Healthy Chocolate Sauce

Things have been very savory on ye ol’ blog lately. I can’t even remember the last time I posted a sweet recipe!

Please accept this as a token of apology.

Choc sauce 4

I was thinking about a chocolate sundae ALL morning yesterday.

Usually after teaching Zumba, my thought process looks something like the following:

-That was SOOOOOO FUN!!!!!!!!

-Ew, I need a shower

-What’s for lunch?

Today:

-Waffle cone. Waffle cone. Waffle cone.

I just don’t know what came over me- I’m not even an ice cream person (but give me cake and frosting any day).

I had visions of coming home for lunch break, making a homemade waffle bowl, filling it will ice cream and drizzling chocolate sauce on top. That’s what dreams are made of, friends.

Well, things changed a little.

I had to stay at work for a mandatory training (thinking about the waffle cone the whole time) and when the time came, I didn’t made the actual bowl….

I just heated up a waffle.

Waffles

But I did make the chocolate sauce!

Choc sauce

Would you believe that it’s fruit-based?

A good friend of mine said she had the best chocolate sauce at a restaurant and that it was entirely fruit-based. Of course, I had to try and create my own version. For the most part, I’ll usually use a mixture of cocoa powder and maple syrup as a healthy chocolate sauce option. The flavor of this fruit-based sauce isn’t quite as overwhelmingly sweet and has a deeper, richer chocolate flavor.

I think I’ll drizzle it on everything.

That would be a little weird, but I’m also the girl who had leftover quinoa stuffing with a tamale for lunch +  coffee to wash it down.

Photo

So there ya go.

Fruit-based Healthy Chocolate Sauce

Ingredients

-1 C frozen organic cherries (defrosted in the microwave for 1 minute- save the juice from defrosting)

-1/4 C cocoa powder

-1/8 C water

-1 medjool date

-splash of vanilla

-1 T coconut oil

-6 drops liquid Stevia

Choc sauce 5

1. Blend the cocoa powder, cherries, water, date and vanilla in a high-speed blender until smooth.

2. Add the coconut oil and Stevia, blend well.

3. That’s it! A perfect healthy topping for desserts… or alone.

I hope you enjoy it as much as I did! With a waffle on the bottom and Trader Joe’s ice cream, it’s pretty much legendary.

Choc sauce 3

Are you a cake person, or an ice cream person? Or both? 😉

New on the Family page: Oliv is 10 months old!

Post Navigation:

58 Comments

  1. Ashley @ My Food 'N' Fitness Diaries on November 15, 2012 at 10:13 am

    Yummm! I’m definitely an ice cream person, but I’ll never deny some yummy buttercream frosted cake either. 😉

  2. Abby @ Change of Pace on November 15, 2012 at 10:14 am

    Oh my- that’s making me drool on my keyboard. Love that it’s homemade vegan chocolate sauce!
    I’ll be thinking about this and waffle cones now until I get home 🙂
    I’m more of a cake person, but on holidays it’s ice cream all the way.

  3. Amanda on November 15, 2012 at 10:15 am

    Cheesecake and regular cake are up there. If its chocolate, I’d probably eat it…the exception is ice cream cake which I think is icky.

  4. Jenny on November 15, 2012 at 10:30 am

    That chocolate sauce looks incredible! Topped on banana frozen ice cream, and it’s pretty much a fruit salad 🙂 I am making today!

  5. Maria @ lift love life on November 15, 2012 at 10:40 am

    Omg this sounds amazing! And just what I’ve been craving too 😉

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:28 pm

      i hope you love it 🙂

  6. Amanda on November 15, 2012 at 10:56 am

    I’m more of a toppings person – chocolate sauce (no ice cream), frosting (no cake). Cake friends always like sharing with me because I’ll eat the frosting and they eat the cake!

  7. Sarah @ Yogi in Action on November 15, 2012 at 10:57 am

    Can I be both an ice cream AND cake person? I love me my sweets!

    …and now I want a chocolate sundae in a waffle cone! Looks delicious!

  8. Hayley @ Running on Pumpkin on November 15, 2012 at 11:02 am

    Okay so now I want an ice cream sundae and it’s only 8:00 AM! This sauce looks amazing. I can’t decide between cake and ice cream because I love them both so much. I think I’d have to say a slice of cake with ice cream on the side.

  9. Stellina @ My Yogurt Addiction on November 15, 2012 at 11:12 am

    I’m a frozen yogurt person! But ice cream is a close 2nd, followed by cake….haha

  10. Mallory on November 15, 2012 at 11:20 am

    I wish I was an icecream person but I’m lactose intolerant and I live in a tiny town where finding lactose free options is impossible so by default I’m a cake person!

