Happy Valentine’s Day, dear friend!
Do I have a special Valentine’s day treat for you! Something sweet, easy to make, and oh so yummy. So what is it, you ask? Did I hear someone say chocolate? Well then, you are correct. It is indeed a chocolate treat and not just any chocolate treat but dairy-free and gluten-free chocolate hearts!
Oh, but wait! This isn’t just your typical chocolate recipe packed with loads of refined sugar and milk by-products, certainly not. It is, however, vegan-friendly, and made with only 3 simple ingredients.
If that hasn’t sold you, then maybe their decadent chocolatey goodness will do the trick. Just for good measure, I should also mention they are ridiculously easy to make (and a lot of fun too!).
Around the time I changed my diet, I found myself really missing chocolates. I don’t know if it was because I knew I couldn’t have any or because my body was craving for sugar since I had cut out all refined sugars. All I knew is that I was on a mission to figure out a way to bring chocolates back into my life.
I came across some dairy-free chocolate chips and rekindled my chocolate-making techniques, and got to work creating dairy-free chocolates. And you know what, they turned out great! I was so pleasantly surprised. The dairy-free chocolates are remarkably similar to milk chocolates and totally satisfied the chocolate void in my life. Thus, my chocolate candy recipe was born. And I have been making them ever since.
So if you’re looking to make a gift for someone special in your life, whether it’s a significant other, friend, family member, neighbour, or just for yourself! Because hey, we all deserve a little self-love with a nice sweet treat now and then too. These delectable little bites of chocolate goodness can be enjoyed by one and all.
Sure they are pretty on the nose with the whole heart theme, but with it being Valentine’s day, I think they get a pass, plus they’re just too cute and tasty to resist. Give them a try, and you’ll see why.
Sprinkles recipe fun facts:
• DAIRY-FREE CHOCOLATE CHIPS – are also gluten-free and use cane sugar instead of traditional white sugar.
• COCONUT OIL – has anti-viral, anti-fungal, and antibacterial properties and can also boost energy levels and metabolic rate as well.
• SEA SALT – contains many healthy essential minerals such as sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium.
The beauty of this recipe it is can be used in many ways, which we will explore in a future post. But for now, shall we make us some chocolate hearts?
Vegan Chocolate Hearts
Ingredients
Chocolate Hearts
- 1 ½ cups *dairy-free semi-sweet chocolate chips (you could also use a bar of dairy-free chocolate as well)
- 1 tsp coconut oil
- pinch of sea salt
Equipment
- small-medium stainless steel bowl (or heatproof glass bowl)
- small saucepan
- silicone spatula (large metal spoon)
- silicone heart-shaped chocolate molds
- metal spoons
- parchment paper
- plate (or a baking tray)
- oven mitts
Instructions
CHOCOLATE MAKING
Melting the Chocolate (Double Boiler)
- Fill your saucepan with 1-2 inches of water and place it on the stove. Place the stainless steel bowl on top of the saucepan — the two should sit tightly together. You don't want a gap as heat will escape. You also want to make sure the bowl does not touch the water, as it may burn the chocolate. Turn up the heat to high.
- Once you hear the water start to boil, add the coconut oil.
- After the oil is melted down (after 1-2 minutes) add the chocolate chips. Stir the chocolate constantly with your silicone spatula or spoon to help melt the chocolate. At this point in time add the pinch of sea salt. You may wonder why sea salt? It helps to bring out the chocolatey goodness!
- Once you see the chocolate starting to melt down to a liquid consistency, cut the heat and remove it from the double boiler. It's fine if it's not all melted down, the residual heat from the bowl will help melt it all down. Once melted down, the chocolate should be a nice liquid-syrup consistency with a nice glossy sheen that slowly drips off your spatula or spoon. Let it cool down for 2-3 minutes.
Filling the Molds
- It's now time to fill the molds. I like using silicone molds as I find the chocolates come out effortlessly, but you could use a plastic mold as well. Place the mold on a plate or tray, for easier transfer to the fridge or freezer and to catch any spills.
- Take a spoonful of the chocolate and slowly start filling up the molds. Don't worry if it drips all over the place, it's all a part of the fun. Fill it as close to the top as possible.
- Once all the molds are filled, place them in the fridge or freezer. Set the remaining chocolate aside, we will be using it later. If placing in the fridge, it will take about 40-50 minutes and the freezer 20-30 minutes. Shake the tray gently to see if it's set if it moves it's not ready, just place it back and let it set a little longer till they are firm.
Removing from the Molds
- Once the chocolates are set it is time to remove them from the molds! Have a plate or tray covered with some parchment ready to go as that is where we will be placing the chocolates. Press your thumb behind the shape and gently press the chocolates out and bend the molds as necessary. It should come out easily. Now if you want to taste test a couple, I would highly recommend doing that, for quality assurance of course ;).
- At this point they are done and you can place the chocolates in a tin, or airtight container to store away OR feel to enjoy them straight away, but if you want to take these chocolates one step further, then let us continue on.
Decorating (optional)
- Now, comes the most fun part of the chocolate-making process, decorating! Place all the chocolate hearts on the parchment paper, make sure to have them spaced away from one another. Then let's bring back our melted chocolate, it's time to bring out the artist in you. Drizzle the melted chocolate over the chocolates, whatever way your heart desires. It can get a bit messy and you may get some on you as well, but it is all part of the fun. You could even put sprinkles on top too if you wanted to take them even a step further. Once you are done place the chocolates back in the fridge or freezer to set. Once they are set, take them out and enjoy!
Notes
Enjoy!
Made the chocolate hearts using vegan chocolate chips. They were so quick and easy to make and turned out amazing!! I didn’t have a silicone mold and was worried that they wouldn’t come out easily with a metal mold but they popped right out after freezing. Will definitely be making these again.😋
Thank you so much for the lovely feedback, really appreciate it ♥! Glad to hear the metal mold worked too. I am so happy to hear you enjoyed them!