Are you a chocolate addict like I am? If so you probably really really like anything chocolate. Did you know that chocolate comes from the cocoa bean? Did you know that you can buy cocoa beans or raw cocoa that is coca beans ground up? Did you know that you can learn how to cook with cocoa and make your own delicious sugar free or reduced sugar, gluten free and dairy free chocolate recipes?

Here are the steps to follow in order to cook with cocoa and make delicious chocolate recipes that won’t leave you feeling guilty and that are actually good for you.

1. Buy some raw cocoa powder or cocoa beans. This is a great one you can buy on Amazon. Healthworks Raw Certified Organic Cacao Powder, 1 lb(affiliate link). I do not recommend purchasing cocoa powder from Hersheys or anything that is not a pure certified organic or raw powder. You may also be able to find it in the bulk section at Whole Foods or any other health food store. If there is a Sprouts in your area, they also cary some less expensive brands of raw cocoa that are really good. If you want to buy the cocoa beans, You can also find those on Amazon or at a health food store. Navitas Naturals Organic Raw Cacao Beans, 8-Ounce Pouches. I recommend buying the cocoa powder for most recipes, especially when you are first learning how to cook with cocoa.

2. Decide what recipe you want to make. Some of my favorites include:

A. A healthier version of hot chocolate. To make this all you do is boil some water, or heat up some almond or coconut milk, then stir in 1-2 tablespoons of raw cocoa and a few drops of liquid stevia.

B. Chocolate flavored gluten free pancakes or waffles. To make this you just add 1 tablespoon or a little more if it is a large amount of batter to your already prepared gluten free pancake or waffle batter.

C. A healthier version of homemade brownies. You can use the cocoa powder in place of chocolate chips, or a chocolate bar.

D. In your green smoothie. You can add a tablespoon in with your greens and other fruit to give it a chocolate taste.

3. Keep experimenting. Cooking with cocoa is actually pretty easy as you can add it to any recipe that calls for chocolate or where you would like a chocolate taste. The only trick is to make sure that you do not use too much, especially when you are cooking a recipe with dry and wet ingredients since this can throw off the balance of dry and wet and make your recipe too dry.


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