Share a delicious and easy homemade dark chocolate treat with your Valentine minus the sugar crash! Pair it with some green apples for added fiber, minerals and a crunchy note.

High-sugar foods can provide fleeting comfort but often lead to a sugar crash. Eating candy bars,

cookies, and pastries will spike insulin, cortisol and adrenaline, and these compounds have an

addictive quality. Spikes are followed by rapid drops and we crave more sugar to feel good

again. Over time, this robs us of energy and vitality.

This dark chocolate treat contains fiber and protein to slow down the absorption of sugar and is

bursting with flavanols and other anti-inflammatory compounds as well as magnesium and other

important minerals.

Recipe:

Yield: approximately 35 pieces

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Choose Your Own Adventure

• 1 cup cacao butter (can sub coconut oil; cacao butter is creamier and enhances chocolate flavor)

• 1 cup raw cacao powder (can sub unsweetened cocoa powder but raw cacao is healthier)

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 2 T honey or maple syrup (optional)

• ½ cup nut butter (almond, cashew, or peanut)

• ½ cup chopped nuts and/or seeds (optional)

• ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut (optional)

• 1-2 T vanilla

1. Over low heat, gently melt the cacao butter, nut butter, salt, and sweetener and mix until fully

blended

2. Remove from heat and slowly stir in the cacao powder and vanilla to blend fully

3. Evenly distribute in an 8x8 baking dish or smaller for a thicker treat

4. Place in the refrigerator for an hour. Remove and cut into individual serving size pieces

Interested in learning more? FMC’s nutritionists and health coaches can help.