This is a raw chocolate recipe base to which you can add whatever your heart desires. This superbly rich dark chocolate is all raw, as nature intended. Oh and it’s good for you! A little a day as part of a healthy eating program, is believed to help you actually burn fat.

Ingredients:

½ cup raw cacao powder

¼ cup raw cacao butter (melted)

2 teaspoons raw agave nectar

Method:

Melt raw cacao butter using the bain-marie method (placing it in a bowl in a larger bowl or sink of warm water).

Measure cacao powder into a mixing bowl.

Add agave nectar and half of the melted cacao butter to the cacao powder and gently combine using a pliable spatula.

Gradually add the remaining melted cacao butter and continue blending until all ingredients are well combined

Pour or spoon chocolate into tiny confectionery cases, chocolate or ice cube moulds

Place into the freezer to set

Additional Tips:

If making by hand, always add wet ingredients to dry.

If time is of the essence, you can easily mix chocolate in a high speed blender, using the steps above as a guideline. However, it must be said that blending chocolate by hand with a mortar and pestle is well worth the investment of time and is an exquisite experience in itself.

If you do not have tiny confectionery cases or ice cube moulds, simply line a small cake tin with greaseproof paper and pour the chocolate into the tin. Gently spread the chocolate until it is evenly distributed and you have a consistent depth.You can set it in the fridge or the freezer. If you set it in the fridge it softens a little quicker when out. You can eat raw chocolate straight from the freezer, and it is always ‘melt in the mouth’.

Variations to this basic chocolate recipe are limited only by your imagination. Try substituting half of the cacao butter with coconut oil for a smooth coconut chocolate. The addition of grated orange/lemon zest, mint or raw nuts is only just the beginning….

(c) Maxine Wright:  Advanced Dip Naturopathy – Medical Herbalist – Nutritionalist – Iridologist – Hemaview Tech - Health Coach – Weight Loss counsellor – Massage Therapist – Beauty Therapist – Speaker.  Step Into Health Wellness Centre - facebook - twitter.