Made from kumquats and dark chocolate, these healthy chocolate “eggs” is the perfect Spring treat. Gluten-Free. Vegan Options.
Full Disclosure: I receive commissions for purchases made through links in this post
Kumquats are a citrus fruit I hold dear to my heart. My favorite thing to do when I was young was take trips to the grocery store with my mom. Whenever I’d see an exotic fruit my mom would humor me and purchase it so I could try it. Kumquats was one of the food adventures I remember most. Not knowing what to do with them, I initially peeled them which is trying even for an adult, so imagine an 8 year old at this task. Frustrated, I popped a partially peeled kumquat in my mouth. It was an explosion of sour followed by a sweet mildness that left a tingling sensation on my tongue and lips. I wanted more. From that trip forward, anytime they were in the store I took them home to savor them.
This recipe came to be when I was talking with Amy, a friend and fellow businesswoman, who asked if I had any special foods planned for Easter. The night before, I had a hankering for something sweet and I popped two chocolate chips in my mouth accompanied by a kumquat. The bitterness of the dark chocolate with the tart and sweetness of the little orange flavor bomb was magical! Amy’s question reminded me of this “flavor moment”. And how fittingly that kumquats are egg-like in shape and their size is a suitable replacement for the chocolate covered candies we see all over this time of year. I’m dedicating this recipe to photographer and friend, Amy. Check her out! Now, on to the good stuff…
Tips for Making Healthy Chocolate “Eggs”
Finding Kumquats. Kumquats are no longer an exotic fruit and I see them in most stores in California. I’ve been purchasing organic kumquats online through Good Eggs and I love their service.
Choosing Chocolate. I use Taza Chocolates Wicked Dark 95% chocolate. It’s organic and stone ground so you get little bits of the cacao nibs. Any chocolate with 80% or higher cacao content will work.
Espresso. I use Equator Coffees Tigerwalk Espresso which has notes of dark chocolate, strawberry, and bright lemon. It’s my favorite espresso, but any espresso will do for the recipe.
Use Completely Dry Kumquats. Ensure that you dry the kumquats well after washing. The chocolate will stick to the rinds better this way. Optionally, you may dust the kumquats in corn starch, arrowroot, or other starch to ensure the chocolate sticks. Toss the kumquats in 1 Tbsp starch and shake off excess before adding to the melted chocolate mixture.
Espresso Substitutes. If you do not have an espresso maker, you may opt to remove the espresso altogether. If you omit the espresso, also omit the butter (makes vegan friendly). However, if you would like to get the espresso taste, feel free to use strong coffee in it’s place. Brew a 10:1 coffee to water ratio, about 5g coffee to 50g water – you will use just a tablespoon of the coffee.
Vegan Option. If omitting the espresso, the recipe will be vegan due to the omission of butter. Furthermore, if you plan to use the espresso, replace the butter with extra virgin coconut oil for a vegan option.
Health Talk
Please take my advice like you do from a friend, not your doctor as I am not a doctor, dietitian or nutritionist. I have a passion for health and cooking and my hope is to bring you information that will encourage a health-filled life.
Healthy chocolate “eggs” contains high amounts of vitamin C and is a good source of iron and fiber. A 4 egg serving offers 18% of your daily value (DV) vitamin C, 13%DV fiber, and 10%DV iron.
Furthermore, dark chocolate offers a range of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants, magnesium, zinc, and fiber, it has been linked to good brain function and may also reduce the risk of heart disease.
Equipment
- wooden spoon
- small sauce pan
- glass or metal bowl fitting the small sauce pan
- wax paper
- espresso machine or coffee brewing equipment
Healthy Chocolate “Eggs” Made with Kumquats
- Prep Time: 10 min
- Cook Time: 5 Min
- Total Time: 15 min
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Gluten Free
Description
Made from kumquats and dark chocolate, these healthy chocolate “eggs” is the perfect Spring treat. Gluten-Free. Vegan Options.
Ingredients
- 1/2 lb kumquats
- 2.5 oz dark chocolate, broken
- 2 Tbsp unsalted butter
- 1/2 espresso shot
- optional: 1 Tbsp corn starch for coating kumquats (helps the chocolate stick)
Instructions
- Wash and dry kumquats. Wait until completely dry. If using corn starch, toss the dry kumquats in 1 Tbsp cornstarch (this helps the chocolate stick to the kumquats since it’s an oily fruit).
- Prepare a plate lined with wax paper.
- In a small sauce pan, bring 1 inch of water to a boil.
- Make 1 espresso shot and set aside (we only use half, so feel free to enjoy!)
- Place 2.5oz chopped dark chocolate into a small metal or tempered glass bowl and place over the boiling water. The water shouldn’t touch the bowl. Stir chocolate constantly until melted and add 2 Tbsp butter, stirring until combined.
- Add half the espresso shot and stir until combined. Remove from heat
- Toss the kumquats into the chocolate mixture to coat. Remove each kumquat individually with a spoon and place on waxed paper.
- Place in the freezer for 30 minutes to set. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.
Notes
Vegan Option. If omitting the espresso, omit the butter as well and the recipe will be vegan due to the omission of butter. Furthermore, if you plan to use the espresso, replace the butter with extra virgin coconut oil for a vegan option.
See main post for a specific list of ingredients used and more tips.
Make it your own and tell me what you create in the comments.
Keywords: healthy dessert, vegan options, dark chocolate, easter, spring, kumquat, dessert, sizdah be-dar,
Resources
For more reading on the health benefits of ingredients in this recipe, check out the sources below:
History.com, History of Chocolate
Healthline, 7 Proven Health Benefits of Dark Chocolate
Organic Facts, 9 Amazing Health Benefits of Kumquats
