Chocolate is definitely one of my biggest weaknesses, so I was pretty excited when I found an honestly healthy chocolate recipe here.  I adapted this recipe to suite my taste buds, without compromising any of the healthiness. I add espresso powder to give a really rich chocolate flavor, and the sea salt really enhances the sweetness in a decadent way. Fresh from the freezer these little gems melt in your mouth providing that creamy and indulgent chocolate experience desired by chocolate lovers around the world. The best part about this chocolate is that you can eat as much of it as you like and feel god about it! 

What you need:

1 cup Extra Virgin Coconut Oil 

1/4 cup of Cocoa Powder (add more if you like a bitter chocolate flavor)

2 Tbsp or to taste. Agave Nectar or Maple Syrup

1 1/2 tsp. Vanilla Extract

1/4 tsp. Sea Salt

1/2 Tbsp. Instant Espresso Powder (Optional. Leave out if you want raw chocolate)

Optional additions include: cocoa nibs, cayenne pepper, cinnamon, nuts, hemp seeds, dried fruit. You could even dip strawberries in this for chocolate covered strawberries. 

What to do:

1. In a medium sized sauce pan melt the coconut oil over medium heat
2. Stir in the cocoa powder, agave, vanilla, salt, and espresso powder until well combined and with no clumps
3. Remove from heat and mix in additional ingredients. I added 2 Tbsp. cocoa nibs, 2 Tbsp. cinnamon, and 1/2 tsp. cayenne. 
4. Pour into a lined mini cupcake pan for cups or pour onto a sheet pan for bark. 
5. Freeze for about 2 hours or until solid like a chocolate par
6. Store in an air tight container in the freezer. 

Music to melt to: because Broken Social Scene makes me melt.