White Chocolate Cherry Cups

A simple recipe that’s tasty and a healthy alternative to when you are craving something sweet! Whip them up last minute when you have unexpected guests or  to have as something in your fridge when you really need to hit that sweet craving.

In this recipe we used cherries however, you could use any frozen or fresh berry. The choice is yours so get creative and make it your own! You don’t even have to use berries. You could use cacao nibs, pomegranate arils or a nut of your choice. You could even add some activated buckwheat for an extra crunch. For now though… we decided to add some cherries.

Why should I be eating Cherries?

1. Sweet cherries have a lower glycemic index of 22, lower than apricots (57), grapes (46), peaches (42), blueberries (40) or plums (39). This makes them a great snack!
2. Cherries are super high in antioxidants and we all love antioxidants!
3. Cherries are very high in potassium, which helps regulate heart rate and blood pressure and reduces the risk of hypertension. The phytosterols in cherries help reduce bad cholesterol levels.
4. Recent studies have shown that Cherries are known to help with Gout attacks.

Life is just a bowl of cherries, don’t take it serious, its mysterious. Life is just a bowl of cherries, so live and laugh and laugh at love, love a laugh, laugh and love – Bob Fosse

Equipment

• Vitamix 2L wet container
• Cupcake moulds and tray

Ingredients

• 1 cup raw cashews (soaked overnight)
• 2 Tblsp. coconut nectar (or sweetener of choice)
• 1/3 cup melted coconut oil
• 1/3 cup melted cacao butter
• 1 cup frozen, pitted cherries
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla bean paste
• pinch Himalayan sea salt

Method

1. Place your cashew nuts into your  Vitamix 2L and secure the lid.
2. Select Variable 1. Turn the machine on and quickly increase the speed to 10, then override to High. Blend until smooth.
3. Mix your melted coconut oil and cacao butter together and then add it to your blender with your sweetener, vanilla and salt.
4. Blend this mixture on HIGH speed until well combined.
5. Use tamper to effectively press the ingredients into the blades if required whilst processing.
6. Stop the machine and pour your mixture into a large bowl and gently fold your cherries through.
7. Spoon the mixture into your cupcake moulds and place in the freezer for one hour. Alternatively, you can set this in a slice tray and cut up into individual pieces once it has set.
8. Can be stored in the fridge or freezer for up to 10 days when in an airtight container.

Notes

1. For all of those hardcore sweet tooth’s out there! This isn’t a really sweet or strong tasting smoothie. This is why I love it! It’s super refreshing, simple and if you were wanting to sweeten it up, just add some more of your sweetener of choice.
2. You could chill this recipe into ice blocks and they would make a delicious treat for the whole family.

Try not to eat it all at once!