ADD TO MY RECIPES

Good-quality, dairy-free dark chocolate is packed with antioxidants that fight inflammation, boost your mood, and contain essential nutrients for the body, such magnesium, zinc, and potassium.

And it's no surprise that when we asked our Food Matters team members their favorite recipes from The Food Matters Cookbook, the answer was everything chocolate! Here are three delicious, gluten-free recipes using either dairy-free chocolate, cocoa, or cacao to help you reconsider chocolate as simply just a 'treat food'.

Mini Cassava Banana Pancakes with Chocolate Chips

Nothing says Sunday morning breakfast with the family quite like a stack of pancakes. The added bonus of our favorite pancake recipe is that they’re packed with nourishing ingredients, and little chefs love to help make them.

Serves: 4 (15 - 20 mini pancakes)

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 10 minutes

Ingredients

• 2 organic free-range eggs
• 2 ripe bananas, mashed
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup cassava flour
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• 1/2 cup unsweetened plant-based milk of choice (coconut, almond, oat)
• 1/4 cup dairy-free chocolate chips
• Coconut oil for cooking
• 1/2 cup frozen mixed berries, thawed
• 1/4 cup coconut yogurt
• 1/4 cup tablespoon nut butter

Method

1. Whisk the eggs, bananas, and vanilla extract in a bowl to begin forming a batter.
2. Fold in the cassava flour and baking soda, then gradually add the plant-based milk. You don’t want the batter to be too runny. Add a little more plant-based milk or water if you need to thin out the mixture.
3. Fold in the chocolate chips and mix well.
4. Heat 1 tablespoon of coconut oil in a medium frying pan and pour in 2 tablespoons of the mixture to make a mini pancake. Let the pancake cook for 1 to 2 minutes or until bubbles begin to form. Flip and let the other side cook for another 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat, oiling the pan as needed.
5. After you have cooked all the batter, in the same frying pan over medium heat, add the mixed berries and mash until a jam-like consistency is achieved.
6. Serve the pancakes topped with the mixed berries, a dollop of coconut yogurt, and nut butter.

Chocolate Lovers' Smoothie Bowl

Chocolate lovers rejoice! This smoothie bowl is packed with goodness but will have you feeling like you are enjoying an indulgent treat!

Serves: 1 (2 cups)

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: None!

Ingredients

Smoothie Bowl

• 1 medium banana, peeled, sliced, and frozen
• ¼ avocado
• 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds
• 1 cup unsweetened plant-based milk of choice (coconut, almond, oat)
• Pinch of unrefined sea salt
• 1 teaspoon chia seeds

To Serve

• 2 tablespoons Homemade Granola
• 2 tablespoons coconut yogurt
• 1 tablespoon frozen mixed berries
• 1 tablespoon hemp seeds

Method

1. Add all ingredients into the blender and blend until smooth.
2. If the smoothie is a little thick, add more plant-based milk to the blender to achieve your desired consistency.
3. Pour into a bowl, top with Homemade Granola, a dollop of coconut yogurt, mixed berries, and a sprinkle of hemp seeds.

Nut Butter Fudge

There’s nothing quite like a mouthful of gooey, sweet fudge. This healthified take gives you the same sticky sensation but uses the goodness of nut butter to fuel your body rather than fight it. The addition of your favorite fruits and nuts is up to you!

Serves: 10 slices

Preparation Time: 5 minutes

Setting Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

• ½ cup melted coconut oil⁣
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract⁣
• ¼ cup pure maple syrup⁣
• ½ cup raw cacao powder⁣
• ¼ cup nut butter⁣
• ½ cup raspberries, mixed berries, or blueberries - optional
• 3 tablespoons activated buckwheat, quinoa puffs, rolled oats, or chopped nuts - optional

Method

1. Whisk together cacao, maple syrup, melted coconut oil, and vanilla in a mixing bowl until well combined.⁣
2. Next, add in your nut butter.⁣
3. Mix through raspberries and buckwheat groats/quinoa puffs, if using.⁣
4. Pour chocolate mixture into a lined tray or freezer-safe container.⁣
5. Place in the freezer for 30 minutes or until set.⁣
6. Remove from the freezer and cut or break into pieces to enjoy. ⁣