A Passion for Chocolate

By Julie Senger

Whether you’re looking to make a homemade sweet treat for your Valentine, or you’re interested in creating something special for a favorite group of “Galentines,” kiddos, or coworkers, or you’re part of the “Love Stinks” camp and plan to treat yourself to chocolate goodness this year, most everyone will be able to find a recipe on these two pages to fall in love with.

 

Healthy Chocolate Hummus

This would be wonderful for a Galentine’s Day charcuterie board. BONUS! The avocado/coconut oil is heart healthy, and the recipe has no gluten, dairy, or refined sugars.

 

Ingredients

1 15 oz. can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed and drained
2 tbs. avocado oil or coconut oil
1/3 cup maple syrup
2 tbs. tahini or favorite nut butter
1/4 cup Dutch cocoa powder
1 tsp. vanilla extract
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
Flaky sea salt for garnish (optional)

 

Procedure

• Put chickpeas, oil, maple syrup, and nut butter into a food processor and process until smooth (1-2 minutes).
• Add cocoa powder, vanilla extract, and sea salt, then process until the mixture is well combined.
• If the mixture is too grainy, add a tablespoon of warm water while the food processor is on and let it run until it’s smooth again.
• Transfer the hummus to a cute bowl and sprinkle the top with flaky sea salt.
• Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to one week. Use fresh fruit, cookies, crackers, or pretzels for dipping.

 

White Chocolate Cherry Fudge

For those who are not big fans of super chocolatey desserts, this recipe is as pretty to look at as it is delicious to eat.

 

Ingredients

6 oz. dried cherries
1 pinch salt
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 3/4 cups white chocolate chips
1 14 oz. can sweetened condensed milk
Sparkling sugar sprinkles (optional)

 

Procedure

• Line a 9×9 pan with parchment paper, so that it goes up the sides
  of the pan.
• Pour the white chocolate chips and sweetened condensed milk in a large bowl and microwave for one minute. Stir to combine and distribute the heat evenly to melt the chocolate chips. If the chocolate isn’t completely smooth, microwave the mixture for another 30 seconds.
• Stir in the vanilla extract, dried cherries, and salt. Pour the mixture into the lined pan and spread evenly.
• If you’d like, sprinkle some sparkling sugar on top of the fudge and lightly press down on it, so it adheres.
• Allow the fudge to cool completely before cutting into squares. You may also refrigerate it to expedite the process.

 

Spicy Chocolate Hearts

This recipe is perfect if your sassy Valentine likes chocolate with an unexpected kick of sweet heat. You’ll need a silicone mold to make this candy, preferably one with hearts.

 

Ingredients

1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
10 oz. dark chocolate (not bark)
4 oz. white chocolate for garnish (optional)
Red sugar crystals for garnish (optional)

 

Procedure

• Melt the chocolate in a double broiler or microwave until smooth and shiny. If using a microwave, be sure to take the chocolate out every 20-30 seconds to stir and distribute the heat to help facilitate the melting process.
• Add cinnamon and cayenne pepper to the melted chocolate and stir until evenly distributed.
• Using a teaspoon, fill each silicone heart 2/3 full and carefully shake the mold back and forth to settle the chocolate.
• Refrigerate the mold for 1 hour.
• Remove the chocolate from the molds, then melt the white chocolate and drizzle over the top of each heart. Sprinkle with red sugar.
• Refrigerate the hearts for 30 minutes or until white chocolate drizzle and sprinkles are set then remove and serve.

 

Brownie Cookies

Need something easy to take to an office party or send with the kids to school? This vegan recipe is a great way to combine two favorite desserts into one yummy treat.

 

Ingredients

1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 cup sugar
3/4 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. + 1/8 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. baking powder
6 tbs. vegetable oil
2 tbs. milk of choice
1 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
1/3 cup mini chocolate chips

 

Procedure

• Combine all dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
• Add remaining ingredients and stir to form a batter.
• Grease a cookie sheet and roll the batter into balls (or use a mini cookie scoop) to place on the sheet.
• Bake for 9-10 minutes at 325 degrees. The cookies will look underdone when you take them out of the oven but will become firm after cooling.

 

Momma Jean’s Chocolate Chess Pie

This old-fashioned pie recipe (like Momma used to make) is a rich, comforting dessert to share with your family. Make sure to have glasses of ice-cold milk ready to go with it!

 

Ingredients

1 deep dish pie shell
1 stick margarine, melted (not butter)
2 1/2 cups sugar
3 tbs. cocoa powder
1 5 oz. can evaporated milk
2 eggs slightly beaten
1 tsp. vanilla extract

 

Procedure

• In a large mixing bowl, add all ingredients and stir until well combined. The mixture will be a loose liquid.
• Pour the mixture into the pie shell and bake at 325 degrees for approximately 1-1.5 hours or until the center of the pie has little movement when slightly jiggling the oven rack.
• Let the pie cool for at least an hour to set before serving.

 

"All you need is Love. But a little chocolate now and then doesn't hurt." - Charles M. Schulz