(This recipe first appeared in the February print edition of the Hendersonian.)
How about some chocolate with added fruit and nuts? This chocolate bark recipe is delicious and easy to make.
This sweet treat actually carries some modest health benefits. The flavonoids in cocoa help lower blood pressure, improve vascular function and lower cholesterol. Moderation is key because of the fat and sugar content along with the dish being calorie dense. Nuts and dried fruits also add some antioxidant and heart health benefits, making this recipe nutrient dense. The recipe makes enough that you can keep some for yourself and share the rest. The ideal portion size would be a couple of small pieces.
Dark Chocolate, Fruit & Nut Bark
Ingredients
2 cups dark or semi-sweet chocolate
Dash of flake or ground/milled sea salt
⅛ cup dried cranberries
⅛ cup dried cherries
⅛ cup dried blueberries
⅛ cup unsweetened coconut flakes (optional)
⅛ cup sliced almonds, broken
⅛ cup sea salted pistachios
⅛ cup roasted pumpkin seeds (optional)
Instructions
Measure all the fruits and nuts before you start tempering. Temper or melt chocolate according to package directions. Pour out onto a large baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Spread into 12″x 9″ rectangle. When spreading the chocolate, use a silicone spatula or an offset spatula to get it reasonably level. There may be slight variation. Sprinkle with desired toppings.
Work quickly!
Allow to set. Depending on the thickness of the chocolate in some areas, complete setting may take up to an hour. Cut or break into pieces.
Notes:
• Any combination of fruit and/or nuts can be used! Just make sure you like the flavors of all of them together.
• Semi sweet chocolate can be used in place of the dark chocolate.
• You can use raw or roasted nuts, either salted or unsalted.
• Do not place in a refrigerator or freezer to get the chocolate to set.
Merritt Bates-Thomas is a registered dietitian nutritionist (RDN) who has been sharing recipes with a healthier twist on WBKR FM 92.5’s What’s Cooking since 2017. In May 2023, she joined ABC 25 Local Lifestyles to share recipes and tips for flavorful cooking. She also appears on CW7’s Daybreak Extra’s Joe’s Kitchen and is a contributor to Kentucky Monthly. You can follow her on Instagram @thekitchentransition and now on Facebook at The Kitchen Transition.
