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Dark Chocolate Uses for Vegans

February 1, 2022 By Amelia Ruth and Edit by Dishan Mendis Leave a Comment

Dark Chocolate Uses for Vegans

Chocolate is often referred to as the “food of the Gods,” and with good reasons. Not only does it taste good, but it also offers a myriad of health benefits. 

While the base ingredient in all chocolates comes from cacao beans, the final taste and nutrient profile vary depending on the kind of chocolate. Dark chocolate contains 50%- 90% cocoa solids or cocoa butter, while vegan milk chocolate may contain 10%- 50% cocoa solids with plant milk and sugar. On the other hand, vegan white chocolate is primarily made of cocoa butter, vegan milk, sugar, and may or may not include cocoa solids.

Among the different varieties of chocolate, dark chocolate is considered the healthiest. It does not contain milk or any other dairy products and is perfectly vegan-friendly. 

The sugar content is minimal with dark chocolate making it lower in carbs. It is one of the best brain foods that can also improve your physiological health. Being a vegan, you can consume dairy-free dark chocolate in various ways. 

Here are some of the top ways to include dark chocolate in your vegan lifestyle!

Top 8 Ways to Use Dark Chocolate as a Vegan


1) Vegan Chocolate Cake –  You can easily turn any cake recipe vegan by replacing butter with oil and eggs with vinegar. A foolproof vegan chocolate cake batter will need 1.5 cups all-purpose flour, 1 cup raw sugar, ¼ cup cocoa powder, 1 tsp baking soda, ½ tsp salt, ⅓ cup vegetable oil, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 tsp distilled white vinegar, and 1 cup water. 

Sift the dry ingredients and then mix in the wet ingredients to form a smooth batter. Pour into a baking tray and bake at 175 degrees C for 45 minutes. This chocolate cake can just be the kind of indulgent for your anxiety!

2) Vegan Hot Chocolate – Just imagine yourself on a cold winter with a mug of pure vegan hot chocolate…wOw…just what the doctor ordered, right? Dark chocolate is famous for its mood-boosting properties and works well in a vegan hot chocolate recipe. For this comforting beverage, warm some almond milk on the stove, then add cocoa powder, raw sugar, a pinch of salt, and some vanilla essence. Once the milk is warm, turn off the heat and add a few pieces of vegan dark chocolate. Stir the milk till the chocolate dissolves completely. And that’s it! You have a rich, creamy, and comforting drink for a cold and gloomy day!

3) Dark Chocolate Snack Bars – Most snack bars you buy from stores are loaded with sugar. Making your own no-bake dark chocolate snack bars is an excellent idea. For this quick recipe, toast your favorite nuts and rolled oats in a pan, add vegan dark chocolate chips to the pan as well, and set aside. In a separate pan, heat coconut oil and maple syrup till the mixture thickens. 

Now, add the syrup mixture to the nuts and mix everything well to a gooey consistency. Spread the mixture flat on a baking tray and refrigerate for a few hours. Cut into small bars and enjoy! The best type of chocolate for this recipe is lightly salted vegan dark chocolate.

4) Vegan Chocolate Ice Cream – This vegan chocolate ice cream is one of the best-frozen treats to indulge in! To prepare it, heat water, coconut milk, raw sugar, and cocoa powder in a pan, whisking continuously. Then, remove the pan from the heat and add vanilla essence and vegan dark chocolate to the mixture. Whisk everything together till the chocolate melts. Chill this mixture in a cold bowl and then prepare the ice cream in an ice-cream churner, as per the instructions. Serve with your favorite toppings and enjoy this luscious treat. Interested in another vegan ice cream? Check this simple yet delicious vegan banana ice cream recipe!

5) Dark Chocolate Pudding – To prepare this delicious chocolate pudding, you can use your favorite type of chocolate with just a few ingredients. First, heat raw sugar, cocoa powder, and almond milk in a pan. Take the pan off the heat when the mixture is warm. Add chunks of vegan dark chocolate to the pan and whisk until it melts. Then, add corn starch solution to the pan and mix well. Put the pan back on low heat, continuously stirring the mixture. Once the pudding thickens, take it off the heat and let it cool. Serve chilled for the best taste!

