Healthy Dark Chocolate Dried Fruit and Nut Bark

This winter just got a little bit sweeter with this Healthy Dark Chocolate Dried Fruit and Nut Bark! It’s actually oh so simple, but delicious. Tempered (or melted!) dark chocolate, layered with your favorite dried fruits and nuts, then topped with a sprinkling of coconut flakes. The perfect bite that’s healthier (and more delicious!) then a candy bar. Remember to finish this bark with a light sprinkle of flaked salt for something that’s sweet AND salty. Every last bite of this dark chocolate bark has a pleasant crunch before melting in your mouth and creating a deliciously fruity, nutty, sweet, salty combo that always leaves you wanting more! Enjoy over the weekend, make it for any (and every!) upcoming holiday, or share this bark with friends and family. This dark chocolate bark is not only easy to make, but guaranteed to be a hit!

→ This post is also available as a Web Story: Dried Fruit and Nut Bark

About The Recipe

Ever wish you could have peppermint bark, but without all the festive flavors? Especially outside of the Christmas season? Well, now you can! This Healthy Dark Chocolate Dried Fruit and Nut Bark is chocolate-y, rich, nutty, fruity, and perfectly sweet.

Oh, and the best part? This recipe is naturally vegan and gluten free!

Chocolate is one of those things that brings anyone who loves it so much joy. It’s such a simple thing, but really can make someone’s day. Especially when you make something with it, ya know? This bark was inspired by all the chocolate lovers our there (including myself) that want something sweet, but don’t really want to eat a candy bar or a plain piece of chocolate.

So, we’re kicking off 2022 with a joyful way to snack. This dark chocolate bark taste like something seriously indulgent, but are secretly good for you. Each fruit and nut atop the dark chocolate is actually very nutritional. Heart healthy, boosts your immune system, and have essential vitamins and minerals to really give your body a jump-start. Even the dark chocolate has nutritional benefits!

Oh, and the best part? This bark is so simple to make. While making tempered chocolate is preferred, you can actually just use melted chocolate which means…no speciality equipment needed! A total win-win situation.

What Makes This Dark Chocolate Dried Fruit and Nut Bark So Good?

• It’s actually very good for you!
• Helps cut sweet and salty cravings.
• Made with better-for-you nuts and fruits.
• Perfect for snacking or adding to your morning yogurt!
• Great for gifting.
• Uses dark chocolate which cuts the sweetness and has more nutritional value.

Equipment Needed

• Parchment Paper
• Glass Bowls
• Thermometer (if tempering)
• 2 Quart Pot (if tempering)
• Chocolate Tempering Machine (optional to make things easier, but not necessary!)
• Rubber Spatulas

Ingredients

(Full ingredient amounts and instructions can be found in the recipe card at the bottom of the post)

• Dark Chocolate or Semi-Sweet Chocolate
• Cranberries
• Cherries
• Apricots
• Coconut Flakes
• Sliced Almonds
• Sea Salt Cashews
• Roasted and Salted Pumpkin Seeds

How To Make Dried Fruit and Nut Bark

Step 1: Melt or temper chocolate

Depending on how you want to do this, you need to either melt or temper the chocolate! We tempered the chocolate. If you don’t know, I’ve written a how to on tempering chocolate below!

Step 2: Assemble the bark

Pour the melted or tempered chocolate out onto parchment paper. Spread slightly with an offset spatula.

Sprinkle the dried fruits and nuts evenly across the top of the chocolate. Allow time to set. Cut.

How To Temper Dark Chocolate

If you would like to temper your chocolate rather than melt it, we’ve got you covered. In three simple steps, you can temper chocolate perfectly every time!

1. Place the dark chocolate in a glass bowl and place over a pot of simmering water (this technique is called a baine-marie). Stir until the chocolate melts and temperature is around 124 degrees F, but no higher 130 degrees F.
2. Remove from heat and cool, stirring constantly, to between 82 degrees F and 84 degrees F.
3. Place back over warm water and raise temperature to between 88 degrees F and 90 degrees F. Hold at this temperature.

What Kind of Chocolate Should I Use?

For this recipe, you need to use high quality dark or semi-sweet chocolate (depending on your taste). Be sure that you do not use candy melts or chocolate chips. We used a dark chocolate (64%) for the chocolate layer, but you can also use a semi-sweet (about 60%). If you are tempering the chocolate, do not use anything darker or lighter. If you do, the temperatures will not be accurate.

Should I Use Tempered or Melted Chocolate?

With this recipe, you can actually use either! Though, I will admit, it’s much better with tempered chocolate. With tempered chocolate, you will have a much harder set, which results in a much snappier/crispier chocolate. It’s also more resistant to heat! So, it’s less likely to melt in your hands. The downside to tempered chocolate is that it is more difficult to do than just melting chocolate.

With just melted chocolate, the only real upside to it is how simple it is! It doesn’t have the same qualities as tempered and it will melt in your hand. So, it’s up to you, but tempered is really the best way to go with this recipe.

How To Store

Once the chocolate is set, you can actually store it as one big piece or after it’s been cut/broken! Either way, the best way to store this chocolate bark is in am airtight container or in a zip-top bag and kept at room temperature for 7-8 days.

Substitutions

• Any combinations of fruits or nut can be used! Just make sure you like the flavors of all of them together.
• Semi sweet chocolate can be used in place of the dark chocolate. If using something like milk chocolate, the tempering temperatures will not be accurate.
• You can use raw or roasted nuts. As well as salted or unsalted.

Expert Tips

• Be sure to use a good quality chocolate for this recipe.
• Work quickly!
• If you’re tempering the chocolate, remember to have all the fruits and nuts measured before you start tempering.
• When spreading the dark chocolate, use a rubber spatula or an offset spatula to get it perfectly level.
• Be sure to sprinkle the fruits and nuts on quickly! If the chocolate is starting to set, the toppings will not stick.
• Setting times will depend on temperature in your kitchen! The colder it is, the faster it sets. The warmer it is, the slower it sets. Keep this in mind!
• Do NOT refrigerate this chocolate bark!
• This recipe is naturally gluten-free and vegan.

When you make this Healthy Dark Chocolate Dried Fruit and Nut Bark, leave a comment down below! We love hearing from you and answering any questions you might have! Also, be sure to tag us on social media and hashtag it #BakersTable.

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