• Basic Chocolate Bar:
  • 1/2 Cup coconut oil
  • 1/4 Cup cocoa powder (higher quality makes better tasting chocolate)
  • 1/2 tsp bourbon vanilla, or other high quality vanilla
  • 1 Tbsp coconut palm sugar, or 1/8 tsp liquid vanilla stevia
  • small pinch of sea salt
  • 1/8 tsp fresh ground black pepper
  • 1/3 cup whole raw almonds
  • Variations:
  • mint extract in place of vanilla
  • chipotle chili powder or cayenne powder
  • cinnamon, ginger, or garam masala
  • espresso powder
  • other nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or coconut flakes

I often come across recipes that seem to call out to me. I think to myself I must make it but as time goes by, my recipe collection keeps growing and growing. I sent recipe links to myself because I fully intended to try every new recipe. My inbox was jam-packed.

I decided it was time to organize those recipes on a “Must-Make-List”, a To-Do-List of recipes. I decided to create my list here on my blog, so I could share what I think is an amazing collection of recipes with you.

On Mondays, I like to select and prepare a recipe from my Must-Make-List page. I will write about the experience and post any changes I make to the original recipe. To see past Must-Make-Monday (mmm) postings, go to my Must-Make-List page and click on the Made-This TAB.

Yesterday evening, I had a hankering for chocolate but it was getting late and I didn’t feel like spending a lot of time in the kitchen. I decided to browse through my Must-Make-List. When I came across this recipe for Sugar Free Chocolate Bars by Maid in Alaska, I knew the time was right to give Megan’s recipe a try.

Megan’s recipe calls for Stevia. I have to tell you I’ve tried various brands of Stevia but I’ve yet to find one that I can tolerate the taste of. I hear good things about NuNaturals but I don’t think they retail the product in Canada and I don’t see the point in spending $10 for shipping to get $6 worth of product that I suspect I might not like anyways. I am a pretty good sport though, so I decided to give Stevia another try. I followed the original recipe as written, my almond chocolate bars looked fantastic, just like Megan’s but it did not taste enough like chocolate and tasted too much like artificial sweetener. I know, I know, Stevia is a natural plant-based product but it tastes like artificial sweetener to me. However, my husband likes the sugar-free version well enough that I will likely make it again.

Almond Chocolate Bars with Sugar Free option

Inspired by – Sugar Free Chocolate Bars Recipe from Megan at Maid in Alaska

Gluten Free / Egg Free / Dairy Free / Vegan / Refined Sugar Free / with Nut-Free Option

View Print Friendly Recipe Here

If sugar-free is your thing, you should try the original recipe on the Maid in Alaska site but if you’re like me, you might prefer this refined-sugar-free version.

Directions:

  1. Combine all the ingredients, except the almonds, in a microwave safe bowl.
  2. Microwave for 20 – 30 seconds or just until the coconut oil is just melted through. In my microwave it took 20 seconds plus 20 more. I stirred the ingredients after the first 20.
  3. Note: the chocolate mixture will seem very thin and watery.
  4. Layer the almonds in the bottom of a parchment lined 8″ cake or pie pan. Stir, and pour the chocolate mixture over the almonds. Stir or shake the pan until the almonds are evenly distributed and coated with chocolate.
  5. Freeze until solid (about 20-30 minutes).
  6. Break apart and enjoy. Store in the refrigerator or freezer, otherwise the chocolate will easily melt because of the coconut oil.

Variations of this recipe:

  • For a plain chocolate bar, omit the almonds
  • For a mint chocolate bar, replace the vanilla extract with mint extract.
  • To add a little spice to your day, add chipotle chili powder or cayenne powder.
  • A bit of cinnamon, ginger, or garam masala are warming spices that pair well with chocolate.
  • Add a little espresso powder to boost your caffeine intake.
  • Want a healthier chocolate bar?  Try adding nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or coconut flakes.

 

What does one do in the 30 minutes it takes for the chocolate bar to cool?

You make “One Minute Chocolate Almond Mini-Cake” of course!

This picture is a teaser. Watch for the recipe on my next Must-Make-Mondays (mmm) posting ;)

 

 

Enjoy!

Laureen

XO

This recipe is linked to the following events:

These Chicks Cooked Link Party hosted by Katie  from This Chick Cooks

TUESDAY TALENT SHOW hosted by Nikki from chef in training
Grab My Button
Foodie Wednesday Blog Hop hosted by Bibi from Frugal Wannabe Cooks

Bake with Bizzy hosted byBizzy Bakes

It's a Keeper
It’s a Keeper Thursday hosted by Christina from It’s a Keeper


Wellness Weekends hosted by Ricki from Diet, Desserts and Dogs
 

Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays hosted by Amy from Simply Sugar and Gluten Free

Gluten Free Wednesdays hosted by Linda from Gluten-Free Homemaker