Cherry Chocolate Treats

I try to eat right, move my body, and take time to relax.

Every once in a while, though, I just want a treat!

If I am going to eat a treat:

1. It has to be worth it, no half-way sugar fixes of something I don’t really like that much. If I am going to have a treat, I save up for something I really like.
2. Don’t junk out. There are so many good treats now. You can get real cacao bars and delicious sweets made with coconut oil. I can satisfy a sweet craving with something made with stevia or honey instead of artificial sweeteners, and really enjoy something made with healthy ingredients.
3. Make it myself. If I make a treat myself, I know exactly what is in it. It is surprisingly easy to make something sweet, delicious, and nutritious.

Here is my favorite homemade chocolate treat recipe. It contains healthy fats, antioxidant-rich chocolate, mineral-rich dried fruit, and natural sweeteners that aren’t going to put the burden on your body that artificial sweeteners do.

I have made these chocolates for years and now instead of being asked to bring a dish to potlucks, my friends say, “Do you think you can make some of those herbal chocolates?”

Why, of course I can! I almost feel guilty, they are so easy to make and everyone thinks it takes more effort than it does.

Herbal Cherry Chocolate

This delicious homemade chocolate treat takes only a few minutes to prepare. It is the perfect crowd pleaser for a potluck, just plan for enough time for the chocolate to freeze.

Print Recipe

Cherry Chocolate Treats

Author: Kami McBride

Ingredients

• 7 tbsp powdered cacao
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 tbsp coconut butter
• 4 tbsp minced dried cherries or cranberries
• 3 tbsp finely chopped almonds
• 2 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 10 drops liquid stevia
• 1/4 tsp powdered cinnamon
• 1/4 ts0 powdered cardamom
• 1/4 tsp salt

Instructions

• Heat all ingredients (except cherries and almonds) together on low heat until liquid.
• Pour into candy molds. You can find candy molds at craft stores and cooking supply shops.
• Spoon finely chopped dried cherries or cranberries and almonds into each mold after the chocolate has been poured into the mold. That way you can control how much dried fruit and almonds go into each mold.
• Put into the freezer for one hour.
• Pop out of candy molds and put on serving plate.

Notes

If it is a really hot day, the chocolate should be served just before eating. They hold their form well unless they are outside in the sun or near a sunny window.

I have heart-shaped candy molds, but you can find all different shapes and sizes of candy molds. There are tiny bite-sized molds and large bunny molds for making your own chocolate Easter bunny.

You can also create your own chocolate recipe and use different dried fruits and nuts.

If you enjoyed these Cherry Chocolate Treats, there’s more where that came from. The Herbal Kitchen is filled with easy ways to bring herbs into your drinks and meals.  

And if you’re a visual learner, check out my online course, My Herbal Kitchen. It’s all about adding herbs to your meals to make each one healthier; perfect for kids or anyone with a busy schedule. I walk you through a variety of my recipes, show you how to make them, and provide tips for using what you already have on hand.  

Let me know what you think about the Cherry Chocolate Treats!