Yields: Approximately 1 cup
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 2 minutes (for melting)
Ingredients:
- Baking chocolate (unsweetened), chopped – 4 oz
- Cocoa butter, chopped – 1 oz
- Powdered Swerve sweetener (or other powdered erythritol) – 3 tbsp
- Stevia powder – 1/8 tsp (or to taste)
- Vanilla extract – 1/2 tsp
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Ingredients:
- Chop the unsweetened baking chocolate and cocoa butter into small, uniform pieces. This will help them melt evenly and quickly.
2. Melt the Base:
- Create a double boiler: Place a heatproof bowl (glass or metal) over a saucepan filled with 1-2 inches of simmering water. Ensure the bottom of the bowl does not touch the water.
- Add the chopped baking chocolate and cocoa butter to the bowl.
- Stir frequently with a spatula until both are completely melted and the mixture is smooth.
3. Sweeten and Flavor:
- Remove the bowl from the heat. Let it cool for just a minute.
- Important: Whisk in the powdered Swerve and stevia until the sweeteners are fully dissolved and the mixture is smooth. Adding the sweetener off the heat prevents it from crystallizing.
- Whisk in the vanilla extract.
4. Use Immediately or Store:
- For a Dipping Sauce: Use immediately while warm and liquid. Dip strawberries, nuts, or keto cookies.
- For a Magic Shell: Pour the warm chocolate over keto ice cream. It will harden into a crisp shell within minutes due to the cocoa butter.
- For Chocolate Bark: Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spread thinly, and top with sea salt and nuts. Refrigerate until solid, then break into pieces.
5. Storage:
- Store any leftover coating in a sealed jar or container at room temperature. It will solidify.
- To re-use, gently re-melt it using the double boiler method or in short 15-second bursts in the microwave, stirring between each burst.
Why This Recipe Works:
- Cocoa Butter: This is the key to a hard, snappy chocolate shell. It sets firmly at room temperature.
- Combined Sweeteners: Using a blend of Swerve (for bulk) and stevia (for potent sweetness without carbs) creates the perfect sweet taste without graininess.
- Gentle Melting: Using a double boiler prevents the chocolate from burning or seizing.
Enjoy your delicious, low-carb chocolate creation!