6) As a Mood Booster – According to studies, dark chocolate can reduce the symptoms of depression. It contains brain-boosting ingredients like flavonols, caffeine, and theobromine that can improve your cognitive abilities. If you suffer from anxiety, stress, or depression, consuming a few pieces of dark chocolate daily can help you.

7) Dark Chocolate Face Pack – Apart from being a great alternative to boost your mood, dark chocolate is great for your skin too! It’s rich in potent antioxidants that brighten the skin and counter the signs of aging. For a simple DIY chocolate face pack, mix 1 tablespoon cocoa powder with an equal quantity of vegan honey and a pinch of cinnamon. Mix everything well and apply the paste to your face and neck. Leave the mask on for 20 minutes and then rinse it off with warm water. This DIY mask can make your skin soft, supple, and radiant!

8) As an Aphrodisiac – According to studies, dark chocolate can act as an aphrodisiac. It contains various mood-enhancing ingredients, which can boost sexual stimulation. Not only does chocolate induce a sense of well-being, but it may also elevate serotonin levels that can enhance genital stimulation. If you have been facing issues like poor libido, dark chocolate may help you out. 

What are The Health Benefits of Vegan Dark Chocolate?


Dark chocolate is a rich source of antioxidants called flavonols. It also contains iron, copper, magnesium, zinc, and phosphorus. Studies have explored the various health benefits of dark chocolate in great detail. Here are the most prominent health benefits of the ingredient:

  • Lowers blood pressure
  • Reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease
  • Improves brain function
  • Can guard the skin against photoaging
  • Fights against free radical damage
  • May reduce bad cholesterol (LDL) in the body

Whether you are looking to improve your health, maintain youthful skin or manage anxiety, vegan dark chocolate might be the answer!

Conclusion


Dark chocolate is a vegan-friendly food rich in antioxidants and nutrients. It has various health benefits that include better cardiovascular health and brain function. It also improves sexual stimulation and reduces the symptoms of anxiety and depression. Similar to certain brain-boosting food or supplements, dark chocolate can be a great way to enhance your brain function.

Vegans can consume dark chocolate in several ways, including vegan baked goods, ice creams, candies, or snack bars. You can also use cocoa powder as a face pack to brighten your skin. Dark chocolate fits seamlessly into a healthy vegan lifestyle and offers a multitude of benefits. If you are someone looking to satisfy your sweet craving with something nutritious & healthy, make sure to add dark chocolate to your diet!

30-Second Summary

  • Dark chocolate is a vegan-friendly ingredient with numerous health benefits
  • It is rich in antioxidants, minerals, and mood-enhancing ingredients like caffeine and theobromine
  • Vegans can use dairy-free dark chocolate in numerous recipes like vegan chocolate cake, hot chocolate, snack bars, ice cream, and pudding
  • You can also use dark chocolate as a mood booster, aphrodisiac, and skincare product
  • Some ways in which dark chocolate can boost your health are by lowering blood pressure, improving cardiovascular health, and reducing unhealthy cholesterol
  • It can also reduce the symptoms of anxiety and depression
  • Dark chocolate is a potent brain food

Reference:

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/31356717/

Recommended posts:

  • Vegan Chocolate Guide For Your Delight & Health
  • Dairy-Free Vegan Chocolate Brands Taste Test & Review

Filed Under: Diet Tagged With: vegan dark chocolate

Vegan Chocolate Brands For Your Delight & Health

August 24, 2017 By Dishan Mendis 3 Comments

Vegan Chocolate Brands For Your Delight and Health

No matter which way you look at it, from a health perspective (dark chocolate) or to delight your sweet tooth there is a reason to enjoy this age-old luscious treat to brighten any moment.

