FLEURMENTATION

Cacao + Kefir Jelly Cubes

Little nourishing cubes to keep in the fridge for a quick, probiotic, chocolate-y snack.

There’s something so delightful about the wobble of a perfectly set jelly cube. If it also happens to be made from kefir, then even better.

cacao and kefir gelatine jelly cubes on a white lace tablecloth

A RECIPE FOR CACAO + KEFIR JELLY CUBES

Prep time: 15 minutes | Set time: 1 hour – 2 hours
Makes 12 cubes
INGREDIENTS:
  • 3 tbsp gelatin or agar agar powder (check the packet you’re using for exact powder to liquid ratios)
  • 3 tbsp coconut sugar
  • 3 tbsp cacao powder + extra for dusting
  • 400ml kefir

+ measuring jug, saucepan, blender, glass dish to set the jelly (around 10cm x 20cm)

METHOD:
  1. Pour 100ml of the kefir into a saucepan
  2. Sprinkle the gelatin over the kefir and let it sit for 5 – 10 minutes to bloom
  3. Start to heat the kefir and gelatin on a low to medium heat, stirring frequently
  4. You want the gelatine to dissolve but you don’t want the kefir to boil (heat kills off good microbes)
  5. Once the gelatin has dissolved stir in the coconut sugar and the cacao and mix well to dissolve everything
  6. Take the pan off the heat and leave to cool
  7. Once the liquid is cool enough to touch pour into the blender
  8. Add the remaining kefir and blend until you have a smooth mixture
  9. Pour into a glass or plastic dish and refrigerate until set (approx. 1 hour).
  10. To remove the set jelly, place the dish in some hot water to loosen up the mixture a little, place a plate on top of the dish and flip upside down ~ it should slide out
  11. Cut into cubes of your desired size and toss in a bowl of cacao

Enjoy straightaway or place in the fridge to be snacked on for the next few days. They will last up to 5 days covered in the fridge.

cacao and kefir gelatine cubes
cacao and kefir gelatine cubes

On a recent trip charity shops I found some beautiful vintage glass jelly moulds. This ended up taking me on a deep internet dive into the wonderful world of jelly making. There are some pretty amazing creations on google involving gelatine. Gelatine flower art for one, the adventuresinjelly instragram account, the incredible work by Bompass + Parr and all the suspended fruit towers from the 70s. I might try and bring back suspended fruit towers, no sure why they went out of fashion.

The thing that excited me most about gelatine was learning how good it is for gut health. Similar to collagen, it is full of amino acids, like glycine and proline which can help repair the lining of the gut. It can aid in the breakdown of food, improve nutrient absorption and help joints and the appearance of skin.

Gelatin brings both texture and nutrients to food, so I went about ordering some organic, grass fed gelatine and thought of ways to create little medicinal, gut-friendly snacks once it arrived.

cacao and kefir gelatine cubes
cacao and kefir gelatine jelly cubes on a white lace tablecloth

In a little kitchen experiment, I mixed up a kefir and cacao potion, then added some gealtine powder and left it to set. It created a delicious + nourishing + snack. Gut-friendly, probiotic with a boost of magnesium from the cacao. These are perfect for a little afternoon comfort snack and so easy that I make them on rotation now and have a constant supply in the fridge.

A note on different varieties of gelatin:

I always like to use an organic, grass fed gelatin as it will be ethically sourced and the animals would have been raised on pasture-based diets and free from anti-biotics and hormones. It will be richer in amino acids and be the most nourishing gelatin.

For a plant-based option, you can swap organic gelatin for agar agar, a natural gelling agent made from seaweed. Just like gelatin, agar agar can help support the gut by drawing out toxins and promoting healthy digestion, all while offering the same delightful texture.

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