I understand that not every person has the desire to make things from scratch, especially when chocolate is so easily available at the store.  However, something about making chocolate with good for your body ingredients helps justify the amount I indulge in daily! So for me, it’s worth it to take the extra step of making homemade.  First, I get to give my kids something they can view as a treat and then secondly I am giving them ingredients that help nourish their bodies.

Let me start with the benefits of the ingredients involved in making this chocolate:

1. Raw cacao powder: Cacao powder is full of antioxidants, iron, magnesium and calcium to name a few.  Most people are naturally low in all three of the above mentioned minerals, so what a great way to give your body a few while indulging in a treat.  For the record, cocoa is the processed form of cacao and although it is cheaper to buy, it does not have the same health benefits.
2. Cacao butter: Cacao butter is the extracted fat from the cacao bean. Cacao butter also has health benefits giving our bodies a good source of healthy fat which helps aid many organs function, like our brains!
3. Honey:  Local, raw and unfiltered honey can do wonders for your health. It combats  pollen allergies, has antioxidants, minerals, is a great source of energy and lastly is antibacterial. Since it’s antibacterial it can be put on your body to aid healing or you can take it by the spoonful to help in fighting infection (like Raw Manuka Honey).
4. Sea Salt:  A good quality sea salt (like Celtic or Himalayan) gives many trace minerals that we do not typically consume in our diets without adding of course. It’s also an excellent electrolyte source among other benefits that help aid our body to function properly. The salt also makes the chocolate flavor pop!
5. Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are high in zinc and omega 3 fats.  They also aid in killing candida (yeast) and can help fight off parasites in your gut. When I don’t have time to sprout on my own, I like to use GoRaw brand as they come already sprouted.  Sprouting seeds helps reduce the phytic acid making them more easily digestible.

How good do these look? And with the amazing health benefits, how can you not make these?!?  You can also put in cute little molds as seen below.

Now for the recipe!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups cacao butter
• 1 cup raw cacao powder
• 1/2 cup honey (or to taste)*
• 1 tbs pure vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• 1 cup pumpkin seeds

Instructions:

In a double boiler, gently melt the cacao butter.  Be careful not to get it too hot or it will cause the chocolate to seize.  Once melted, remove from heat and add cacao powder.  Gently whisk until well incorporated and then add remaining ingredients stirring well.  Line a baking sheet or something with edges.  Pour chocolate mixture onto pan. If desired, sprinkle another light dusting of sea salt on top.  Freeze for 10-15 minutes until frozen solid.  Then break apart with your hands.  Store bark in freezer.  It’s best eaten right out of the freezer!

*Note on honey – if on GAPS 1/2 cup of honey should be plenty.  However, adjust more or less to taste.  If not on GAPS, you can definitely add more honey as desired.  For the record though, the chocolate will taste sweeter as it sets in the freezer.