Chocolates for St. Valentine's Day are always a good idea. These Love Bites are delicious and very easy to make. To create a complex flavor, I used many ingredients. They all act in perfect synergy. You may want to simplify the recipe but I love the way these chocolates turned out and would not change anything. I also love the home-made, not quite perfect look. This is what makes them unique.
I decided to use freeze-dried strawberries instead of the fresh or the dehydrated ones. They have a very strong aroma and they taste almost as good as the fresh strawberries. The nutrient profile is almost identical to that of fresh strawberries, their color is vibrant and there is no danger of mold forming inside a chocolate candy.
To keep the blood sugar in check I only used six large medjool dates to sweeten the ganache. You may want to add some liquid stevia if you have a sweet tooth.
I used raw cacao butter that allows the ganache to set and harden a bit. The raw nut butter makes the ganache smooth and creamy, and prevents it from hardening too much. Both are needed to create the right texture. You may need to adjust the amounts as you go.
Ingredients:
- 1 1/2 cups macadamia nuts soaked in water overnight
- 2 cups feeeze-dried strawberries
- 6 medjool dats soaked in water overnight (pits removed)
- 1/3 cup maca root powder
- 1/4 cup rose petal powder (I used Anima Mundi)
- 1 heaping tsp cayenne pepper (add more for a more intense effect)
- 1 tsp powdered cloves
- 1 Tbsp vanilla extract, add more as needed
- 1/2 tsp pink Himalayan salt to balance the flavors
- freshly pressed juice of 1/2 lemon, add more if necessary
- 2 Tbsp nut butter (I used the delicate raw cedar nut butter)
- 1/3 melted raw cacao butter
for enrobing
- 1 1/4 cup raw cacao paste (you may need more)
- 1/2 tsp powdered vanilla bean
- 1 tsp glycine or a sweetener of your choice (just a bit to keep things clean)
for the garnish
- decorative candy hearts, optional
Method:
- In a food processor blast the freeze-dried strawberries into a powder. Transfer the powder into a bowl and set aside.
- Pulse blend the previously soaked madacamia nuts. Add the soaked dates and process until well chopped. Add the powdered strawberries, maca, rose petal powder, salt and the spices, and blend again. Add lemon juice and the nut butter and process again. When the mass start coming together, add the melted cacao butter and process untill the mass starts forming a ball. The mass should be smooth and slightly firm. Adjust the taste if needed.
- With clean hands, take about 1 tablespoon of the mass and roll it int a small ball. Continue untill you used up the whole mass. You should be able to make 25 to 30 balls.
- Using the bain marie (double boiler or water bath) method, melt the cacao mass. Add vanilla and a little glycine for sweetness and mix well.
- Using a confectioner's fork or chopsticks, dip each pink ball into the melted cacao mass. Allow the chocolate to drip off and set the ready praline on a non-stick sheet or a parchment. Process till all the chocolates are enrobed. Adorn each chocolate while the cacao mass is still slightly wet. Allow the cacao mass to set and dry completely.
- Once the cacao mass has dried completely, use a small offset spatula to lift the chocolates off. Put each chocolate into a candy paper cup for presentation. The chocolates are ready to eat but they tase even better when you allow them to rest in the fridge for at least one hour or, even better, overnight.
- To store, place the chocolates in a glass container with a tightly closing lid, and keep them in the fridge. Remove the chocolates from fridge at least 30 minutes before serving and enjoy them in best company!
Warning - These chocolates are not intended for children. Also, pregnant women should exercise caution.
Cacao, for instance, is legendary for its mood enhancing properties. It contains over 300 chemical compounds, some of which are considered to be responsible for the uplifting effect. One of the compounds, the phenylethylamine (PEA) is a natural stimulant produced by the brain when people are falling in love. This chemical triggers the release of neurotransmitters dopamine and norepinephrine that are associated with pleasure and arousal. Raw cacao is one of the richest plant-based sources of PEA. Cacao also contains the amino acid tryptophan and the nerves calming magnesium that work in synergy to reduce stress and induce calm and relaxation. Theobromine, another chemical compound in raw cacao, stimulates the heart and also works as a vasodilator that enhances the blood flow throughout the body, including the brain and the sexual organs thus increasing the physical sensitivity. Cacao is also one of the few plants that contain anandamide (ANA) or the bliss molecule, an endocannabinoid that is normally produced in the body. The compound binds to the same receptors as THC thus inducing the feeling of well-being and euphoria.