The Aztecs had a belief that cacao seeds are a gift from the god of wisdom (coincidentally dark chocolate is a superfood for your brain!), and so much value was placed upon the seeds, they were literally considered as a form of currency.

Being vegan doesn’t mean you have to give up on chocolate and there are plenty of chocolate brands that are vegan!

You will also find lots of traditional brands which happened to be vegan in this post that can be bought in any supermarket, drugstore or grocery.

How to Select Vegan Chocolate


Most high-quality dark chocolates are completely vegan, as it usually contains a high amount of cocoa without any dairy.

Check for ingredients such as milk, milk solids, milk fat, milk powder, lactose, whey, casein, and butterfat.

A few manufacturers have also started making “milk chocolates” from dairy substitutes such as almond milk or rice milk.

Please note, some chocolate brands may have an allergen disclaimer saying “May contain traces of milk products, etc.” or “Processed in a facility that manufactures milk products”.

This does NOT mean milk is added as an ingredient, but it means they may use the same manufacturing facilities for products that may contain allergens like milk, eggs, tree nuts, etc. For instance, a dark chocolate can be completely vegan but the same manufacturer may produce milk chocolates using the same facility.

This is really meant for people with severe allergies where even the slightest amount of cross-contamination with an allergen could cause them to react.

Six Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate


  1. The nutrition profile of dark chocolates:
      • Protein 7.8 g (13% of RDA*)
      • Calcium 73 mg ( 7% of RDA)
      • Iron 90 mg  (92% of RDA)
      • Zinc 31 mg  (35% of RDA)
  2. A superfood for the brain
  3. Packed with antioxidants
  4. Improves blood flow and lowers blood pressure
  5. Comes with good cholesterol (HDL) and lowers bad cholesterol (LDL) improving overall lipid profile.
  6. Increases insulin sensitivity and lowers the risk of diabetes

*recommended dietary allowance

How Much is Too Much?


To have optimum health benefits of dark chocolates we would recommend keeping it to a maximum of an ounce (28g) per day which may equate to 3-5 pieces of a 100g chocolate with 18 pieces.

But then it’s not a sin to break the rules, ‘occasionally’!

What is The Fair Trade Practice & Certificate?


You may see some vegan chocolate brands carry the Fair Trade Certificate. We feel it is important that you know what it means. Because by buying chocolates which have no animal products with these certificates, you respect the rights of animals, the rights of our fellow humans and support the environment.

Fair Trade Certified products were made with consideration for people and planet. It has rigorous standards that take care of social, environmental and economic aspects to foster safe & healthy working conditions, environmental protection, transparent work ethics, and empower communities for sustainable businesses.

When you’re opting for products with the fair trade label, your purchases support the lives of those communities and conserve the environment as well.

Vegan Dark Chocolate Brands


Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate – 85% Cocoa 

Green & Black’s Organic Dark Chocolate - 85% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Endangered Species Panther, Natural Dark Chocolate Squares – 88% Cocoa 

 Endangered Species Panther, Natural Dark Chocolate Squares – 88% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Lindt Excellence 70%, 85% and 90% Cocoa Dark Chocolate 

Lindt Excellence 70% Cocoa Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Equal Exchange Organic Very Dark Chocolate 

Equal Exchange Organic Very Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Raaka Bourbon Cask Aged Organic Dark Chocolate Bar – 82% Cacao 

Raaka Bourbon Cask Aged Organic Dark Chocolate Bar – 82% Cacao

Full Review Here

Other Brands:

  • Equal Exchange Organic Extra Dark Chocolate Mint
  • Newman’s Own Organics Premium Dark Chocolate – 70% Cocoa 
  • Alter Eco Americas Organic Chocolate Bar, Dark Blackout – 85% Cocoa 
  • Plamil – Organic Ginger Chocolate – 60% Cocoa 
  • Trader Joe’s Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 56% Cacao
  • Trader Joe’s Mini Super Smooth Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 70% Cacao
  • Trader Joe’s Belgian Dark Chocolate Bars – 72% Cacao 
  • Trader Joe’s Organic Super Dark Chocolate Bar – 73% Cacao
  • Raaka Smoked Chai Chocolate Bar – 66% Cacao