  11. Beverly Aragon on November 15, 2012 at 11:27 am

    I’m a buttercream frosting (the cake is totally unnecessary!) and a gelato kind of girl. 🙂

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:26 pm

      agreed- the cake is just an accessory

  12. Amanda @ .running with spoons. on November 15, 2012 at 11:33 am

    Waffles, ice cream, and chocolate? I would have died and gone to heaven. When it comes to dessert, I really don’t discriminate. I’m good with cake and I’m good with ice cream… and I’m even better with cake AND ice cream 😀

  13. Cassidie Sheets on November 15, 2012 at 11:59 am

    I love this! Such a good alternative for an impromtu DQ Craving.

  14. Danielle@cleanfoodcreativefitness on November 15, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    This sounds amazing! I love chocolate so this is a great way to sneak in some fruit along with my chocolate consumption. Genius!

  15. Averie @ Averie Cooks on November 15, 2012 at 1:00 pm

    Cherries and chocolate is an awesome combo but would have never thought to use them as the key component to the sauce itself – and with medjools. Swoon!

  16. Amy on November 15, 2012 at 1:05 pm

    Strangely I’m not a cake or ice cream person! But I usually can’t resist freshly baked chocolate chip cookies…

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:25 pm

      we can still be friends then haha 😉

  17. Steph @ Steph Stays Slim on November 15, 2012 at 1:36 pm

    Yummy!! That looks so good!! I still haven’t experimented with Stevia or Coconut oil though…I’ll have to give it a try soon.

  18. Michelle on November 15, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I’m 100% a cake girl!! That chocolate sauce looks awesome!

  19. Ana on November 15, 2012 at 1:56 pm

    I am 100% ice cream and chocolate person! Ice cream is my favorite treat, my favorite dessert, especially chocolate ice cream, or vanilla, with chocolate sauce 🙂
    Love you chocolate sauce idea and will make this for sure!
    Ana

  20. NYC Fit GIrl on November 15, 2012 at 2:04 pm

    I am such a cake person! I literally think I could eat cake everyday!

  21. Colleen on November 15, 2012 at 2:16 pm

    Not gonna lie, I left the cherries frozen, made a batch of this and ate it straight. With chocolate chips on top.

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      i like this a lot 🙂

  22. Kristi @ lifesprinkles.com on November 15, 2012 at 2:19 pm

    Never would have thought of cherries as a base for chocolate sauce – looks delicious! I never liked cake until about 3 or 4 years ago and now I’m obsessed! Of course my ideal indulgence would include both 🙂

  23. Britta on November 15, 2012 at 2:22 pm

    Ok, now I really really really want that!! Ugh, looks so good and I cant believe its made with cherries! YUM! as a side note – I absolutely love Van’s Waffles! They are amazing!

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      me too- so good!

  24. Kelsey on November 15, 2012 at 2:24 pm

    I cannot wait to try this recipe !

    I wonder if it would work with a frozen berry mixture (raspberry, blueberry, blackberry). I will try it !

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:24 pm

      the only prob i can see would be with the seeds. let me know how you like it!

  25. Lindsey on November 15, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    Ice cream for sure! I am not a huge cake person.

  26. Soniathe Mexigarian on November 15, 2012 at 2:39 pm

    now I want a sweet tamale covered in chocolate sauce. mmmm…. can’t wait until december when we make them.

  27. Liz @ Southern Charm on November 15, 2012 at 3:33 pm

    I’m more of a cake kind of gal … minus the cake. Haha. I’m a HUGE icing addict 😉

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      same!!! i like the cupcakes to have an equal frosting to cake ratio. or just eat the frosting off 😉

  28. Shelby on November 15, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    I’m definitely a cake girl. Man that ice cream and chocolate sauce look gooooood tho!

  29. Anna @ The Guiltless Life on November 15, 2012 at 5:18 pm

    That sounds phenomenal – does it taste like cherries though? Shocking, I know, but I’m not a huge cherry chocolate fan…otherwise it sounds great!

    • Fitnessista on November 15, 2012 at 5:23 pm

      you can’t really taste the cherries- it just tastes like chocolate sauce

  30. Tina on November 15, 2012 at 5:31 pm

    I’m definietly a cake person! I love your chocolate sauce, I’m going to give it a try this weekend 🙂

  31. Gaye on November 15, 2012 at 5:43 pm

    I just finished dinner and I so wish I had the ingredients to make this right now. 🙂 I saw that you’re a military wife. Me too. Well, I was for 26 years. My husband is retired now. Enjoy your travels. So many fun friends in so many great locations. I miss it.

  32. Rachel Boller - Busy Mama on November 15, 2012 at 6:39 pm

    Yuuuuummmm!!!! Definitely giving that a shot! and I love the idea of just using a waffle instead of the waffle cone!

