Skip to main content

Chocolate and almond butter cups




So this summer I have been turning into a bit of a hippy and trying veganism, vegetarianism and eating a more raw diet. I can't say I'm a total convert yet which was made obvious last night when I ate a moo but that was just a small relapse!

My latest craze has been experimenting with funky vegan desserts using new ingredients like raw cacao butter, coconut oil and lots of dates and nuts. If you have tried raw chocolate before you have probably become a little bit obsessed, it's all creamy and amazing, not even that much like normal chocolate, more like rich chocolate mousse without the naughty stuff in it..phew! However out in the mountains it is totally impossible to get, I have one pack of cacao butter and I have a feeling it's going to be gone pretty swiftly with this new recipe. You will need to go to an organic health foods shop like wholefoods to find the raw cacao powder and butter.




makes 5/6 mini cupcakes

1/4 cup raw organic cacao butter melted
1/4 cup raw organic cacao powder
agave syrup

6 teaspoons of almond butter (1/3 cup raw almonds if you make it yourself)

I should mention that you can buy almond butter already made but it's pretty cool and less expensive to make it yourself, that is if you have a magimix.
Put your almonds in a food processor and blend for about 12 mins until they become smooth like butter. You may think you have got there when your almond mix turns into a ball but keep going for a few more minutes as after that the nuts release their oil and become smoother and less firm.

Melt the cacao butter in a bowl over some hot water and then using a whisk mix in the cacao powder and then agave. You can add in extra flavours like cinnamon, coffee essence, salt, chilli to the chocolate if you like just mix them in.

Spoon the chocolate into the bottom of your mini cupcake cases, you want just enough to cover the bottom then stick in the freezer to set for a few minutes. Tart up your almond butter with a pinch of salt and a drizzle of honey or agave and spoon a little ball into the middle of the set case and then pour over the remaining chocolate. The choccy mix may have firmed up a bit so just warm it over some hot water in your bowl again until it's at pouring consistency.

Once they are all covered sprinkle over any other toppings like coconut flakes, gogi berries, sea salt, chopped nuts. Cool in the fridge or freezer until they are firm then munch them all because as I said they are good for you! Actually maybe share a few to prove that all this hippy healthy stuff actually tastes good.

Guest photographer Melody Sky

Popular posts from this blog

River cafe polenta, almond and lemon cake

This week has been a bit up and down with the weather, lots of rain and then an absolute scorcher yesterday in the 30˚s. Yesterday was an especially good day because not only did I get a little bit less pasty but I also stood up on my surfboard about 10 times!! I did almost die about twice getting absolutely smashed by waves and ended up with my hair looking a bit like a loo brush but very happy!! Since the weather has been crappy I made a huge cake, and I think this could be my newest most favourite cake I have ever made. I have been trawling through my River cafe books and there is so much amazing stuff so since I have all kinds of great ingredients on my door step I am going to go nuts and try loads this month. Serves 12 450g unsalted butter, softened 450g caster sugar 450g ground almonds 2 teaspoons good vanilla essence 6 free range eggs zest of 4 lemons juice of 1 lemon 225g polenta flour or fine semolina 1 1/2  teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon of salt Preheat the oven to ...
Read more

Caramelised endive with Serrano ham

This is another delicious Ottolenghi recipe, you could do it as a starter or part of a summery lunch. Serves 6 6 endives, cut in half lengthways 40g unsalted butter 4 tsp caster sugar 50g breadcrumbs 70g parmesan cheese, freshly grated 2 tbsp thyme leaves 120ml whipping cream 12 thin sliced of Serrano ham olive oil for drizzling Preheat the oven to 200˚C. Start by caramelising the endive in batches depending on how many you can fit in a frying pan. Put the butter and sugar in the pan over a high heat until the butter starts to bubble, then place the endive halves into the pan cut side down until they are golden. Remove and place into a lined baking tray, caramelised side up. Sprinkle with a little salt and pepper. Mix the breadcrumbs with the cream, parmesan, thyme some salt and ground pepper. Spoon the mix on top of the endives and top with a slice of the ham. Roast in the oven until golden and the endives feel soft when poked with a knife. Serve hot or warm drizzled with a little oli...
Read more

Aubergine and goats cheese dip with pitta crisps

Don't be put off by the slightly grey, something you might find in a babies nappy, colour of this dip, it is really good I promise! Served along side some healthy pitta crisps and you have yourself a good little chip and dip for the party season. makes 2 dipping size bowls 100ml olive oil 1 onion, finely diced 2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped small 1 tbsp thyme leaves large pinch of chopped rosemary leaves 2 medium aubergines, finely diced 125g soft goats cheese, mild or cream cheese if you prefer salt and pepper pack of pitta breads olive oil handful fresh rosemary leaves, roughly chopped salt and pepper Heat the olive oil in a large sauté pan, add the onion, garlic, thyme and rosemary and sauté gently until soft. Add the aubergine, and cook for about 15 minutes until it is cooked through, stir regulary to stop it from catching and season. Allow to cool slightly before pureeing in a food processor with the goats cheese, check the seasoning and add more goats cheese to taste if nee...
Read more