Sweet potato bars with chocolate ganache
Today I am reporting back with an early, delicious Christmas gift for lovers of healthy desserts. Who’s up for a Christmas treat that will not make you put on extra pounds?
After a few days of trial and error, here I have the winning version of Sweet potato chocolate bars with the humble sweet potato as the guest star!!!! Yes, you heard me right. It’s great to take advantage of the natural sweetness of this nutritious root vegetable. Its creaminess also makes the sweet potato a healthy ingredient.
My Sweet potato chocolate bars are a big hit with my neighbors! And the good thing is that no one could guess what the orange part of the chocolate bars was.
What’s the story behind these Sweet potato chocolate bars?
As I have told you before, years ago, I committed to a healthy lifestyle to get through menopause well and heal my anxiety and endometriosis. Since then, I have created guilt-free desserts to satisfy my sweet tooth healthily.
The hardest part of my journey to healthy living has been giving up unhealthy sweets.
Who in the world does not love sweets? Life would be so dull without them.
I have had a sweet tooth for as long as I can remember.
We all know how difficult it is to eat healthy at Christmas because it’s the season of indulgence. But it’s not hard to manage this wonderful time of year when we have recipes that nourish our bodies.
This recipe for Sweet potato chocolate bars could be the one on your table to impress your guests.
What ingredients do these Sweet potato chocolate bars contain?
These Sweet potato chocolate bars are creamy, nutritious, and full of Christmas flavors.
Every time I create a healthy treat, I focus on adding value to my health by using ingredients that nourish my body. After all, “food is medicine,” right?
Ingredients:
Two medium sweet potatoes
Two tablespoons of raw organic cacao.
A handful of almonds (about 40 grams)
One tablespoon of maple syrup
2 Tablespoons melted cacao butter.
The cacao butter is extracted from the cacao beans, and I use it to add flavor and aroma to the sweet potato filling.
1 Tablespoon melted coconut oil. I use coconut oil to bind the sweet potato filling.
2 Tablespoons desiccated coconut. I love them for their tropical taste and smell and because they help the sweet potato filling firm up.
½ teaspoon cinnamon or a bit more if you like.
1/4 teaspoon turmeric for a spicy touch
Lemon zest from two organic lemons (or orange zest)
Pinch of salt
Note: Use organic or untreated lemons to keep the zest edible.
Let us take a look at the main ingredients:
Sweet potatoes are a healthy source of carbohydrates, full of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and other nutrients, with powerful anti-inflammatory properties.
Both magnesium and potassium are essential for keeping high blood pressure in check.
Sweet potatoes contain a lot of vitamin A, which is good for our eyesight.
You may not believe it, but studies show that sweet potatoes promote weight loss due to their fiber content, which provides a feeling of fullness.
Raw cacao is a powerful superfood rich in flavonoids, which can reduce inflammation in the body. Cacao is also a natural and healthy way to get a rush of happiness, as it is an excellent source of compounds responsible for happiness and well-being. Did you know that cacao contains 20 times more antioxidants than berries? I chose raw organic cacao powder to avoid all the toxic pesticides and chemicals used in non-organic cacao plantations.
Almonds are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that supports immune function and fights off infections. Eating almonds can help boost immunity. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble antioxidant that also does wonders for the skin. Instead of almonds, you can use whatever nuts you like best for this recipe.
Cinnamon is rich in antioxidants, lowering the risk of diseases like cancer, diabetes, and heart disease. It is also rich in manganese, which contributes to bone health.
Try to use Ceylon cinnamon whenever you can, as it is better quality and much safer.
Curcumin in turmeric has many scientifically-backed health benefits: It relieves pain and inflammation, boosts the immune system, helps detoxify the liver, etc. I love turmeric and put it in almost everything, from my morning coffee to delicious dishes and desserts.
Ingredients for the chocolate ganache:
80 grams of chocolate with 70% cacao content
80 grams of almond milk or cow’s milk
One teaspoon of solid coconut oil
Equipment you need to make these Sweet potato chocolate bars.
Hand blender
A small rectangular or square mold. I used a rectangular mold: 9 inches long, 6 inches wide, and 2 inches deep.
How to make these Sweet potato chocolate bars?
Makes – 15 servings.
These Sweet potato chocolate bars are easy to make, and it takes less than 15 minutes to combine all the ingredients.
Note: They need to be made a day in advance to allow all the flavors to combine.
The first thing is to soak the almonds for at least 4 hours. This step is optional.
Since I do not digest everything nuts due to my gallbladder condition, I prefer to soak them as this aids in digestion.
If you choose to soak the almonds, please follow the steps:
Drain and rinse the almonds.
Coarsely chop the almonds.
Put them in a heated pan and toast them, stirring, until they are golden.
Let them cool.
Step 1
Preheat the oven to 392 Fahrenheit (200 degrees Celsius).
Bake the sweet potatoes until soft. It will take 30 to 40 minutes.
When they are baked, they release all the natural sugars.
Step 2
Peel the sweet potatoes.
Step 3
Put all the ingredients in a bowl and blend with a hand blender until you get a creamy consistency.
Assemble the Sweet potato chocolate bars
Grease the baking tray with a bit of coconut oil. It will make it easier to release the chocolate bars.
Spread the sweet potato filling evenly on the tray.
Spoon the sifted cocoa powder evenly over them
Sprinkle evenly with the chopped almonds
Place the tray in a cool place while we prepare the ganache.
Pour the chocolate ganache over the sweet potato filling.
Garnish the Sweet Potatoes chocolate bars with some shredded coconut or coconut flakes.
Place the Sweet potato chocolate bars in the fridge overnight.
How to make the chocolate ganache?
Usually, heavy cream is used for chocolate ganache, but I prefer milk.
Tip for a silky ganache:
The secret to a smooth and silky ganache is a 1:1 ratio of chocolate to milk. My recipe calls for 80 grams of chocolate and 80 grams of milk!!!! We use the same unit for chocolate and milk.
If this is your first time making a ganache, you do not need anything fancy. It’s a three-ingredient recipe:
Chocolate, milk, and a stick of butter or coconut oil.
Here are the steps you need to follow:
Crush the chocolate with your hands and put it in a bowl.
Pour the hot milk over it and let it sit for 3 minutes.
Stir with a clean spoon until the chocolate is completely melted.
Add the teaspoon of coconut oil and stir until it is completely dissolved. It will give our chocolate ganache a nice sheen.
Let it sit in a cool place for about 1 hour.
Serving Tip:
- Let the Sweet potato chocolate bars sit out of the fridge for 30 minutes before serving.
This dessert is so refreshing, nutritious, and filling. It will keep in the refrigerator for at least four days.
Note: These Sweet potato chocolate bars are a delicious homemade edible gift for Christmas.
If you recreate this recipe, let me know by sharing your pictures on Instagram and tagging them with the hashtag #healthywomanstyle.
Until next time, take it easy and enjoy the holidays to the fullest.
Wishing you all the best,
Gabby
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