Cocoa & Cacao

Who doesn't LOVE cookies?! Try these vegan friendly and gluten free cookies. But be warned, they are extremely moreish 😉

A simple and healthier alternative to a classic Easter treat! You can switch the cereal out for any of your choice, making this recipe gluten and vegan friendly.

Prep time: 50 MinsCook time: 10-15 MinsServes: 2 Ingredients 6 Eggs180g Wholefood Earth Organic Cane Sugar150g Unsalted Butter250g Wholefood Earth Rice Flour 100g Dark Chocolate100g White ChocolateStrawberry Essence For Decoration Fresh strawberriesStrawberry JamWholefood Earth CranberriesWholefood Earth Crystalised GingerWholefood Earth Cacao Nibs Fondants are wonderfully indulgent and meant to be shared, so why not share two! It’s best to start by weighing out and portioning your ingredients, you’ll need 6 eggs, 180g of sugar, 75g of diced butter x2, 125g of flour x2, 100g of dark chocolate and 100g of white chocolate. If you have a stand mixer, an electric whisk or a hand whisk you’ll do just fine, just bear in mind that you’ll need a little more effort with a hand whisk. In a large mixing bowl add three eggs and 180g of sugar. Over a smaller bowl separate your yolks from the remaining three eggs by gently cracking each egg and using your hand to let the whites fall away into the smaller bowl. Add each yolk to your large bowl with the eggs and sugar. (You don’t need to keep the whites for this recipe but you may want to keep them for something else) You might want to wash your hands before the next step. Vigorously whisk the egg and sugar mixture until it starts to thicken and bubble, the longer the better, in a standing mixer you can let it whisk on high speed while you perform the next step. To melt each chocolate use a glass or metal bowl over a pan of steaming water, stir frequently and add 75g of butter, 100g of dark chocolate and let them melt together. Continue whisking the egg and sugar mixture as much as you can then separate half into a second bowl, one for each fondant batter, you can finish one at a time so don’t feel like you need to rush. Once your chocolate and butter have melted use a dry tea towel to pick up the glass bowl as it may be hot and be careful of the steam, use a wooden spoon or silicone spatula to transfer the melted chocolate to one of the egg bowls. (Rinse the chocolate bowl with hot water and dry it if you wish to add it straight back to the pan to melt the white chocolate whilst you mix the first batter). Gently combine the chocolate and eggs with a spatula or spoon, folding gently so as not to knock out any air. Add half a teaspoon of strawberry essence or flavouring and fold in 125g of flour (plain flour works best but we’ve used rice flour to keep this gluten free!) until well combined. Preheat your oven to 190 degrees and repeat the process with the white chocolate and remaining 75g of butter, except without adding any strawberry essence. You should have two beautiful, contrasting fondant mixes ready for baking! Line a small, silicone or metal mould with butter and sugar or cocoa powder to help free the fondants once baked, you can use a muffin or cupcake tray if you don’t have any moulds but they can be cumbersome when turning the fondants out. When filling the dark chocolate mould you can add a spoonful of strawberry jam halfway for an extra surprise in the centre. Place the filled moulds in the middle of your preheated oven and bake for between 10 and 15 minutes, depending on the size of your moulds. Check them after 10 minutes, if they have plenty of resistance when pressed but still feel soft in the middle then they are ready, if they are still fragile and darkening too much, reduce the heat to 180 and let them bake a few minutes more, checking regularly. Using a dry tea towel or oven glove, hold the fondant in one hand and run a small knife around the mould if necessary, place a small, up-turned plate on top, gently turn them both together and wiggle the mould until the fondant is free. Finish the dark chocolate fondant with a decorative strawberry and finish the white fondant with cranberries and chopped crystallised ginger. With a little extra time and effort take the opportunity to show someone how much you love them with a truly indulgent homemade treat, and while you’re at it treat yourself as well! Optional: Chocolate Shards with Cacao Nibs If you have some extra chocolate left over you can melt it and pour onto a sheet of baking paper, spread thinly with a spatula or pallet knife and sprinkle with cacao nibs for a delightful crunch, you can let them cool in the fridge or even the freezer, once firmed break them into shards. If you’re feeling extra creative you can use both white and dark chocolate to make some beautiful patterns and decorate your fondants even more!

