Can you guys believe that we are less than two months away from the END of 2017?! WOWZA. Time sure is flying, and we almost cannot believe that we’re saying this… but it’s time to start thinking about those holiday recipes! YES! Before you know it, you’ll be hosting or attending a ton of holiday parties, so it’s useful to have a few holiday dessert recipes stashed away so you can easily whip ‘em out when the time comes! We thought that we’d share a few easy ones with you today using November Super Special… Navita’s Cacao Powder! Enjoy!

Four Cacao Recipes to Try This Holiday Season 

I have to admit that I am NOT the biggest chocolate fan! I am more of a salty or savoury kinda gal, however when it comes to the holidays I can almost always make an exception and get on board with chocolate – especially when it involves a little holiday flare! Insert: peppermint/gingerbread EVERYTHING!

Now I wanted to try my very best to include something that was ALREADY on special – because let’s be real, the holidays can be expensive – so as SOON as I saw that Navitas Cacao Powder was a November SUPER SPECIAL on sale for just $8.88 this month… well I knew that I HAD to incorporate it in some way or another! Because not only is it delicious in desserts… but it’s ALSO really healthy for you too!

Did YOU know that Cacao is one of the greatest Superfoods out there?! Cacao is chalk full of all kinds of really great components like antioxidants and nutrients – specifically ones that are beneficial for both your brain and cardiovascular health. Not to mention, the properties found in Cacao can help foster and enhances the effectiveness of other minerals and nutrients in the body! ANNNNNND there is no added sugar… making it a REALLY great alternative to use in your baked goods!

Speaking of baked goods… shall we dive in?! Below are three different recipes that could NOT be more perfect for the holidays! ENJOY!

Tip: This particular Cacao Powder is incredibly easy to use! Simply swap 1:1 in any recipe that calls for baking cocoa!!!

1. Chocolate Peppermint Avocado Truffles

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe organic avocado, mashed
• ¾ cup dark chocolate, melted
• ½ tsp. Ambrosia’s Own Vanilla Extract
• Navita’s Cacao Powder
• ½ tsp. peppermint extract

Directions:  

1. Melt dark chocolate in a pan over stovetop
2. When the chocolate is fully melted and smooth, pour into a separate bowl with mashed avocado and stir together.
3. Add in vanilla, and peppermint extracts
4. When fully combined, place this bowl into the refrigerator for thirty minutes
5. Remove from refrigerator, scoop into 10-12 balls and roll until smooth.
6. Roll each ball in the Navita’s Cacao Powder and serve.

2. Gingerbread Hot Chocolate

Ingredients:

Gingerbread Mix 

1 cup water
1 cup coconut sugar
1 teaspoon Ambrosia’s Own Cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves

Hot Chocolate

• 1/4 of a 3.5 oz chocolate bar
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 2 tbsp Navitas Cacao Powder 

Directions

1. Combine all of the gingerbread mix ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat
2. Bring to a boil
3. Once it comes to a boil, let the mixture simmer for about 15 minutes on low heat.
4. Add in the chocolate bar and almond milk
5. Allow ingredients to combine, stir
6. Serve!

 3. Hot chocolate Brownies

Ingredients:

½ cup grass fed butter (unsalted – melted)

½ tbs Ambrosia’s Own Vanilla Extract

2 Large Free Range Eggs

1 ¾ Cup Navita’s Cacao Powder

¾ Bob’s Red Mill All Purpose Flour

½ tsp Salt

½ tsp Bob’s Red Mill Baking Powder

1 Cup Enjoy Life Chocolate Chips

Dandies Mini Marshmallows

 Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. Stir in vanilla and two eggs to melted butter and set aside
3. In another bowl, whisk together cacao powder, flour, salt and baking powder
4. Add wet ingredients to the dry ingredients – stir together
5. Mix in the chocolate chips
6. Pour brownies into baking pan
7. Bake for 35 minutes
8. Allow to cool
9. Add marshmallows to garnish!

4. Chocolate Banana Pancakes

Ingredients:

1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl
2. Add a bit of oil to a frying pan – on medium high heat
3. Pour the batter onto the frying pan (using roughly 1/4 cup for each pancake)
4. Cook on each side until bubbles appear
5. Serve!