Valentine’s Day is right around the corner. Instead of splurging on a cliché box of chocolates that you get every year, mix things up with homemade, healthy treats. These options are healthier than the typical heart shaped box of chocolates. It will also show that special someone you took the time to craft these deserts just for them.
Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
These treats are a little cliché, but they are extremely easy to make.
What you’ll need:
2 Dozen Strawberries
1-12 ounce package of dark chocolate chips
Wax paper.
What to do:
Melt the chocolate. The easiest way to do this is microwave the chips in a microwavable bowl. Microwave for a minute and add additional time until the chips are melted, but be careful to not burn the chocolate.
Once you’ve melted your chocolate, begin dipping your strawberries one by one and laying them out on wax paper. Leave them out to harden or pop them in the refrigerator to quicken up the process. If you want to get fancy, you can drizzle white chocolate over your dipped strawberries to add a little creativity to them.
Refrigerate before serving.
If you have chocolate left over or strawberries are not your thing, you can dip just about anything in the chocolate―pretzels, marshmallows, or any other fruit you have lying about. Get creative. Chocolate goes well with pretty much anything.
Chocolate Avocado Pudding
Pudding is a treat that goes great with anything or is fantastic in its self. This recipe utilizes avocados, which have a variety of health benefits. Avocados are high in vitamins and contain more potassium than bananas.
What you’ll need:
2 large avocados (peeled, pitted and cubed)
½ cup unsweetened cocoa powder
½ cup brown sugar
1/3 cup coconut milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
1 pinch ground cinnamon
What to do:
Blend all the ingredients together in a blender until smooth. Refrigerate for about 30 minutes, or until chilled.
Chocolate Stuffed Raspberries
If you don’t want to touch any appliances in the kitchen, this recipe is not messy at all.
What you’ll need:
Raspberries
Chocolate chips (your choice)
What to do:
Stuff one chocolate chip into the top of each raspberry. You can choose how many raspberries you’d like to make.
Chocolate Trifle
This option is low in calories and fat. It’ll make both your heart and your sweetheart happy.
What you’ll need:
1 package brownie mix
1 (1 ounce) package fat-free sugar-free instant chocolate pudding mix
1 (14 ounce) can fat-free sweetened condensed milk
1 (8 ounce) container fat-free Cool Whip
1 (12 ounce) container fat-free Cool Whip
1/2 cup water
1 chocolate candy bar
What to do:
Prepare brownie mix as box instructs. Use a smaller pan, such as a 9×9 pan instead of an 13×9 pan, to give your brownies more depth. After the brownies cool, cut them into 1-inch squares. In a large bowl, mix pudding mix, condensed milk, and water. Mix until smooth then add in the 8 oz. container of Cool Whip.
In either a glass serving dish or individual glasses, repeatedly layer with brownie, pudding mix, and Cool Whip. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before serving.
