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    Hummusapien » Recipes » Dessert » Healthy Cacao Powder Recipes

    Healthy Cacao Powder Recipes

    Published Aug 20, 2018 · Modified May 16, 2022 · by Alexis Joseph · 23 Comments

    The ultimate round up of healthy cacao powder recipes to make all your chocolate dreams come true! Muffins, quick breads, smoothies and beyond.

    healthy cacao recipes collage

    Want to make a smoothie? Add cacao. Want to make a dessert? Start with cacao. Want to make a savory pasta dish? Recipes with cacao powder to the rescue!

    What's the difference between cocoa and cacao powder?

    There must be no way cacao powder is good for you if it tastes so amazing, right? Wrong. While the word may sound like the cocoa powder for baking you buy at the store, the two are quite different both in processing and in nutrition.

    They both come from the cacao plant but cacao is closest to the raw state after harvesting the seed while cocoa has been processed with high heat. Now the cocoa powder you know and love still contains great nutrients, just not nearly as many as raw cacao does.

    Cacao contains a high concentration of phytochemicals, the potent anti-cancer compounds found in plants. The most abundant antioxidants in our diet today come from flavonoids. Lucky for you and me, these anti-inflammatory gems help combat damage by free radicals and improve cardiovascular health, thus preventing chronic disease.

    THANK YOU CACAO FOR PROTECTING ME!

    Can you use cacao and cocoa powder interchangeably?

    Not always, but in my recipes it's a sure YES. If a recipe calls for dutch processed cocoa, I would not sub cacao.

    Eat more plants. Decrease inflammation. Reduce risk of disease. Easy! Moving on from all that science stuff... I always buy this cacao powder because it's organic, affordable, and because Terra Soul is a family run company that I love.

    Recipes using cacao

    Sweet Potato Brownies

    hand holding three brownies.

    One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Cookies

    plate of chocolate cookies

    Healthy Chocolate Muffins

    sliced in half chocolate muffin

    Mint Chocolate Energy Bites

    bowl of chocolate balls

    Chocolate Zucchini Banana Breadsliced chocolate banana bread

    Healthy Hot Chocolate

    mug of hot cocoa

    Creamy Chocolate Blueberry Shake

    glass of blueberry smoothie

    Flourless Peanut Butter Zucchini Brownies

    sliced peanut butter brownies

    Peppermint Chocolate Skillet Cookie

    skillet chocolate cookie with whipped cream

    Chocolate Zucchini Muffins

    muffin tin of chocolate muffins with silicone liners

    Best Vegan Brownies

    stack of three brownies

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites

    bowl of chocolate bites.

    Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars

    stack of chocolate protein bars

    Chocolate Banana Muffins

    hand holding chocolate muffin

    Fudgy Raspberry Almond Butter Brownies

    stacked raspberry brownies

    Mexican Hot Chocolate Truffles

    chocolate covered bites on tray

    About Alexis Joseph


    Oh HEY there! I'm Alexis Joseph, food writer, blogger, Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN), new mama, and co-founder of local restaurant group, Alchemy. I use my passion for cooking and wellness as fuel to help others ignite a more freeing and happy relationship with food.

    Learn more about Alexis!

    5 Secrets to Delish, Healthy Lunches

    Reader Interactions

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    1. Doreen says

      April 05, 2022 at 2:48 pm

      no chocolate cake or chocolate frosting recipes?? the horror ;D

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        April 05, 2022 at 8:42 pm

        LOL I need to make some!

        Reply
    2. Nanci says

      December 06, 2020 at 5:58 am

      Oh my goodness!! Every single recipe looks AMAZING!!! I’ve been so good waiting for December to bake and I’ll start with #1 and I’ll work my way down your list. YUM!! Thank you!!!!!
      Happy Holidays!!

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        December 06, 2020 at 12:32 pm

        Wonderful, thank you!

        Reply
    3. Linda says

      November 18, 2020 at 3:53 am

      What a liar! Scrolling and scrolling AND SCROLLING for the recipes withcacao and the brownie recipe is Using Cocoa! Wtf?

      Reply
      • Alexis Joseph says

        November 18, 2020 at 11:39 am

        I almost didn't respond to this because it was so rude, but you can use cacao or cocoa interchangeably in any of the recipes. You should think twice before you leave such a ridiculous comment; I'm a human just like you and we could all use more kindness, especially in these times. Shame on you.

        Reply
      • Nanci Rose says

        December 06, 2020 at 5:52 am

        Wow!!!!! Why so mean & bitter? If you don’t have something positive to say just scroll on by. No need for negativity like this. Please try to think before you comment or speak. I hope you really try - you’ll be a happier person overall. Happy Holidays.

        Reply
    « Older Comments

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    Well HELLO there, pal! I'm Alexis. Welcome to Hummusapien, a fantastical food blog brimming with nourishing (always delish!) recipes from a Registered Dietitian plus life tidbits to inspire you to live your most joyful, balanced life. Grab a super hot cup o' joe and let's get cookin'.

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