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    Home » Whole Food Recipes » Best Desserts

    December 15, 2021 | By Jami

    Healthy Chocolate Covered Pecans with Homemade Maple-Sweetened Chocolate

    Jump to Recipe
    Healthy homemade chocolate covered pecans

    An easy, healthy recipe for chocolate covered pecans coated with a 3-ingredient homemade chocolate sweetened only with maple syrup. These are amazing!

    Find more great ideas on the Quick Healthy Recipes page.

    maple sweetened chocolate covered pecans

    This is a recipe that proves that there is such a thing as a healthy treat, which is why I am so happy to share this recipe!

    Not only does it contain chocolate (uh, hello), but it is a simple, real food treat that is way better for you than other treats (but not better than broccoli, so it's not that healthy, okay?), and you're making your own chocolate - seriously. It's so cool.

    I don't know why I constantly find this amazing - that I can make or grow things I grew up thinking you could only buy, but it never gets old to me.

    And this recipe for dark chocolate covered pecans made with maple-sweetened homemade chocolate?

    It's three-ingredient chocolate. (Pause for a moment to let that sink in while you think of all the ingredients in other chocolate...)

    Now, to be fair, it's a softer chocolate and needs to be refrigerated, but it's chocolate - made from three ingredients!

    Yep, exclamations and italics - you can tell I like this, can't you?

    Well, as if that wasn't enough, let's throw easy and delicious into the mix. Oh, yeah.

    Healthy Chocolate Covered Pecans (or Walnuts)

    toasting pecans

    Ingredients

    Well, I've kind of already gone on about the amazingly simple ingredient list for this, but let's make sure you have everything you need to make them - because you are going to want to.

    • Whole pecans (walnuts work well, too - smoother almonds and cashews would be harder for the chocolate to stick)
    • Butter
    • Cocoa powder
    • Maple Syrup
    • optional: pinch of salt; bit of maple sugar or coconut sugar
    making homemade chocolate

    Directions

    Toast the pecans and mix up your three ingredient chocolate (nope, sorry, it doesn't get old...) from butter, cocoa powder and maple syrup.

    You can add a pinch of salt here because it's good, but doesn't count as another ingredient in my book at just a pinch and if you use salted butter, it's optional.

    covering pecans with chocolate

    Then watch your homemade chocolate magically thicken, throw in your nuts to coat them...

    coating pecans on parchment

    Transfer individually to parchment, freeze for a bit...

    dusting pecans with cocoa powder strainer

    And then dust them with more cocoa powder.

    There's the whole recipe for you right there.

    Ha - we're all going to be making our own healthy chocolate covered pecans now, aren't we?

    homemade chocolate covered pecans gift tin

    I'm so in love with how these turned out (inspired by this recipe) that not only do I make them for us, I have also given them as a gift, at the holidays and as hostess gifts.

    And guess what I discovered?

    They fit beautifully in a reused mint tin lined with parchment!

    Yes I'm one of those people who has a hard time just recycling our mint tins since they seem so useful for something. I've got them stuffed in drawers everywhere - and now I have something to use them for.

    chocolate covered pecans using cocoa powder

    Even though they do need to be kept in the fridge to remain somewhat firm, they're perfectly fine for a few hours at room temperature, so these make a regular appearance in my holiday goodie bags.

    Dark Chocolate Covered Pecans FAQ

    Can these be made dairy free?

    Yes, you can substitute coconut oil for the butter. Just be sure to use refined coconut oil if you don't want a coconut flavor to your pecans.

    What do you suggest I package it in to keep in the refrigerator?

    Any well sealed container will work. For gifting, the recycled mint tins lined with parchment like I mentioned work well. I also use small cellophane bags that I tie with a gold or silver twisty.

    How long can they be kept in the refrigerator?

    We usually eat them within a week at our house, but if you don't eat them that fast, they should be good up to three weeks stored in the fridge.

