chocolate Archives - Megan Taylor

My Top 5 Favourite Sweet Sugar-Free Snacks

January is passing by quicker than ever and being healthy is getting increasingly more difficult.
I find the best way to succeed the healthy eating lifestyle is to find some sweet treats that are healthy.
Below are My Top 5 Favourite Sweet Sugar-Free Snacks.

1. Booja Booja Ice Cream
I am not usually a fan of ice cream because I don’t like milky creamy products
but this product is completely free of those ingredients.
It is dairy free in fact and has no added sugar whatsoever.
Booja Booja make scrummy truffles and ice cream.
They are on the pricey side but savour every mouthful, it is worth it.

2. Apples and Grapes
Once you give up sugar you will realise how sweet apples and grapes are.
These fruits give you a big sugar burst so try to not gorge on too much if you are trying to limit your sugar intake.
*TOP TIP: Next time you buy a bunch of grapes, put them in the freezer.
Every little grape tastes like a biteful of grape sorbet.

3. Honey and Cinnamon Popcorn
I blogged this recipe on my blog a few months ago and have had great feedback.
This sweet popcorn is sugar free and very addictive.

4. Yoghurt and Honey
This may sound like something you would normally eat for breakfast but it is a lovely healthy sweet treat.
Add honey or date syrup to a tablespoon of natural Greek yoghurt.
Sprinkle raspberries and strawberries on top for added yumminess.

5. Sugar Free Nutty Biscuits
I came up with this recipe last week by smushing loads of nuts and seeds with dates.
They are incredibly filling and a guilt free sweet treat.

Do you know of any other quick and easy sugar free sweet snacks that you can recommend?

@itsmegantaylor

Brandy Laced Chocolate Walnuts

I have bought chocolate covered walnuts before.
The shop bought ones are incredibly addictive but they cost an absolute fortune.
I feel I have conquered a very similar recipe and made them taste identical to the shop bought ones.
My mum even happened to mention that mine taste even better.
Give them a try yourself. They make a perfect homemade Christmas gift.
{You Tube video at the bottom of the page}

Ingredients
Milk (dash)
Brown Sugar (two heaped wooden spoons)
Butter (tablespoon)
Dark Chocolate (x2 bars)
Cacao Powder
Walnuts

Method
1. Make the toffee sauce by mixing the butter and sugar together.
2. Adding a dash of milk allow the ingredients to mix together and bubble and boil for a couple of minutes.
3. Pour in the bag of walnuts, mix up and allow to set during the next step.
4. Melt the chocolate in a pan.
5. Mix the toffee-d walnuts into the melted chocolate along with a glug of brandy.
6. Line your baking trays with baking paper.
7. Dust the baking paper with cacao powder.
8. Separate the walnuts on to the trays.
9. Pour more cacao powder over the walnuts.
10. It is a bit fiddly but roll the walnuts around to fully cover them in cacao.
11. Leave them in a cool room for 15 minutes to allow the chocolate to set slowly.

{Little chocolate walnut rocks}

{The chocolate finds its way into all the holes}

{Perfect homemade Christmas gift}

{You Tube video}

Chocolate dipped, orange zest shortbread biscuits

My mum found this scrumptious butter biscuits recipe last week in the Saturday Mail. There were a whole list of recipes for baking aimed at baking beginners. Ever the competitive spirit I took the simple shortbread recipe a step further adding orange zest and chocolate. I personally believe, chocolate makes everything better.

INGREDIENTS
150g unsalted butted, softened and diced
225g plain flour, sifted (plus extra for dusting)
100g caster sugar
1 egg yolk
1tsp vanilla extract
Zest of 1 orange
50g of dark chocooate
(You will need a cookie cutter or glass to cut them and a rolling pin)
(Makes approximately 30 cookies)

STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 180°.
Using your finger tips, rub together the butter, flour and sugar until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.

STEP 2
Using a wooden spoon, mix in the egg yolk, vanilla extract and the zest of one orange.

STEP 3
Form the dough into a ball, then turn it onto a lightly floured surface kneading the dough for a few seconds.

STEP 4
Roll out the dough to a thickness of 5mm using a rolling pin.

STEP 5
Using a cookie cutter, cut out 30 cookies and place on baking sheets. You do not need to grease the sheets. Bake for 10 minutes.

STEP 6
When turning golden at the edges, leave them to cool then decorate your biscuits with chocolate however you wish. I went for the dipped effect.