Here is an easy recipe for dark chocolate bark that you can customize three different ways for dessert!
Hi Friends!
Today I have another RD friend to introduce you to! Caroline from Sweet Foodie & I connected on twitter a couple of years ago…and then we were able to meet in person last year at FNCE, which was awesome! She’s always been a huge supporter of my blog and she’s doing big things of her own in the nutrition world…so I wanted to make sure you guys met her! I asked her to share a recipe with you guys and here’s what she came up with. Prepare to drool!
Hi Lean Green Bean fans! I’m Caroline, the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist and blogger at Sweet Foodie, where I share recipes and tips on how to eat healthfully and feel your best. I believe that good nutrition should be guilt-free: cook from scratch when you can, shop smart, move more, eat well, and enjoy indulgences. I’m a big fan of Lindsay’s blog and the positive, supportive community that she’s fostered here.
As I mentioned, I’m pro-indulgences. So, I took some inspiration from popular candy bars and transformed them into healthier, but still totally decadent, chocolate bark. I love bark because it satisfies a chocolate craving without needing to eat very much, and I make it with whole ingredients like bittersweet chocolate, nuts, brown rice cereal and dried fruit, so I feel good about sharing it with my friends and family. Sprinkled with dried fruit and nuts, it’s a beautiful dessert served alongside hot tea or coffee or gift wrapped in cellophane. My parents and husband love the Krackel style bark the most. Actually, my parents call it “baaahk” with an emphasis on the Boston accent – go Sox!
Ok, so let’s get to the recipes already, right? The Chunky and Krackel bark use slightly different ingredients, but the first three steps are the same.
Chunky Bark
Ingredients:
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
1/3 cup of raisins
1/3 cup of dry roasted peanuts, roughly chopped
Directions:
1. Roughly chop the chocolate
2. Cover a sheet pan or jellyroll pan with parchment paper
3. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate at 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted (about 1 minute 15 seconds total) [my preferred method!]. Alternatively, add water to the bottom part of a double boiler so the water is about 1/2 inch away from the top pot. Melt the chocolate slowly in over low heat, stirring frequently.
4. Pour chocolate mixture onto sheet pan and spread with an offset spatula (a regular spatula works fine too – offset makes it easier) to desired thinness.
5. Sprinkle raisins and peanuts on top. Press them gently into the chocolate to set.
6. Let chocolate harden for 2 hours on the countertop or in the refrigerator. Cut or break into pieces and store in the refrigerator.
Krackel Bark
Ingredients:
10 ounces bittersweet chocolate
2 ounces milk chocolate
1 1/2 cups crispy brown rice cereal
1/3 cup reduced sugar Craisins (optional)
Directions:
1. Roughly chop the chocolate
2. Cover a sheet pan or jellyroll pan with parchment paper
3. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the chocolate at 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted (about 1 minute 15 seconds total) [my preferred method!]. Alternatively, add water to the bottom part of a double boiler so the water is about 1/2 inch away from the top pot. Melt the chocolate slowly in over low heat, stirring frequently.
4. Stir the crispy brown rice cereal and Craisins into the bowl of melted chocolate
5. Pour chocolate mixture onto sheet pan and spread with an offset spatula (a regular spatula works fine too – offset makes it easier).
6. Let chocolate harden for 2 hours on the countertop or in the refrigerator. Cut or break into pieces and store in the refrigerator.
Reese’s Peanut Butter Cup Bark
Ingredients:
4 ounces bittersweet chocolate
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
1/4 cup all natural creamy peanut butter
1/4 cup peanuts, chopped (optional)
Directions:
1. Roughly chop the chocolate
2. Cover a sheet pan or jellyroll pan with parchment paper
3. In a microwave safe bowl, microwave the bittersweet chocolate at 15-second intervals, stirring in between, until melted (about 1 minute 15 seconds total) [my preferred method!]. Alternatively, add water to the bottom part of a double boiler so the water is about 1/2 inch away from the top pot. Melt the chocolate slowly in over low heat, stirring frequently.
4. Pour the bittersweet chocolate onto sheet pan and spread with an offset spatula (a regular spatula works fine too – offset makes it easier)
5. Using the same melting method, melt the semisweet chocolate and peanut butter
6. Pour the semisweet chocolate and peanut butter mixture on top of the dark chocolate and swirl to mix using a toothpick or chopstick.
7. If desired, sprinkle with chopped peanuts. Gently press the peanuts into the chocolate to set.
8. Let chocolate harden for 2 hours in the refrigerator. Cut into pieces with a sharp knife or break apart. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator for best results.
YUM right?! Huge thanks to Caroline for stopping by today!
Let’s chat: Which bark are you going to make first?!
Enjoy!
–Lindsay–
This looks so delicious and even the second one too and I’m not even a fan of PB!
OMG yum!!
So delicious! I might try to make these for my husband’s upcoming birthday!
Oooooh I looovvvee dark chocolate, well, actually any chocolate…..or anything sweet, but thats a moot point 🙂 Definitely the reeses bark for me! Although they all sound delicious!
I would also like to make it with some pistachios or chilli. We have those a lot in England, they work really well with the dark.
oooh that sounds delicious!
OH MY! These looks yummy!!
PEANUT BUTTER BARK!!!!!
REEEECES for the HUSBAND!!!
i just made hazelnut bark! we are so on the same page. Love it. Trade ya barks?
I’d love the recipe for yours! 🙂
i’ll be sure to post it soon caroline! Then you’ll be in BARK heaven with all these recipe. hehe
i’m happy to judge which is better 🙂
The Reese’s!! Oh man, dark chocolate has my heart 🙂 As do Reese’s!!
mine too 😉
Yes, please!
They all sound great but I’m going to have to go with the peanut butter one!
PB and chocolate! Can’t get enough of that combo 😛
Me too – I LOVE PB & Chocolate together too 😀
Ummm all of them! Thanks for sharing!!
YUM!!! Must try!
HOLY—> YUM & #3!!!!
Yum! They all look good!
Oh man, drooling! The pb ones sound amazing!
Mmmm…I love bark! SO easy and SO delicious! I want all three…like now! 😉
Mouth. Watering.
Looks amazing–thanks for sharing.
Thanks for sharing, Caroline!! They all look delicious, and as much as I adore dark chocolate, I’ve actually never made my own bark! Please send any leftovers my way :).
AH I need to try that peanut butter bark!!
Whoa. I would have never thought to add Rice Krispies! So doing that. Thanks for the idea! 🙂
such a great idea, right?! Caroline is brilliant!
You had me at chocolate. This looks amazing!
Drool!
OMG I want to make all of them!!
Um Reese’s Peanut Butter Bark!?!?!?! What! This would be phenomenal!!! I think I need to make it and try not to eat it all in one sitting as is. It would be great on some yogurt!
Kim! On yogurt is such a clever idea! It’s a softer bark because of the pb addition, so I can imagine it dressing up a hot bowl of oatmeal nicely too… 🙂 Now you’ve got me thinking!
These sound so amazing! I’m already imagining some other fun combos.
Yummy! Break me off a piece right now 😉
Hi Caroline! Those 3 different recipes of dark-chocolate bark all look so yummy. I’d call them grabbers ‘coz, they grab you! Thanks for sharing your recipes.
Thank you Susan! I’m so glad you like them 🙂 Hope you have a great week!
These barks look great! I think the Reese’s one is calling my name. I love all the choices, and how easy it is to make!
Thanks Cate! So glad to hear it 🙂
Yummmm….