    Can these be made into pecan clusters?

    I don't see why not! When transferring from the bowl of chocolate to parchment, simply take 3-5 pecans at a time, mounding any extra chocolate on top. Freeze as normal and then coat the whole cluster in the cocoa powder.

    Best Reader Comment

    "Oh my gosh!!! I made these right away as soon as I saw your post. They are delicious and so addictive! And my hubby likes them too, he doesn't usually like any 'healthy' chocolate things I make." -Kate

    So, are you ready to make some chocolate?

    chocolate covered pecans using cocoa powder
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    Healthy Chocolate Covered Pecans with Homemade Maple-Sweetened Chocolate

    Pecans coated in an easy 3-ingredient homemade dark chocolate sweetened with maple syrup and tossed with cocoa powder for easy eating. Healthy and delicious!
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time5 mins
    Total Time35 mins
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: American
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Yield: 1 -1/2 cups
    Author: Jami Boys

    Equipment

    • cookie sheet
    • Parchment Paper
    • medium saucepan
    • small fine strainer

    Ingredients

    • 1½ cups pecan halves (or walnut halves)
    • 1/4 cup butter or coconut oil to keep it dairy free, but the flavor of butter really shines here
    • 1/3 cup unsweetened cocoa powder + 2 tablespoons for dusting
    • 1/4 cup maple syrup
    • pinch of salt if using unsalted butter or coconut oil, use 1/8 tsp.
    • 1 tablespoons maple sugar or coconut sugar, optional, but helps soften the dusting cocoa powder's bitterness

    Instructions

    • Heat oven to 350 degrees and line a medium sized cookie sheet with parchment paper. Spread the pecans on the parchment and toast in the heated oven for 5 minutes. Turn the oven off, remove cookie sheet and set aside.
    • Meanwhile melt the butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Remove from heat and whisk in the 1/3 cup cocoa powder, maple syrup, and salt. It will thicken as you whisk fully.
    • Toss the nuts into the pan and stir to coat well.
    • Use a spoon to remove the nuts, one at a time to the parchment-lined cookie sheet you toasted the nuts on. Spoon any extra chocolate coating on any that look like they need more. Place cookie sheet in the freezer for 20-30 minutes.
    • Place 2 tablespoons of cocoa powder in a small bowl and mix in 1 tablespoon of maple or coconut sugar, if desired.
    • Add a few chocolate-covered nuts at a time to the cocoa powder mixture (they may be a bit sticky, a flat spatula helps scrape them off the parchment), stir until coated and then place on a clean parchment-lined tray. I find it helps to use a little strainer to remove the extra coating before setting on the tray.
    • Place the tray in the refrigerator until serving, or package the chocolate covered nuts up as desired. Store in the refrigerator.

    Notes

    Storage: Keep in a sealed container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1/4 cup | Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 17g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 26g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Cholesterol: 20mg | Sodium: 70mg | Potassium: 211mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 250IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 43mg | Iron: 1mg
    Did you make this recipe?Mention @anoregoncottage or tag #anoregoncottage!
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    healthy dark chocolate covered pecans

    Other Easy , Healthy Treats To Try:

    Healthy Whole Grain Apple Butter Bars

    Healthy Whole Grain Apple Butter Bars

    Healthy Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans

    Healthy Maple Sweetened Chili Pecans

    Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars

    Healthy No-Bake Fudge Oatmeal Bars

    This recipe has been updated - it was originally published in November of 2014.

    About Jami

    Since 2009 Jami Boys has been helping readers live a simple homemade life through whole food recipes, doable gardening, and easy DIY projects on An Oregon Cottage. From baking bread, to creating a floor from paper, to growing and preserving food, Jami shares the easiest ways to get things done. She's been featured in Cottages and Bungalows, Old House Journal, and First for Women magazines as well as numerous sites like Good Housekeeping, Huffington Post, and Apartment Therapy.

