Easy Dark Chocolate Bark

A quick and healthy treat you can feel virtuous about eating or giving as a gift. Although it is temptin to microwave the chocolate, microwaves destroy food (as I learned from my nutritional therapy program.) Use a double boiler instead: boil an inch of water in a saucepan, lower the heat and insert a small metal bowl with the chopped chocolate. Stir the chocolate occasionally being careful not to get any water in the bowl.


Easy Dark Chocolate Bark
From Cookie and Kate
About 25 large pieces

12 oz dark chocolate chips or chopped chocolate (I use soy-free, organic)
1/4 cup dried chopped fruit (I used dried apricots and cranberries)
3/4 cup chopped nuts and seeds (shred coconut, hazelnuts and pumpkin seeds in photo above)
1/2 tsp flaky sea salt (optional)

Melt the chocolate in a double boiler.

Line a rimmed cookie sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat mat.

Pour the melted chocolate into the center of the parchment paper and spread with a rubber scraper until it is just under 1/4" thick. Sprinkle the chopped fruit and nuts onto the molten slab and press lightly with the palm of your hand to get good adhesion. Add the flaky salt sparingly, crushing it between your fingers.

Let cool completely (2-4 hours) and then break into large pieces with your hands. Store in an airtight container.