Our new nutrition instructor, Kay Kasser of Alive Culinary Coaching, brought the most delicious snacks to our Prenatal Nutrition Class this past Tuesday! Her home-grown veggies and hummus were yummy, but the chocolate treats she made us were the hit of the night! With just three ingredients (almonds, chocolate, and sea salt) these Chocolate Almond Stacks are so easy to make - and a great alternative for those unhealthy sweets you may be craving.
1 cup almonds Almonds promote good brain and heart health, regulate cholesterol and blood pressure , strengthen bones and teeth, improve the immunity system, act as an anti-inflammatory, improve the health of skin and hair, help prevent constipation, and are energy-boosters. An added bonus for women who are pregnant: almonds are a great source of folate (naturally occurring folic acid) which promotes healthy cell growth and tissue formation!
1 cup Enjoy Life dark chocolate chips The Enjoy Life brand offers all sorts of chocolate - all dairy-free, soy-free, nut-free, and gluten-free! This brand can be found at most major grocery stores like Publix, Walmart, and Winn-Dixie. Dark chocolate's major claim to fame is that it is high in antioxidants, which protect the body from cell damage and disease. It also helps lower blood pressure, boosts brain power, and reduces inflammation.
Coarse sea salt Sea Salt improves blood composition, circulation, and pressure, and it also helps the body maintain a healthy balance of electrolytes. It is packed with sodium, though, which means a little goes a long way - especially in this recipe!
Okay - so you have your almonds, your chocolate chips, and your sea salt - now what? First, preheat your oven to 300 degrees. Spread the almonds in a single layer on a baking sheet and roast for no more than 5 minutes. Put the chocolate chips into a bowl and add the hot roasted nuts on top. Gently mix until the chocolate is melted. Drop spoon-fulls onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and sprinkle the salt on top. (This recipe will make about 15 "stacks.") Place in the freezer for 10 minutes to harden, then store in the refrigerator.
See - I told you. Easy. What's not going to be so easy? Keeping them all for yourself!