Fuel up Friday - Chocolate Cups

In my world all foods are welcome, especially chocolate! 😍 Chocolate with 70% or greater cacao solids is loaded with minerals like iron, magnesium, manganese and copper. It's a powerful source of antioxidants, contains a decent amount of fiber and can help protect your skin from sun damage. And last but not least, it tastes good and boosts my mood when I eat it. Most of the time I opt for store bought dark chocolate, with Lindt Excellence 85% Cocoa and President's Choice Extra Dark Chocolate being my favourite go-tos, but occasionally I like to make my own. With Valentine's Day around the corner, I thought homemade chocolate would be perfect for this week's edition of Fuel up Friday.

Whether you make it to share with others, or as a gift to yourself, it's an indulgence you can feel good about.

Homemade Chocolate Cups

1/2 cup coconut oil

scant 1/2 cup of honey

1/2 cup cocoa powder

1/4 cup almond butter (can substitute other nut or seed butters as desired)

1 tsp vanilla

optional toppings: toasted almond slices, toasted coconut, cacao nibs

Over low heat, melt coconut oil, honey and almond butter in a small saucepan, stirring until melted and well combined. Sift in cocoa powder and stir until fully incorporated. Remove from heat and mix in vanilla. Pour into silicone mini muffin pan or mini muffin tin with parchment paper liners. Sprinkle with optional toppings. Place in refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to harden. Store in refrigerator. These will soften quickly at room temperature due to the coconut oil.

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Fuel up Friday - ideas, suggestions, tips and simple recipes for incorporating whole, nutrient dense food as optimal fuel for your body and mind.