TOP 5 VALENTINE'S DAY RECIPES

Published on February 10, 2017

Valentine’s day is just around the corner, so here are my favourite chocolate inspired recipes that are healthy and delicious. 

Chocolate coconut truffles  

INGREDIENTS

• ½ cup coconut butter or coconut oil, warmed to soften
• ¾ cup raw honey
• 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon sea salt
• 1 cup unsweetened, shredded coconut
• 2 ¼ cups unsweetened cocoa powder, sifted

DIRECTIONS

1. In a high-speed blender, blend the warmed coconut butter/oil, honey, vanilla and salt and then add the shredded coconut 1/2 cup at a time, and blend until smooth.
2. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and stir in 2 cups of the cocoa powder until thoroughly combined. Place the bowl in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes or more to set slightly.
3. While cooling, place the remaining ¼ cup cocoa powder onto a small plate and spoon heaping tablespoons of the chocolate mixture and roll them into balls. Roll these in the cocoa powder and store the finished truffles in the refrigerator.

Makes 40 truffles

Nutritional analysis: calories 61, fat 4g, carbohydrates 8g, fiber 2g, protein 1g  

Chocolate avocado pudding  

INGREDIENTS

• 1 medium avocado, ripe
• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 6 tablespoons unsweetened almond milk

DIRECTIONS

1. Cut open the avocado, scoop out the pit and cut it into large chunks and put it in the blender.
2. Add the cocoa, honey or maple syrup, and almond milk. Blend, starting on low and the moving on to high speed until it is smooth.
3. If it is too thick, drizzle in a bit more almond milk.
4. Refrigerate the pudding and serve cold.

Makes 2 servings

Nutritional analysis: calories 373, fat 31g, carbohydrates 28g, fiber 9g, protein 4g  

Chocolate brownies (our secret ingredient is black beans!)

Not only do these brownies taste delicious, but the black beans add some protein. Even your kids will love this one this Valentine's Day!

INGREDIENTS

• 1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed very well
• 3 organic eggs
• 1/3 cup coconut oil or grass-fed butter
• 2 tablespoons of chia seeds
• ¼ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1/8 teaspoon sea salt
• 2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• ½ cup dark chocolate chips
• 1/3 cup finely chopped walnuts

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 350°F.
 Grease an 8-inch baking pan with coconut oil or butter. Place the black beans, eggs, butter, chia seeds, cocoa powder, salt, vanilla, and sugar in a food processor and blend until smooth.
2. Remove the blade and carefully stir in the chocolate chips and walnuts. Transfer mixture to the prepared pan.
3. Bake the brownies for 30 to 35 minutes, or until just set in the center. Cool before cutting into squares.

Makes 30 brownies

Nutritional analysis: calories 107, fat 5g, carbohydrates 13g, fiber 3g, protein 4g  

Mini chocolate peanut butter cups

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup of dark chocolate chips (at least 70%)
• 4 tablespoons natural, crunchy or smooth peanut butter
• 4 teaspoons coconut oil or butter
• Pinch of sea salt

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small sauce pan, melt the dark chocolate chips, stirring constantly until smooth, then use a spoon to drop a small amount of melted chocolate into the bottom of 12 mini paper cups.
2. Place the chocolate-filled shells in the freezer to set, about 10 minutes.
3. In the meantime, mix up the peanut butter filling. Combine the peanut butter, coconut oil/butter and salt, and stir until smooth and creamy. Remove the paper cups from the freezer, and place a dollop of the peanut butter filling in the middle of each chocolate shell (about a teaspoon per center).
4. Cover each cup with a final layer of melted chocolate, and return to the freezer to set for at least 2 hours before serving.
5. Remove the paper cups and enjoy!

Makes 12 mini peanut butter cups

Nutritional analysis: calories 91, fat 7g, carbohydrates 8g, protein 2g  

Flourless dark chocolate cake  

INGREDIENTS

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 cup dark chocolate chips
• 6 organic eggs (room temperature) and divide yolks from the white (put white in a bigger bowl for beating)
• ½ cup coconut sugar
• 1 cup raspberries
• ½ cup unsweetened shredded coconut

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat over to 275 degrees
2. Prepare a spring form pan by rubbing coconut oil inside bottom and sides. Set aside
3. Place chocolate chips and butter in a glass bowl and microwave for 1 and a half minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until fully melted. Set aside to cool slightly
4. Take egg yolks and beat slightly then add to the cooled chocolate mixture. Mix well and set aside.
5. Beat egg whites in a separate bowl gradually adding the coconut sugar and whip/beat until stiff peaks form
6. Add ¼ of the egg whites to the chocolate mixture and stir well then fold in remaining egg white mixture
7. Pour batter into prepared spring form pan and bake for 40-45 min. Allow to cool before removing sides of the pan.

Makes 12 servings

Nutritional analysis: calories 170, fat 12g, carbohydrates 15g, fiber 1g, protein 4g

Check out some other Valentine's Day treats by checking here.