When you are craving chocolate but also want a healthy snack or dessert, Chocolate Dipped Summer Fruit is just the recipe you need. It takes a quick five minutes to make, and is a fun snack for the kids or simple yet elegant dessert for a dinner party.
Summertime is the best fruit season in my humble chef opinion. Everything from berries & figs to peaches & apricots are in peak season. And don’t even get me started on cherries! Either the dark red ones or the beautiful two-tone rainier cherries, both are equally delish.
Ingredients ready to dip
With this recipe you simply pick your favorite seasonal fruit, melt some chocolate, then dip in whatever topping(s) you like.
For the melted chocolate you just give a quick chop to your favorite dark chocolate bar, melt, and you’re ready to dip. You can melt it in a double boiler (which is just a bowl over a saucepan of simmering water). Or you can give it a quick melt in the microwave. I recommend the double boiler, if you have the extra time.
My go-to brands of dark chocolate are Theo (I like the vegan 70% dark) and Hu Kitchen, both of which are available at Whole Foods at most health food stores and Amazon.
TIP: crush roasted nuts for easier dipping
Regardless of the brand you choose, I always recommend a few guidelines…
Dark chocolate buying tips:
- go with 70% or higher cacao to get the beneficial antioxidants found in dark chocolate
- get a bar with as few ingredients as possible
- find a bar (or chocolate chips) without soy lecithin, without dairy and without preservatives
- find a bar with the first ingredient as cocoa beans or cacao, not sugar etc.
- finally, always use dark chocolate that tastes good out of hand, that will make the final dessert taste best!
Cherries are in season in the summer
TIP: create a “fruit bar” for your kids or dinner party guests with various fruit and toppings and let everyone make their own chocolate dipped fruit
Which fruit is best for dipping? Really any fruit you like, but some of my favorites in the summer months are:
- figs
- kiwi
- cherries
- apricots
- peaches
- nectarines
- strawberries
In the winter go with apples and pears or even clementines. And year round you can dip bananas!
Switch up the fruit according to season
When it comes to the toppings, it’s really up to your preference. Various nuts, coconut, and even some seeds are delish.
Here are some of my favorites:
- coconut
- pistachios
- almonds
- walnuts
- pecans
- hemp seeds
- sesame seeds
- cacao nibs
- crushed freeze-dried berries such as these
Rainier cherries have a more delicate flavor than bing
Be sure to tag me on Instagram or comment below if you make this recipe. I love seeing what you whip up in the kitchen!
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Like this chocolate? Don’t miss these…
Super Star Crunch (vegan, GF)
Stuffed Dates (vegan, GF)
Prep Time | 5 minutes |
Cook Time | 1 minutes |
Servings |
servings
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- 1/2 cup chopped dark chocolate see blog post for my favorite brands!
- 1/2 cup toppings such as shredded coconut or crushed toasted nuts or seeds
- fresh fruit such as figs, cherries, banana etc.
Ingredients
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- melt chopped chocolate in a double boiler (or in the microwave for 45-60 seconds)
- wash and dry fruit; dip whole cherries, dip halved figs and/or halved bananas
- roll dipped fruit in topping(s) of choice and serve right away
Original recipe created by Jerran Boyer
www.healthnutchefs.com