8 Healthy Raw Vegan Chocolate Sauce Recipes + The Health Benefits of Cacao

Don't you just like love chocolate? Especially if its guilt free?! I mean, everybody loves chocolate. Well, unless you have xocolatophobia (a fear of chocolate - a phobia), then that's a whole different story. I mean, I've never met someone who doesn't. But hey, Valentine's Day is right around the corner. What better way to share these chocolate recipes with that special someone?! Well for all those chocolate lovers, I've got some chocolate sauce recipes for YOU!

Since its the month of love and chocolate, I decided to post all my chocolate sauce recipes for you. You can use these recipes as a chocolate sauce or form into a chocolate bar with a nut base..... Ohh! I just got a recipe idea - but you'll have to wait and see for that. You can use either cacao or carob powder.

Either powder you choose to use, the sauce will still produce a rich, creamy, thick, chocolate sauce. It's so delicious - I can literally eat all of it right out the bowl. This chocolate sauce is dairy free, sugar free, bad chemicals free, unhealthy ingredients free, and GUILT FREE! Wouldn't you love to eat indulge in chocolate and NEVER feel guilty about it? Well you never have to again with these low-fat, chocolate recipes that are SO irresistible! When eating this chocolate, you can actually feel good about it. Thats the way chocolate was meant to be enjoyed - guilty free! I mean, I am all about indulging and if I feel guilty afterwards, I'd rather not indulge. So go ahead - make these chocolate recipes, share it with your loved one to show them how much you care, go hug someone, indulge, and smile =) You'll be glad you did ;)

Guilt Free Irresistible Raw Chocolates:

INGREDIENTS: (please note: these are small batches, as you will need to double up for recipes as needed. If the sauces turn out too thick, just add nut milk or water to loosen it up. If the sauce turns out too runny and thin, just add more chocolate powder and/or more dates. If you have enough chocolate sauce, but it came out too runny and thin, simply add more dates. You can also add more or less of dates. You can use either whole dates or date paste to sweeten up the chocolate. Adjust the chocolate recipes to you sweetness, consistency, texture & flavor. adjust to your preferences. PLAY AROUND WITH THE RECIPES!! ADD MORE OR LESS OF EVERYTHING TO GET THE RIGHT CONSISTENCY AND TASTE.)

Sauce 1:

4 tbsp cacao or carob powder

1/4 cup raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

1/2 cup nut milk

1/4 cup nut butter, optional

1/4 cup coconut oil, melted

Sauce 2:

6 tbsp cacao

1/3 cup liquid coconut oil

1 tsp pure vanilla extract

1-2 tbsp raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

Sauce 3:

3 tsp cacao

2 tsp coconut oil melted

2 tbsp rraw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

Sauce 4 - Cinnamon Chocolate:

1 tbsp cacao

1 tbsp nut butter of choice

1 tbsp melted coconut oil

2 tbsp raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

1/2 tsp cinnamon

Sauce 5: (my most common & fave recipe that i use <3;)

6 tbsp cacao
1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional

3 tbsp coconut oil, melted
3 tbsp almond milk 

6 tbsp raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

Sauce 6:

6 tbsp cacao 
1/3 cup melted coconut oil
1 tsp vanilla

3 tbsp raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 

Sauce 7:
3 tbsp cacao 
1/2 tsp cinnamon, optional 
6 tbsp raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 
2-3 tbsp almond milk

Sauce 8:
1/4 cup cacao powder 
1/2 cup raw date paste, whole pitted dates, coconut nectar OR raw honey 
1/2 cup water or almond milk, of choice
1 teaspoon cinnamon

DIRECTIONS:

for ALL:

* Whisk or blend the ingredients until smooth in your blender or in a bowl. Enjoy your chocolate as desired. 

DID YOU KNOW?

 Here are a few facts & health benefits of raw chocolate (cacao):

• cacao is a raw, unprocessed, healthier form of chocolate that is one of the world's best sources of powerful antioxidants, and is the richest food source of magnesium
• cacao and cocoa are the same thing! Cocoa was a slang name that they gave cacao. 
• Cacao is the oldest word in the English dictionary! That's how long cacao has been around. 
• the fake chocolate that's made and loaded with sugar, dairy and other artificial ingredients is actually made from cacao. Of course, that kind of chocolate is NOT healthy! 
• cacao is a nut, not a bean
• cacao is an ancient superfood, mostly used by the Mayans
• cacao was taken by many ancient people without a problem (they experienced no "side effects" like they say nowadays.
• chocolate aka cacao and cocoa is a superfood! 
• chocolate contains more antioxidants than blueberries, green tea and red wine; and nearly 8 times more antioxidants found in strawberries
• when you "crave" chocolate, your body is actually lacking in magnesium
• cacao contains magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, vitamins, minerals, proteins, beta-carotene, fiber, and alkaloids 
• relieves stress
• neutrals your nerves levels (calms your muscles down due to the magnesium; which makes cacao anti-inflammatory)
• provides energy
• rich in antioxidants
• cacao contains anti-bacterial properties that fight against tooth decay
• contains anti-depressant properties, which means it makes you happier! (A GOOD reason to smile and be happy :)
• dark chocolate is shown to lower high blood pressure and LDL cholesterol, also improves circulation
• neutralize free radicals
• helps to improve digestion and lose weight!
• consuming chocolate triggers the release of endorphins
• by weight, cacao has more protein than eggs
• has a bitter taste, but best when added into recipes 
• 90% of Americans have at least some chocolate nearly every day, and it's usually thought and taken as a guilty pleasure rather than a healthy indulgence. this chocolate is 100% GUILT FREE (wait, i said that already ;)
• Carob is a good alternative to cacao. 
• another thing - you probably heard people tell you that chocolate causes acne. My mother has always warned me to avoid eating too much chocolate because it was the cause of my acne (when i was a meat-eater). Well that wasn't necessarily true. T then later found out (when i was a vegan), that chocolate wasn't the culprit to acne. Many people think and blame chocolate for their bad acne. Well it's NOT CHOCOLATE'S fault that caused to to breakout. It was the milk and sugar IN the chocolate that caused your acne. It is proven that milk and sugar causes acne. It's a myth when people say chocolate causes acne. Blame it on milk and sugar! They are the culprit to acne. Poor chocolate, milk and sugar are making you look bad. :( 

I bet you didn't know these facts? ;) So, you have my permission to indulge in THIS chocolate - without worrying about breaking out, because the truth of the matter is, chocolate itself was never the culprit of acne.

Now folks, let's be realistic. Chocolate alone (with no added ingredients like milk, eggs, sugar, you know....) is healthy for you. In most simplest terms, PURE CHOCOLATE  at its raw, unprocessed form. Chocolate was meant to be indulged, guilty free! ;)

QUESTIONS OF THE DAY:

Do you like chocolate? Are you a chocoholic like I am? Which chocolate recipe is your favorite? What are your thoughts about this topic? Feel free to share & post a comment below if you have any questions, or just have something to say. =) Happy Chocolate!!! <3

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