A simple and wholesome recipe for beautiful and indulgent chocolates that you can make at home in minutes!
I am a big fan of dark chocolate, 70%-80% is perfect, and I love some texture – salted almonds, coconut, cashews – paired with high quality flavours (raspberry, mint, caramel)… you name it!
The first time I made homemade coconut oil based chocolates, I was amazed at how incredibly quick and easy it was and how delicious and smooth they were! With several ingredients and within 15-20 minutes, you have perfect mouthwatering chocolates, without any additives or other junk in them.
This recipe is flexible, and you can easily adjust amounts and ingredients to suit your particular taste or diet needs. Below is the basic recipe, and I recommend trying it once or twice and then adding new flavours, ingredients, or textures.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup of Coconut Oil
- ½ cup Cocoa Powder
- ¼ cup Maple Syrup
- Small pinch of Salt
- Dash of Vanilla Extract (we make our own, with organic Vanilla Beans, vodka and local Bourbon – stay tuned for recipe for Cowichan Valley Bourbon Vanilla, coming soon!)
- Rose Petals
- Silicone mold
To Make Chocolates:
- Place small pot on stove on low temperature, and melt coconut oil. Stir in maple syrup, cocoa and salt until smooth and well combined.
- Remove from heat and add vanilla extract.
- Place 2-3 rose petals in the bottom of each space in silicone mold (optional) or wait until chocolates are chilled and decorate each one with a few petals.
- Pour over each with coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa and salt mixture.
- Place on tray in freezer or refrigerator until hard.
- Place chilled chocolates on decorated plate and serve!
Now, Play!
Once you have this basic recipe down, you can try substituting pretty much everything in it!
Sweetener: Try a local raw honey in place of maple syrup, or do half of each. Try more or less sweetener, according to taste.
Flavour: You can skip the vanilla and replace it with other extracts and essences, like orange or almond extract.
Texture: Bulk up the health factor by adding cashews, almonds, pumpkin seeds, desiccated coconut or dried berries.
Toppings: Replace rose petals with ground cinnamon, powdered vanilla, powdered sugar or cacao nibs.
Find an incredible combination? Let us know! We love to hear from you. You can tag us online @shantichaiandco or #shantichaiandco or email us: shanti@shantichai.com