Protein Chocolate Treats: 3 Valentine's Day Recipes

Is your significant other is a muscle-building, macro-counting, protein-loving beast (or beastess)? If the answer is yes, then a box of protein chocolates might just be the ticket to his or her heart!

Protein chocolates are fantastic because they're high in antioxidants, rich in fiber, and completely sugar-free. Also, did I mention they're delicious? Giving your loved one homemade protein chocolates in a homemade box is a great way to show him or her how much you care! I guarantee you'll be well rewarded for your hard work (wink)!

Be warned: Once your better half knows you know how to make them, you'll turn into a personal protein-chocolate-making factory! Don't have a fitness-bunny honey? Who cares! Make these and eat them yourself. They're so good you'll be glad you don't have to share. Here's how they're done:

• 1/4 cup strawberry whey protein powder
• 1/4 cup ground almonds
• 1/8 cup coconut flour
• 1/4 cup ground oats
• 1/2 cup milk (or cartoned coconut milk or almond milk)
• 5 (50g) squares of 90% cocoa dark chocolate

1. In a big bowl, mix protein powder, ground almonds, coconut flour, oats, and milk.
2. Melt 2.5 squares of chocolate and divide it between 10 or 11 chocolate molds. If you don't have chocolate molds, just use cupcake-tin liners. Move the chocolate around the edges of the mold or liner so it covers the sides and doesn't pile up at the bottom.
3. Put the molds in the freezer for 20 minutes.
4. Remove the molds from the freezer. The chocolate should have set on the bottom and sides of the mold, creating a chocolate case.
5. Fill each mold with the protein mixture.
6. Once you fill each mold, melt another 2.5 squares of dark chocolate and cover up the filling.
7. Stick the chocolates back in the freezer for 20 minutes.
8. Remove chocolates from casings and enjoy!

• 1/8 cup chocolate casein protein powder
• 1/8 cup chocolate hemp protein powder (or more casein)
• 1 tsbp 100% cocoa powder
• 1 tbsp hulled hemp seeds (or ground almonds)
• 1 tsbp coconut flour
• 1/4 cup milk (any milk will do, or even water; I used cartoned coconut milk)
• 4 squares (40 grams) of 90% cocoa dark chocolate

1. Melt two squares of chocolate.
2. Once melted, divide the chocolate into 4 paper cupcake-tin liners. Use the chocolate to coat bottom and walls of the liners.
3. Put liners in freezer for 20 minutes.
4. For filling, mix together protein powders, cocoa powder, hemp seeds, coconut flour, and milk.
5. Remove liners from freezer and fill them with protein filling.
6. Melt the other two squares of chocolate and pour the melted chocolate on top of the filling.
7. Put chocolates back into freezer for 20 minutes.
8. Eat up!

Optional Additions

Be creative! Add some brandy if you want to make boozy chocolates, or some chili powder for that extra spicy oomph. Throw in some peanut butter, add cocoa nibs, or try using sunflower seeds. You can also try adding orange peel, dried coconut, or make vanilla filling by using vanilla casein and adding cinnamon. Unflavored casein blended with dates is another great-tasting option. These will be your signature chocolates, so go crazy!

• 1/4 cup dried mulberries or dates
• 1/4 cup whey protein powder (vanilla or chocolate)
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/8 cup oats (or casein)
• 1 tbsp coconut flour
• 3 squares (30 grams) 100% cocoa dark chocolate.

1. Mix together mulberries, protein powder, water, oats, and coconut flour and roll into 8 balls.
2. Melt chocolate.
3. Dip each ball into melted chocolate until completely covered.
4. Top each truffle with cocoa or coconut and put them in the freezer for 30 minutes.
5. When the chocolate hardens, you're done!
6. Share with your sweetheart.