Are you looking for options for healthy Valentine’s Day treats? We’ve have some great options for you that will satisfy your sweet tooth, but also incorporate some nutrition as well.
First of all, we both love chocolate! Chocolate is a safe bet on Valentine’s Day and these two desserts don’t disappoint. Plus, dark chocolate has numerous health benefits. We aren’t talking Hersey’s milk chocolate, but the dark stuff. I usually buy 60-70% cacao and I do it for the health benefits and well, because I enjoy it a lot more now. I think it’s like anything, the more you try something, the more you get used to it. In fact, I have a hard time eating milk chocolate now.
You can learn more about the benefits of dark chocolate here, but here is the quick version. Dark chocolate is lower in sugar and high in fiber and minerals like iron, magnesium and copper. It is also loaded with antioxidants which can help prevent the spread of free radicals in the body.
Let’s keep it simple. Chocolate, specifically dark chocolate, has a lot of health benefits. We aren’t telling you to eat a ton of it, but it does make a great treat for Valentine’s Day.
Healthy Valentine’s Day Treats
So, the two desserts that we are going to share with you are my favorite. First we have the peanut butter and jelly cups. They are exactly what they sound like. Peanut butter and jelly surrounded by chocolate. That’s it. No “extra” ingredients. Four simple ingredients with no added sugar.
Second, we have your standard chocolate dipped fruit with superfood toppings like chia seeds, hemp hearts and unsweetened coconut flakes. The toppings are what give it some flare. It is a great way to add extra nutrients to your Valentine’s treat.
If you’re looking for other ideas, these mini fruit pizzas would be amazing. Add strawberries, raspberries or any other Valentine’s inspired fruit and drizzle them with chocolate. Yum! Ok, here are the recipes!
Peanut Butter & Jelly Cups
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 Tbsp. coconut oil
- 1/3 cup peanut butter (I try to look for one that is only peanuts and salt.)
- 1/3 cup jelly (Again, I try to find on that is just fruit and no added sugar.)
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together. Start by microwaving it for a minute and then stir. Repeat then every 30 seconds after that until chocolate has melted.
- Line a mini muffin tin.
- Using a small spoon, add a small layer of chocolate to the bottom of the each of the cups, spreading up the sides if you can.
- Place the muffin tin in the freezer for 10 minutes or so.
- Remove and then add a small spoonful of the peanut butter and jelly to the center of the chocolate (pressing down a little bit) and repeat for the rest.
- Finally, cover them using the rest of the chocolate.
- Return to the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- Enjoy!
Chocolate Dipped Fruit
Ingredients
- 1.5 cups chocolate
- 1 Tbsp coconut oil
- 2 cups fruit (I used strawberries, oranges, blueberries and blackberries, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Apples and bananas would be good too!)
- chia seeds (optional)
- hemp hearts (optional)
- unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and prepare the fruit. If you're using small fruit like blueberries, raspberries or blackberries, I put them on a toothpick, which made them easier to dip.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the chocolate and the coconut oil together for one minute and then stir. Repeat every 30 seconds after that.
- Dip the fruit in the chocolate and then top with the optional toppings.
- Once finished, place the fruit in the refrigerator (or garage if cold enough) for about 30 minutes and then enjoy!
