How to Beat the Chocolate Cravings
Chocolate is perhaps the ultimate comfort food; a soothing friend that will always be there. But chocolate is an enemy in disguise; laden with sugar and fat. When cravings strike, these recipes will satisfy your sweet tooth whilst ensuring your body doesn’t suffer.
Chocolate & Banana Breakfast Smoothie
8 ounces milk (almond, coconut, cashew, soy or ordinary)
1 tbsp honey or agave
2 bananas
1 tbsp raw cocoa powder
A sprinkle of chia seeds
Method:
1. Place all ingredients in a processor and blend.
2. Drink and enjoy.
Protein Power balls
330g almonds
60g protein powder
16 pitted dates
2 tbsp raw cocoa powder
1 tbsp vanilla extract
½ tsp cinnamon
Coconut flakes, goji berries, nuts or oats for rolling/decor
Method:
- Place almonds, protein powder and cocoa in a food processor and blitz until crumbly.
- Add in dates and vanilla. Process again.
- If the ingredients feel too dry/are not binding add a splash of water. Form 14 balls.
- Gently roll the balls in coconut flakes, goji berries, nuts or oats.
- Eat or refrigerate. These can be stored for up to 4 weeks.
Chewy Gooey Blackbean Brownies
250g blackbeans cooked
90g raw cocoa powder
30g almond flour
60g buckwheat flour
1 tsp baking powder
½ tsp baking soda
1 tbsp vanilla extract
45g pitted dates (chopped & soaked)
125ml unsweetened apple sauce
2 tbsp ground flaxseed
6 tbsp water
180ml almond milk
60g chopped walnuts
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180˚c (350˚f)
- Whisk flax and water. Leave for 15 minutes until the mixture forms an egg like consistency.
- Sift cocoa, almond flour, buckwheat flour, baking powder and baking soda into a bowl.
- Blend blackbeans into a smooth puree and set to one side.
- Blend dates in a processor with enough water to form a paste.
- Stir together: date mix, applesauce, vanilla, blackbean puree, almond milk and flaxseed mixture.
- Fold the wet mixture into the dry mixture.
- Fold in the chopped walnuts.
- Place on a cake tin and bake in the oven for 30 minutes at 180˚c.
- Leave to cool and enjoy. Store in an air tight tin.
Problem solved! Chocolate indulgence without the guilt.