It’s not long until the Easter bunny arrives, bringing eggs and Easter treats aplenty! 🐰 One of the most popular of these Easter foods tends to be chocolate. From chocolate eggs to chocolate cakes, if you’re a chocolate lover, then Easter is probably one of your favourite times of year. However, we know not everyone can enjoy chocolate, whether it’s due to diet, allergies or just wanting to cut down on the sweet stuff. Plus, whilst it’s good to treat yourself every now and then, unfortunately most types of chocolate do not hold much nutritional value. You may be wondering, is there a healthier alternative? Well here at Wholefood Earth, we’ve got your back, and have some chocolate substitutes that we’d like to suggest for when those sweet cravings come a-calling. That way you can still enjoy the chocolatey taste in a healthier way, and still indulge this Easter - let’s hop to it! Cacao Nibs Cacao nibs are produced from beans harvested from the Theobroma cacao tree, sometimes referred to as the cocoa tree. The cacao beans are dried, fermented, and heated at a low temperature. The heat helps in separating the fatty part of the bean. They’re amongst the least processed cacao products and are considerably lower in sugar than other chocolate products, making them a healthier alternative for chocolate lovers. Due to their reduced sugar content, they’re not as sweet as cocoa and have a bitter, earthy taste, much like dark chocolate. Cacao nibs are a great replacement for chocolate chips, meaning that they’re perfect for making all your favourite baked goods. You can also put them in smoothies, porridge, granola, or eat them on their own as a snack. They’re vegan friendly as well as being gluten-free. They’re loaded with nutrients and powerful plant compounds that have been shown to benefit health in many ways. However, please note that cacao nibs do still contain caffeine. Therefore, eating large amounts may cause side effects, such as anxiety, jitteriness, and trouble sleeping. So, make sure not to go overboard! Carob Powder The one alternative on our list that is not sourced from cacao beans is carob powder. Although it looks a lot like cocoa powder, It’s actually made from dried and roasted carob pods. These pods are derived from the flowering tree or shrubs, which are native to the Mediterranean region and the Middle East. Carob powder is low in sodium, high in fibre and contains virtually no fat. Its packed full of antioxidants, a good source of calcium and unlike chocolate it contains no tyramine which can cause migraines and headaches. It is often used as a natural sweetener in baked goods due to its sweet and unique taste which is similar to chocolate. Carob powder can be used as a replacement for cocoa powder in most recipes. Just keep in mind that it is higher in sugar, so you might not want to use as much sugar/sweetener in the rest of your recipe. Along with baked goods, use carob powder to make vegan chocolate, carob syrup, carob pudding. You can even substitute it to make a hot carob drink instead of hot chocolate. Another benefit of carob powder is that it’s gluten-free as well as being free from caffeine. So, if you can’t eat cocoa due to the caffeine content, carob powder may be the perfect chocolate substitute for you! Cocoa Powder We know, this last choice may seem like an obvious one, but cocoa powder is still a healthier alternative to chocolate, especially if it hasn’t been overly processed. Cocoa is the dark brown powder made from roasted cacao beans, it still has a strong cacao flavour but without the added fat, sugar, or calories that are present in chocolate. Cocoa powder is very versatile can be used in many ways. It can substitute chocolate pieces in baking recipes, including cakes, brownies, pancakes, muffins, and cookies. You can sprinkle some into smoothies, cereals, and yoghurts, also if you are cooking and want some added flavour. There are also more health benefits to be had from eating cocoa powder, instead of chocolate, which has been stripped of most of its nutrients. It is rich in polyphenols, which are antioxidants that have been linked to improved cholesterol levels and reduced inflammation. Cocoa may also help lower stress levels and improve calmness and contentment, causing a positive effect on your mood and even symptoms of depression.

