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{Note from Jessica: Today’s post is shared by my lovely friend, Marjorie Saveski, author of the This is So Good website. Marjorie is a blogger and a home cook with a passion for real food, health, and fitness. She hopes to share what she has learned through her real life experience and research with her readers. Stop by her site, This is So Good, to find more delicious recipes and helpful health information.}

This is one of my favorite times of the year!

December brings celebrations of the holidays, gatherings with family and friends, cookie exchanges, gift-giving, and food. Lots and lots of food!

At every turn, there is something to tempt you – cookies, pies, candy… I know a lot of people who generally stick to a real food diet most of the year, but who jump face-first into store-bought, processed treats, only to feel the effects the next day or sometimes even the next hour!

Aside from strong will power, what’s one to do when faced with so many opportunities to eat poor quality food?

The answer is to bring something you have made yourself using clean ingredients.

Something that will satisfy the urge to eat overly processed candies and junk food.

Something that is quick to put together and that your junk food-loving uncle will enjoy too!

That’s where these recipes for Dark Chocolate Bark will come in handy!

Each of the recipes I am going to share with you comes together in less than 10 minutes. If you count time for chilling and cutting, you can be out the door in under 30 minutes with a delicious treat ready to gift to the party host, give to a friend, or display on a holiday sweets table.

Dark Chocolate Bark Three Ways // deliciousobsessions.com

The beauty of these recipes is that they are just ideas and guidelines.

If you prefer a different nut or dried fruit, go for it.

Just make sure to buy the highest quality ingredients you can find. Look for dried fruit that is just fruit, no nasty additives or seed oils. Buy raw nuts whenever possible and soak them before using for increased digestibility. Check out my tutorial for instructions.

Look for organic dark chocolate that is at least 75% or darker and has no additives or preservatives.

Dark Chocolate Bark Three Ways // deliciousobsessions.com

You do not need to be a candy-making expert to make these barks – I’m certainly not! You only need to know one special skill: how to use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.

How to Make a Double Boiler

To make a double boiler, follow these steps:

  1. find a glass bowl that will sit atop a saucepan, leaving about an inch or two of space from the bottom of the saucepan.
  2. Add a small amount of water to the bottom of the pan, making sure it is not touching the glass bowl.
  3. Add your chocolate to the bowl and turn on the heat.
  4. As the water simmers, it will warm the bottom of the bowl and melt the chocolate.
  5. Using a rubber scraper, gently move the chocolate around the bowl until it is melted. Do not stir too quickly, you do not want air bubbles in the chocolate.
  6. Have a kitchen towel nearby and remove the bowl (using hot pads) and place it on the towel.
  7. Dry off the bottom of the bowl, taking care not to get any water into the chocolate. If water drips into the chocolate, it will cause it to seize, meaning it will get lumpy and chalky looking.

Have fun making these recipes or your coming up with your own ideas! Please share your favorite combinations of toppings in the comments – I’d love to hear your ideas!!

Delicious Obsessions Trusted Product Recommendations for Dark Chocolate Bark

I am always asked about my favorite ingredients and what I use in my own kitchen. I have linked to the products from my affiliate partners that I personally use and recommend. And now, here are the special coupon offers that select affiliate partners are currently offering:

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Dark Chocolate Bark Three Ways (Cranberry Pistachio, Apricot Cranberry Walnut, and Toasted Coconut and Hazelnut with Sea Salt) // deliciousobsessions.com

Dark Chocolate Bark Three Ways (Cranberry Pistachio, Apricot Cranberry Walnut, and Toasted Coconut and Hazelnut with Sea Salt)

Yield: 8 Servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Skip the storebought chocolate bark and make your own at home with this easy recipe! You do not need to be a candy-making expert to make these barks and they come together in no time. Make extra to share with loved ones!

Ingredients

For the chocolate base

For the Apricot Cranberry Walnut Bark:

For the Cranberry Pistachio Bark:

For the Toasted Coconut and Hazelnut with Sea Salt Bark:

Instructions

  1. Melt the dark chocolate in the double boiler as instructed above.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Spread the melted chocolate into a thin layer. How thin is up to you - if you prefer a thicker bark, do not spread it out too much. Make sure not to spread it so thinly that you see paper through the chocolate.
  4. Sprinkle your toppings over the chocolate and place it in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes to harden.
  5. Remove the bark from the parchment paper and use a large knife to cut it into randomly shaped pieces.
  6. For the Toasted Coconut and Hazelnut Bark, spread the coconut and hazelnuts out on a baking sheet and bake at 300 degrees for 5-8 minutes, checking frequently to avoid burning. Stir the mixture up occasionally to make sure you get even browning. After sprinkling the ingredients over the chocolate, take a few pitches of sea salt and sprinkle it over the bark before chilling.
  7. Enjoy!!

What is your favorite homemade candy? What flavor combinations would you like to try with this bark? Leave a comment below!

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