Life is far too short not to indulge in what brings our taste buds (and bellies) pleasure. If you need an excuse to enjoy a chocolatey treat (unlike myself - I never need an excuse to eat?!), I’ve got you covered! From homemade chocolate oatmeal, to hot chocolate with a nutty twist, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth without the post indulgence guilt.

Cafe Mocha Tofu Mousse

There is a fabulous health food store in my town that makes an awesome Chocolate Tofu Pie. I’ve been known to go in for a kale smoothie (post yoga class), and leave with a piece of pie. I call it balance. Here is my spin on Muskoka Natural Health Market’s awesome tofu pie.

Ingredients:

  • 1 tsp (5 mL) each; quality ground coffee and hot water
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) vanilla extract
  • 500 g (1 lb) silken tofu, drained and chopped in chunks
  • 125 g (4 oz) dark chocolate, melted
  • 3 tbsp. (45 mL) Canadian Maple Syrup
  • 2 tbsp. (30 mL) cocoa powder
  • Fresh raspberries

Instructions:

  1. Stir together coffee, hot water and vanilla. Set aside.
  2. Place tofu in the bowl of a food processor (fitted with a metal blade) and pulse until smooth.
  3. Add melted chocolate, maple syrup and cocoa and pulse until very well combined. Scrape down sides of bowl when needed.
  4. Add coffee/vanilla mixture and pulse until incorporated.
  5. Cover and refrigerate for up to two days. Garnish with raspberries. Makes 4, ½ cup (125 mL) servings.

Additional flavour options:

  • Chocolate Orange: stir in 1 tsp (5 mL) finely grated orange zest to prepared mousse and garnish with candied orange peel.
  • Coconut Bliss: stir in ½ tsp (2mL) coconut extract and garnish with toasted coconut.
  • Adult Indulgence: stir in 2 tsp (10 mL) quality whisky (*or dark rum) and garnish with chocolate covered espresso beans.

Chocolate Cherry Oatmeal with Apples

Turn a few pantry staple ingredients into a: Nutritious breakfast on-the-go!! No cooking required.

 

Healthy chocolate recipes

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (250 mL) large flake oats
  • ½ cup (125 mL) dried cherries or dried cranberries
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) quality cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp. (45 mL) chia seeds
  • 1 cup (250 mL) milk (*for a vegan muesli: use rice, almond or soy milk)
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) Canadian maple syrup
  • 2 tsp (10 mL) pure vanilla extract
  • 1 apple, grated (*skin left on)
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) green pumpkin seeds

Instructions:

  1. Place all ingredients (except for grated apple and seeds) in a large bowl and stir until well combined.
  2. Cover and refrigerate overnight (*do not be alarmed if the mixture looks ‘wet’ - once the muesli has sat overnight, the oats will absorb most of the milk).
  3. To serve; stir in grated apple and seeds. Divide evenly between serving bowls. Makes 8, ½ cup (125 mL) servings.

Chocolate, Fig and Rosemary Bark

Healthu chocolate recipes

Ingredients:

Sweet, salty, savoury and spicy - this bark makes an elegant homemade hostess gift (think Easter) or after dinner indulgence.

  • 3/4 cup (175 mL) peanuts
  • 1/2 cup (125 mL) very finely chopped dried Black Mission figs (*or dried cranberries)
  • 1 tbsp. (15 mL) roughly chopped fresh rosemary leaves
  • 1/8 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 300 g (10 oz) dark chocolate, roughly chopped
  • ¼ tsp (1 mL) sea salt

Instructions:

  1. Toss together peanuts, figs, rosemary and cayenne pepper.
  2. Measure out ¼ cup (60 mL) nut/fruit mixture and set aside.
  3. Place chocolate in a large microwave safe glass dish and heat for 2 minutes, stopping and stirring every 20 seconds or until chocolate has melted. Add remaining nut/fruit mixture to chocolate and stir until evenly combined.
  4. Using a rubber spatula, spread chocolate mixture onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet (about an 8” inch circle). Sprinkle evenly with reserved ¼ cup (60 mL) nut/fruit mixture and sprinkle evenly with sea salt.
  5. Chill for 30 minutes or until hard. Break into snack size pieces.
  6. Store in an airtight container in refrigerator for up to one month.

Double Decadent Peanut Butter Hot Chocolate

Healthy chocolate recipes
 

Ingredients:

This sumptuous drink blends the classic peanut butter and chocolate pairing for a heart-warming drink for those young and old to enjoy.

  • 3 tbsp. (45 mL) unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 3 tbsp. (45 mL) granulated sugar
  • 2 cups (500 mL) milk
  • ¼ cup (60 mL) smooth peanut butter
  • 60 g (2 oz) bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
  • 1 tsp (5 mL) vanilla
  • Garnish: whipped cream, 4 mini peanut butter cups, 1 tsp (5 mL) chopped peanuts

Instructions:

  1. Place cocoa powder and sugar in a medium saucepan. Gradually whisk in milk. Set over medium heat.
  2. Stir in peanut butter and chocolate, stirring until milk is hot, and peanut butter and chocolate have melted, about 5 minutes.
  3. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.
  4. Divide between two mugs.
  5. Garnish evenly with whipped cream, mini peanut butter cups and chopped peanuts.