As you may have seen, the NHS has recently ramped up their Better Health campaign to help families make healthier food choices. The recent coronavirus pandemic has contributed to a large increase in child obesity rates. Latest studies show that 1 in 4 children at reception age in the UK, are now categorized as overweight. Being trapped inside during the various lockdowns has led to a substantial decrease in children’s physical activity. School runs and playtime tag were swapped for hours locked away with their online classes and electronic devices. Evidence also shows that a lot of families were buying more food than usual whilst in lockdown, and purchasing more sugar laden and fatty snack than pre-pandemic. The NHS is hoping to aid families in making better choices when it comes to the food they buy and consume. The campaign encourages them to make healthier food swaps by using their newly released, Food Scanner App. Parents can use the app by scanning a certain food they wish to purchase, and the app will suggest a selection of alternatives they can swap it for. Making Better Choices Here at Wholefood Earth, although we may not have a food scanning app, we are more than happy to recommend some healthier swaps. Whilst exercise is of course important, what you put into your body and fuel it with is also paramount. Junk food and sugary treats may feel good in the moment, but they can contribute to a wide range of health problems later down the line. So why not try swapping some of these out for some lower calorie and more nutritionally dense alternatives, and reap the benefits? Whether you are looking to lose weight or just be healthier in general - we’ve got you covered! Swap Crisps for Popcorn Let’s face it; snacking is an essential and tasty part of life. When sitting down to watch a movie, what snack should you be reaching for - crisps or popcorn? Let’s settle the debate. If you want to make the healthier choice, popcorn is the clear winner. Popcorn also known as Popping Corn is a wholegrain, an important food group may help to reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and hypertension. One cup of air popped popcorn contains approx. 31 calories, and less than one gram of fat! This means you’ll be able to eat a larger serving of popcorn for the same number of calories as most types of crisps. Popcorn is also higher in fibre than crisps, which is beneficial for digestive health. Just make sure to check if there has been anything added to the popcorn you are buying. This includes toppings such as oil, butter, salt or sugar, as this will put the calorie content up. For the healthiest option we suggest air popping your own popcorn at home! Replace Sweets with Dried Fruits Whilst having the odd bag of sweets as a treat won’t hurt, eating them regularly can negatively affect your health. Sweets have little to no nutritional value as they are generally made of pure refined sugar. An abundance of sugar in your diet can lead to weight gain, dental issues and overall poor nutrition. If you still want that sweet fix, but are looking for something healthier and more nutritious, we recommend Dried Fruits. After all, why have artificial candy when you can have nature’s own candy? Dried fruits have a wide range of nutritional benefits, they are high in fibre, and packed full of essential micronutrients and antioxidants. Plus, it counts as one of your 5 a day! However, as dried fruits do still contain a type of sugar, we recommend having them in moderation and watching your portion size. Try Nooch Instead of Cheese Nutritional Yeast Flakes (or as it is more widely known – Nooch) has become a popular food substitute for people wanting the taste of cheese without the animal fat or calories. Nooch has a strong savouriness which is said to be similar to the flavour of Parmesan cheese. So why should you be swapping out your grated cheese for Nutritional yeast flakes? Firstly, the calorie content is much lower than most of types of cheese. A tablespoon-sized amount of Nooch has just 20 calories and contains little to no sodium. Most brands of nutritional yeast are also fortified with the B12 vitamin. B12 is an essential vitamin needed for the development and function of many body parts, including the brain, nerves, and blood cells. This also makes it a great alternative for vegans as B12 is generally only found in animal products. Swap Chocolate for Carob Do you crave chocolate and suffer with a sweet tooth? Well, we’ve got some good news for you - there is a healthier replacement in town! Carob is an excellent alternative to chocolate. Whether it be in the form of chips, syrup or Carob Powder, you can use it the same way you would chocolate, in nearly all recipes. Carob also has a wide range of health benefits. Unlike chocolate it’s caffeine, tyramine and fat free, making it an ideal substitute for migraine sufferers and people with a high blood pressure. It’s lower in sugar and higher in fibre, meaning it will help you stay fuller for longer. Also, carob is naturally gluten free so is a better choice for anyone with digestive issues or coeliac disease. Swapping out chocolate for carob means you can still enjoy your favourite sweet treats with fewer calories, fat, and sugar – Yay! Replace Sugary Cereals with Oats Breakfast is often touted as the most important meal of the day. One of the most popular breakfast choices here in the UK is cereal. A lot of ready-made cereals you can pick up from your local supermarket can be high in sugar and high in calories. For a healthier choice, why not try swapping your cereal out for oatmeal? Oats are packed full of fibre which keeps you feeling satisfied for longer and therefore reducing the chance of snacking and overeating throughout the day. Many people report it gives them more energy and leaves them feeling less lethargic than they would eating other types of breakfast food. Their high soluble fibre content can also aid in reducing blood sugar levels and insulin response. Oats are also incredibly versatile, you can mix anything you like into it, making it either savoury or sweet - so you can get creative with your breakfast!

Carob is commonly known to be a Chocolate Substitute although it rightly deserves credit of its own. The Carob plant is an evergreen tree decorated with glossy leaves, red flowers and long brown pods form on the tree, which hold seeds within sweet pulp.These seeds are the source of Locust Bean Gum - you may recognize this name.A natural ingredient to improve the texture of foods by thickening and stabilizing the food.After being sun dried, the seeds are removed and the pulp of the carob pods is ground into 'carob powder'and to make carob syrup the powder is dissolved in water and boiled to make a runny consistency.But how to use it?Carob is a natural addition to baked goods, its taste is not as rich as cocoa.It can be used as a sweetener, and replaced instead of chocolate in brownies and puddings.Note : Carob powder is less soluble than Cocoa and it can be gritty. Make a smooth paste of carob powder and warm water before adding into a drink/recipe.Carob naturally contains calcium, phosphorus, iron! Pop into our store for your sweet treat alternatives and check out our website 🌱