  33. Bek @ Crave on November 15, 2012 at 7:33 pm

    I am most definitely an ice-cream person over cake! even though I’ve eaten neither for over a month- crazy right?! Your chocolate sauce looks awesome and I love that it’s fruit based! Saving it now 🙂

  34. JBecca on November 15, 2012 at 7:49 pm

    Yum! That looks so good!

    I’m totally a cake w/ lots of buttercream frosting person, but I won’t pass up a scoop of Trader Joe’s ice cream. So. good.

  35. Kiran @ KiranTarun.com on November 15, 2012 at 8:57 pm

    Oh my gosh!! This chocolate sauce looks so decadent and delish!! I’m craving for waffles and chocolate for dinner now. Yikes!

  36. Naomi on November 15, 2012 at 9:14 pm

    YUM! I am definitely an ice cream person, and that sauce looks awesome!

  37. Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin on November 15, 2012 at 9:21 pm

    This is such an awesome idea! I’m definitely an ice cream person – especially if it’s good quality vanilla ice cream topped with warm chocolate sauce. 😉

  38. Caitlin on November 15, 2012 at 9:33 pm

    OMG…I can’t wait to make this! Also, I did one of your bridal bootcamp workouts today…I’m not a bride or even close to one hahaha but it was an incredible workout, especially with some tabata thrown in! Thanks Gina!

  39. Erin @ Girl Gone Veggie on November 15, 2012 at 11:12 pm

    Omg this sounds awesome! I love the idea of using cherries as a base for chocolate sauce, theyre so naturally sweet!

  40. K on November 16, 2012 at 8:28 am

    I dont get it… why not just eat a real waffle sundae if thats what you really want? It doesnt have to be huge but a little goes a long away. oh i forgot… its your omg dairy and gluetn allergy! try talking to people with REAL allergies…

    • Fitnessista on November 16, 2012 at 9:59 am

      i’m pretty sure that is a “real” waffle sundae- that’s exactly what i had in mind, so i made it, ate it, enjoyed it.
      take a deep breath.

    • The Delicate Place (@misathemeb) on November 17, 2012 at 3:13 pm

      i feel ya K, it sucks being a celiac especially in social situations. sometimes, i just get so sick of fruit sorbet being my only option. i guess you struck a nerve here since you got quite the passive aggressive response… but i agree, this is no waffle cone. if i could eat one without being out of commission for 2 days, i totally would!

    • Sarah on November 19, 2012 at 1:59 pm

      I agree with this. I exercise and try to eat healthy, but if I’m craving something “unhealthy,” I’ll eat it. For example, the other day, I went to a locally owned burger place and spotted milkshakes on the menu. I haven’t had a milkshake in ages, but once I saw the pictures, I decided to get a small one. It was delicious and I supported a local business! Point being, Gina…it’s really OK to have small portions of unhealthy food if you’re craving it.

      Re: allergies. Ever since my gallbladder and pancreatitis surgery, I’ve had an intolerance to chocolate. It’s real and it’s miserable.

      (And don’t be picturing me as the stereotypical gallbladder patient. I run, do yoga, and eat right most of the time.)

      • Fitnessista on November 19, 2012 at 3:01 pm

        I think the point that was missed was that I made exactly what I had in my mind, minus the homemade waffles because I didn’t have a lot of time.
        I made the chocolate sauce because we were out and I’ve been wanting to experiment with that recipe.
        I post maybe 10% of my eats on the blog. The stuff that isn’t posted is mostly healthy stuff, but also a satisfying amount of fried sweet potato fries, chocolate and treats.

  41. K on November 16, 2012 at 10:30 am

    Personally, I dont consider a “gluten/wheat free” frozen toaster waffle with some kind of weird fruit based sauce with stevia a real sundae but whatever floats your boat. Its your restrictive food world not mine.

    • Fitnessista on November 16, 2012 at 10:42 am

      hope your day gets better.

  42. Jessica on November 16, 2012 at 11:26 am

    This would be even healthier with banana froyo- frozen bananas whipped up in the vitamix. Have you tried it? I bet Olivia would love it!

    • Fitnessista on November 16, 2012 at 11:47 am

      yep, love banana froyo 🙂

  43. Pam on November 16, 2012 at 9:30 pm

    I love this recipe! My healthy chocolate sauce/pudding recipe is made with avocado, but that’s hard to come by depending on the season.
    This one looks amazing, can’t wait to make it!!

  44. Lisa @ Fresh Spinach on November 17, 2012 at 2:18 am

    That strawberry Trader Joes coconut ice cream is to DIE for! I like to take a couple bites and then throw it back in the freezer, so the little container lasts me a long time. It’s one of the few desserts I can have at home that my husband won’t eat while I’m gone.

Leave a Comment





This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.