Healthy Homemade Chocolate Truffles

Mother’s Day is just around the corner. And for many, that means treating mom to a big brunch, a thoughtful card and (as Godiva would have it) a box of candy.

But before you splurge on Godiva’s Signature Chocolate Truffles Gift Box ($40.00 for 18 Pieces), there is something you should know…

Commercial Chocolates (Even Expensive Ones!) Are JUNK!

Godiva chocolates – like most commercial candies – are loaded with sugar and artificial ingredients that contribute to poor health.

Take a look…

Vanillin: Also listed as “vanilla flavoring”, this ingredient is made from by-products of the paper and wood pulp industries or from a petrochemical precursor, called guaiacol. Vanillin is an endocrine disruptor that has negative effects on hormones and metabolism.

Corn Syrup: This common confectionery ingredient is predominantly comprised of fructose. Research shows this sweetener can:

Cause metabolic imbalances that lead to overeating
Trigger insulin resistance and diabetes
Raise triglycerides, blood pressure and heart disease risk
Promote the storage of fat – specifically dangerous abdominal fat
Cause non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFDL). As a chronic, dose-dependent liver toxin, excess fructose behaves much like alcohol in the liver. It is also metabolized directly into fat – not cellular energy
Feed cancer cells (sugar is their favorite “food”)
Damage neurons, contributing to Alzheimer’s and memory problems
Deplete essential vitamins and minerals
Expose you to dangerous levels of mercury

So, while it is wise to avoid (or greatly limit) all sources of sugar, corn syrup should be at the top of the list.

Gluten: Problems with gluten have not become more prevalent in recent years. Doctors and patients are simply recognizing the symptoms more these days. As the awareness grows, many more companies are going gluten free. But it might surprise you to learn that many products which do not contain discernible wheat ingredients DO contain gluten. Godiva, for instance, states:

ALL of our products including solid chocolate pieces may contain gluten. Any person with a gluten allergy should NOT consume ANY of our products.

The bottom line is this: When you buy commercial chocolate – even expensive commercial chocolate – the high cost at the register might not be the only price you pay.

But the good news is that you can…

Make Delicious, Healthy, REAL Chocolate Truffles in Minutes!

In fact, enjoying real chocolate is one of the best things you can do for your body.

healthy homemade chocolate truffle — Healthy chocolate truffles are surprisingly easy to make at home!

It’s rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. It boosts the “happy” brain chemical – serotonin. And research even shows that it can help guard against heart disease.

But the key is to get the benefits of cocoa… without all of the health-harming effects of sugar and artificial ingredients that come in packaged candies.

The Healthy Chocolate Truffles below (modified from our new book, Carefree Candies) certainly fit the bill! With just two grams of sugar per delicious morsel, plus metabolism-stoking coconut oil and satiating nuts, these are truffles that can be an everyday guilt-free indulgence.

Healthy Homemade Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Ingredients

1/4 cup organic virgin coconut oil
1/4 cup organic coconut cream (scrape the creamy top layer inside a can of Native Forest Regular Coconut Milk)
6 oz. Dagoba Chocodrops (74% cacao)
4 oz. Dagoba Unsweetened Baking Chocolate, chopped
30 drops Stevia Clear Liquid Stevia, to taste
Organic orange or mint extract (optional)
Chopped nuts, toasted coconut, and organic, non-dutched cocoa powder

Instructions

In a small saucepan, melt the coconut oil and coconut cream and bring to a simmer.
Place the chocolate drops and chopped chocolate in a medium metal bowl and pour the coconut mixture over.
Whisk until chocolate is completely melted.
Add stevia and sweeten to taste. Add extracts (if using) to taste.
Transfer to fridge for two hours.
When mixture is firm, remove the bowl from the fridge. Using a small mellon baller, scoop out chocolate and roll into 1-inch balls.
Roll chocolate balls in cocoa, nuts or coconut, as desired.
Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

For more great healthy candy recipes that are perfect for Mother’s Day (or any day for that matter!), check out Carefree Candies. You’ll learn how to make a confectioner’s assortment of treats from peanut butter cups… to chocolate bark…to brittles and fudges.

And the best part is that most of these tasty (and healthy) treats take just minutes to prepare… and you don’t have to be a certified Chocolatier!