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. daisy says

      December 16, 2021 at 4:30 am

      Thank you for this recipe. I am transitioning to maple syrup with all of our sweet treats, and this will be a welcome addition. Nothing better than pecans and chocolate!
      Blessings in the New Year!

      Reply
      • Jami says

        December 20, 2021 at 1:10 pm

        Oh, good!
        I hope you enjoy these, Daisy!

        Reply
    2. Gail says

      October 04, 2017 at 9:24 am

      I LOVE that there is only 1 page printed for the recipe.
      Now, to prepare a batch of these babies! Can't wait. Thank you.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        October 04, 2017 at 12:04 pm

        I'm so glad you like that feature, Gail! I hope you enjoy these 🙂

        Reply
    3. Heather says

      November 26, 2014 at 12:09 pm

      I just visited after realizing I hadn't seen your posts in a while. I got the Meyer's one, but the others since then have not shown up in my reader. Is there something I need to do since the crash/changes/etc in order to get them in my Feedly reader again? I almost missed this one! And the pillow! And the explanation of all that was happening 🙂

      Hope all is calmer for you now....your site is wonderful!
      Heather

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 26, 2014 at 2:03 pm

        Thank you SO much, Heather - I missed you guys, too! Did you get the "lost posts" email I sent yesterday? If you're an email subscriber, you would've gotten that. I'm happy to report that today's ornament post emailed out like scheduled, so you shouldn't have to do anything on your end. If you don't see it in your email, send me a note and we'll see if there's anything I can do. I think we should be good to go now! 🙂

        Reply
    4. Jackie in Canada says

      November 15, 2014 at 10:43 pm

      Oh Jami, another thing just got added to my Christmas gift giving goodies. I bet they would be good with a little sea salt sprinkled on the chocolate, or how about some crushed Skor toffee bits along with the sea salt. Sweet, salty, chocolate & pecans, what more could a person ask for.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 16, 2014 at 3:44 pm

        Ooo, yes, the salted chocolate is super popular, so go for it! It's not my family's fav, so I go a bit lighter (they'd probably go for the toffee bits, though!).

        Reply
    5. Kate says

      November 15, 2014 at 3:48 pm

      Oh my gosh!!! I made these right away as soon as I saw your post. They are delicious and so addictive! And my hubby likes them too, he doesn't usually like any 'healthy' chocolate things I make 🙂

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 15, 2014 at 5:36 pm

        I know, isn't it amazing, Kate? They've passed the family test here, too! 🙂

        Reply
    6. Debbie says

      November 15, 2014 at 2:47 pm

      This looks delicious and easy! I'm a sucker for nuts. and chocolate. win, win.

      Glad the Comment bug is fixed. I thought it was me! 😉

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 15, 2014 at 5:35 pm

        Ha, and I thought it was me - no one was interested anymore 🙂 Hope you like these!

        Reply
    7. Mindy says

      November 14, 2014 at 3:16 pm

      Yummy!!! Pinning and definitely trying.

      Reply
      • Jami says

        November 14, 2014 at 4:27 pm

        Yeah - it's SO nice to hear from people again - especially you 🙂 - as I think we've finally figured out what was causing my comments not to post! Hope you like these as much as I do (said licking cocoa powder from my fingers...)!

        Reply
        • Theresa DeMott says

          November 14, 2014 at 11:00 pm

          I really like this receipe. I would really like to make it for gifts. What do you suggest I package it in to keep in the refrigerator? How long can they be kept in the refrigerator?

          Thank you for any advice.
          Theresa

          Reply
          • Jami says

            November 15, 2014 at 1:52 pm

            I'm sure they's last for longer, Theresa, but they've only been around our house for a week before they were eaten. 🙂 I'd guess 2-3 weeks? And I plan on using the tins like I mentioned, and also the small cellophane goodie bags they sell at the holidays (I always by some after Christmas for the next year!).

            Reply

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