I’ve got a major weakness for chocolate. I actually eat a small piece just about every single night. Many of my friends and family have admitted to the same indulgence, making me think that this bark may be the perfect little homemade gift for this coming holiday season.
I’m not going to tell you that topping chocolate off with nuts, fruits, chia seeds and hemp seeds is going to create a guiltless healthy treat. I wish I could. But really, any chance to throw healthy ingredients into our diet is just a good thing. And, when you pair them with chocolate…that’s an even better thing. Right? This bark has such great crunch from the nuts and seeds, pops of sweetness from the cranberries and raisins, and that perfect balance of sweet and salty from those crunchy bits of coarse sea salt on top.
Making chocolate bark is incredibly simple, but I think my lazy-girl method is even easier. I like to use the low heat of the oven to get the nuts toasty…don’t skip that step…it makes all the difference in the world. Once they are done, I melt the chocolate in the oven. It’s just much gentler than using a microwave, which can really zap the chocolate with too much heat and simpler than using a double-boiler over the stove…and less to clean up…always a plus.
Don’t tell my friends, but everyone is getting a bag of this bark for the holidays!
Hippie Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup pecan halves
- 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
- 3 tablespoons sliced almonds
- 2 tablespoons pepitas shelled pumpkin seeds
- 10 to 12 ounces dark chocolate or your favorite chocolate
- 3 tablespoons dried cranberries I prefer the reduced-sugar variety
- 3 tablespoons golden raisins
- 2 teaspoons shelled hemp seeds
- 1 teaspoon chia seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- Preheat your oven to 250 degrees.
- Combine the pecans, pistachios, almonds and pepitas on a baking sheet. Place them in the oven and toast for about 10 to 12 minutes, keeping a close eye on them to avoid getting too toasty. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool while you melt the chocolate.
- Place the chocolate on a baking sheet lined with parchment. Set it in the oven, still at 250 degrees, for about 5 minutes. Keep peeking at it and as soon as the chocolate has softened, remove it from the oven.
- Using an off-set spatula, spread the chocolate out into about 1/8 inch thick slab. Sprinkle on the toasted nuts and continue with the remaining ingredients.
- Slide the slab with the parchment onto a cool counter, marble pastry board or cutting board to cool and harden. This will just give you a nice flat surface in case your baking sheet is a bit wobbly like mine is. Cool for about one hour or more if needed. If your room temperature is not cool, it may take longer. You can slide the board into a freezer for just two minutes to get things going.
- Cut into random shapes with a sharp knife. If packaging the bark for gift-giving, be sure it’s cooled and hardened completely and stored in a cool spot.
My dark chocolate melted beautifully but not my milk or white…wonder why..it was Cadbury…it just went like flour after four or five mins…wonder what I did wrong…will try again with good quality chocolate and see if that is my issue…
Hello Susan…apologies for the delayed reply! Not sure I can say, but I know white chocolate is very different and can “burn” and become crumbly like that. Maybe the milk chocolate had the same reaction? If you do try another brand of milk chocolate, I’d love to hear your results!
This bark is so good! I make it for gifts, and it looks great on cookie trays for our bake sale. Very easy to throw together and so many variations to try out!
Thrilled to hear that, Tara! Happy holidays!
This looks amazing. Can’t wait to try it How do you count the Macros?
I don’t currently provide nutritional information, Diane, but there are some great online resources where you can plug in links to recipes to get that calculation.
Thank you for this awesome recipe! It seriously has all my favorite things in it! I’ve included it in my Recipe Roundup of recipes for 12 foods high in antioxidants.
Here is the link if you want to check it out.
https://www.happierwithtea.com/index.php/2020/02/13/antioxidant-challenge-recipe-roundup-36-recipes/
Thank you so much for sharing your amazing recipes!
Thank you, Freya, for including it!
This was the best! Now a family favourite. Thanks so much for a wonderful recipe
I’m so happy you all enjoyed this, Annie! Thanks for putting a huge smile on my face! :)
This is the easiest bark method ever! It turns out perfect every time. I think I am now addicted to making bark. I made the recipe for the 1st time the week before Thanksgiving. Then on Thanksgiving I made a “harvest” version that everyone loved. Since then, I’ve made it 4 more times. For work, for parties, for neighbors… I love experimenting with different chocolate, toppings and color combinations. Thank you so much for this delicious, easy and FUN recipe! Making some Christmas bark tonight. ❤
Karen…this makes me so happy! I know what you mean…we use this method all too often to create new versions. This time of year, especially, we’ve been doing lots of “experimenting” :) Wishing you the happiest of holidays!
Looks wonderful………..what size pan are you using?
Thanks so much! I use a full size sheet pan, Teresa. Their standard size is 18×26 inches. Hope that helps!
Can’t wait to make this!! A local chocolate shop makes a similar bark, and now I can save money and make my own. Do you have a preference for any certain brand of chocolate?
Oh, wonderful, Mimi! Honestly, I change up the brand of chocolate I use all the time. Sometimes, I just use whatever I’ve got in the pantry, even good quality chocolate chips work well or I’ll try something new. Use what you love best! Thanks for stopping by! :)
What a beautiful gift..for myself lol! Love that its perfectly thin. Why don’t I know what a pinning party is?
Hey, everyone needs to treat themselves sometimes! ;) Pinning parties are a lot of fun, Christina! Join in if you ever have the chance! Happy, healthy New Year! xo
Caroline this bark is BEAUTIFUL, xx!!
Thanks so much, Sherrie! xo
These are gorgeous, just like you!
Awwww…I love you, Jen! xo
Ahh I love your photos!! So pretty. This chocolate bark looks so tasty :)
Thanks so much, Natasha! Such a sweet compliment!
So so so beautiful!
Thank you so much, Gloria! <3
Any way to add some healthy ingredients is a good way and this is such a great mix! Plus, I love your idea about giving this away as a gift! I need to keep this in mind, especially for hostess gifts!
I completely agree, Jessica! Thanks so much! xo
Love a pinning party! I’ll be there. This bark is beautiful. I love how thin it is – the perfect bite size without an overwhelming amount of chocolate.
Thanks so much, Karen!