Chocolate Bark with Nuts & Fruit
Level
Easy
Time
15 Min
Chill
2-4 hrs
Serves
16
Published February 11, 2024
by Dr. Stephanie Gray, DC
This post may contain affiliate links.
Sometimes a special occasion calls for dessert. Since Valentine’s day and chocolate go together like PB and jam, I had to create a treat that tasted good, but didn’t break the blood sugar bank.
You will love this Chocolate Bark with Nuts & Fruit. Mixed raw nuts are lightly roasted with raspberries and blueberries sprinkled in between and dark chocolate generously drizzled over. It’s then chilled to create a bark that can be broken into small pieces to enjoy. It’s decadent and satisfies any sweet tooth. Very, very easy to make. The hardest part is waiting for the bark to harden for a couple hours in the fridge before taste testing.
On the suggestion of a friend, I decided to make the chocolate myself. This appealed to me as store bought chocolate can have a lot of refined sugars. I was surprised at how easy it was to make. I simply heated and stirred together coconut oil, maple syrup, cocoa powder and a little coffee cream (a non-dairy milk would work here too) over very low heat to produce a very decadent dark chocolate. (If this sounds like too much work, you can always melt down chocolate chips or a large chocolate bar instead of making it yourself.)
This chocolate bark is naturally gluten free, grain free, dairy free, egg free and plant based. It is also paleo friendly. No refined sugars. Enjoy in moderation since the calorie and fat content is quite high (!) Happy Valentine’s Day!
For other great healthy desserts or snacks, check out these other recipes:
Gluten free Chocolate Molten Lava Cakes
Blueberry Oatmeal Peanut Butter Cookie
Flourless Raspberry Lemon Loaf
1 Bowl Zucchini Trail Mix Cookies
Why you will LOVE this Chocolate Bark with Nuts & Fruit
- Rich and Indulgent Flavor: The homemade chocolate made from cocoa powder, maple syrup, coconut oil and “milk” (or cream) provides a rich and indulgent chocolate flavor that satisfies cravings.
- Variety of Textures: The combination of mixed nuts, fruit and nuts offers a variety of textures, from crunchy to creamy, adding depth and interest to each bite.
- Sweet and Tart Burst of Berries: The addition of blueberries and raspberries provides a burst of sweetness and tartness, balancing the richness of the chocolate and adding a refreshing element.
- Nutrient-Dense Ingredients: Nuts are packed with healthy fats, protein, and fiber, while berries are loaded with antioxidants and vitamins. This chocolate bark not only tastes great but also offers nutritional benefits.
- Customizable and Homemade: This recipe can be easily customized by adjusting the types of nuts or adding different dried or fresh fruits according to personal preferences. Different seeds, coconut flakes or adaptogenic herbs like ashwaghandha can also be added to really elevate this treat.
- Less refined sugar: Because the recipe calls for homemade chocolate, there is considerably less sugar (and no refined sugars) than if I used store bought chocolate or chocolate chips.
- This recipe is naturally gluten free, grain free, dairy free, plant based, paleo friendly.
How to Store these Homemade Chocolate Bark with Fruits & Nuts
Once you’ve broken the bark up into pieces, store it in an airtight glass container. Refrigerate for up to 7 days. Freezes well.
Chocolate Bark with Nuts and Fruit
Equipment
-
1 Baking sheet
-
1 medium pot
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans, hazelnuts)
- 1/2 cup blueberries
- 1/2 cup raspberries
For the Chocolate
- 1/2 cup coconut oil
- 1/2 cup maple syrup
- 1 cup cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup dairy free milk or coffee cream
Instructions
-
Preheat the oven to 280 F. Place 4 cups of nuts on a cookie sheet. Roast them in the oven for about 10 minutes. Set aside to cool. Let them cool completely before using.
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After nuts have cooled sprinkle the blueberries and raspberries evenly between the nuts.
To Make the Chocolate
-
**Pay attention to this set of instruction as it is important so you don’t ruin your homemade chocolate!
Over very low heat add coconut oil, maple syrup, and cocoa powder to a medium sized pot. Stir consistently with a wooden spoon until the mixture looks like chocolate. Do not leave the pot unattended. The mixture thickens quickly. Add “milk” or cream and stir it in before it gets too thick. Remove from heat. Do not let the chocolate burn or it will be ruined.
-
Once the nuts have cooled enough, you can drizzle the chocolate over the nuts and fruit so that they are covered.
-
Place in the freezer for about 30 minutes or the fridge for at least 2-4 hours.
-
Once the chocolate has set, your bark is ready to eat. Use your hands to break pieces off.
Notes
Substitute fresh blackberries for raspberries or blueberries. Substitute dried fruit for fresh fruit.
You can use store bought chocolate instead of making your own. Just be aware the refined sugar content may be significantly higher depending on the type of chocolate you use. Simply melt a 600 gram dark chocolate bar or 2 cups chocolate chips over very low heat in a medium pot, stirring regularly so that it doesn’t burn.
Nutrition
I’m a doctor of chiropractic, with a special interest in nutrition. I am passionate about healthy eating and using food to heal thyself. Food should be made in a kitchen not a factory. I believe in eating whole foods, keeping processed foods to a minimum. It is my goal to show you that eating healthy and cooking at home can be simple and very rewarding! All of my recipes are gluten-free. Some are ketogenic or paleo friendly.
Tried this recipe? Mention @drstephanieskitchen or #drstephanieskitchen on social media