Chocolate Hug Series – Chocolate Sauce

This vegetarian chocolate sauce can easily become a vegan chocolate sauce that is equally rich and delicious. It’s so good on just about anything like dipping strawberries and other fruit into it, as a topping for waffles or pancakes or mixed into coffee for the perfect mocha. I have also eaten this straight up with a spoon, in the kitchen with the fridge door open!

If you poke around you’ll notice that a nice dark chocolate anything is one of my favorite go to comforts. It’s why I have a collection of chocolate recipes called a ‘Chocolate Hug Series’ of some of the best, easiest and most delicious chocolate treats I have found. When ever I feel like I need a little comfort or a pick me up I’ll usually end up in the kitchen putting one of these together.

Dark chocolate, in moderation, offers a range of potential health benefits. Packed with antioxidants like flavonoids and polyphenols, dark chocolate can help combat oxidative stress and inflammation, contributing to improved heart health and reduced risk of heart disease. The flavonoids may enhance brain function and mood, and its lower glycemic index makes it a suitable option for blood sugar regulation. The serotonin and phenylethylamine found in dark chocolate can promote feelings of pleasure and well-being, hence the ‘Chocolate Hug’ feeling! As a bonus, dark chocolate’s skin-friendly antioxidants may contribute to healthier skin by protecting against sun damage and promoting hydration. For the best results, choose dark chocolate with a high cocoa content and minimal added ingredients.

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Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients

• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 cup cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp cornstarch
• 1/2 tsp vanilla
• 1 tbsp butter or coconut oil
• 1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. In a small sauce pan stir sugar, salt, cocoa and cornstarch together. Add water and turn heat to medium and stir ingredients until combined with a whisk.

2. Stir until mixture thickens slightly and starts to gently simmer. Add vanilla and butter or coconut oil and stir until melted.

3. Turn off the heat, add chocolate chips and stir until it is completely melted.

4. Let cool then transfer to a jar or container. Store in the refrigerator, the chocolate sauce will thicken as it cools.

Waffles with strawberries, whip cream and chocolate sauce

Spoon this chocolate sauce over hot waffles with sliced strawberries, and whip cream for an extra special breakfast treat. We even tried a version made with basil whip cream and topped the waffles with chopped basil. It was pretty with the red and green and the herbal basil added a nice depth of flavor to the whip cream.