For these of us who want some decrease fats or refined sugar-free, or each, options for chocolate proper now, this Chocolate Unfold recipe is the reply.
This Chocolate Unfold is much like that chocolate nut butter that everyone knows (and used to like), Nutella, however higher for sure dietary wants. In contrast to Nutella, which has “sugar” and “palm oil” listed as its first two elements (!), this wholesome home made model has no refined sugars and no added oils. It is also nut-free, so in the event you’re allergic like me, nicely, .
With cocoa powder, a splash of espresso for depth of taste, and a contact of sea salt to stability the sweetness, you may have an addictive Chocolate Unfold to slather onto toast, serve on Dessert Charcuterie Boards, or simply eat straight up with a spoon.
So what makes this Chocolate Unfold decrease in fats and refined sugar-free?
Decrease in Fats, Refined Sugar-Free
The key to creating this chocolate unfold more healthy for people who find themselves monitoring their fats consumption and/or refined sugar is a cup of dried plums aka prunes. I do know! Who knew? Nicely, now all of us.
Prunes are dried plums. When prunes are rehydrated, they do not simply return to being plums once more. They’re even higher, with their pure fiber damaged down right into a gentle, caramel-like texture. We usually add oil to issues like chocolate spreads for that clean, buttery consistency, however re-hydrated, puréed prunes have the same texture, with out fats.
When plums are dried into prunes, their taste and pure sweetness intensifies, and that is all of the sweetness we want for this Chocolate Dip/Unfold.
What You Want for this Chocolate Dip/Unfold
You solely want a number of elements for this chocolate dip, and also you most likely have already got most of them:
- Prunes: I used California prunes for this recipe. For those who’re consuming prunes in america, they’re nearly definitely from California, which grows 99% of the prunes within the US and 40% of the prunes on the planet. You will discover prunes in each grocery retailer close to the recent produce division, or within the snack aisle.
- Espresso. You solely want a few tablespoons of brewed espresso, with out sugar or any lightener, clearly. Simply save a couple of quarter cup out of your morning pot of espresso and use it for this recipe. You may also use espresso; the Chocolate Unfold will simply have a barely extra intense espresso undertone.
- Cocoa Powder. I used an organic natural cocoa powder. In case you are watching your fats consumption, be sure that to learn the diet labels. All cocoa powder has some pure fats, however some manufacturers have greater than others.
- Vanilla Extract. You actually do want a drop or two of vanilla within the dip to carry out the “chocolate.” I exploit this natural model of pure vanilla extract. Do not use imitation vanilla flavoring.
- Salt. Including salt to sweets is not to make them style salty. Salt not solely brings out the pure sweetness of the prunes, it balances the sweetness, too.
Can I Make Ingredient Substitutions?
- Substitute Espresso. For those who’re delicate to caffeine or to espresso basically, substitute with an equal quantity of water. Prunes have such an intense taste on their very own, you will get away with that substitution.
- Cocoa Powder. If you do not have cocoa powder, however have already got another type of chocolate available like baking chocolate bars or chocolate chops, you possibly can substitute an equal quantity of it for the cocoa powder by melting it and stirring it into prune puree. Nevertheless, the sugar and fats content material of the Chocolate Dip will change primarily based on the sugar and fats content material of the chocolate.
For a prune-based jam with out chocolate, attempt this Prune Jam infused with red wine, additionally nice for cheese boards and dessert charcuterie boards!
Chocolate Unfold Recipe
Substances
- 1 cup California prunes
- ½ cup sizzling espresso
- ¾ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ cup cocoa powder
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
Directions
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Place prunes and sizzling espresso in a heat-proof bowl. Cowl with a kitchen towel or a plate. Permit prunes to take a seat in espresso to re-hydrate, at the least a few hours, in a single day is finest. It doesn’t need to be refrigerated whereas re-hydrating.
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Drain off and save any remaining espresso. Place drained prunes and vanilla extract into meals processor. Pulse then course of to puree prunes, including reserved espresso (or water) one tablespoon at a time if the combination is just too thick to spin.
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Take away lid of meals processor, add cocoa powder and salt. Cowl the feed tube of the meals processor together with your hand (so any unfastened cocoa powder does not come flying out). Pulse prune cocoa combination till nicely mixed, including reserved espresso or water a teaspoon at a time to skinny out consistency.
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Switch Chocolate Unfold to container with air-tight lid. If serving on a Dessert Charcuterie Board, switch to a small bowl.
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Retailer leftover Chocolate Unfold in air-tight container within the refirgerator for as much as two weeks.
Recipe developed in partnership with CA Prunes! Take a look at their website for extra well being data and recipes, and follow @CAPrunes on instagram to remain updated!
