Smoothies

Cacao nibs increase alertness, stabilize blood sugar, and alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression. Some folks enjoy these powerful pick-me-ups directly from the bag, while others prefer to mix the nutty nibs with desserts, drinks, and breakfast foods. We fall in the latter category, and we’ve found that the intense flavor of cacao nibs complements most smoothies nicely. Cacao nibs pair well with berry smoothies, but we also like them with dark chocolate banana smoothies. Here’s the recipe for the smoothie shown in the picture above:

Ingredients

• 2 frozen bananas
• 2 cups of almond milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
• ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons of cacao nibs
• 2 ounces of dark chocolate

Blend until smooth and creamy. Garnish with additional cacao nibs and dark chocolate slivers.

Vegan Trail Mix

Fuel up for your next hike or bike around the area with this antioxidant-rich vegan trail mix. It’s packed with crunchy nuts, sweet berries, and smooth cacao nibs. Don’t worry about measuring out the ingredients. Add as much or as little as you like of each one to create a custom trail mix that pleases your palate and nourishes your body.

Ingredients

• Black mulberries
• Golden berries
• Goji berries
• Raw cacao nibs
• Almonds
• Walnuts

Combine ingredients in a small bowl and mix by hand. Add a dash of sea salt or a few dark chocolate chunks, if desired.

Cookies

These cacao nib cookies get an elegant twist from crystallized ginger. Brown sugar adds a velvety richness, while white sugar balances out the intense flavor of the cacao nibs.

Ingredients

• 2 cups of flour
• 2/3 cup of butter, softened
• 2/3 cup of brown sugar
• 2/3 cup of white sugar
• 1 egg, beaten
• 3/4 cup of cacao nibs
• 2/3 cup of crystallized ginger
• 1 teaspoon baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of powdered ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon of sea salt

Directions

1. Combine ingredients and mix well.
2. Roll dough into two logs and refrigerate for one hour.
3. Slice cookies from logs and place on lined baking trays.
4. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes at 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Oatmeal

Who says oatmeal has to be bland and boring? Prepare your oatmeal according to the directions on the container, but add in half of a mashed banana and a few spoonfuls of chia seeds and ground flaxseed. The chia seeds thicken the oatmeal without the need for milk or cream, and the flaxseed keeps you feeling full until lunchtime. Top your oatmeal with cinnamon, banana slices, and cacao nibs.

Roasted Bananas

Roasted bananas get a grown-up kick from cacao nibs and pistachios. Start by roasting two sliced bananas for 12 to 15 minutes at 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Finish by topping your roasted bananas with Greek yogurt, cinnamon, cardamom, honey, crushed pistachios, and cacao nibs.

Yogurt

This is a beautiful dish that makes an impressive addition to a formal brunch. You can even serve it for dessert. To make this elegant treat, prepare coconut milk yogurt from scratch or buy a premade carton of yogurt made from coconut. Place a dollop of yogurt in a clear glass bowl or dessert cup, then top with slivered almonds, blood oranges, and cacao nibs. Looking for something a little less sophisticated? Pour some cacao nibs into a carton of strawberry or blueberry yogurt and chow down.

Pie

We love the way the dark hue of the cacao nibs contrasts with the vibrant color of this berry banana pie.

Ingredients

• 10 Oreo cookies
• 4 frozen bananas
• 1 cup frozen strawberries
• 1 cup frozen raspberries
• Cacao nibs and fresh raspberries for topping

Directions

1. Crush cookies until they become a fine blend, then press them into a 9-inch springform pan. Freeze for 10 minutes.
2. While the crumbs freeze, blend frozen bananas, strawberries, and raspberries on a low setting until fully mixed.
3. Pour fruit mixture over the cookie crumbs and freeze for several hours.
4. Serve topped with cacao nibs and fresh raspberries.

Waffles

There’s nothing better than waking up to a hot mound of waffles topped with fresh fruit. These waffles are garnished with a hearty helping of sliced figs, orange wedges, and cacao nibs. For extra flavor, you can also add 1/2 a cup of cacao nibs to your usual waffle recipe before you cook the batter.

French Toast

Prepare your favorite French Toast recipe and top the finished dish with fresh raspberries, cacao nibs, banana slices, and blueberries. This breakfast will seriously change your life - or at least put you in a good mood until you arrive at work.

Cheesecake

Jazz up a traditional cheesecake by sprinkling a generous amount of cacao nibs across the top as a garnish. You can also top your cheesecake with sliced strawberries or fresh raspberries.