Halloween is an exciting time for all the kids and adults alike. But, what about all those sweet candies that are not so healthy for them? On an average, children keep consuming these sweet treats anywhere from two weeks to a month after the festivities. A majority of parents do put a limit to the number of sweets that their little ones may gobble. However, the sheer amount of sweetness has the potential to turn Halloween scarier in more ways than one for any family.
Well, one shouldn’t put a dampener on all the excitement by cutting out all that fun associated with treats at this time. But, with so many healthy ideas available nowadays, it is easier to maintain both fun and health while enjoying the true spirit of Halloween. So, with the kids’ health at stake due to all that sugar, you certainly need some alternatives.
Your Answer is Almost Raw
So, you want to stick to a diet that makes you feel good – even though your friends will tempt you with Twizzlers and Milk Duds. How does a somewhat raw chocolaty nutty candy bar, sound? Hey, it’s Halloween, live a little!
The Daily Raw Café posted this recipe for The Legally raw Bar, just in time to curb your enthusiasm for the American junk food cartel. This recipe calls for cocoa powder, which has been processed – so it cannot be considered totally raw. However, as a perpetual changer of ingredients, I think it’s possible to modify the recipe to your own tastes.
The Legally Raw Bar
NOUGAT FILLING
1 cup almonds, unsoaked
1 cup cashews, unsoaked
3 tablespoons honey
1 tablespoon water, or more if neededCARAMEL
1 cup dates
1/4 cup maple syrup*
juice of one half lemon
1 tablespoon coconut oil
¼ teaspoon sea salt
1 cup waterMILK CHOCOLATE
1 cup cocoa powder
1 cup maple syrup*
½ cup coconut oil
¼ cup water
- Soak dates in the water and lemon juice for an hour. Reserve soaking water. Meanwhile, make nougats.
- In a coffee grinder, grind cashews into a fine powder. Remove. Process the almonds into a fine powder.
- Place nut powders in a large bowl. Add honey and water. Stir until mixture is a thick paste-like consistency.
- Form nougat into miniature candy pieces. Place nougat pieces on a plate and put in the freezer for an hour.
- To make the caramel, process soaked dates, coconut oil and sea salt in a blender.
Using soaking water one tablespoon at time, blend until you achieve a thick creamy mixture.- Spread caramel on top of nougat pieces and return the candy to the freezer while you make the chocolate.
- In a large bowl, whisk cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut butter and water together until smooth and creamy.
- Pour chocolate over candy pieces and freeze an additional hour or until chocolate sets hard.
Yield: 15-20 candy pieces
*not a raw product
I am planning to substitute the honey with raw agave nectar because I can’t do honey right now.
Thank You Daily Raw Cafe for this Awesome Recipe!!
Gina Laverde is a Chicago-based writer and researcher whose expertise in natural health stems from her experiences with Body Ecology Diet, Blood Type Diet and homeopathic remedies. Gina believes that we’re in the midst of a serious world health crisis, and that the key to survival lies within our guts.
Teri says
The cocoa powder is raw. You can get it from RawGuru.com
David Askaripour says
Gina, take some pics of the ones you make! I’d love to see how they come out 🙂
Teri says
Gina,
Thank you for the props, I really appreciate it. Let me know how it works with agave nectar. I used honey because it was thick and sticky and I wanted the nougat to bind. And I so wish there was a raw maple syrup. But I don’t see it coming on the horizon anytime soon.
Keep in touch,
Teri
Gina says
Hey Deb,
Let me know how yours turn out. I am making mine today — can’t wait for Halloween 🙂
Gina says
Hey Teri.. thanks for the info. I was under the impression that cocoa powder had to be processed and that cacao was raw. I recently took a cooking class where I was told that the nutrition in cocoa is not bio-available because of this process. I’m new to experimenting with the true meaning of a raw food diet. (that is, I am finally researching it rather than just eating it). There’s a lot of info out there. So, is there no way of getting raw maple syrup?
I’m about to try this recipe with agave. I have to watch my sugar intake.
I eat at least 70% raw, but haven’t totally committed to it. Again, I really appreciate you commenting. Love the Daily Raw Cafe!!