The soundtrack for this post had to be the first song that came to my mind when I started writing it:
Because this chocolate goodness is easy peasy.
But first let me tell you abit about my friend Rahna, the creator of this deliciousness. We've been friends since we were 16/17 years old, when we met at college, probably in the smoking area. We had a history lesson and our serious boyfriends in common, and the fact that we had each other in the class made it tolerable enough for us to pass with good grades.
We got our first very decent paying part time job together at a finance company, which afforded us the luxury of spending more money than the average teenager on Karen Millen dresses, Gucchi loafers (my heinous crime, not Rahna's), frequent pub lunches and dinners at Cafe Rouge.
I went on my first, proper, unsupervised holiday with Rahna. At about 19years old, Rahna and some other girlfriends spent 10 crazy days in Ayia Napa. You know when Ayia Napa was the Garage music Ibiza of the 2000s? All I remember were the all night pool parties, swordfish lunches, raving it up to the So Solid Crew's '21 Seconds' which was number one in the UK charts that week, and a guy calling my bottom a 'speed hump'. It was supposed to be a compliment. Interesting memories, but you couldn't pay me enough money to do it all again.
We've lived a lot of life together, and when I look back, it's crazy to think how things have changed. From young, experimental teens, to settled wives living that domesticated life- hilarious!
But I have to say that it's been in the last few years that I've been most inspired by Rahna. She has faced some life-altering health issues, causing her to completely revolutionise her diet. When Rahna is faced with anything, she just tackles it head on. And as she's had to restrict her diet to a degree that would definitely be unbearable for me, and I'm sure many others, I've witnessed her rise up and shine. She's found and created meals and food combinations that are not only healing, but tasty. So willing to experiment, she's such a creative in the kitchen, making up recipes completely from scratch that tick so many boxes for those who need a highly 'Free-From', diet. I predict a cookbook or 10 from her someday- you heard it here first!
This chocolate recipe is for me, by far one of her most successful creations to date. I was visiting her a few weeks ago, and she offered me some, and once I tasted them, I couldn't concentrate on much else for the rest of my visit! Like firstly, these chocolaty morsels are so so delicious. Secondly they are virtually guilt-free. Thirdly, for a guilt-free sweet, you actually feel like you're eating conventional chocolate. In texture, taste and the way they behave in the mouth, I feel like if you said I could only eat these chocs for the rest of my life, I would definitely be fine with that. No, I'd be very happy with that. Also they completely satisfy that often desperate need for chocolate, one or two bites are enough. Hyped enough? Here are the steps:
My tips:
- I've experimented with upping the clean eating stakes by reducing the amount of maple syrup in the recipe. I've had some hits and misses, and have concluded that the maple syrup can be reduced to 1 and a half tablespoons max before it taste like you're just eating unsweetened cocoa powder. If you don't mind that taste then this reduction is for you, but I tried it on some dinner guests who found it quite unpalatable.
- I've used Golden Syrup instead of Maple when I ran out, and it worked just as well, although I think they turned out abit sweeter, so do adjust amount to your taste.
- Experiment with flavour, I've tried whisky, rum & orange flavouring, but my favourite is Peppermint! Add a few drops and enjoy!
- I personally like to eat these straight from the freezer. They never set so hard that they will break your teeth, but there is a satisfying eat experience as they start melting as soon as you bite into them, and the cold, then hard, to quickly melting sensation is really moreish.
- A few times I substituted vanilla powder for vanilla extract as the recipe suggests, which worked just fine.
Similarly, I do want to try Carrob powder, it may be a healthier option, I need to research, but Cocoa powder is what I've been using and it works a treat- really indulgent chocolatiness!
There you have it! If you do try this out, do let me know how you got on, and do head over to Happy Healthy Coeliac for more amazing healthy recipes and great information.