U.S. chocolate manufacturers use about 3.5 million pounds of whole milk every day to make milk chocolate. But what do you do if you are a vegan, but you still enjoy chocolate? Veganism is the practice of not eating or using any animal products- especially in the diet- to maintain a philosophy that sentient animals should not be harmed in any way, shape, or form. There is good news out there for those who are strictly vegan: there is vegan chocolate! And what’s even better, there are tons of raw vegan chocolate recipes to be found. Here are some of our favorites.
Raw vegan chocolate bars Cadbury, an English chocolate company, made the world’s first chocolate bar in 1842. The chocolate bar has come a long way since then, and chocolate bars are finally going vegan! Here’s what you need:
- 1/4 cup coconut oil, melted
- 2/3 cup cacao powder
- 4 tbsp raw honey/coconut nectar/maple syrup
Here’s how to make it:
- Melt coconut oil over a low heat, remove as soon as it’s melted
- Sift cocoa powder into coconut oil and whisk until combined
- Add in your sweetener of choice, and that’s it
Vegan chocolate cookies There’s no better snack than a cookie, and why not make it vegan? These cookies are moist and chewy- just the way a cookie should be. Here’s what you’ll need:
- 2/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 tsp baking soda
- 1 cup sugar
- 1/3 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 3/4 cup hot water, divided
- 1 cup dried shredded and unsweetened coconut meat
Here’s how to make it:
- Preheat oven to 350, line cookie sheets with parchment
- Sift flour, cocoa, baking soda, and salt into a large bowl. In another bowl, beat sugar with oil and vanilla with an electric miser until blended
- Add half the flour mixture and half the water to sugar mixture, beat until smooth
- Add coconut, and remaining water and flour mixture, beat until well-combined
- Scoop tablespoons of dough and roll into balls and place on cookie sheets, flatten each ball into a 2 inch disk with the back of a wet spoon
- Place in oven for 8-10 minutes and cool on wire rack. Yieds 50 cookies
Vegan chocolate mousseThis vegan chocolate mousse recipe is absolutely delicious, and you won’t have to tell anyone how healthy it is if you don’t want to. Here’s what you need:
- 1 large ripe avocado
- 1/4 cup raw cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup coconut milk
- 2 tsp Stevia (or other sweetener)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
Here’s how to make it:
- Puree avocado until smooth
- Mix together cocoa powder and coconut milk until combined, add to avocado
- Stir in sweetener, vanilla extract and mix well
- Transfer the mousse to individual bowls and store in the fridge until ready to eat
Chocolate is the only edible substance that melts close to 93 degrees Fahrenheit, so why not let these raw vegan chocolate recipes melt in your mouth as you sit in food bliss? The best chocolates don’t always have to be manufactured, processed, and contain animal products- vegan chocolates are just as good (and good for you).
sources
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-11379/the-best-vegan-chocolate-mousse-youll-ever-put-in-your-mouth.html
http://www.weightwatchers.com/food/rcp/RecipePage.aspx?recipeid=217441
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Veganism
http://veggienook.com/2012/03/16/homemade-raw-vegan-chocolate-in-only-3-or-4-ingredients/ Learn more at this link: www.miamibeachchocolates.com
