Gluten Free Sunflower Chocolate Squares Recipe
I am often asked why it is I don’t weigh 500 pounds. Want me to let you in on my secret?
You may have noticed there are a lot of desserts on this blog and I even wrote a gluten-free dessert book with 150 recipes. Well my friend therein lies my secret – I do not believe in feeling deprived.
For the most part – I would venture to say about 85% of the time – I eat a healthy diet; lots of vegetables and fruits, flax and other seeds, organic protein and tons of salads. My normal diet does not include a lot in the way of processed foods. And as much as I hate the thought of it, I do exercise.
And I definitely eat desserts; rich, sumptuous and often chocolaty desserts. I find that if I have a few bites of something truly satisfying, it helps me not over indulge. And let’s face it; a sliced apple just does not have the same satisfaction factor as something decadently chocolate!
If I gain a few pounds I will cut back a bit on the fat and calories I consume and maybe up the exercise a little as well. One trick is to catch it quickly, five pounds is a lot easier to loose than 10. My other trick is to eat a simpler, more basic diet – lemon juice instead of sauce for fish and chicken, salsa instead of sour cream for baked potatoes and lots less dressing on my salads. But then I run the risk of feeling deprived which is something that just does not work for me. The more deprived I feel, the more I want to eat!
Having a few bites of something that makes me feel indulged rather than deprived helps me stick to a simpler eating plan. These Gluten Free Sunflower Chocolate Squares are rich, chocolaty and definitely indulgent! With dark chocolate, heavy cream and Sunbutter, these squares are so decadent and luxurious that a just a small square is all it takes to satisfy my sweet tooth and keep me on track and thus keep me from weighing 500 pounds.
So there you go – isn’t this the BEST diet tip you ever got?
Gluten Free Sunflower Chocolate Squares Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 (11.5 ounce bag) bittersweet chocolate chips
- ½ cup creamy Sunbutter
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- ¾ cup whole milk
- ¼ teaspoon kosher or fine sea salt
- 1 cup heavy cream
- Optional garnishes – shaved dark or white chocolate – roasted and salted sunflower seeds
Instructions
- Put the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and melt in the microwave for 2 – 3 minutes on high power, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Alternatively you can melt the chocolate in a heatproof pan over a pan of simmering water making sure the bottom of the pan does not touch the water. Put the melted chocolate in the bowl of a stand mixer along with the Sunbutter and vanilla.
- Bring the milk and salt to a boil and add half of the milk to the chocolate and Sunbutter. Blend on low speed to combine. Add the remaining milk and blend until smooth on low speed. Increase the speed to high and whip for 5 minutes or until the mixture has cooled.
- In a clean bowl with clean beaters, whip the cream until stiff peaks form. Take about a quarter of the cream and mix with the chocolate Sunbutter mixture. Fold in the remaining cream until no longer streaky. Scrape the mixture into an 8 inch square baking pan and refrigerate for 4 hours. Garnish with optional garnishes if desired.
- Cut into small gluten free chocolate squares and serve.
Nutrition
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So true, it’s best to have a tiny bit of lusciousness now and then, rather than suddenly snapping and inhaling a lot of less quality yumminess.
oh me, oh my! these look delicious! We don’t have Sunbutter over here in Oz, do you know what I could substitute instead?
I sent you an email but in case anyone else wants to know – if you can’t get Sunbutter then sub either peanut butter or really any type of nut or seed butter you prefer, just make sure it is creamy.
Absolutely gorgeous dessert, Carol! I’d be thrilled to have this as an indulgence. :-)
Shirley
Yes! This attitude towards food is also a major factor in the so-called “French paradox” – how the French, despite eating foods that Americans generally consider unhealthy, have better health overall. For one thing, they have no guilt about enjoying delicious, well-made foods – and the resulting pleasure contributes immeasurably to satisfaction.
It’s a primal instinct to eat more after being deprived. So it’s important to cook with flavors and good fats so that we feel satisfied and don’t inhale the contents of the refrigerator after eating iceburg lettuce and lemon juice for dinner! Deprivation diets don’t work. Eating well-rounded, healthy foods that are delicious is the key. And a little chocolate goes a long way!
I know what you mean, Carol – I sometimes wonder why I don’t weigh 500lbs myself! And those chocolate squares do look glorious…
what is sunbutter?
Sunbutter is a nut free peanut butter alternative – it is available in the U.S. in grocery stores, health food stores, Target and such. It is great for people who have nut allergies but we also just love the flavor.
Wow this looks amazing. Perfect for my chocolate cravings. I hope it works with coconut milk! Love the new site, it’s amazing. Thank you for sharing my blog badge too!
Beautiful and delicious too! I love the plate contrasting with the gorgeous square of chocolate. Yum!
-Sea
Jas, Sunbutter is sunflower seed butter and it’s very similar to a creamy peanut butter, just more allergy-friendly!
Carol – I just discovered your blog. Love it! It’s beautiful, fresh, and has lots of chocolate in it! haha! Thanks!
I totally agree with you. Totally giving up sweets makes us crave them all the more. The best way is to indulge…just a little bit, like with your absolutely decadent GF Sunflower Chocolate squares! I will be adding this one to my favorites box!
Thanks,
Angie Halten.
Love your dieting philosophy! It totally makes sense. I’ve tried to adapt the same concept in my life. I think this recipe is the perfect example of good healthy indulgences! I can’t wait to try it :)
These look divine and nourishing too! My philosophy is to cut out anything that stresses my pancreas and liver if I find that I’m gaining weight. That means, grains, alcohol, sugar and fruit. I never cut down on fat as this is one of the essential nutrients for the body. I’ll have a few crisp walnuts sandwiched with a spoonful of coconut oil or a bowl of buttered peas if I don’t feel satisfied and I find that it keeps sugar cravings at bay.
Interesting how we all function differently isn’t it? I think your tip is the fantastic – don’t deprive yourself of anything – just make sure that what you indulge in is real food.
x x x
Carol,
This is such a good post for a variety of reasons. You’re right on with your diet tips! From focusing on fresh food to taking a few bites of the decadent desserts to losing 5 pounds is much easier than 10. It’s practical information and so important not to feel deprived. Excellent!
Now, on to this dessert. Wow! What a gorgeous photo. Before I even ventured down here to submit my comment, I printed out the recipe. I’ll definitely be making this for my next dinner party. I also love the idea of making something like this ahead of time, refrigerating it and pulling it out later to serve to guests. Man, you’re really good at this! =)
Melissa
xo
You are so sweet my friend. Enjoy!
Carol, the very description makes me hungry, both my husband & me love chocolate a lot…. & eat a lot too! So many lovely food…. totally confused what to read :)
http://discoverlifestyle.blogspot.com/
Thank you Sasmita!
That DOES look decadent. Yum. X 10.
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I made them! They were easy and delicious. Like a chocolate mousse you can pick up with your fingers (although a fork is a little neater). The sweetness was just perfect!! (not too much) Thanks so much!
Could I use coconut milk and coconut cream or something else in place of the diary?
Kyle,
I think it work work just fine. Just make sure you whip up that coconut cream well as it adds body to the squares. In fact, I think coconut milk and cream would add a lovely dimmension. Let me know if you try it out!
This looks AMAZING!!! Wonderful post as well, I am the same way, and people always ask me how I eat so much and don’t gain weight! The secret is simple :) No deprivation!!