Perfect Chocolate Dessert for Cravings (and it’s Healthy!)

Got chocolate cravings? Try This (Healthy) Deliciously Yummy Chocolate Dessert

 Got chocolate cravings? Want something sweet? Feel like nibbling at something but worried about calories – and whether it’s (even a little) healthy? I’ve got you covered with this delicious semifreddo¹ recipe which delivers a yummy chocolate dessert.

It’s got chocolate and nuts – yum! Yet a single portion is a healthy alternative to processed ice cream or ready-made desserts.

Ingredients

•  ½ cup / 75g hazelnuts – raw, unprocessed, preferably still in their skins
•  ½ cup / 120ml plain, unsweetened yogurt – choose plant-based yogurt for a vegan dessert
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or date paste
•  1 tsp vanilla extract
•  1 pinch salt (optional)
•  ½ cup / 80g dark chocolate (min 75%) or choose vegan chocolate or choc chips

Directions

1. First, roast the hazelnuts to remove the skins and enhance the flavor. Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F / 160C. Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet. Roast for 10–12 minutes until they’re aromatic.
2. Take them out of the oven and let them cool.
3. Remove the skins – it’s easy if you put them onto a kitchen towel and use your hands to roll them around, the skins will fall off. Or just roll them around in your hands. It doesn’t have to be perfect, just remove MOST of the skins.
4. Place the nuts in a blender or a food processor with the yogurt, syrup, vanilla and salt. Blend until creamy and smooth.
5. Pour the mixture into 2 ramekins and freeze for 2 hours.
6. When you’re ready to eat it, remove from the freezer.  Heat your chocolate over a low heat – keep stirring so it doesn’t burn.
7. Pour the chocolate over each frozen dessert and enjoy!

See below for notes….

¹Semifreddo is an Italian dessert that means “half frozen.” It’s usually creamier and lighter than ice cream and is traditionally made with eggs and cream. This chocolate dessert version using yogurt is light and healthy.

This recipe is adapted from an original by foodrevolution.org

Food Notes for this Chocolate Dessert

A little dark chocolate is good for you!

Hazelnuts are nutrient-dense with polyphenols, vitamins, key minerals, dietary fiber, and natural antioxidants.

They’re good for your heart because they help to lessen blood pressure. They help with diabetes because they help avoid blood sugar dips and spikes, and also help to reduce inflammation.

So, hazelnuts are really good for you – but be sure to only buy unprocessed in shops, farmers markets or online, and preferably organic to avoid pesticide residue.

Hazelnut growing often involves human rights issues for migrant workers, especially those grown in large quantities in giant monocultures which are bad for the environment, so avoid the processed nuts such as Nutella and Nestle products.

Enjoy this healthy chocolate dessert any time!

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Warm regards,

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