Vegan Milk Chocolate Brands


Moo Free Original Organic Milk Chocolate Alternative 

Moo Free Original Organic Milk Chocolate Alternative

Full Review Here

Raaka Coconut Milk Chocolate Bar 

Raaka Coconut Milk Chocolate Bar

Full Review Here

Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Ricemilk Chocolate Bar 

Enjoy Life Boom Choco Boom Ricemilk Chocolate Bar 

Full Review Here

Vegan White Chocolate Brands


Vivani White Nougat Crisp Chocolate Bar 

Vivani White Nougat Crisp Chocolate Bar

Full Review Here

Vegan Chocolate Truffles


Booja Booja Dairy Free Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Truffles 

Booja Booja Dairy Free Hazelnut Crunch Chocolate Truffles

Full Review Here


Vegan Chocolate for Valentine’s Day


Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate Bar 55% Cocoa 

Chocolove Almonds & Sea Salt in Dark Chocolate Bar 55% Cocoa

Full Review Here

Other Varieties

  • Chocolove Raspberries in Dark Chocolate Bar
  • Chocolove Orange Peel in Dark Chocolate – 55% Cocoa
  • Chocolove Cherries and Almonds in Dark Chocolate – 55% Cocoa
  • Chocolove Extra Strong Dark Chocolate Bar – 77% Cocoa
  • Chocolove Ginger Crystallized in Dark Chocolate Bar

Vegan Chocolate for Easter & Halloween


Moo Free Easter Bunnycomb Egg with Buttons 

Moo Free Easter Bunnycomb Egg with Buttons

Full Review Here

Moo Free Original Easter Egg 

Moo Free Original Easter Egg

Endangered Species Bug Bites, Smooth Dark Chocolate 

Endangered Species Bug Bites, Smooth Dark Chocolate

Full Review Here

Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate 55% Dark Minis 

Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate 55% Dark Minis

Full Review Here


Vegan Chocolate Chip Brands, Cacao Nibs, and Chunks


Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Vegan Chocolate Chips

Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Vegan Chocolate Chips / Vegan Chocolate Brands

Other Brands:

  • Equal Exchange Organic Chocolate Chips
  • Trader Joe’s Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks
  • Dream Dairy-Free Chocolate Dream Semi-Sweet Baking Chips
  • Sweetriot Cacao Nibs Covered In (70%) Dark Chocolate

Vegan Chocolate Spreads


Dark Chocolate Dreams by Peanut Butter & Co.

Dark Chocolate Dreams by Peanut Butter & Co.

Other Vegan Chocolate Spreads

  • Justin’s Chocolate Hazelnut Butter Blend
  • Trader Joe’s Speculoos Cookie & Cocoa Swirl
  • Rawtella – Gourmet Raw Chocolate Hazelnut Spread – Crunch

Vegan Chocolate Syrups


Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup

Hershey’s Chocolate Syrup



Vegan Chocolate Brands For Your Delight and Health

You now know when you have your next piece of chocolate that there is hardly anything you miss as a vegan and how it can be healthy if it’s dark chocolate.

Chocolate is also an excellent way to show your non-vegan friends that a cruelty-free lifestyle is not dull by any means.

Note:

If you’re ordering vegan chocolates from online stores, make sure to request the delivery without getting it melted (delivery with insulated bags with ice packs may help).

 

Related Posts:

  • Vegan Chocolate Brands Taste Test & Review
  • Best Vegan Ice Cream Brands
  • Best Vegan Cookie Brands
  • Vegan Milk Brands

Filed Under: Diet, Vegan Chocolate, Vegan Food Tagged With: vegan chocolate, vegan dark chocolate, vegan milk chocolate, vegan white chocolate

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