Sugar-free, Vegan Chocolate Chips

 

With what seems like endless horrific events happening in the world lately, I think we could all use some chocolate, no?

 

One of the easiest ways to get my family to eat anything is to add chocolate chips to it.  I know, who can blame them, right?

There are certainly worse things, however, it's the sugar that bugs me.  I feel like no matter what I do, the girls eat way too much sugar.  If it's not eating Adam's sweet breakfast cereals, or spreading honey over their toast every morning, than it's what they are being fed at daycare, birthday parties, playdates and virtually any place we go.  A trip to Costco, for example, inevitably involves the kids sampling at least 4-5 products that I would NEVER buy, many of them being cookies, refined flour products and/or chocolate or candy.  Sigh!

This is why I rarely cook or bake at home using any sugar, and if I do use sugar, it is most often coconut sugar, or something less refined and lower on the glycemic index.

I've been wanting to find sugar-free chocolate chips, and, although I have not seen them at any of the stores where I shop, I've found they are pretty readily available online.  The only problem?  The cost!  A 1/2 lb bag for $8???  Forget about it!

Solution?  Make my own, of course.  I can't believe how easy this is to do, and you can flavour them any way you want.  I made mint chips, but you could just do regular, if you prefer.

1/2 lb unsweetened chocolate, melted
1 tsp pure peppermint extract, or vanilla
A few droppers of clear stevia liquid, to taste

Stir extract and stevia into melted chocolate.  Pour onto parchment-lined baking sheet and smooth out until spread evenly into a large rectangle.

Place in refrigerator until firm (about 30-45 minutes).  Remove from fridge and, using a very large, sharp knife, cut into thin strips width-wise.  Divide strips into 3 groups, and then strips into small squares of chocolate.  Keep in an airtight container.  Makes 2 cups of chocolate chips.

This recipe has been shared with Vegetarian Mamma's Gluten-Free Friday and Diet, Dessert & Dogs' Wellness Weekend.