Healthy Probiotic Chocolate Truffle Recipe

With Valentine's Day approaching, I thought I'd share a delicious and gut-friendly chocolate recipe to share with others or enjoy for yourself. It's a great healthy option to try instead of the standard chocolate you'll find at the grocery store that's full of sugar or artificial sweeteners and other additives.

Let me know how it comes out if you make it!

Probiotic Chocolate Truffles with Non-GMO Dextrose

(With New Zealand Colostrum & Collagen Peptides)

Ingredients (Makes ~12-15 truffles):

• 8 oz. unsweetened chocolate (100% cacao, organic if possible)
• 1/2 cup + 1-2 tbsp heavy cream (or coconut cream for dairy-free)
• 1 tbsp unsalted butter (or coconut oil for dairy-free)
• 4 tbsp non-GMO dextrose powder (adjust to taste)
• 1 tbsp New Zealand colostrum powder (optional)
• 1 tbsp collagen peptides (optional)
• 2 probiotic capsules (e.g., Sugar Shift—open and use the powder)
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp sea salt
• Optional coatings: Cocoa powder, shredded coconut, crushed nuts, or freeze-dried berry powder

Instructions:

1. Melt the chocolate: Chop the unsweetened chocolate into small pieces. Melt over a double boiler or in the microwave (20-second intervals, stirring between each) until smooth.
2. Heat the cream & butter: In a small saucepan over low heat, warm the heavy cream and butter until just steaming (do not boil). Reduce cream by 2 T. if not adding optional peptides and collostrum
3. Sweeten & dissolve collagen: Stir the dextrose powder into the warm cream until fully dissolved. Add the collagen peptides and whisk until fully incorporated.
4. Combine with chocolate: Pour the cream mixture into the melted chocolate and stir until smooth and glossy.
5. Cool & add probiotics: Allow the mixture to cool slightly (below 95°F/35°C) to protect probiotic viability. Stir in the colostrum powder, Sugar Shift probiotics, vanilla extract, and sea salt until evenly mixed.
6. Chill: Cover the bowl and refrigerate for 2-3 hours, or until firm enough to roll.
7. Form truffles: Scoop out small portions (about 1 tbsp each) and roll into smooth balls using your hands.
8. Coat: Roll the truffles in unsweetened cocoa powder, shredded coconut, crushed nuts, or freeze-dried berry powder for added texture and flavor.
9. Store: Keep in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Notes:

• Adjust sweetness: You can add more dextrose if you prefer a sweeter truffle, depending on your taste.
• Probiotic care: Make sure the mixture isn’t too warm when adding probiotics to maintain their effectiveness.
• Texture tweak: If the mixture feels too firm after chilling, let it sit at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before shaping.
• This recipe balances a rich, smooth chocolate base with the health benefits of colostrum, collagen peptides, and Sugar Shift probiotics. Enjoy crafting these delicious, functional treats! 😊

Understanding Dextrose: A Unique Simple Sugar

Dextrose, also known as D-glucose, is a simple sugar classified as a monosaccharide, meaning it consists of a single sugar molecule. This differs from disaccharides like sucrose (table sugar), which are made up of two linked sugar molecules—glucose and fructose in the case of sucrose.

Metabolic Differences: Fast Absorption, Immediate Energy

Since dextrose is already in its simplest form, it requires no enzymatic breakdown before absorption. It’s rapidly absorbed through the small intestine directly into the bloodstream, leading to a quick rise in blood glucose levels. In contrast, disaccharides like sucrose must first be broken down by enzymes (like sucrase) into their individual monosaccharides before absorption, making the process slower.

This rapid absorption makes dextrose a preferred choice for:

• Athletes needing quick energy replenishment after intense exercise
• People with hypoglycemia to quickly raise blood sugar levels
• Diabetics (under medical supervision) to manage acute low blood sugar episodes

Dextrose is also the primary fuel for red blood cells (RBCs) and the brain, both of which rely almost exclusively on glucose for energy. RBCs lack mitochondria, meaning they can only metabolize glucose through glycolysis, making dextrose vital for their function.

Glycation: The Sweet Difference in Impact

While dextrose can cause rapid blood sugar spikes, it has a different glycation potential compared to disaccharides. Glycation refers to the non-enzymatic binding of sugars to proteins, which can form advanced glycation end products (AGEs) that contribute to aging and chronic diseases.

Interestingly, while dextrose is a simple sugar, the fructose component in sucrose is actually more prone to glycation than glucose. Fructose is about 10 times more reactive in forming AGEs. This means that although dextrose can raise blood sugar quickly, it may contribute less to glycation-related damage compared to sugars containing fructose.

Why Dextrose Isn’t as Sweet

Despite being pure glucose, dextrose is less sweet than sucrose—only about 60-70% as sweet. This is due to how our taste receptors respond to different sugar molecules. Sucrose binds more effectively to sweet taste receptors, creating a stronger sweet sensation, while dextrose provides a milder, cleaner taste.

Why Use Dextrose in Recipes?

Dextrose’s mild sweetness, rapid metabolism, and clean taste make it a versatile ingredient, especially in functional foods. It doesn’t overpower other flavors, complements rich ingredients like dark chocolate, and supports energy metabolism without the fructose-related glycation concerns found in traditional table sugar.

This is why dextrose is a unique choice for probiotic truffles—offering subtle sweetness, clean energy, and metabolic simplicity while supporting gut health with ingredients like Sugar Shift probiotics.  As always, it is important to keep added sugars to a minimum and keep an eye on your metabolic health.  For more on Dextrose you may be interested in the work of Dr. David Stephens and his book Glucose 101.  Additionally, the Sugar Shift probiotic converts and removes excess sugars.