Life

12 Cocoa Powder Recipes, Because Science Says Chocolate Is Good For You

Get excited, chocolate lovers: new studies have shown that cocoa powder is good for your health! The nutrients found in cocoa powder are excellent anti-inflammatories, cutting risks of stroke and heart disease, Women's Health reported. Better yet? Effects are even more potent when cocoa is combined with ingredients like pomegranate. Bring on the chocolate!

Image: Fo Reals Life

Hot Cocoa Cookies

Hot cocoa season is coming to a close, but How Sweet It Is lets us enjoy the flavors of this delicious treat all year round.

Image: How Sweet It Is

Chocolate Nutmeg Cake Doughnuts

These doughnuts are baked, not fried, so obviously this recipe from Love and Lemons is healthy(-ish).

Image: Love and Lemons

Vegan Double Chocolate Pudding

This sweet recipe from Fo Reals Life uses silken tofu as a main ingredient, so you can get your protein and healthy cocoa powder at once. Top it with fruit for even more deliciousness (and vitamins)!

Image: Fo Reals Life

Cocoa Pasta with Butternut Squash and Ricotta

Who said cocoa dishes can’t be savory? A Cozy Kitchen has a great homemade cocoa pasta recipe that’s good with a variety of sauces and toppings.

Image: A Cozy Kitchen

Microwave Cocoa Cupcake

If you need your cocoa fix in under five minutes, this quick treat by Domestic Fits is the perfect solution.

Image: Domestic Fits

Chocolate Buttermilk Biscuits

Many see biscuits as a base for savory foods, like fried chicken and eggs, but they’re also an underrated dessert item! Try A Cozy Kitchen’s biscuit recipe with fruit and whipped cream.

Image: A Cozy Kitchen

Peanut Butter and Banana Chocolate Milk

This is probably the best chocolate milk recipe out there — fruity, salty, sweet — it has everything! And don’t take Simply Scratch’s suggestion for a “heaping” tablespoon of cocoa lightly; healthy benefits, remember?

Image: Simply Scratch

Spicy Cocoa Dusted Kabucha

Enjoy your veggies with some chocolate in this recipe by Leaf Parade. Eat as a side or for an entire meal.

Image: Leaf Parade

Chocolate Covered Strawberries

This vegan recipe from Oh She Glows is basically just a way to make strawberries more healthy.

Image: Angela Liddon

Chocolate Kale Chips

It sounds too good to be true but Healthful Pursuits cocoa dusted kale chips combine two fantastic foods in a tasty way.

Image: Healthful Pursuit

Chocolate Zucchini Cake

The richness of this cake doesn’t come from cream but a green vegetable: zucchini! Thanks to Something Swanky, you can have a seriously healthy and delicious chocolate dessert.

Image: Something Swanky

Whole Wheat Chocolate Cherry Waffles

Almost nothing pairs better with chocolate than cherries. These waffles by Food Doodles are made with whole wheat flour, so they should fill you up for a good part of the day!

Image: Food Doodles

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