Superfood Dark Bark

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Two kinds of dark bark with superfoods.

PEPPERMINT RAW CACAO + CRANBERRY COCONUT DARK BARK

Author (article + recipe): Margot Rutigliano

We all love sweet treats for the holidays right? I know we do! It’s kind of nice to mix in some superfoods with your sweet holiday recipes to bump up the nutrition content. I’ve got two awesome superfood dark bark recipes for you that are delicious and loaded with nutritional goodness – a win, win! The peppermint +  raw cacao is more of a traditional chocolate peppermint patty taste. It’s fresh and hits the holiday sweet spot! My cranberry coconut dark bark is more subdued but the tart cranberries make this combo a winner. Enjoy!

TWO HEALTHIER HOLIDAY DARK BARK RECIPES

Peppermint + Raw Cacao

Ingredients:

  • 9 oz 65% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (I prefer these – chocolate chips)

  • 6 organic candy canes (I used these – candy canes), chopped into small pieces

  • 4 T Raw Cacao Nibs (raw cacao nibs)

  • *Optional – a few drops of peppermint extract to mix in with chocolate

Benefits: Raw cacao is the major superfood in this recipe. Raw cacao has up to 40 times the antioxidants of blueberries, is loaded with iron (7.3mg per 100g), has tons of magnesium (one of the highest plant based sources of magnesium) and is a natural mood enhancer (Cacao has serotonin, dopamine, anandamide and phenylethylamine.  These neurotransmitters are associated with cosy feelings of wellbeing, happiness, and can even alleviate depression).

HOW TO – DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare your ingredients. Pre-portion out raw cacao, chop peppermint.

  2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  3. Prepare a double boiler. Place about 1 inch of water in a pan and place a heat safe bowl just above the water so that the bowl will heat without touching the water.

  4. Heat water to a simmer (you don’t want to overheat or burn the chocolate) and pour chocolate chips into top bowl. Stir until melted.

  5. Remove bowl with chocolate from heat. Add 2 T cacao nibs + 1/2 chopped peppermint to melted chocolate and stir.

  6. Pour chocolate mixture over parchment paper and sprinkle with remaining cacao nibs + peppermint.

  7. Place sheet pan in freezer and freeze until chocolate is completely set.

  8. Remove from freezer and break apart into pieces.

  9. Store in airtight container in refrigerator (I like min in the freezer for extra freshness!)

Cranberry, Coconut + Flax Dark Bark

Ingredients:

  • 9 oz 65% cacao bittersweet chocolate chips (I prefer these – chocolate chips)

  • 4 T organic dried cranberries (I love these – they’re nice and tart! dried cranberries)

  • 2 T shredded organic coconut ( I use Bob’s Red Mill – shredded coconut)

  • 2 T organic flax seeds (these are our favorite – flax seeds)

  • *Optional – a few drops of vanilla extract mixed in with the chocolate

Benefits: The superfoods in this recipe are the raw cacao (check the peppermint bark for benefits), dried cranberries (antioxidants, vitamin A, vitamin C + fiber) and flax seeds which are loaded with omega-3 (ALA), fiber (8g per 1 ounce), 6g protein (per 1 ounce) as well as vitamin B1, manganese, magnesium, phosphorous, selenium, zinc and more!

HOW TO – DIRECTIONS:

  1. Prepare your ingredients. Pre-portion out raw cacao, chop peppermint.

  2. Line a sheet pan with parchment paper.

  3. Prepare a double boiler. Place about 1 inch of water in a pan and place a heat safe bowl just above the water so that the bowl will heat without touching the water.

  4. Heat water to a simmer (you don’t want to overheat or burn the chocolate) and pour chocolate chips into top bowl. Stir until melted.

  5. Remove bowl with chocolate from heat. Add 2 T cranberries + 1 T shredded coconut + 1 T flax seeds to chocolate and stir.

  6. Pour chocolate mixture over parchment paper and sprinkle with remaining cranberries, coconut and flax seeds.

  7. Place sheet pan in freezer and freeze until chocolate is completely set.

  8. Remove from freezer and break apart into pieces.

  9. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Enjoy! I made both of these at the same time (and I halved the recipes) for a small get together. I’ll be making the full recipes for my family in just a few days. You can mix and match your ingredients to so don’t be afraid to get creative and invent your own bark.

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