Let’s talk cacao butter! You may already be familiar with this light yellow, semi-solid fat, but do you know all the awesome things you can do with it in its organic raw form?

Cacao butter, also known as cocoa butter, is a pure vegetable fat that’s extracted from the cacao bean. When it’s mixed with cocoa, sugar and other additives, it makes the chocolate products that we’re all so fond of. It’s also the primary ingredient in smooth white chocolate. However, raw organic cacao butter has quite a few uses besides being an ingredient in beloved treats.

Cacao butter is entirely edible, which is great news for both health-conscious and indulgent snackers alike! It’s packed with vitamins and minerals, along with antioxidants that promote cardiovascular and immune-system health. Raw cacao butter is often used to make dessert-type dishes, as well as moisturizers and lip balms.

Raw organic cacao butter isn’t really meant to be eaten as-is, but it’s quite easy to whip up a fantastic dessert with it! You can make scrumptious raw chocolate treats by melting about 50 grams of the cacao butter over low heat, then mixing in about 3 tbsp. of raw organic cocoa powder and 1 tbsp. of organic agave syrup. Pour the liquid chocolate mixture into molds or small candy cups and let them set up in the freezer for 10 to 15 minutes. You can add a couple of spoonfuls of organic raw crunchy almond butter or some handfuls of crushed organic raw cashews to the chocolate mixture to give it a bit of crunch, if desired.

Don’t stop with edible treats! Make your own simple skin moisturizer. Cacao butter melts at just below body temperature, meaning that if you hold it in your hands for a few minutes it will soften enough to apply directly to the skin and lips. However, you can also heat one part cacao butter and three parts organic raw coconut oil over low heat until they’re combined, then rub the easy-to-spread mixture on your body. Cacao butter-based moisturizers have a delightful chocolaty scent and can improve skin elasticity. They’re especially helpful for pregnant women who are trying to avoid or minimize the appearance of stretch marks.

What’s your favorite way to use raw organic cacao butter? We’re firm believers in the awesome (and truly delicious) benefits that it can lend to so many different purposes!

This entry was posted on Friday, April 23rd, 2010 at 5:49 pm and is filed under Features, Products, Recipes.