Chocolate Dessert “Hummus”

Chocolate hummus is a great option for a healthy dessert. You can dip or spread anything you want with it! I would recommend dipping fresh fruit in it such as apples or strawberries, or snacks like pretzels and crackers. This would also be a delicious treat to put on a platter to bring to a party. Enjoy!

Preparation + Cook Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Can (15 oz) of Chickpeas, drained
• 3 Tbsp Coconut Oil, melted
• 2 Tbsp Almond Milk
• 1 tsp Vanilla Extract
• 5 Tbsp Honey or Maple Syrup
• 4 Tbsp Cacao Powder
• 1/2 tsp Cinnamon
• 1/4 tsp Himalayan Salt

Instructions:

1. In a food processor or high speed blender, simply blend all of the ingredients together. The consistency should be smooth like hummus.
2. Scoop the chocolate hummus into a small bowl. Optional: top with shredded coconut or cacao nibs for garnish.
3. If you are making this for guests, prepare a platter with chopped fruit, crackers, pretzels, etc. for dipping.

Health benefits of this recipe:

-Chickpeas help control blood sugar levels, improves digestion because of high fiber content, helps protect against heart disease, is a good source of protein, and contains many beneficial vitamins and minerals such as zinc, folate, phosphorus, and B vitamins.

-Cacao can improve stress levels, cholesterol, and heart health.

The information on the benefits of the ingredients was researched from http://www.draxe.com

 

Superfood Balls: 4 Ways

You will never look in my refrigerator and not see superfood balls. These are my snack of choice. They are medjool date-based which is amazing for your digestive system, and that is wonderful for someone with a sensitive tummy like me. These are great because you can easily interchange the ingredients. Don’t have hemp seeds? Leave them out. Just add a little bit of extra oats to make up for it. Any of these ingredients can be switched around to your liking. I have shared with you my current favorite flavors of superfood balls: Matcha Cacao, Cinnamon Pecan, Lemon Coconut, and Hazelnut Brownie. Enjoy!

Matcha Cacao Superfood Balls

If you like matcha green tea, you will LOVE these Matcha Cacao Balls. I like to enjoy one of these in the morning when I get to the office with my green tea.

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 15 Medjool Pitted Dates
• 1/2 C Almond Flour
• 1/4 C Tocos Powder (optional)
• 1 T Matcha Green Tea Powder
• Dash of Cinnamon
• 3/4 C Coconut Flakes
• 10 Raw Cashews
• 1/4 C Coconut Milk
• 3/4 C Oats
• 1 T Hemp Seeds
• 1 T Water

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in the food processor and pulse on high until it is blended smoothly. At the end, throw a small handful of extra coconut flakes and pulse for a few seconds to give the mixture some texture.
2. Roll into balls. I made mine about 1 1/2″ in circumference. The mixture makes about 10 balls.
3. Store the superfood balls in the fridge.

 

Cinnamon Pecan Superfood Balls

These Cinnamon Pecan Balls are the real deal. They are absolutely delicious. You are in for a treat!

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 15 Medjool Pitted Dates
• 1 1/4 C Raw Pecans
• 1/2 C Oats
• 1 t Maca Powder
• 3 t Cinnamon
• 2 T Tocos Powder (optional)
• 1/2 t Organic Vanilla Extract
• 2 1/2 T Almond Milk
• 1 t Maple Syrup
• 1/4 C Raw Pumpkin Seeds

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients (except the pumpkin seeds) in the food processor and pulse on high until it is blended smoothly. Once everything is blended, stir in the pumpkin seeds with a wooden spoon.
2. Roll into balls. I made mine about 1 1/2″ in circumference. The mixture makes about 10 balls.
3. Store the superfood balls in the fridge.

 

Lemon Coconut Superfood Balls

These superfood balls definitely have a sweet zing to them!

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 12 Medjool Pitted Dates
• 1/4 C Coconut Flour
• 3 T Melted Coconut Oil
• 1/2 C Raw Cashews
• 1 C Shredded Coconut (Separated)
• Juice of 1/2 a lemon (measures out to a little under 1/4 C)
• 1/4 t organic vanilla extract
• 1 T Hemp Seeds
• 1 T Chia Seeds
• 1 T Tocos Powder (optional)
• Zest of about 1/2 a lemon
• 2 T Coconut Milk

Instructions:

1. Separate the shredded coconut into 2 parts: 1/2 C into the food processor and 1/2 C into a small bowl.
2. Combine all of the rest of the ingredients in the food processor and pulse on high until it is blended smoothly.
3. Roll into balls. I made mine about 1 1/2″ in circumference. The mixture makes about 10 balls.
4. Finally, roll the balls around in the bowl of shredded coconut until each ball is lightly covered in coconut.
5. Store the superfood balls in the fridge.

 

Hazelnut Brownie Superfood Balls

Preparation Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• 20 Medjool Pitted Dates
• 2 T Melted Coconut Oil
• 3/4 C Hazlenuts
• 1/2 C Oats
• 3 T Cacao Powder
• 2 T Almond Milk
• 2 T Maple Syrup
• 2 T Flax Seeds
• 1 T Chia Seeds
• 1/4 C Almond Flour
• 1 T Tocos Powder (optional)
• Dash of Cinnamon
• 1/4 t Organic Vanilla Extract

Instructions:

1. Combine all of the ingredients in the food processor and pulse on high until it is blended smoothly.
2. Roll into balls. I made mine about 1 1/2″ in circumference. The mixture makes about 13 balls.
3. Store the superfood balls in the fridge.

 

Benefits of these recipes:

-Dates have high levels of soluble fiber which optimizes digestion. They also decrease cholesterol, boost energy, and boost bone health.

-Coconut Flakes and Coconut Flour contain iron, zinc, protein, and fiber.

-Tocos Powder (short for tocotrienols) is a “skin superfood”. It is a relative of Vitamin E which is beneficial to skin health and connective tissue.

-The chia seeds, hemp seeds, and flax seeds are high in Omega-3s, protein and antioxidants, great for heart health and skin, can lower cholesterol, are rich in calcium, zinc, and iron, and are beneficial to your digestion.

-Oats are high in fiber, reduces heart disease risk, and lowers cholesterol.

The benefits of these ingredients were researched from http://www.draxe.com