This Homemade “Cacao Bliss™”-like spread is vegan, grain-free, sugar-free, raw and suitable for Stage 1 and beyond on an anti-candida diet.
Friends often remark about how well-behaved The Girls are, mostly because they always lie quietly beyond the kitchen/family room boundary whenever we eat, patiently waiting for us to finish the meal. In that way, they’re a classic Pavlovian example, having internalized the notion that, if they keep their distance while we enjoy our dinner, they’ll receive an edible reward once we’re done. From their perspective, the correlation is easy: lie quietly until sounds of knives and forks stop and Mum pushes out her chair = food and treat jackpot at the end of it all.
Basically, they’ll do just about anything for food. (Otherwise, how could we explain this?).
On the other hand, they have literally no desire for human affection when food isn’t involved. With one exception: The Belly Rub.
Elsie will let me massage her belly for, oh, hours, if I wished. True, she offers absolutely no indication that she even realizes I’m doing it (not a muscle moves, not a sigh is emitted, not a whisker twitches); but should I stop, she raises her head, then hits me with her best Border Collie Eye, implying that I have wounded her mortally. According to the HH, those belly rubs are Elsie’s version of being “blissed out.”
Since I don’t experience the benefit of belly rubs (hear that, HH?), I seek my bliss elsewhere, more often than not involving one or another kind of chocolate. And if you’re familiar with Cacao Bliss, the raw, vegan spread by Artisana, then you likely know what I’m talking about. Clearly, someone at that company knows a thing or two about healthy gastronomic bliss!
Woefully, the cost factor prohibits buying too much of the stuff–probably a good thing, since you don’t want to overdo it with this thick, rich-tasting, subtly sweet and very intensely chocolate spread. It’s a perfect treat on toast (or in my case, rice cakes), or melted in lieu of syrup on pancakes. Add it to smoothies, or just eat it on its own.
Alas, I tried to acquire some samples to give away to y’all, but never heard back from the company (though, hey, Artisana, it’s not too late!). In the meantime, I took some time and figured out how to whip up my own version that, I daresay, is just as good. And best of all, there’s an ACD-friendly variation that I’ve been enjoying this past week while I work through the Candida Kick-Start course with the rest of the group.
Blissed out on an anti-candida diet? Yes, it’s totally possible! And, well, pretty much my mission these days with all the food I create.
I’ll warn you , though: when it comes to this Blissful Raw Cacao-Coconut Spread, consume at your own risk. After the first spoonful, it’s all I can do to keep from baring my belly to the HH.
Homemade “Cacao Bliss”™ (Vegan, Grain-free, sugar-free, nut-free, dairy-free, soy-free, Paleo)
Chocolate and coconut together is one of my favorite flavor combinations. This spread is easy to make and provides the perfect answer to any chocolate craving–without adding more sugar or feeding candida.
2 Tbsp (30 ml) coconut oil, preferably organic, melted
6 Tbsp (75 ml) coconut butter (purchased or homemade), melted
2 Tbsp (30 ml) raw cacao powder
2 tsp (10 ml) coconut nectar (omit for Stage 1 of the ACD, and use more stevia, to taste)
5-10 drops plain or vanilla pure liquid stevia, to taste (double, or to taste, if omitting coconut nectar)
Combine all ingredients in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. It will be liquid at this point, but will harden at room temperature or if refrigerated. May be stored at room temperature up to 3 weeks, or up to a couple of months in the refrigerator. Makes about 1/2 cup (120 ml).
NOTE: I didn’t add vanilla or salt, simply because the original product doesn’t contain them; however, if you’d like to amp up the flavors of the spread, you can include a pinch of fine sea salt and 1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract.
Suitable for: ACD All Stages, sugar-free, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut free, yeast-free, vegan, low glycemic.
“Mum, notice how we’re just waiting here patiently outside the kitchen (right)? That spread looks good and everything, but don’t forget that we can’t eat chocolate. . . so there better be some other dog-friendy treat on the way once you’re done (right)? RIGHT?!”
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I’m not getting offered any belly rubs here but I think I’d pick cacao bliss over one anyway!
Great that you’ve perfected the homemade version and it’s one I’ll definitely be making once I’ve whittled down my nut butter supplies…
P.S. My dog Alfie is JUST the same. Couldn’t care less for human affection until there’s the chance he might get something to eat!
I’m pretty sure I’d take this over belly rubs, too. 😉 And tell me, is Alfie part Border Collie, too?
We actually used to have a border collie, but no Alfie is a keeshond.
Here he is: http://instagram.com/p/dZ00qvRgVW/
OMG, SOOOOOOOO cute!!! 😀
My mother-in-law’s Labrador would also do anything for food, but unfortunately isn’t as nicely conditioned as your dogs! She will hover WHILE we’re eating, which can be rather disconcerting 😉
This spread looks lovely!
Ha ha! Well, I sometimes *wish* the Girls did that, if only to prove that they are, indeed, dogs!! LOL! The spread is great. . . I’m kinda addicted. 😉
Good to see you can find your bliss somewhere that is ACD friendly – I am wondering about the possibilities for this – would it go into some recipes where nutella is called for or be a filling for a cake? (a raw healthy cake I mean of course !!!!!)
Yes, as long as there’s raw cacao in the world, I can still find my chocolate bliss! 😉 It’s actually rock hard at room temperature, so not sure it would be good as a filling unless combined with something else, maybe whipped with some kind of milk? I’m going to try a frosting by whipping it with coconut oil and/or coconut milk. . . I think it would also make a great filling for chocolates/truffles. 🙂
Words cannot describe how happy I am you are sharing this now on your blog and not making us wait for your book 😉 Also- thank you for the small batch. Because I am likely to eat the whole thing in one sitting, so best that it’s a small amount! Love this, so pumped!
Ha ha! In the end, it actually didn’t make it into the book, so I thought I’d just post asap. 😉 And the small batch was actually a selfish reason–I’m the same and could just eat this straight up. Glad you like!! 😀
Awww, I love this post! Wisdom from the girls AND an amazing recipe! Thanks, dear!
xo,
Shirley
Thanks, Shirley!! The Girls have been asking when they could come back on the blog, so I thought it was time. 😉
You’re a wizard.
And you are a sweetheart! 😀 Glad to see you’re still enjoying all forms of chocolate elsewhere, too. 😉 xo
Sounds amazing Ricki; LOVE this!!!
Thanks, Amie!! I hope you give it a try! 😀 xo
I cannot access the coconut butter recipe.
Barbara, if you’re referring to the link to the homemade coconut butter in the recipe, that’s a video on my Facebook page. You would need to “like” the page in order to see it. However, there are dozens of recipes for homemade coconut butter online, too! 🙂