8 Delicious Cacao Powder Recipes

By Beth Rush

You’re in the right place if you like chocolate and want to eat healthily. Many tasty recipes use cocoa powder. You probably think of hot cocoa, brownies, and other favorites. Did you know there is a healthier alternative? Here’s a guide to cacao powder and eight delicious recipes you can make with it today. 

(This post includes affiliate links for which I may earn a commission at no extra cost to you should you make a purchase)

What is cacao powder? 

Cacao powder is very similar to your traditional cocoa powder – even the spelling can be easy to mix up. Both powders come from the cacao plant. Growing cacao requires you to be close to the equator. West African countries like Côte d’Ivoire, Cameroon, and Ghana are among the world leaders in its production. In 2022, Côte d’Ivoire grew over 2.1 million metric tons of cacao plants. 

So, how is cacao powder different from cocoa powder? The key is how companies process them. You get cocoa powder from fermenting the beans and then roasting them at a high temperature. 

After roasting, you grind up the beans to get cocoa powder. Cacao powder comes from the same plant, but you don’t roast the beans – you ferment them and process them at a low temperature. When you grind the beans, they have more nutrients than cocoa powder. 

A pile of cacao powder against a white background

What are the health benefits of cacao powder?

Cacao has several associated health benefits. For example, it can help prevent skin cancers by slowing the growth of cancerous cells. It has polyphenols that regulate the cells’ oxygen and proliferation. 

Many people use butter from the cocoa plant for their skin because it aids in elasticity and protection from ultraviolet (UV) rays. Another dermal benefit is that it reduces the appearance of scars on your skin. Cacao powder contains numerous antioxidants that repair skin and keep you looking youthful. Vitamin C and magnesium are two components of cacao powder that keep your skin healthy.

Consuming cacao powder also benefits your mental health. Bioactive components like polyphenols have flavonoids and non-flavonoids that reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. Additionally, cacao contains biogenic amines like tyramine and serotonin that put you in a better mood and relieve stress. 

Cacao also benefits your teeth, gut, blood sugar levels, and heart health. Find out more about the benefits in this article.

What are good cacao powder recipes?

How can you incorporate this nutritious powder into your daily diet? It’s similar to cocoa but has a stronger, more bitter taste due to its higher acidity. Cacao tends to have more starch than cocoa, so you may need to add liquid to supplement. This rule of thumb applies especially in baking, where exact measurements are necessary. 

If you want to incorporate cacao powder into your diet, use these eight recipes. 

1. Hot chocolate

When you think of cocoa, what’s the first recipe you imagine? Is it hot chocolate? Cold winter nights in front of the fireplace are extra cozy with a hot beverage to help keep you warm. If you want hot chocolate, you can easily replace the cocoa with cacao for a healthier cup.

Cacao is more bitter than sweet, so you may need to add a sweetener. One healthy addition you can try is a date because of its antioxidants and fiber. To make a delicious hot chocolate, use two tablespoons of cacao powder, a date, and a cup of milk (dairy or non-dairy). 

Blend the ingredients and heat the liquid in a saucepan. Warm it up until it’s at your preferred temperature.

Making a mug of hot chocolate is one of the easiest cacao powder recipes

2. Zucchini brownies

What’s your favorite dessert? Brownies are a classic tasty treat for kids and adults alike. The gooey and fudgy center makes it a crowd-pleaser. How can you make it a healthier and guilt-free snack? 

Use cacao powder and incorporate vegetables like zucchini. Many bakers use zucchini because its moisture content offsets the starchness of cacao.

Zucchini brownies are excellent for parties because it’s an inclusive dessert. You can make them vegan, gluten-free, and with no added sugar. Cacao and zucchini make these treats both delicious and healthy.  

Cacao powder can be used in your chocolate brownie recipes in place of cocoa powder

3. Overnight oats

Trends come and go, but overnight oats have become a mainstay for those wanting a nourishing breakfast. With overnight oats, you feel like you’re eating a dessert for breakfast, even though it’s a healthy choice. Overnight oats contain protein and fiber. They’re also low in calories and nutrient-dense, offering your body a terrific start for the day. 

Overnight oats are excellent for breakfast because you can customize them how you’d like. Some people opt for a fruit-flavored jar with blueberries and strawberries. Others make jars with chocolatey flavors. 

Start with rolled oats and your preferred milk. Add a couple of tablespoons of cacao powder with Greek yogurt, honey, dark chocolate chips, peanut butter, and your other favorite toppings. 

