Recipes
By Chef Dez Lo
Let’s Go Nuts Cocoa Brownies
Indulgence meets sustainability in these decadent, nutty, and gooey brownies, made with ethically sourced cocoa from Emkao Foods and proudly supported by Buy BC.
With a deep, rich chocolate flavour and a fudgy texture, these brownies are easy to make and even easier to love.
By using fair trade, traceable cocoa ingredients, you’re not just making a treat—you’re supporting smallholder farmers in Cameroon and promoting a more transparent and sustainable
chocolate industry. So go ahead, bake a batch, and make a difference—one brownie at a time. (makes 12 brownies)
Ingredients:
4 whole eggs
½ cup granulated sugar
½ cup dark brown sugar
1 cup Emkao cacao butter (or unsalted butter)
1 tbsp Vanilla Extract
1 cup all purpose flour, sifted
⅔ cup Emkao cacao powder
½ tsp salt
1 tsp baking powder
1 cup Emkao vegan cocoa chips
1 cup chopped pecans or walnuts
½ cup Emkao cocoa nibs (optional)
Methods:
1. Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and line a 7x11 baking pan with parchment paper. You can use cooking spray to make sure nothing sticks.
2. In a standup mixer using the whisk attachment, whisk the eggs and sugar from slow to medium speed until pale and thick (about 3 minutes).
3. Melt the butter either on the stove or using the microwave. Turn the mixer’s speed to low and pour in the butter and the vanilla extract.
4. Sift the flour and cacao powder into a separate bowl and add the salt and baking powder.
5. Slowly and evenly incorporate the dry mix into the egg mixture. Do not over mix.
6. Remove the bowl from the mixer and fold in half of the chocolate chips and all of the chopped nuts.
7. Pour the batter into the lined baking pan and use an offset spatula to evenly smooth out the top and corners.
8. Sprinkle on top the rest of the chocolate chips and the cacao nibs.
9. Bake for 35-40 minutes. If you want a gooey center, take it out of the oven then. The brownies will firm up while cooling down. Transfer the brownies by lifting the parchment paper after 15 minutes in the pan and wait another 30 minutes before slicing and serving.
10. The brownies will last 3 days in an airtight container in room temp or maybe not.
About Emkao Foods & Buy BC
Every ingredient in this recipe tells a story. Emkao Foods, founded by Ayissi Nyemba, is dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and ethical chocolate production. Their cocoa is sourced directly from smallholder farmers in Cameroon, including Ayissi’s own family farm, ensuring fair trade wages and environmentally responsible farming.
By choosing Buy BC products like Emkao Foods cacao powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate chips, you’re supporting local businesses, sustainable farming, and a fairer future for cocoa
farmers worldwide.
Let’s bake with purpose—one bite at a time
By Chef Dez Lo
Everybody Loves Black Sesame & Cocoa Pudding
This creamy, gluten-free, and dairy-free pudding is more than just a delicious dessert—it’s a nod to tradition and a celebration of ethical chocolate sourcing. Inspired by childhood dim sum experiences in Hong Kong, this silky black sesame and cocoa pudding blends bold flavours with nourishing ingredients, using Emkao Foods’ sustainable cocoa to deliver a rich, chocolatey depth.
By choosing Buy BC products like Emkao Foods cacao, you’re not only supporting local businesses but also helping fair trade cocoa farmers in Cameroon. Great taste, responsible choices, and a commitment to sustainability—this dessert truly has it all.
(makes 4 6-oz pudding cups)
Ingredients:
4 cups coconut milk
2 tbsp gelatin powder
½ cup cold water
½ tsp Vanilla Extract
⅓ cup dark brown sugar
¼ cup granulated sugar
⅓ cup toasted ground black sesame powder
2 tbsp Emkao cacao powder Fresh raspberries or Amarena cherries Powder Sugar
Emkao Dark Cocoa Bar
Methods:
1. In a small bowl with the cold water, bloom the gelatin powder by gently sprinkle it over the surface. Let the gelatin fully absorb the water and become spongy looking. Set aside until ready to use.