Cayenne pepper contains capsaicin known to enhance the blood circulation in the body and increase sensitivity and arousal. Capsaicin also stimulates the nerve endings on the tongue and creates the tingling sensation and the release of adrenaline and endorphins which are natural opiates for the body. Vitamin C in cayenne pepper can help with the nitric oxide production and supports vascular health.
Cloves are considered to be natural aphrodisiacs that can help balance the hormones and stimulate sexual response in both men and women. They contain the compound eugenol known for its anti-inflammatory and vasodilating properties. Improved blood flow is vital for overall sexual health and arousal.
Dates - contain compounds such as alkaloids, saponins and flavonoids that may help balance the hormones and increase sexual desire in men and women. Dates are rich in minerals, especially magnesium, and tryptophan, both known to increase serotonin production in the brain. Dates also contain the amino acid arginine which is converted in the body to nitric oxide. Nitric oxide is known to relax blood vessels and improve blood flow thus naturally enhancing sensitivity and arousal. Nitric oxide is also believed to improve mood and reduce anxiety.
Maca root - rich in the blood circulation promoting vitamin C, flavonoids, amino acids, and minerals such as copper, iron, calcium and potassium, maca is believed to have the potential to improve stamina, enhance libido and support sexual health. The plant has the ability to balance male and female hormones without directly affecting the estrogen and testosterone levels in the body. Maca demonstrates the affinity for the adrenal glands and the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis. The adrenals produce both the stress hormone cortisol and DHEA - a precursor to male and female sex hormones. Maca appears to stimulate the DHEA production and the conversion of DHEA to sex hormones. This could translate to less stress, balanced hormones and increased libido.
Rose - one of the most sensual flowers, rose is associated with love in many cultures. It works on physical, energetic, emotional and spiritual levels. Rose (especially the edible Rosa rugosa, Rosa damascena, and Rosa centifolia varieties) is believed to open the heart chakra (Anahata) creating a perfect condition for love and compassion. Its flowers are believed to have an affinity for the heart in physical and emotional plane. It is supposed to have a cooling, astringent, anti-inflammatory effect on the body. Rose is believed to calm and nourish the nervous system, alleviate depression and anxiety thus gently increasing libido. It has a positive effect on the female reproductive system, possibly enhancing fertility. Rose petals contain vitamin C, flavonoids, anthocyanin and polyphenols that can have a positive effect on blood circulation, digestion, immunity, and the nervous system.
Strawberries - considered by the Romans as the tears of Venus, strawberries are viewed as one of the most sensual foods for St. Valentine's. The sweet taste and aroma of ripe strawberries are exhilarating by itself. Strawberries are rich in vitamin C which is necessary for healthy blood circulation, the production of nitric oxide and hormones such as the "love hormone" oxytocin. Strawberries are rich in flavonoids and also contain vitamin K, folate, magnesium and potassium which, together with vitamin C, can help enhance sexual performance.
Vanilla - contains vanillin that may have some antioxidant properties thus improving the heart health and supporting blood circulation. On another level, the scent of vanilla has the potential to reduce stress, promote relaxation and the sense of well-being.
These chocolates are great at any time but especially at the end of a sensual dinner. Candlelight, pleasant music and red roses are perfect to create the mood. Cleverly chosen dishes, textures, colors, scents, and unique presentation can make your romantic dinner for two quite spectacular.
Wishing everyone a very happy and sensual St. Valentine's Day - in radiant health, passionately raw - Dominique ♥
Dominique Allmon©2026
*Information in this article is for educational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose, treat or cure a disease.