Chocolate Superfood Bark 1360

Mix 'n Match Chocolate Bark

Valentine's Day is associated with chocolate and our dietitians felt it would be inappropriate if we gave it the snub. All too often, we look at our diets and think about the things we should be taking away. What if we flip that narrative and instead consider what we can add so that the foods we indulge in also add nutritional value.  

Our recipe for Basic Chocolate Bark is a blank canvas for nutrient-rich flavors. Some of our suggestions? 

  • Dried or freeze-dried fruit is rich in fiber and antioxidants.
  • Dried herbs and spices like cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, and cayenne are associated with a bevy of health benefits, such as reducing blood sugar, inflammation, nausea, or pain. 
  • Nuts and seeds are good sources of heart-healthy fats, fiber, and plant protein. Plus, they contain antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds.
  • Matcha powder is also touted for its concentrated amount of antioxidants. 
Dark Chocolate Turmeric Pepita Bark 2

Basic Chocolate Bark

Our recipe for Basic Chocolate Bark is a blank canvas for nutrient-rich flavors. Use our suggested combinations or mix 'n match dried fruit, nuts and seeds, or spices to create your own unique recipe. 

Serving size: 1 ounce, Makes 15 servings

Ingredients

10 ounces milk, dark, or white chocolate chips
about 1/2 cup or 4 ounces toppings

Instructions

Prepare your pan: Using a marker, draw a 6x7.5-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the paper over and place on a sheet pan. 

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over low heat. Alternatively, melt the chocolate in the microwave, stirring every 20 seconds. This method should take about 60 seconds. Either way, do not overcook! Remove from heat before all the chips are fully melted and stir until they slowly melt. This is called tempering the chocolate and will result in a glossy and smooth bark. 

Pour the melted chocolate on the parchment paper and spread it evenly in the shape of your rectangle. Sprinkle with toppings. Set aside and allow to cool about 2 hours until firm. Break or cut into 15 pieces. 

Dark chocolate + 1/2 cup sprinkled pepitas + 1/2 tsp dusted turmeric

White chocolate + 1 TBSP matcha (reserve 4 T white chocolate for swirling on top) + 1/2 oz freeze-dried strawberries

Smoked almonds + crushed dried ancho pepper