Homemade Raw Chocolate

The ingredients

Here are the ingredients (and amounts) you need on hand to make your own raw chocolate. Now, you won't be able to find some of these ingredients at your local grocery store. So try calling a natural food store in your area. And if that fails, you can order the ingredients from Sunfood.

Ideas for additions

The basics above form the foundation of your recipe. However, if you want to jazz it up a bit, here are some ideas for what you can add: lucuma powder (sweetener, also makes the chocolate more milk chocolate like); berry powders (blueberry and buckthorn berry in the photo); purple corn powder (high antioxidants); cocoa nibs; goji berries; dried berries; raisins; dates, chopped; crushed nuts, almonds, seeds; chili powder; maca; green tea extract; carob; or anything else you like!

Ok, let's get started

Here are the steps for making your own, raw chocolate.

Step 1. Grate 1/2 cup of the cocoa butter. It will melt easier when it's grated. Measure also 1/2 cup of coconut oil.

Step 2. Place cocoa butter and coconut oil in a small, heat-safe cup or bowl. Then place the cup or bowl in a shallow pan containing a small amount of warm (not boiling, but nearly) water. Stir the oil and butter occasionally until it's smooth.

Step 3. Measure 1/2 cup cocoa powder. If you'd like to add any other dry ingredients, measure them out now and stir them together with the cocoa powder. Note: In this recipe, I used 1/4 cup lucuma powder and 1 tbsp. maca. Natural vanilla or vanilla extract would work here also.

Step 4. Pour the dry ingredients in the bowl with melted oil and butter. Stir continuously until smooth.

Step 5. If you want to sweeten your chocolate, pour 4-6 tbsp agave nectar into the mix and stir. If not, skip this step.

Step 6. Have someone check the quality. Meaning… go ahead and check if the chocolate is sweet enough. You can also add the rest of the additions at this point – like chili/cayenne, dried fruit, nuts etc.

Step 7. Pour the melted chocolate on a pan / plate / ice cube tray. You can also throw some of the additions on top of the chocolate, it looks nice. Place the chocolate for 30 minutes in the freezer or 60 minutes in the refrigerator.

Step 8. Enjoy in moderation with good friends or family. The more you share, the more you enjoy. I can assure you your friends will be astonished by how delicious REAL chocolate is!