Healthy, Homemade Gifts: Chocolate Spoons

By , SparkPeople Blogger
You might say that chocolate isn't a "healthy" gift. We disagree. Everything is fine in moderation, and dark chocolate (at least 70%) contains antioxidants.

Studies have found that dark chocolate helps prevent heart disease and cancer, and has also been shown to improve mood by boosting the brain chemical serotonin. Some even consider chocolate an effective diet food, claiming that a chunk of chocolate before meals diminishes your appetite.

Just be choosy about your chocolate and monitor your portions. That's one reason we love these chocolate spoons. They're easy to make and are instantly portion controlled.

Chocolate spoons
What you need:
  • 10 Spoons (pick up mismatched ones at the thrift store)
  • 1 cup semisweet or dark chocolate*
  • Fun extras: crushed peppermint candy, melted white chocolate, sprinkles, shredded coconut
  • Waxed paper
  • Plastic wrap
  • Ribbon

    Melt chocolate in the microwave. Set timer for 2 minutes or so, taking care to stir every 30 seconds or so.

    Spread out a sheet of waxed paper. Dip clean, dry spoons into the chocolate, then place them on the waxed paper. Allow the spoons to cool slightly, then dip them in the chocolate again. Repeat until chocolate reaches the desired thickness on the spoon. While they're still warm, add the "extras" if you're using them. Place spoons in the fridge to set. Once firm and cool, wrap each one in plastic wrap and tie with a ribbon.

    Calories: 43.6 calories, 2.3 g fat (extras not included; you'll only use about 1/2 cup of chocolate.)
    *Dark chocolate contains at least 70% cacao.


    What's your favorite chocolate combination? Recently, I've become fond of the orange-dark chocolate combination. Would you make these spoons to give to someone?