Carob chips are commonly used as a substitute for chocolate in the making of cakes and cookies. This article includes the ingredients of carob chips, along with some interesting recipes to help you make use of them.
Carob chips are made from carob, a flowering evergreen shrub that belongs to the pea family, and is native to the Mediterranean region. This tree is mainly grown for its seeds, which are being used from ancient times. In ancient Egypt, carob was used as a sweetener. Carob juice was also commonly consumed during the Islamic month of Ramadan. Nowadays, carob is dried or roasted and then formed into chips or powder. These chips are used as an unsweetened chocolate substitute in cookies and cakes. Carob powder is sometimes used as a substitute in coffee.
Traditional Carob Chips
Ingredients
- Carob powder, ¾ cup
- Rapadura (form of sugarcane juice), ¼ cup
- Coconut oil, 1 cup
- Chocolate extract, 1 teaspoon
- Vanilla extract, 1 tbs
Process
This is a very simple recipe to try out. Take a glass bowl and place all the ingredients in it. Place this bowl in simmering water, only till the coconut oil and chocolate extract melts. Mix well and spread the mixture on a piece of butter parchment, and then keep it to chill in the refrigerator. If you want thick chocolate, line a loaf pan with parchment paper and then add the mixture to it. Remove the mixture when it has hardened. Cut the chips into desired shapes and store in an airtight container. This recipe contains coconut oil, so you have to keep it in the refrigerator as coconut oil melts quickly. Tip: if you are not able to find rapadura, you can replace it with ¼ tsp of stevia powder.
Butter Carob Chips
Ingredients
- Carob powder, 1 cup
- Coconut oil, 5/8 cup
- Butter, 1 stick
Process
To start with, sieve carob powder through a wire mesh strainer. If the sieved powder measures less than 1 cup, sieve some more, and then set it aside. Place coconut oil in a small saucepan and heat it on medium-low until it melts. Pour the molten coconut oil in the sieved carob powder and mix it until a thick paste is formed. Grease a baking sheet with a stick of butter, and spread the carob mixture over the sheet till it is about ¼ inch thick. Transfer the spread mixture to the refrigerator and chill for about 30 to 40 minutes, or until hardened. Cut the hardened chips in the desired shape, then place them in a zippered bag, and store in the refrigerator until needed.
Healthy Carob Chip Cookies
Ingredients
- Carob chips, 1 cup
- Whole wheat flour, 1¼ cup
- Honey, ⅓ cup
- Beaten egg, 1
- Butter or oil, ⅓ cup
- Chopped nuts, 1 cup
- Salt, ¼ tsp
- Vanilla extract, 1 ts
- Baking soda, ½ tsp
Process
First, sift all the dry ingredients together. Now, add creamed honey, butter, vanilla, egg in a bowl, and add the dry ingredients to this mixture. Add in nuts and carob chips, and mix well. Refrigerate the mixture for about 30 minutes. After the required time, drop the chilled mixture onto an ungreased cookie sheet, and bake for about 10-12 minutes in an oven preheated to 350 degrees F.
These chips are rich in dietary fibers, proteins, and potassium.