Spring is here, and at Ezra Cohen Montreal, we’ve been on the hunt for light and tasty snacks that will keep us full without weighing us down.

Warmer weather means that it’s time to ditch your bulky parka and say hello to lighter clothes, brighter skies, and longer days. And while you adjust your schedule and your wardrobe, you’re probably adjusting how you snack, too. Take a break from winter’s comfort foods and change up your eating approach with a fluffy dip that’s packed with protein and healthy fats—and okay, just a little bit of indulgence, too.

This chocolate nut butter dip is easy to adapt to whatever nut butters you have on hand, and works especially well with our own innovative line of nut butters. Pair it with fresh fruit, unsalted pretzel sticks, or whole grain graham crackers for the perfect afternoon snack or picnic treat, or spread it on toast in the morning for a wholesome wake-up call.

Here’s how to make it.

Chocolate Nut Butter Dip

This dip goes great with a ton of different healthy dipping options, and can also be spread on toast or stirred into your morning oatmeal. Feel free to adapt the recipe and get creative with it!

What You Need:

• ½ cup whole fat plain yogurt (Greek or regular yogurt will work, or you could use a dairy-free variety such as soy or coconut yogurt)
• 1 to 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder, depending on how chocolate-y you want your dip to be
• 2 tablespoons of Ezra Cohen Montreal nut butter (our Cashew Butter, Almond Butter, and Brazil Nut Butter would all work great here!)
• 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
• Pinch of cinnamon

Directions:

1. Combine yogurt, unsweetened cocoa powder, nut butter, honey, and cinnamon together in a small bowl and stir until completely smooth.

2. Serve chocolate nut butter dip right away, or store in the refrigerator for up to five days.

If you’d like, you can top your finished dip with dark chocolate shavings, unsweetened shredded coconut, granola, or another sprinkling of cinnamon.

Some options for what to serve on the side for dipping include:

• Fresh cut fruit, such as apples, bananas, strawberries, pineapple, orange slices, blackberries
• Unsalted pretzel sticks
• Whole grain graham crackers
• One or two of your favorite cookies
• Waffle or French toast sticks

This dip travels well so long as you pack it in a cooler, so consider doubling up on the recipe and serving it at your next outdoor picnic or event—we guarantee your friends will love it!

Is Chocolate Nut Butter Dip Healthy?

You bet. Yogurt and nut butter provide you with tons of healthy vitamins and minerals, from protein and omega-3 fatty acids to fiber and calcium. And because we’ve stuck with unsweetened cocoa powder and just a small amount of natural sweetener, there’s also no need to worry about overloading on processed sugar (though do be sure to choose a yogurt that is low in added sugar, just to keep those levels down).

Looking For More Spring Recipe Inspiration?

You know we’ve got you covered. Our recipe blog is chock full of health nut butter inspired recipes, with plenty of choices for mixing it up at spring picnics, summer barbecues, and beyond. For more sweet options, check out our recipes for Salted Caramel Cashew “Nice Cream” Made With Ezra Cohen Montreal Nut Butter or Chocolate and Sea Salt Almond Butter Bars (which are paleo and vegan—score!). We’ve got lots of savory options too, from vegan mac and cheese to almond butter beet dip. We hope that you enjoy, and that you gets lots of inspiration for how to use nut butter in your favorite treats and meals.