2. Over medium heat using a medium pot and a whisk, bring the coconut milk to a very low simmer, warm enough to melt the gelatin, sugar, extract the black sesame flavor and to dissolve the cacao powder but not to a boil. Whisk until there are no visible clumps.
3. Pour the mixture over a fine strainer into a large measuring cup (this will make your life a lot easier when pouring into the pudding glasses or cups).
4. NOTE: The black sesame powder will not dissolve completely. I strain them out because I like the smoother (not grainy) texture for the pudding. Once all the liquid passes through the strainer, use a rubber spatula to scrape and push the liquid out of the black sesame paste. Discard the paste after all liquid has been extracted.
5. Put the pudding cups onto a sheet tray and carefully and evenly pour the pudding mixture into each cup.
6. Transfer the tray into the cooler. Do not cover and let set overnight for best results.
7. Garnish with some fresh raspberries or cherries, powdered sugar and grated dark chocolate.
About Emkao Foods & Buy BC
Every ingredient in this recipe tells a story. Emkao Foods, founded by Ayissi Nyemba, is dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and ethical chocolate production. Their cocoa is sourced directly from smallholder farmers in Cameroon, including Ayissi’s own family farm, ensuring fair trade wages and environmentally responsible farming.
By choosing Buy BC products like Emkao Foods cacao powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate chips, you’re supporting local businesses, sustainable farming, and a fairer future for cocoa farmers worldwide.
Let’s bake with purpose—one bite at a time.
By Chef Dez Lo
Got Hot Cocoa?
Hot cocoa isn’t just a drink—it’s a moment of comfort, nostalgia, and warmth. This simple, velvety-smooth hot chocolate is made with pure, unprocessed cacao from Emkao Foods,
ensuring a rich, deep chocolate flavour with no additives or artificial ingredients.
By choosing locally made, sustainably sourced cocoa, you’re supporting ethical farming practices and small
businesses while enjoying a better, more transparent chocolate experience. Top it with marshmallows, stir with a cinnamon stick, and savour every sip—knowing that your choice is making a difference.
(makes 2 cups of awesomeness)
Ingredients:
2 cups whole or 2% milk (or almond/oat for dairy free)
3 tbsp Emkao cacao powder
¼ cup dark brown sugar
Handful of small marshmallows
1 sprig cinnamon stick
Methods:
1. In a small pot over medium heat, warm up the milk and slowly whisk in the cacao powder.
2. Once the cacao powder has fully dissolved, add the brown sugar.
3. Pour into a mug and sprinkle as many marshmallows as you like!
4. Stir with a cinnamon stick to add that extra sweet, hint of spicy and earthy taste and aroma.
About Emkao Foods & Buy BC
Every ingredient in this recipe tells a story. Emkao Foods, founded by Ayissi Nyemba, is dedicated to sustainability, transparency, and ethical chocolate production. Their cocoa is sourced directly from smallholder farmers in Cameroon, including Ayissi’s own family farm, ensuring fair trade wages and environmentally responsible farming.
By choosing Buy BC products like Emkao Foods cacao powder, cocoa butter, and chocolate chips, you’re supporting local businesses, sustainable farming, and a fairer future for cocoa farmers worldwide.
Let’s bake with purpose—one bite at a time.
EMKAO Dark Chocolate Chip Cookies!
Say hello to your new favourite cookie! 🍪 This gluten free double chocolate cookie is here to stay. 🙌🏼 If you have 30 minutes to spare this recipe is quick, easy and super tasty. 😋
Ingredients needed:
2 1/2 cups of oat flour 🌾
1/3 cup of vegan or real butter 🧈
1/2 cup of packed brow sugar
1/2 cup of granulated white sugar
1 egg 🥚
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp of baking soda
Pinch of salt 🧂
2 TBSP cocoa powder
1 cup of dark chocolate chips 🍫
Cream your butter and sugars then add the rest of your wet ingredients. Mix until combined with your stand mixer then add your flour and reminder of dry ingredients. Add your chocolate chips last and scoop onto a lined baking tray. We used a mini-cookie scoop but you can make them as large or as small as you please.
