Apart from the myriad of delicious delights cacao powder is responsible for and not forgetting the “chocolate mousse torte” recipe I am going to share today. Here are just some of the health benefits of cacao powder and the reasons why you can happily indulge in this once perceived decadent food.

Cacao Powder is one of the highest antioxidant rich foods available naturally.

Our cells need antioxidants to stay healthy and fend off free radicals that cause disease. We need as many antioxidants as we can get.

Cacao powder is rich in magnesium, iron, copper, manganese and many more micronutrients necessary for good health.

Cacao powder contains flavonoids such as epicatechin that has been linked to heart health and may provide benefits to vascular function and blood pressure levels.

Cacao powder is a “mood elevator” due to its high levels of serotonin. There is no need to go any further!! Let’s get into our Hot chocolates and other chocolate treats so we truly can be Healthy and Happy.

Chocolate Mousse Torte

Ingredients for base:

2 cups almond meal
½ cup organic cacao powder
1/3 cup lucuma powder
1 Tbsp maqui berry powder
½ cup melted coconut oil

Ingredients for the mousse filling:

2 ripe avocados,
1/3 cup maple syrup
1/3 cup cacao powder
1 Tbsp maqui berry powder
½ tsp vanilla paste or vanilla extract
¾ cup coconut cream
Blueberries to garnish

Method:

For the base, Combine the almond meal, cacao, lucuma and maqui berry powders with the melted coconut oil in a bowl. Press the mixture firmly into the base of a 20cm flan tin. If the tin does not have a removable base then line the tin with baking paper. Chill base for 1 hour or until set firm in the fridge or freezer.

For the filling:

Place the avocado, maple syrup, vanilla, cacao and maqui berry powders in a blender with the coconut cream and blitz until the consistency is smooth and well blended. Spoon the mousse onto the chilled base, and place in fridge for 30mins until the mousse sets. When ready to serve, remove from tin and place a generous amount of blueberries on top.

This chocolate mousse torte is so quick to make and really does hit the spot!!