Dark Chocolate is Good for you

Foods with tryptophan can help you enjoy a restful sleep.  It's natures' sleep inducer. Tryptophan is essential for the production of serotonin - which is a neurotransmitter. Serotonin's a crucial component with regard to our moods; how we feel, how we sleep and so on. It’s possible that eating foods high in tryptophan with a healthy serving of carbohydrates can increase your serotonin levels.

It’s said to help produce healthy sleeping patterns as well as boost your mood. Tryptophan rich foods tell our brains to feel happy and sleep happy.

Thank goodness Chocolate is a good mood food.  Try it for your perfect bedtime snack. Here we have listed our chocolate favorites.

hot chocolate is perfect at bedtime

We tend to think that hot chocolate helps you sleep happy, 'there is phenylethylamine in chocolate, which gives you a natural high."  Best way to drink it is warm, just below body temperature.  The milk plus chocolate will have you drowsy in no time.  Wrapped a soft throw blanket like this one from Snowe Home and it will be dream time in no time.

While melatonin is ultimately responsible for making you sleepy, it is synthesized from several other biochemicals, such as serotonin and tryptophan. Another benefit to hot cocoa is it is one of the best ways to get chocolate’s antioxidants, possessing three times more antioxidants than green tea.  You can make you own Hot Chocolate with this easy recipe, if you buy a commercial product make sure Cocoa/Chocolate is the first ingredient for best sleepy results.

3 CHOCOLATE RECIPES

Recipe 1: Traditional Hot Chocolate

This is way better than a cup made from a crummy instant mix. Using the full three ounces of chocolate will yield a very thick drinking chocolate that may be too rich for some, so adjust to your taste. We recommend 1.5 ounces of chocolate.

1 cup milk
¼ teaspoon of vanilla extract
1-3 ounces semisweet or dark chocolate, cut into small pieces

Heat milk in a medium saucepan, add vanilla.   Whisk in chocolate until melted and frothy. Bliss!  Add a little whip cream and marshmallows as you wish.

FUDGE BROWNIES

These are the perfect brownies crispy outside and fuggy inside. They rise and fall when you take them out of the oven – like a chocolate soufflé - and texture-wise similar -taste crunchie on the outside, yet soft in the middle, yummm.  Easy to make - gone in a flash!

Recipe 2: Fudge Brownies

30 min Duration
20 min Cook Time
10 min Prep Time
9 Servings full-size brownies
18 servings mini-size brownies

Ingredients

• ¾ cup unsweetened cocoa

• ¾ cup butter

• 1 cup granulated sugar

• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

• 2 eggs

• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour

• ½ tsp salt

• 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350°F. Line the bottom of a 9-inch square baking pan with parchment paper. In a glass bowl, melt ¼ cup butter and mix in cocoa.  Set aside.

In a bowl or use a stand mixer, beat remaining butter with sugar; add dark chocolate that was set aside and beat until fluffy. Add vanilla and eggs, one at a time; give batter a quick beat until just combined.  Add flour and cocoa to butter mixture. Pour into the prepared baking pan. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cut into squares and place in cupcake papers to serve. Makes one 9-inch square pan.

A PERFECT COOKIE RECIPE

Best to Eat Warm right out of the oven and Sweet dreams are sure to follow.

Recipe 3: The Perfect Chocolate Chip Cookie

Active: 5 MINS | Total Time: 20 MINS | Serves: 1.
We recommend making two or three that is, if you care to share :)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter

• 1 tablespoon packed light brown sugar

• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar

• ⅛ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

• Maldon Salt

• 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

• 1 ½ tablespoons dark chocolate chunks or chips

How to make this recipe

1. Preheat a toaster oven to 350°.

2. In a small microwave-safe bowl, heat the butter until just softened, about 10 seconds.

3. Using a fork, blend in both sugars, the vanilla and a pinch of salt.

4. Blend in the flour, then stir in the chocolate chunks.

5. Scoop the batter onto a parchment paper–lined toaster tray and sprinkle with salt.

6. Bake for 13 to 15 minutes, until lightly browned. Let cool slightly before serving.