This post is for my fellow chocolate lovers! Chocolate has come to be known as a sinfully delightful substance with an almost addictive quality. Turns out, it’s just delicious and there is nothing to feel guilty about when it comes to savoring chocolaty goodness. I enjoy dark chocolate most days of the week and always have a stash of it in my desk drawer. I’ve curated some delectable chocolate recipes for you to enjoy this holiday season, all of which I’ve personally made and served to friends and family!

Easy Vegan Truffles from Minimalist Baker

Simply put, these truffles are the bomb and are insanely easy to make. I shared them with family and friends at multiple holiday gatherings this year and they were a huge hit among everyone! I used dark cocoa powder for richer flavor. Bonus: you can store them in the freezer so you always have some treats to pull out at a moment’s notice.

 

Sea Salt Caramel Chocolate Cups from The Local Taste

Who doesn’t love a recipe with just five ingredients? I made these heavenly treats for my family’s holiday gathering last year and they were a crowd-pleaser. Making caramel out of dates is so simple and tastes so rich!

 

Chocolate-dipped Clementines

I don’t have a recipe for this because it’s so easy. I’ve included these in my holiday party spread the past two years and they go so quickly! Here’s how it works: peel a bag’s worth of clementines, separate the segments and place into a large bowl. Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt chocolate (a bag of chocolate chips works well) in a double boiler. Pick up a clementine segment, holding one end between two fingers, and dip it halfway into the melted chocolate. Let chocolate drip off for a second or two, then lay the segment flat on the parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Repeat with all segments. I like to sprinkle the segments with sea salt while the chocolate is still a little melty. You could also sprinkle with crushed nuts. Let set in the refrigerator for about one hour before serving.

 

Basic Vegan Brownies

This is my standard brownie recipe that never fails. It’s naturally vegan in that it doesn’t call for any egg replacers. I’ve experimented with different types of flour and adding chocolate chips, nuts and other fun ingredients. Use it as a base and adapt as you please!

2 cups flour
2 cups sugar
¾ cup cocoa
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup water
1 cup canola oil
1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine and stir all ingredients in a large mixing bowl, pour into a 9-by-13-inch pan and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.

 

Superfoods for Life, Cacao

If you love chocolate as much as I do and want to explore savory recipes including chocolate, check out this book by my friend and fellow vegan dietitian Matt Ruscigno!

 

Wishing you all a warm + peaceful holiday season