A healthier dessert

Chocolate lovers rejoice! Cacao powder is considered a “superfood.”

I’m not talking about your average chocolate. I’m talking about 100% raw, organic cacao powder. In it’s natural state, cacao powder has only 60 calories per 2.5 tablespoons, 4 grams of fiber, 3 g of protein and 0 mg of cholesterol and 0 g of sugar. It’s also full of antioxidants and minerals.

Sadly, it’s all of the processed sugar and fat that we add to cacao to make chocolate that causes it to be unhealthy. However, there are ways to use raw cacao powder in recipes that make delicious and surprisingly healthy treats.

Here are two versions of a dark chocolate mousse that utilize cacao powder and some surprising ingredients to make a creamy treat that’s worthy of your heart and your valentine.

Avocado Dark Chocolate Mousse

The creaminess of this mousse comes from the avocados, but you must make sure they are nice and ripe or it won’t work well. You’ll need:

4 medium very ripe avocados

1/2 cup raw cacao powder 1 t. vanilla extract** small pinch of sea salt 1/3 cup sweetener (honey, maple syrup or agave nectar)

In a food processor, blend the avocados until smooth. Add the other ingredients and blend until completely incorporated. Spoon into 4 small dessert dishes and chill. Serve with chopped walnuts or pecans or fresh fruit.

**to make mint/dark chocolate mousse, add 1 t. of peppermint extract instead of vanilla. You can also substitute almond extract or orange extract for the vanilla for other variations.

Tofu Dark Chocolate Mousse

1 package silken tofu 3/4 cup cacao powder 1/2 cup chopped dates 1/4 cup hot water 1/4 cup vanilla almond milk

In a food processor, process dates and hot water until it forms a smooth thick paste. Add tofu and process until completely smooth. Add in cacao powder and almond milk and process until all ingredients are well incorporated.

Spoon into dessert dishes and chill for at least an hour. Garnish with nuts or fresh berries.