So, you’ve just gotten off a long day of work and craving some chocolate deliciousness? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! In our busy 9 to 5 digital world, it’s hard to find the time to treat ourselves. Let’s change that. Just because something is sweet doesn’t mean it has to be unhealthy. We’ve put together a list of five healthy, delectably tasty treats you can make in 30 minutes or less as a compliment to your evening meal.
Dark Chocolate Cake
Most people don’t know that dark chocolate is rich in essential minerals like magnesium, zinc, and iron. The cocoa used to make dark chocolate also contains numerous antioxidants called flavonoids which have been scientifically proven to have several health benefits, including lowering blood pressure and significantly decreasing oxidized LDL cholesterol in men.
LDL simply means bad cholesterol capable of damaging tissues and the lining of arteries, including those around your heart. For this reason, we recommend you include some optional dark chocolate sauce when preparing this dish.
Simply take 2 cups of boiling water, add 1 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder, and 2 and 3/4 cups of all-purpose flour. Couple this with a half a teaspoon of salt, 1 cup of softened butter, and 2 1/4 cups of white sugar. Lastly, get 4 eggs and 1 and 1/2 teaspoons of vanilla extract. Using a large bowl, cream butter and sugar together until nice and fluffy. Beat in the eggs one at a time and stir in your delicious vanilla extract. Add flour to the mixture with cocoa powder. Spread batter evenly. Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit and ensure you have already added grease to your cake pan. Pour the chocolaty mixture into the cake pan and bake for 25 to 30 minutes. Once finished, be sure to add some gourmet dark chocolate sauce. Enjoy this chocolaty treat with yourself, your significant other, or the whole family.
Chai Pudding
With Amazon now expanding their grocery delivery to include the Whole Foods Market, it’s never been easier to obtain all of the ingredients you need delivered right to your front doorstep. Chai Pudding is simple and delicious. All you need are some chia seeds and water coupled with raisins, nuts, and nut milk. Most pudding lovers soak their chia seeds overnight as it’s believed enzymes in the seeds are activated by soaking for prolonged periods of time. After you’ve soaked your seeds, mix 1/2 cup of raisins with 1/2 cup of nuts and 1 to 2 cups of nut milk. Add 4 tablespoons of chia seeds in 1 cup of water stirring together until reaching the desired consistency. Feel free to add oranges, dates, or prunes to increase sweetness and maximize your health benefits.
Apple Nachos Supreme
Take a fresh food approach to nachos. Embrace the taste of some scrumptious Apple Nachos Supreme. As the old saying goes, an apple a day will keep the doctor away. According to a recent New York Times article, apples have been linked to lower rates of heart disease in several high-profile medical studies. Incorporating apples into your dessert regimen is just common sense. When making some delicious Apple Nachos Supreme, start by taking 1/2 cup of pitted dates, 1/4 of a teaspoon of cinnamon, 1/4 teaspoon of nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt and a 1/8 teaspoon of allspice. Add a 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla bean powder and 1/3 cup + 2 to 3 teaspoons of water. Ensure you puree the dates, cinnamon, nutmeg, sea salt, allspice, vanilla bean powder and water in a blender or small food processor. Once smooth, transfer the contents from your food processor or blender to a small ziplock bag. Now you’re ready to make the apple base. Slice 3 apples into thin rounds and add 2 teaspoons of lemon juice. Now drizzle your spicy caramel puree from the ziplock bag to the apple base and you have some delicious, heart-healthy nachos. Not only is this dessert tasty, but it’s also an excellent source of vitamin C.
Flourless Salted Cookies
For those watching their blood sugar, try some Flourless Salted Caramel Chocolate Chip Cookies. Dessert lovers won’t even be able to tell there’s no added sugar! Simply take 1 cup of cashew butter, 5 Medjool dates, 2 tablespoons of water, 1 teaspoon of ground vanilla beans, or vanilla extract, 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt, 1/4 teaspoon of baking powder, and 1/4 cup of dark chocolate chips. Combine your dates, sea salt, and water together in a small blender and mix until the caramel starts to form. Next, mix the cashew butter with vanilla extract and baking powder. Add the caramel to your cashew butter mixture and pulse a few times. Preheat oven to 350 degrees and, using a cookie scoop, drop your mix onto a lined baking sheet. Bake for 9 to 10 minutes and voila, you have some yummy, sugar-free chocolate chip cookies.
Orange Chocolate Pudding
For orange lovers, try some raw Orange Chocolate Pudding. Starting with a foundation of avocado and dates, raw Orange Chocolate Pudding is an incredibly healthy treat the whole family can enjoy. Start with one teaspoon of pure vanilla extract, 1 cup of pitted, roughly chopped, ripe avocado, 1 cup of pitted dates, 1/3 cup of raw or regular cocoa butter, 1 teaspoon of orange zest, a half a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice, an 1/8 teaspoon of sea salt. Using a food processor or blender, mix ingredients together until a puree is made. The pudding is very thick. If you would like to thin it, add more orange juice or a splash of nut milk. Serve immediately or store in your fridge for later.
Summing Things Up
Now, using these 5 delicious dessert dishes, you can enjoy a healthy, tasty snack in thirty minutes or less. What are you waiting for, dig in!