Bake them for 12-14 minutes 🕙 at 350 for perfectly gooey cookies 🍪
EMKAO GRANOLA BARS
Your new favourite snack bar! ✨ Made with simple ingredients in under an hour! 💚🍫
Ingredients:
2 cups of rolled oats 🌾
1 cup of chopped walnuts and pecans
1/2 cup of peanut butter (chocolate peanut butter used in video) 🥜
1/4 cup sunflower seeds 🌻
1/4 cup raisins 🍇
1/4 cup honey 🍯
1/4 Cocoa Nibs 🍫
1/4 cup of Cocoa Powder 🍫
1 tsp of coconut oil
Mix everything until combined 🥣 and set into tray lined with parchment paper. Chill in freezer for 30 minutes! ❄️
Once chilled, cut and serve! 😋
EMKAO Double Chocolate Vegan Banana Bread
This banana bread is chocolatey, moist and full of flavour! 🍫 Let us show you how we made it! 👇🏻
Ingredients
1 1/3 cup of Flour 🌾
1/2 cup of Cocoa Powder 🍫
1/2 cup of Sugar ⭐️
1 TBSP of Cornstarch
1 tsp Baking Soda
1 tsp Baking Powder
Pinch of Salt 🧂
1/3 cup Vegetable Oil
1/3 cup of Plant Mylk 🌱
2 Ripe Bananas 🍌🍌
1 tsp of Vanilla Extract
1 tsp of Apple Cider Vinegar 🍎
Mix your dry ingredients (excluding your sugar) until combined 🥣 Mash your 🍌🍌 in a separate bowl, add your wet ingredients and sugar. Mix your banana mixture until combined with minimal clumps 🥄 Add your wet to your dry and mix! 💚✨
Once mixed pour into a lined baking tray, top with chocolate chips and bake at 350 for 40 minutes! 🕣
EMKAO DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE
If you have 5 minutes to spare, this double chocolate vegan brownie is going to make your day! 😍Easily made with household ingredients— let us show you how! 💚🤎💚
All you need is... 👇🏻
1 TBSP Oat Flour 🌾
2 TBSP Cocoa Powder 🍫
1/4 tsp Baking Powder 💥
3 TBSP Plant Mylk 🌱
1/2 a Banana 🍌 (mashed)
1 TBSP Nut Butter 🥜
2 tsp Coconut Sugar 🥥
1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract ✅
Chocolate Chips 🍫
Mix your flour, cocoa powder and baking soda 🥄 Then add your plant mylk and mashed banana🍌Once mixed add your nut butter, sugar and vanilla extract! Add to microwave safe bowl! 🥣 Top with chocolate chips and microwave on high for 2 1/2 minutes!
EMKAO DOUBLE CHOCOLATE BROWNIE BITES
These brownie bites are perfect for packing in lunches or group desserts! Follow this quick recipe to enjoy ooey gooey brownie bites in no time!
The ingredients you need are...
1/2 cup melted vegan butter 🧈
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup brown sugar
1/3 cup plant mylk🥛
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
1 cup of flour 🌾
3/4 cup EMKAO Natural Cocoa Powder 🍫
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt🧂
1 cup EMKAO Dark Chocolate Chips 🍫
Mix your butter, sugar and remaining wet ingredients. Mix in your dry ingredients and stir until everything is combined. Lastly, fold in your chocolate chips. Scoop into a mini cupcake tin and bake for 15 minutes at 350º. Let cool in the pan for 25 minutes before serving. Enjoy!