Arrange 14 (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size)mini cupcake liners on a small baking sheet. Set aside.
Add 2 inches of water to a large saucepan and bring to a boil over medium high heat. Then set a medium glass or ceramic mixing bowl on top, making sure it's not touching the water (this creates a "double boiler").
To the mixing bowl, add finely chopped cocoa butter and let melt - 2-3 minutes.
Once melted, add the maple syrup or agave nectar and use a whisk or wooden spoon to mix until fluid and thoroughly combined. Remove bowl and set on a flat surface. Also, turn off stove-top heat and set saucepan aside.
Add cacao or cocoa powder, vanilla (optional), and sea salt (optional), and whisk to combine until there are no clumps.
Taste and adjust flavor as needed. I added about 3 Tablespoons agave total and a pinch more salt (amounts as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size), but it’s completely up to how sweet you prefer your chocolate.
Carefully pour chocolate into 12-14 mini cupcake liners* (or 7 large cupcake liners // amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) and top with more sea salt or cacao nibs (optional).
Transfer chocolate to the freezer or refrigerator to set - about 10 minutes.
Enjoy straight from the freezer, refrigerator, or at room temperature. Store leftovers in a well-sealed container in the refrigerator for 1 week, or in the freezer up to 1 month.
Notes
*You can sub up to 2 Tbsp (amount as original recipe is written // adjust if altering batch size) of the cocoa butter with coconut oil in the recipe. However, cocoa butter is superior! I find that coconut oil tends to separate, get a little oily, and melts easily when touched. *I tested this chocolate with both raw cacao and cocoa powder and found them both to be delicious! The raw cacao tastes a bit more bitter, while the cocoa was a little less stark and had a more familiar taste on the palette. Cacao wins in health benefits, but cocoa powder wins in taste for me. *To keep this chocolate raw, use cacao powder and this method (water bath). *If you don’t have mini cupcake liners, lay parchment paper down on a baking sheet and spread the chocolate into an even layer. Once set, break into bark, or cut into bars (like this). *If you’re afraid to try cocoa butter, don’t be! It’s so versatile and I use it to make chocolate all the time. I also love it in vegan cheesecake, as well as homemade beauty products. Definitely worth it if you’re a chocolate fan! *Recipe adapted from my Double Chocolate Raw Macaroons. *Nutrition information is a rough estimate.