Overnight oats make a tasty and nutritious breakfast and you can add cacao powder to them for extra nutrition

4. Smoothie bowl

Another popular breakfast food is a smoothie. This is especially true for people who prefer a small meal to start their day.

Smoothie bowls are a fantastic way to get a filling, nutrient-dense breakfast that’s easy to eat and delicious. Incorporating cacao powder into your smoothie bowl can add nutrients and make it a tasty treat.

The base of smoothie bowls is really just the same as a regular smoothie. You can add less milk to make it thicker. Start by blending fruit, including banana, with a little milk. Use a dairy-free alternative for a vegan bowl.

Then add whatever you like for your desired flavor and nutrient combination. Add yogurt to make it extra creamy, and try things like peanut butter, chia seeds, protein powder, chopped nuts, or, of course, cacao powder (not necessarily all together)! 

You can experiment between adding ingredients to the smoothie mix or sprinkling them on top.

Add cacao to your smoothie bowl for extra taste and nutritional value

5. Chili

Most items on this list are for dessert or breakfast, so how can you add cacao powder to your dinner recipes? One way to start is with chili. 

It may sound unconventional, but chili with cacao is delicious. Why would you add cacao to chili? Because unsweetened cacao powder is an excellent way to balance the acidity of tomatoes. You’ll have a rich flavor profile that’ll change the game, and you won’t return to making chili any other way.

Chili might not be at the top of the list when you think of healthy dinners. However, you can easily adjust the recipe to make it nutritious. For example, try using lean ground beef and low-fat cheese for toppings. 

Beans are an excellent way to add protein and fiber to chili. Traditional Texas chili doesn’t have beans, but you can slip them in there. Add two tablespoons of cacao powder to your chili and cinnamon powder for lovely flavor profiles. 

Add cacao powder to you Mexican chili recipes

6. Banana bread

Banana bread is a convenient recipe because you can use it with overripe food. If you have bananas going brown, don’t throw them out – use them for banana bread. 

This treat became popular during the Great Depression because it was inexpensive and easy to make with overripe bananas. Adding cacao provides extra depth and nutrition to the bread.

The best part about banana bread is it can be a dessert or a part of your breakfast. The primary ingredients are the typical suspects: bananas, butter, sugar, eggs, and flour. A quarter cup of cacao powder, vanilla extract, and semi-sweet chocolate chips make an irresistible loaf. Add pecans, hazelnuts, or cashews for extra protein.

Add cacao poowder to you banana bread recipe to make it chocolatey and extra tasty

7. Mug cake 

Who doesn’t love dessert? Who doesn’t love when you can make dessert quickly? Some baked treats take an hour or longer in the oven, which doesn’t account for time prepping. 

What if dessert only needed a couple of minutes in the microwave? That time-saving element is why mug cakes are so loved. Mug cake started as a trend in early 2020 but has remained popular because of its convenience. 

All you need to do is combine butter, nut butter, and milk and microwave it for 10 seconds. Then add crushed almonds and two teaspoons of cacao powder and microwave for 30 seconds until complete. It’s a great gluten-free treat because it omits flour. 

8. Protein bar

Getting your daily nutrients can be difficult if you’re away from home. Camping in the woods especially presents a challenge. What’s the solution? Cacao protein bars are a tasty homemade option perfect for active people.

These bars start with protein powder. If you like sweetness, try chocolate or peanut butter flavors. Many cacao protein bars use oat and coconut flour because they’re gluten-free. 

Combine your flour with the protein powder, two tablespoons of cacao powder, milk, peanut butter, dark chocolate chips, and pure maple syrup for a flavorful and nutritious snack.

Use cacao powder instead of cocoa powder in your protein bar recipes

Experimenting with cacao powder

The best part about healthy eating is there’s no perfect way to do it. You can create a holistic approach that best fits your tastes. Tiny additions and swaps can make your meals healthier and taste fantastic. 

For example, swap cacao powder instead of cocoa next time you see a recipe that calls for it. Cacao has more antioxidants and minerals to nourish your body. Try using cacao in these eight recipes spanning breakfast, dinner, snacks, and dessert.

If you enjoyed this article, check out these delicious golden berries recipes and these yummy sea moss powder recipes.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. This means that if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these recommended service provider links, like an insurance broker, or a travel agent, I may earn a commission – at no extra cost to you. [For my full disclosure, please see my DISCLAIMER page]

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