Velvety Chocolate Dip (Vegan & Dairy-Free)

The day of love is upon us! If there's one thing I love more than my dogs, it's chocolate.

This Velvety Chocolate Dip is rich, plant-based, and deeply satisfying — and like all good chocolate stories, it has history behind it.

Recipe card below.

The History of Chocolate: From Ancient Rituals to Modern Indulgence

This bittersweet bean dates back to the ancient Olmecs of 1500 B.C., where cacao was used as a ceremonial drink. They passed their knowledge of cacao to the Central American Mayans, who made chocolate drinks (early hot chocolate) for celebrations and to finalize important business transactions.

Honestly? I think all business transactions should end in chocolate.

Mayan chocolate was thick, frothy, and often contained chili peppers and honey. The Aztecs revered the precious bean, considered it more valuable than gold, and even used it as currency.

Cacao eventually made its way to Europe, where new versions of hot chocolate emerged — often with cinnamon, cane sugar, and warming spices. Europe also introduced chocolate houses, though only the wealthy could afford this indulgence.

Then came innovation.

The Dutch invented the machine that turned cacao beans into powder, making chocolate more affordable and easier to mass-produce. The British molded the first chocolate bar. The Swiss duo Daniel Peter and Henri Nestlé added milk powder and introduced milk chocolate. Rudolf Lindt invented the conching machine, giving us the smooth, melt-in-your-mouth chocolate texture we know today.

And in 2020, Jacquelyn Jones brings you her version: a Velvety Chocolate Dip that is sure to satisfy your taste buds — and possibly put you in the mood… for more chocolate.

Why This Velvety Chocolate Dip Works

Chocolate is powerful on its own. But when you use real cacao and keep the ingredients simple, you get richness without heaviness.

This dip is:

• Plant-based• Dairy-free• Naturally indulgent• Simple to prepare

It delivers depth and smoothness without relying on processed fillers.

That’s the difference between chocolate as candy and chocolate as intention.

The Health Benefits of Cacao

While it's debatable whether chocolate is an aphrodisiac, we do know this:

Cacao is a legitimate superfood.

Raw cacao is rich in flavonoids — plant compounds studied for their antioxidant and cardiovascular-supporting properties. In fact, cacao contains significantly higher antioxidant levels than many commonly celebrated fruits.

Cacao also provides:

• Magnesium, which supports muscle relaxation and nervous system balance• Iron, essential for oxygen transport in the blood• Calcium, important for bone health• Mood-supporting compounds that may help elevate serotonin levels

Flavanols found in cacao have been studied for their role in supporting circulation and reducing oxidative stress.

In other words, chocolate can do more than just taste good.

How to Enjoy This Vegan Chocolate Dip

Serve this velvety chocolate dip with:

• Fresh strawberries

• Apple slices

• Gluten-free pretzels

• Bananas•

As a frosting or dessert topping

It works for Valentine’s Day. It works for a dinner party. It works for a random Tuesday when you just want something rich and satisfying.

“Chocolate comes from cocoa, which is a tree. That makes it a plant. Chocolate is a salad.” -Unknown

Chocolate has been ceremonial, sacred, traded as currency, and transformed through centuries of innovation.

But at its core, it’s still a bean.

When you use cacao intentionally — not as processed candy, but as a real ingredient — you get indulgence with substance.

So maybe eat at least two tablespoons of cacao a day.

Will you live forever? Probably not.

Will you be happier? That’s much more likely.

For all things vegan and ways to live a healthy holistic lifestyle, subscribe to my YouTube channel, and follow me on Instagram and Facebook!

Happy Valentine's Day!

— SolFood Collective