If there\u2019s one guilty pleasure all moms enjoy, it\u2019s chocolate! Thankfully there\u2019s a way to justify indulging a little because chocolate (like wine<\/a>) has some fantastic health benefits. The key is to choose quality chocolate from the right sources \u2026 or make your own homemade chocolate recipe.<\/p>\n It\u2019s quick and easy and you have total control over the ingredients (and maybe even get to lick the spoon!). This recipe takes just a few ingredients. Melt over the stove, pour into molds, and \u2026 there you have it! The best chocolate that\u2019s also healthy.<\/p>\n It turns out that there are biological reasons why women crave chocolate<\/a>. It may be for the magnesium boost (yes, chocolate contains magnesium). Or it could be for the feel-good serotonin and dopamine release that helps mood and sleep.<\/p>\n All chocolate is not created equal and most store-bought chocolate brands contain a lot more than cocoa powder. High fructose corn syrup, hydrogenated oils, soy lecithin<\/a>, artificial flavoring, and carrageenan make the list of objectionable ingredients in many commercial brands.<\/p>\n Then there\u2019s the sugar content, which is a problem \u2026 just 1\/3 of a Cadbury chocolate bar has 22 grams of sugar. That\u2019s not to mention white chocolate which is made with milk powder, cacao butter, and lots and lots of sugar.<\/p>\n Thankfully more brands are making healthy chocolate options with less sugar and quality ingredients. One of my favorites is Spring and Mulberry<\/a>. It\u2019s sweetened only with dates (no refined sugars!) and they have delicious flavors like lavender rose, pear and ginger, and mixed berry.<\/p>\n Making your own is cheaper though, and you can easily control the ingredients.<\/p>\n You can stock up on the few ingredients needed to make chocolate (as well as a few silicone candy molds to make fun shapes). It\u2019s a delicious way to whip up a batch of healthy chocolate!<\/p>\n In search of a GAPS friendly<\/a> (and gluten-free, dairy-free, etc.) healthy chocolate, I realized I wanted to make my own. This homemade version is smooth and delicious. You can avoid the artificial ingredients when you make your own chocolate from scratch.<\/p>\n Some recipes just involve melting semisweet chocolate chips, but then you\u2019ll still need to search for a healthy chocolate to start with. Instead, I opted for unsweetened cocoa powder as the base.<\/p>\n If it\u2019s your first time making chocolate, here\u2019s how to do it step by step.<\/p>\n Making chocolate at home involves melting cocoa butter, cocoa powder, honey, and vanilla on the stove. I use a double boiler (or heat-safe bowl set over a pan with water). Next, you\u2019ll pour the chocolate recipe into molds for it to set.<\/p>\n I used these silicone heart molds<\/a> to make fun bite-size chocolates (great gift idea!). This mini loaf pan <\/a>is great for bar sizes. You can even find silicone molds in a chocolate bar shape<\/a> if you want to be really authentic!<\/p>\n I\u2019m gifting little jars of homemade heart chocolates for Easter this year. They\u2019re great for Christmas, St. Nicholas Day, and other holiday gifts too! You can easily find silicone molds that match any holiday theme (or just make bars).<\/p>\n Our family prefers the taste of dark chocolate over milk chocolate so the chocolate recipe isn\u2019t overly sweet. If you prefer a bittersweet bar then reduce the honey to 1\/4 cup for a more intense chocolate flavor. It\u2019s easy to add a variety of different flavors and mix-ins to create a specialty taste.<\/p>\n Here are some flavor options to try!<\/p>\n \tWhy a Homemade Chocolate Recipe is the Best<\/h2>\n
How to Make Chocolate at Home<\/h3>\n
Choosing a Shape<\/h3>\n
Different Flavor Options For Homemade Chocolate<\/h3>\n
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Healthy Homemade Chocolate Recipe<\/h2>\n