The ultimate round up of healthy cacao powder recipes to make all your chocolate dreams come true! Muffins, quick breads, smoothies and beyond.
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.
Can you use cacao and cocoa powder interchangeably?
Not always, but in my recipes it's a sure YES, so feel free to use cacao in all the below recipes! 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.
Time for recipes with cacao powder!
Muffin Recipes with Cacao
Healthy Chocolate Muffins
The best tall and fluffy Healthy Chocolate Muffins made with whole grains and naturally sweetened! Moist and not overly sweet to conquer chocolate cravings, plus 5g of protein per muffin. These taste like classic chocolate cupcakes!
Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins (no added sugar!)
Healthy Chocolate Banana Muffins sweetened with dates and banana for a tasty, satisfying snack with no added sugar! Free of eggs, dairy, and gluten.
Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins
Super moist 100% whole grain Healthy Chocolate Zucchini Muffins with no oil and packed with veggies! Whip up a batch for easy healthy breakfasts on-the-go.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups
These easy Peanut Butter Oatmeal Cups with chocolate are the perfect healthy breakfast or whole grain snack on the go! Low in sugar and packed with 6g protein each. Great for kids and adults alike!
Brownie and Cookie Recipes with Cacao
Healthy Pumpkin Brownies
These easy Healthy Pumpkin Brownies are unbelievably rich, fudgy and so delicious! They taste so decadent that you'd never guess they're good for you! My favorite 1 bowl brownie recipe I've ever made, with no flour or refined sugar. Vegan and gluten free!
Sweet Potato Brownies (naturally sweetened!)
Thick and fudgy Sweet Potato Brownies that are good for you! Naturally sweetened with dates, they're a perfect snack or dessert with 7g of protein and 5g of fiber per brownie. Gluten free!
Ultimate Healthy Zucchini Brownies
Easy Healthy Zucchini Brownies are fudgy, decadent, and low in sugar--made in 1 bowl and so delicious! Flourless, vegan, grain free and gluten free.
Fudgy Vegan Raspberry Almond Butter Brownies
Flourless Fudgy Vegan Raspberry Almond Butter Brownies are rich, chewy, and EASY to make! Only 8 ingredients. Gluten-free, too!
The Best Vegan Brownies
The best ever homemade Vegan Brownies Recipe! Rich, ultra chocolatey, chewy brownie perfection.
Fudgy Avocado Brownies
You'd never guess these amazingly rich and decadent Fudgy Avocado Brownies are packed with avocado and whole grain flour! Guaranteed to become your new favorite brownie.
Vegan Double Chocolate Cookies
Soft and decadent Salted Double Chocolate Cookies made in one bowl with whole grain oat flour! A vegan and gluten free treat everyone will love.
Vegan Peppermint Chocolate Skillet Cookie
The most epic Vegan Peppermint Chocolate Skillet Cookie with a gooey center and crisp edges, just like the classic! This festive treat is guaranteed to conquer all your chocolate cravings.
Drink Recipes with Cacao
Healthy Hot Chocolate
Thick and creamy Healthy Hot Chocolate sweetened naturally with dates! An amazingly rich and delicious dairy free hot cocoa perfect for chilly weather. No added sugar and 5 grams of fiber per mug!
Creamy Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie
This Creamy Chocolate Blueberry Smoothie is packed with superfood sand naturally sweetened! With 14g of fiber and 7g of protein, it's the ultimate drink.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Zucchini Smoothie
Creamy Zucchini Smoothie that tastes like a chocolate peanut butter cup milkshake! A nutrient powerhouse with 9g of protein and 8g of fiber.
Creamy Tart Cherry Chocolate Smoothie
Satisfy your chocolate cravings with this thick and creamy Tart Cherry Chocolate Smoothie! It tastes like dessert and is perfect for a nourishing breakfast.
Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate
Cozy homemade Pumpkin Spice Hot Chocolate is rich, creamy and made with real pumpkin for the ultimate Fall drink! Try it with a splash of coffee or bourbon for an fun twist.
Sweet Breads with Cacao
Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread (gluten free!)
Deliciously moist and rich Healthy Chocolate Banana Bread! This easy gluten-free and dairy free treat made with almond and oat flour will become your new favorite snack or breakfast.
One Bowl Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread
This 1 bowl Vegan Chocolate Zucchini Banana Bread is a super moist, 100% whole grain treat packed with chocolate goodness! Great for breakfast or dessert.
No-Bake Snacks with Cacao
No-Bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars
Easy no-bake Chocolate Peanut Butter Protein Bars make the perfect healthy snack or treat that you can keep in the fridge and enjoy all week! Vegan and gluten-free.
Mint Chocolate Energy Bites
No Bake Mint Chocolate Bites with the best texture! One bowl (no food processor), packed with protein and low in sugar for an amazing healthy snack.
Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites
Amazing Chocolate Peanut Butter Energy Bites made in 1 bowl, no food processor required! The ultimate healthy and tasty snack to power you through the day.
Cacao Powder Recipes: Healthy Hot Chocolate
- Prep Time: 13 min
- Cook Time: 3 min
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2 servings 1x
- Category: Drinks
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Description
Thick and creamy Healthy Hot Chocolate sweetened naturally with dates! An amazingly rich and delicious dairy free hot cocoa perfect for chilly weather.
Ingredients
- 5 medjool dates
- 2 cups unsweetened vanilla non-dairy milk of choice
- 2 tbsp cacao powder
- pinch of salt
- ½ tsp vanilla extract
Instructions
- Remove pits and place dates in a small bowl. Cover with hot water and set aside to soak for 10 minutes.
- Drain dates. Place them in a high speed blender or Nutribullet with milk, cocoa powder, and salt. Blend until completely smooth and creamy.
- Pour mixture into a small saucepan. Heat over medium low for about 3 minutes, or until hot. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Pour into a mug and enjoy with toppings of choice!
Keywords: healthy hot chocolate
Dylan says
All of these recipes are so good! Definitley keep these in my rotation, and always have cacao powder on hand!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Yay Thanks!!
Emily says
This is so great!! Easy and delicious! My family ask me for this all the time. We definitely include it in our rotation!!
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Awesome!
Jeremy says
This hot chocolate is the BOMB! A must every winter. Tastes as good as the classic.
★★★★★
Alexis Joseph says
Agree!
Doreen says
no chocolate cake or chocolate frosting recipes?? the horror ;D
Alexis Joseph says
LOL I need to make some!
Nanci says
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!!
Alexis Joseph says
Wonderful, thank you!
NancyHope Major says
I am looking forward to trying several of these recipes.
looks yummy
Andy Bishop says
Wow, Alexis! The pictures look amazing! I can't wait to try these recipes. Thanks for sharing!
Brittany Audra @ Audra's Appetite says
Umm...this round-up was meant for me!!!! YUM. I've tried many of these recipes in the past...the flourless zucchini brownies, chocolate banana muffins, double chocolate cookies, fudgy no bake bars...seriously love all of them!! 🙂
Alexis says
Yessssss enjoy!
Julia Mueller says
Giiiiirl these recipes look amazing! I've been craving chocolate like crazy lately, so I'm thinking I need to make every last one of them!
Alexis says
Chocolate sisters from another mister!
Alexis says
Yayyy enjoy!