Helllooo chocolate. Chocolate can certainly be a part of a balanced diet. Cue 70% dark chocolate, cocoa powder used for baking and cacao – the most unrefined form of chocolate ground from the cacao bean. Cacao trees grow in places such as the Philippines, Brazil, Papua New Guinea, Ecuador, and a few Caribbean islands.
Cacao pods all contain nibs which are used to make chocolate, or sold in their whole form as cacao nibs before sold to processors. Now that you know the basics about how it’s grown, you should know how amazingly high in antioxidants and nutrients cacao is! They’re full of polyphenols to assist the body in fighting free radical damage from food, environment, toxins or all of the above. Cacao is a good source of vitamins and minerals like B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, and contains heart healthy monounsaturated fat from oleic acid. Raw cacao powder (in the form I used in this recipe) also contains Vitamins A and C, amazing for your skin and keeping your immune system strong and active through the winter months.
CRAZY FOR CACAO
Wondering why I gave these delicious babes the title “Mood Boosting?” Cacao contains theobromine, a mild stimulant that boosts mood and is said to treat depression and increase alertness. It also contains caffeine to combine with the stimulating effect of theobromine. (1) I also added a few scoops of espresso (decaf, but feel free to add regular!) So, needless to say thay are a great morning snack or afternoon pick me up!
- 1 cup brown rice flour
- 1/4 cup raw honey
- 4 tbsp. raw cacao powder
- 3 tbsp. espresso
- 1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 1 tsp. baking powder
- 1 tsp. baking soda
- 1/4 tsp. sea salt
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 2 tbsp. coconut oil, melted
- 1 egg or 1 tbsp. ground flax seeds
- 3 tbsp. coconut oil
- 3 tbsp. raw honey, or more to taste
- 2 tbsp. raw cacao powder
- unsweetened coconut, to sprinkle
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Combine all donut ingredients in a large bowl and microwave coconut oil, add to bowl.
- Whisk in almond milk and stir until completely combined.
- Grease donut pan with extra coconut oil and pour in batter. Place donuts in oven, set for 22 minutes. While donuts bake, combine glaze ingredients in medium saucepan until warm and combined, about 2-3 minutes.
- Pour glaze into bowl and place in the freezer for 5 minutes until slightly softened, but still spreadable.
- When donuts are done and toothpick comes out clean, let cool for 10 minutes before drizzling with glaze.
- Sprinkle with unsweetened coconut and enjoy warm!
- Best enjoyed warm at time of baking. May be refrigerated for up to 72 hours - if so, best to reheat them.
+ Looking for more? Check out Fresh Plate’s Recipe Index for numerous recipe ideas and ways to incorporate more plant based foods in your diet. Contact Samantha for 1:1 Nutrition Coaching to get your health back on track this new year.
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xx Samantha
(1) https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4335269/
