Healthy sweet recipes using cocoa powder

I have a LOT of cocoa powder and was wondering what kind of healthy recipes you guys might have with the stuff in it.  I've already made a LOT of hot cocoa, bean brownies, chocolate tofu pudding, chocolate banana tofu pudding, and chocolate avocado pudding.  No artificial sweeteners, please

Can you post a recipe for the chocolate tofu pudding?

Thanks

UD

the chocolate avocado pudding sounds yummy too. Can you post a recipe please?

Haha, imo the puddings aren't as good as the actual thing (I don't ahve corn starch on me so I can't make it)...but if you insist.  The avocado disappointed the most, though, since avocado and cocoa don't go together well, imo ;)

Tofu pudding:

• 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips (I subbed 9 T cocoa powder, 6 T sugar, and 3 T oil)
  
• 16 ounce silken tofu, drained
• 1/4 cup skim milk
• 1 tablespoon vanilla extract

Avocado pudding:

• 1 avocado
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1/4 cup raw cocoa powder
• 2.5 tablespoons sugar

I'm going to share a weird cocoa powder combination that I enjoy...a sweet potato or a yam mashed up with a tbsp of cocoa powder and a splash of milk (sometimes some cinnamon, orange zest, lemon zest, or coconut too).

As for a recipe, do you like Larabars? A quick fruit, nut, and cocoa lara-type bar can be made by blending 4 oz of dates, figs, and/or raisins in a food processor with 2 oz of nuts/seeds, 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder, and a touch of cinnamon. After blending, you simply shape the mixture into bars and store them in an air-tight container until you're ready to eat them. Sometimes I add coconut or peanut butter to the mix or use it instead of the nuts...these bars are very versatile!

Original Post by truthi:

I'm going to share a weird cocoa powder combination that I enjoy...a sweet potato or a yam mashed up with a tbsp of cocoa powder and a splash of milk (sometimes some cinnamon, orange zest, lemon zest, or coconut too).

As for a recipe, do you like Larabars? A quick fruit, nut, and cocoa lara-type bar can be made by blending 4 oz of dates, figs, and/or raisins in a food processor with 2 oz of nuts/seeds, 1-2 tbsp cocoa powder, and a touch of cinnamon. After blending, you simply shape the mixture into bars and store them in an air-tight container until you're ready to eat them. Sometimes I add coconut or peanut butter to the mix or use it instead of the nuts...these bars are very versatile!

 truthi, thanks. I love your larabars recipes. Can I replace the dates and figs with something else since they are very high in calories. I have many recipes that include dates but I am not sure if there is a good replacement.

thanks WS for the recipe.

Safina: Unfortunately, there isn't really a replacement for dates and dried fruits, as anything lower in calories is bound to contain more liquid, effecting the texture. Not to mention the bars wouldn't be shelf-stable then.

According to CC, figs have 70 cal/oz, dates have 78 cal/oz, and raisins have 83 cal/oz. Figs would be your best bet in terms of sweet dried fruits. 70 cal/oz really isn't too bad, especially if you consider the fact that cocoa power contains 112 cal/oz (20 cal per 5g tbsp). Figs are actually lower cal than cocoa!;)

Original Post by truthi:

According to CC, figs have 70 cal/oz, dates have 78 cal/oz, and raisins have 83 cal/oz. Figs would be your best bet in terms of sweet dried fruits. 70 cal/oz really isn't too bad, especially if you consider the fact that cocoa power contains 112 cal/oz (20 cal per 5g tbsp). Figs are actually lower cal than cocoa!;)

 it is just the sugar that is too high. I was thinking i can use carob powder instead of cocoa. how about oats or flaxseed?

I've added flaxseed to them before...that tasted fine. Carob worked well, too. I've not tried oats, but as I said, these bars are versatile!:) 

Haha, I've considered doing that with the homemade larabars.  The only thing setting me back is the high cost of dried fruits =[

Oats do work in homemade larabars but you definitely need a dried fruit like figs or dates to bind them.

Well, this wouldn't use a whol lot of your cocoa powder up, but, here is my suggestion.... a really yummy smoothie:

depending on how thick, and sweet you want it, and how much you want, adjust amounts to your own likings, but here is what I would do for one large smoothie:

1 banana

3/4 C. milk (any kind, you can use soy or cow or goat or rice...)

1/2 C. yogurt (I would use plain, but if you want more sweetness, go for vanilla)

1 tbsp. cocoa powder (again, add/decreas upon personal taste)

this is really good cold or, believe it or not, warm... yes, I know it sounds gross to warm it up, but it is really good.... try warming the last few sips in the microwave if you are leary :) yum!