Basic Chocolate Recipe.. as promised

As many of you know we do a fudge project around here 1-2 times per year (http://thelovefudge.blogspot.com).  It is so much fun but can wear on our systems to have all that sugar around for weeks at a time.  In an effort to have other options to offer I have been playing around with the recipe below to create healthier replacement treats for when we are surrounded by so much temptation.

Basic Chocolate Recipe

1 cup coconut oil
1 cup raw honey or ground sucanat in a mini coffee grinder (honey is chewier, sucanat is crunchy)
1 cup cocoa or carob powder (or a combo of the two)
1 tsp. vanilla (optional)

Melt this over low heat on the stove until well incorporated.  Then pour into molds or into separate bowls with various mix in's for fun before you let them set up.  Some of our favorite mix in's are peanut butter, raisins, almonds, or peppermint oil.  For Christmas I made them with orange zest and dried cranberries. They were delicious!  If you don't have candy molds that you like to use just pour into a pan lined with parchment and break apart into pieces while cold.

*Important tip:  These will need to set up in the fridge or better yet the freezer for a little while then stored in the fridge to avoid melting.  I take them out of the mold once set up and put into a container to keep in our fridge for when you need (yes I said need) a little something sweet.

These can also be made with a good maple syrup and run through a blender to incorporate rather than on a low heat.  I prefer the stove top for this most days but the blender does create a consistency similar to a truffle.  Add some essential oils and now you have something worthy of hiding from the children.

I've even used this as a glaze for soaked wheat donuts.  Yes, necessity is the mother of invention.  ;)

Caramel Apples and Popcorn, It Must Be Fall!

For the past several years we have been making our own caramel with raw honey and real butter.  We use it to dip apples, drizzle over spice cake, or mixed into popcorn.  It just tastes like fall!  We made it again the other day and I thought I would share it with all of you since it is a much healthier version than anything you could buy.  I got the recipe from a friend and then made some changes to make it my own.  You'll no doubt add some changes of your own and then share it with those you love.  That's what the world need no?!  More caramel....that and chocolate.  I'll post our favorite chocolate recipe soon.  :) 

Caramel Dipping Sauce (makes 1 1/2 cups)

1 1/2 cups honey
1/2 tsp. salt

Put in pot (larger because of bubbles) and cook until soft ball stage.  Take off heat and add:

1 1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. butter

This will thicken as it cools.

We like to add cinnamon and clove to make it "taste like your birthday".  Sometimes we try it with just cardamom (get out of here good).  Try it and let me know what other variations you come up with!