CHOCOLATE BARK WITH BENEFITS
Don't feel deprived during the holiday season...just put a healthier spin on the snacks you like. I made my chocolate bark using 73% dark chocolate...choose the darkest chocolate you find appealing since the darker, the healthier. Remember, "the more bitter, the more better" because the beneficial phytonutrients have a bitter taste! This decadent snack makes a nice gift for family, friends, and co-workers.
The recipe is by Dreena Burton: CHOCOLATE BARK WITH BENEFITS
Here is a somewhat silly but educational video about the differences between milk and dark chocolates:
DARK CHOCOLATE WITH BENEFITS
Ingredients
1 cup non-dairy chocolate chips or broken dark chocolate bar (I used Trader Joe’s 72% dark)
2 Tablespoon ground black or white chia seeds
2 Tablespoon pumpkin seeds, can substitute sunflower seeds or hemp seeds
1/3 - 1/2 cup natural rice crisp cereal (I didn’t have so left out)
1/4 teaspoon vanilla bean powder, optional (I didn’t have so left out)
few pinches sea salt for top, optional (Didn’t use)
Toppings: 1-2 Tablespoon chopped goji berries or other dried fruit for flavor/color, 1-2 crushed pumpkin seeds (or other seeds/nuts), or 1 Tablespoon shredded coconut, or use whatever toppings you prefer
(I used a good amount of chopped almonds, chopped dried cranberries, chopped shelled pumpkin seeds (pepitas), and black chia seeds. Add whatever amounts you want as long as there is enough chocolate to coat it.)
Instructions
Line a baking sheet with a piece of parchment paper.
Melt the chocolate by placing in a bowl fitted over a pot with simmering water. (I used a double boiler pan.) Be sure the water isn’t a rolling boil, since if the water splatters out, even a tiny drop will make the chocolate seize. So, keep the heat low, and stir the chocolate until it’s smooth.
Add remaining ingredients (except salt) and stir through.
Transfer the mixture to the parchment paper, using a spatula to scrape out all the chocolate.
Tip the baking sheet back and forth to help spread out the chocolate bark to a thin layer (about 1/8"). Sprinkle on salt and any other toppings you’d like.
Transfer to fridge until completely cool, about a half our or more.
Once fully chilled and hardened, break into pieces for nibbling!
