Now that Easter has been and gone, if you’re like me, you may be left with a supply of chocolate and a little unsure how you will get through it all.
Thankfully, rather than being shoved to the back of the fridge or eaten mindlessly, Easter chocolate can easily be turned into some new tasty treats and even savoury nourishing meals.
By having alternative uses for the chocolate, it can stop us thinking we need to eat all of the chocolate straight away. Instead, we can savour it and get creative with it.
If you are feeling any guilt from overindulging over the long weekend, the best thing you can do is to get back on track with eating healthy balanced meals today. Chocolate shouldn’t be demonised, it can be enjoyed as part of an overall health balanced diet, but moderation is key! If possible, opt for good quality dark chocolate with little to no added sugar.
Here are my 10 ways to use up leftover Easter chocolate, enjoy!
- My Banana Chocolate Chip Hazelnut Meal Bread – roughly chop chocolate into small pieces and use in replace of chocolate chips.
- Turn into a decadent chocolate sauce for drizzling over fresh fruit by melting 200g chocolate with 200ml coconut milk, dash of vanilla extract and pinch of salt, keep warm before drizzling.
- Chocolate coated fruit – melt 200g chocolate with 1/3 cup coconut cream, dip fruit into the chocolate and put in the fridge or freezer until set. Add a pinch of chilli flakes for a special kick!
- For an energising sweet and savoury snack, chop up chocolate and add to trail mix alongside coconut flakes, nuts, seeds and dried apricots.
- My Gluten-free Chocolate Chickpea and Strawberry Cookies – roughly chop chocolate into small pieces and use in replace of chocolate chips.
- If you are more of a savoury cook, add 50g dark chocolate to classic chilli con carne (500g mince) for a nice added taste.
- Silky hot chocolate, add chocolate to a saucepan alongside milk of choice, dash vanilla extract, pinch cinnamon, pinch grated nutmeg (optional) and stir over low heat until chocolate is melted and milk is warmed through, pour into a glass to serve!
- Chocolate chip pancakes – to serve 1, mash together 1 ripe banana, 1 large egg, 1 tbsp. coconut flakes, ¼ cup protein powder and 1 tbsp. chocolate chips, mix into a batter and cook spoonful’s of mixture at a time in a warmed pan. Top with yoghurt and berries.
- Dark chocolate can be finely grated or chopped and sprinkle on top of yoghurt and fruit for a decadent twist to usual fruit and yoghurt.
- Crush dark chocolate or chop into small pieces, store in a glass container in the fridge and sprinkle on smoothies as a crunchy treat.
