Rocky Road is the ultimate treat - its perfect combination of crunchy and salty nuts, fluffy marshmallow and toasted coconut gets me every time. Trying to improve this perfect model proved impossible, but as they say, "When you can't beat ’em, join ’em". So I've created a version of rocky road not to compete, but rather as a healthier alternative to the original.
Raw cacao is rich in many minerals, but perhaps most notably it's loaded with magnesium. Magnesium is needed by the body for all sorts of biochemical reactions, is crucial for bone health, important for maintaining a healthy heart and consistent blood flow and pressure, and is great for combating cramps. This chocolate treat is practically a prescription.
Raw Cacao Rocky Road
Ingredients
150g cacao butter, very finely chopped
3 tablespoons coconut oil
4 heaped tablespoons cacao powder
3 tablespoons maple syrup (or honey, rice malt, coconut nectar)
1 teaspoon vanilla powder
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 generous pinch of salt
1/4 cup coconut flakes or shreds
1/4 cup sunflower seeds
1/4 cup pumpkin seeds
1/4 cup brazil nuts, chopped (or other nuts of choice - cashews or macadamias also work well)
1/4 cup goji berries
4 large dried figs, chopped into small pieces
Method
Pour boiling water into the bottom of a double boiler (or simply place two bowls on top of one another), and combine cacao butter and coconut oil in the top bowl. Melt the two by gently stirring every so often. *If using two bowls, use a plate as a lid over the top bowl, as this helps to speed up the process.
Remove from the heat and stir in maple syrup, vanilla, cinnamon and salt. Mix well with a fork, or whisk to ensure everything is well combined.
Add in the cacao powder and mix / whisk again until incorporated and glossy.
Add the remaining ingredients to the mix, stir well, then pour into a lined loaf baking tin, or tupperware container lined with baking paper and place in the freezer to set.
Wait at least an hour before slicing your rocky road and devouring.
Kate Levins is a qualified holistic nutritionist, cook and founder of Nourishing Club.
