Christmas is the perfect time to give a homemade gift. And what could be better than acai-filled chocolate bars to surprise your loved ones with an original, tasty and ethical creation?
This recipe combines the richness of dark chocolate with acai for an explosion of flavors, enhanced by the crunch of pistachios and slivered almonds. A delicacy that's sure to win over the chocolate lovers in your life!
Give chocolates at Christmas
Christmas and chocolates are an inescapable duo in France. But where does this habit come from?
The history of giving chocolates at Christmas
Giving chocolates at Christmas dates back to the 19th century. Back then, chocolate was a luxury product, reserved for the elite and used mainly as a hot drink. With the rise of the chocolate industry and the evolution of processing techniques, chocolate became more accessible, and French confectioners began offering assortments to celebrate Christmas.
These chocolates symbolized abundance and generosity, key values associated with the festive season. Their success continued unabated. They gradually found their place under the Christmas tree, in advent calendars or as gifts.
Today, giving chocolates is a deeply rooted tradition in French households. More than a simple gift, it's a gourmet treat, shared with pleasure during moments with family and friends.
Why make your own chocolates?
If giving chocolates at Christmas is a tradition, making them yourself is a trend that's seducing more and more gourmands. Here's why making your own chocolates is an excellent idea:
Originality and personalization
Creating your own chocolates lets you give free rein to your creativity. You can play around with flavours and ingredients to create a unique product, tailored to the tastes of your loved ones. For example, adding superfruits such as acai adds an exotic, modern touch to your creations.
Ingredient control
Making your own chocolates means ensuring the quality of the products you use. You can opt for organic, fair-trade and additive-free ingredients. It's also an opportunity to limit added sugars and choose healthier alternatives with lower glycemic index products, such as date syrup or honey.
An eco-responsible gesture
Industrial chocolates often come with lots of non-recyclable packaging. By making your own chocolates, you can considerably reduce waste. In fact, you can buy chocolate palets in bulk. You can also opt for reusable or homemade packaging, such as kraft paper or glass jars. By choosing responsibly sourced ingredients, you're also supporting sustainable and fair farming practices.
A convivial activity
Making homemade chocolates is a fun and rewarding activity to share with family and friends. It's an opportunity to create memories together while preparing gourmet gifts.
Recipe for our chocolate bar with acai filling
Preparation time: 30 minutes
Quantity for 2 bars.
Store in a cool place and enjoy within 2 to 3 days.
Ingredients to use :
- 200g dark chocolate
- 40g white chocolate
- 2 tablespoons mascarpone
- 50g Terraçaí by Nossa organic and fair trade acai puree
- 2 tablespoons date syrup
- 20g pistachios
- 20g slivered almonds
Preparation:
- To prepare the chocolates:
Melt the dark and white chocolate separately in a bain-marie or in the microwave, stirring regularly to prevent burning. - To create the marbled base:
First pour the melted white chocolate into a chocolate bar mould. Immediately add a thin layer of dark chocolate on top. Use a spatula to spread the two chocolates over the entire surface to create a marbled effect. Place in the freezer for 15 minutes. - Prepare the filling:
Mix the mascarpone, acai purée and date syrup in a bowl. Stir until smooth and creamy. - Assemble the bar:
Remove the chocolate base from the freezer. Spread the filling evenly over the top using a spatula. Sprinkle with pistachios and flaked almonds for crunch and flavor. - To finish the bar:
Cover with the remaining melted dark chocolate, smoothing the surface. Place in a cool place to set. - To enjoy or give as a gift:
Once cooled, remove the bar from the mould. Wrap in kraft paper or reusable bags for gourmet, eco-friendly gifts.
Where can you find our recipe video?
Would you like to follow every step of the preparation of our acai-filled chocolate bar recipe? We've put together a detailed video to guide you step by step! Watch it on our Instagram account @nossaacai.
Tip: Save the video for easy retrieval when you're ready to cook.