Carmi's Fruit & Nut Chocolate Bar

Carmella · #1 05-08-2008, 02:11 PM

After making rawererin's wonderful Perfect Chocolate Bar which I shared with you a few days ago, I came up with my own chocolate treat. Oh My Goodness! Can it get any better than this? It reminded me of Cadbury's Fruit & Nut bar. Mmmmmmm... I have to say that both Don and I have a soft spot for this one. The almond extract gives the chocolate a subtle and yummylicious touch.

Carmi's Fruit & Nut
1/2 cup melted coconut butter
1/2 cup cacao or carob powder (I used 3 part cacao/1 part carob)
1 tbs maple syrup
1 tbs agave nectar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Blend until smooth in high speed blender or food processor.

Transfer to a bowl, then add by hand:
A few drops pure almond extract
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup almonds, chopped

Spread mixture on plate or pan lined with parchment paper and set in the fridge or freezer. You can score the chocolate with a cookie or pizza cutter after a few minutes or break into pieces once fully set.

Alternatively, you can pour it in chocolate molds or little muffin pans, being careful to oil these first for easy removal.

Carmella's Notes:
~ The first time I made this, the mixture was solid enough so that I was able to drop it by the spoonful on parchment paper. Don and I had a piece after only a few minutes of it being in the freezer and the inside was still a bit soft. Good gracious! Was it ever good!!! Reminded us of Belgian chocolate.

~ The chocolate mixture can be blended with the help of a food processor, blender or even by hand. In the case of the latter, you might want to pass the cacao or carob powders through a sieve first to avoid any lumps in the mixture.

~ The consistency of the chocolate mixture will vary depending on the temperature of your working space. For instance, I've had it nearly seize up on me one day when our house was cool. If that happens to you, all you need to do is stick the mixture in the dehydrator for a few minutes.

Fairygirl · #2 05-20-2008, 01:24 PM

This one's a winner girlie! I made it the other day and am loving it!

Velvet · #3 08-31-2008, 08:53 AM

Help

I tried it, but in the fridge, the coconut oil went up to the surface, making the top layer of the chocolate all white. Anyone knows why?

Also, I used raw cacao beans with the skin, and ground them in a coffee grinder first, but the end product after the vita mix was still gritty... Is yours smooth like regular chocolate? If so I may need to remove the skins or strain the chocolate before putting it in the fridge.

It tastes good though, but I want to make something perfect for my husband, to replace his traditional chocolate with something healthier

Thanks!

Carmella · #4 09-01-2008, 09:05 PM

Velvet,

Oh nooooooo!

I think something similar happened to me before when I over-processed the chocolate mixture. It's my understanding that it is virtually impossible to grind cacao beans/nibs yourself and achieve the same smoothness as when using store-bought cacao powder. The real experts will even take it a step further and use cacao paste which is even smoother.

Have fun on your chocolate-making quest.

Velvet · #5 09-02-2008, 05:47 AM

Over-processing?

This make sense, I actually blended it A LOT to make sure it would be homogeneous and wouldn't separate

I feel like I have to learn how to "cook" all over again now that I'm raw, but it's still a lot of fun! Alright, I'll try again, and post any tips I find along the way

Thank you!!

RawDiva · #6 01-07-2009, 03:16 PM

Don't have any coconut butter can I use coconut oil maybe?

Velvet · #7 01-07-2009, 03:43 PM

Same thing

Which reminds me, I might try it today!

RawDiva · #8 01-07-2009, 03:45 PM

Oh sounds good then. Thanks Velvet.

Pansy · #9 01-08-2009, 03:23 PM

Just made this and it was divine!

Didn't use a blender or food processor....just a bowl and a whisk!

Thanks Carmi,

princessblonde · #10 03-18-2009, 11:00 AM

These were delicious! My non-raw husband LOVED them!!!

Hippimom · #11 03-19-2009, 06:09 AM

Can someone please send me some of these?

Pirawna · #12 03-20-2009, 11:53 AM

My coconut butter and coconut oil are two different things. Coconut butter has the meat in it and is like a spread like apple butter. It stays mostly solid and white on warm days. Coconut oil is just pure oil and a totally clear liquid on warm days.

Carmella · #13 03-20-2009, 09:01 PM

Good point, Pirawna! There was a time when the terms coconut butter/oil were used interchangeably, but it's no longer the case. In this recipe, it should really read 'coconut oil'. Off to change it right away...

I was gonna bring SG's Coconut Joys as a treat to my sister who will be visiting from Quebec, but now I'm thinking these would be nice too. Or maybe I could bring both?

Hippimom · #14 03-21-2009, 11:24 AM

Both. Can't have to many treats!!!

Mosaica · #15 05-22-2009, 06:09 PM

I made these yesterday for our anniversary.
It's super easy and quick, not to mention how yummy it is! And I didn't even use a fp or blender, just mixed it all together by hand. A great choice for beginners!