Karla Tafra
Those who consider chocolate to be its own food group understand how hard it is to resist a delicious, silky snack that simply melts in your mouth. Here are some you can easily make at home and their healthier alternatives, so you won’t feel guilty for eating half the batch.
Nut Butter Cups
Reese’s lovers can’t imagine a better combination than peanut butter and chocolate. Learning how to make these at home means you can choose the best possible ingredients without sacrificing the taste. You can substitute any other nut butter for peanut butter, and some sugar for coconut sugar or maple syrup. You can use any type of chocolate you prefer.
For the classic version, you’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1 cup of creamy peanut butter
- 1/2 a cup of confectioner’s sugar
- 2 tablespoons of butter, softened
- 2 cups of your chocolate of choice
Follow these instructions:
- Line a 12-cup muffin tin with cupcake paper liners and set aside.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave, and then pour a thin layer into each muffin cup (you’ll still have about half of it left).
- Place the muffin tin in the freezer for about 15 minutes to set.
- Whip the peanut butter, butter, and sugar with a hand mixer until smooth.
- Take the muffin tin out of the freezer and dip one tablespoon of the peanut butter mixture into each cup. Drop the pan on your working surface so it flattens out.
- Return the muffin tin to the freezer to set for another 15 minutes.
- After taking it out, pour the rest of the chocolate on top of each cup and drop the pan immediately after each pour to flatten. The cold peanut butter will harden the chocolate really fast, so you have to work quickly.
- Place back in the freezer to set for 15 more minutes, and then enjoy!
Chocolate-Covered Nuts
Trail mix is the ultimate snack, and it comes in many shapes and forms. Chocolate-covered nuts make it a bit less healthy, but when you make your own, you get to choose any chocolate you want! You might go for the 90 percent dark and decadent, or the kind that’s sweetened with coconut sugar.
These are pretty easy to make. You’ll only need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of almonds, hazelnuts, or any other nuts of choice
- 1 cup of your chocolate of choice
- Any optional toppings, like flaky sea salt
Follow these instructions:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave.
- Dip the nuts in the chocolate, thoroughly coating them.
- Place them on the baking tray, either spaced out or grouped to create clusters, and then sprinkle them with flaky sea salt if you prefer.
- Place them in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes, and then get to snacking!
Chocolate-Dipped Fruit
With so many delicious fruit options around, you can’t go wrong with dipping some of your favorites in chocolate. You can try anything from strawberries and mangoes, to oranges and dried fruit.
The recipe is simple. You’ll just need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups of your fruit of choice
- 1 cup of your chocolate of choice
- Any toppings you prefer (coconut flakes, cacao nibs, sliced almonds, flaky sea salt, sprinkles, etc.)
Follow these instructions:
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or microwave
- Dip the fruit halfway into the chocolate.
- Dip the fruit into any toppings or sprinkle them on top after you place the fruit on the baking tray.
- Place in the fridge to set for 30 minutes.
- Add some whipped cream if you like and enjoy!
Creamy Chocolate Pudding
This silky chocolate goodness makes the perfect dessert, as well as a lovely snack between meals to lighten and sweeten your day. You can choose any type of cocoa you prefer. If you want a healthier option, choose one that’s labeled sugar-free or that’s sweetened with a cane sugar substitute, like stevia or coconut sugar.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 6 tablespoons of sugar
- 1/4 cup of baking cocoa
- 2 tablespoons of cornstarch
- 1-1/2 cups of milk
- 1/2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
Follow these instructions:
- In a small saucepan, combine the cocoa, sugar, and cornstarch, and then gradually stir in the milk until smooth.
- Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until it thickens.
- Remove from the heat and stir in the vanilla.
- Pour it into two cups (or one big one).
- Place in the fridge to set for a few hours.
Serve with a dollop of whipped cream on top if you prefer.
Double Chocolate Cookies
This wouldn’t be a chocolate snack list without a batch of rich, gooey, delicious cookies. You can choose the thickness you prefer, good-quality ingredients, and whether you want them soft or hard.
You’ll need the following ingredients:
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, melted
- 1/2 cup of sugar
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1-1/2 cups of all-purpose (or gluten-free) flour
- 1-1/2 cups of chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup of unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda
- 1/2 teaspoon of salt
Follow these instructions:
- Line a cookie sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment paper.
- Place the butter and sugar in a stand mixer and mix on low speed until smooth.
- Add the egg and vanilla extract, and mix on medium speed until smooth.
- Mix in the cocoa, baking soda, and salt.
- Slowly add the flour and mix until smooth.
- Fold in the chocolate chips.
- Scoop 2 tablespoon size balls of the mixture onto the cookie sheet.
- Cover with plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for at least 1-2 hours.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Line a second cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Transfer the chilled cookies onto the new sheet, spaced 2 inches apart, as they’ll expand in the oven.
- Bake for 15 minutes, or until the edges are brown and the tops are no longer glossy.
- Take out and let them cool for 10 minutes before digging in!
With these easy chocolate snacks, you can satisfy your sweet tooth any time and feel no shame!
