With this time of year comes lots of indulgences and baked goods (gotta love Christmas cookies). Whether you need a last minute dessert to bring to your work holiday luncheon, or are just craving a little something sweet, here is a way to indulge that will satisfy any sweet tooth, using simple, straightforward, and natural ingredients.
Holiday Chocolate Bark
2 bags dark (look for 70% or darker) chocolate chunks (I like Enjoy Life Brand, available at Whole Foods, because they are gluten, soy and dairy free)
¼ cup cashews, roasted and salted
¼ cup pumpkin seeds, roasted and salted
¼ cup dried cranberries
½ t sea salt
Step 1:
Pro-tip: Toast pumpkin seeds and cashews over low heat to add that wow factor to your bark. Don’t wander far during this step because nuts and seeds can burn fast. This will take only about 5 minutes, turn off the heat when you start to smell a nutty aroma being released from the nuts.
Step 2:
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and get a rubber spatula ready.
Step 3:
Melt your chocolate. For this step you will need a saucepan and a glass bowl. Bring about 2 cups of water to a boil in your saucepan. Then place a glass pyrex bowl over top of the saucepan as your water boils. Put your chocolate chips in the glass bowl and wait for them to melt, stirring occasionally. When chips are completely melted, spread melted chocolate across your lined cookie sheet. Sprinkle with cashews, seeds, dried fruit, and sea salt.
Step 4:
Set it and forget it. Place cookie sheet in refrigerator and leave for about an hour. Once chocolate is set, break apart into small pieces. Enjoy, and share with family and friends!