Prepare to elevate your holiday celebrations with a delicious homemade treat – my Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Shaved Almonds! 🍒🍫 This simple yet decadent recipe brings together the rich goodness of semi-sweet chocolate, the tartness of unsweetened dried cherries, and the satisfying crunch of shaved almonds. To add a festive twist, we’ve included a touch of orange dark chocolate, making it a perfect fit for the Christmas season. 🍊 Imagine the joy of filling stockings with these delicious chocolate creations or making them with your children on a snowy Christmas Eve afternoon!
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark: a vegan, dairy-free, and gluten-free recipe ❌🥛🌾
Do you think that health and taste cannot go hand in hand? This dark chocolate bark recipe will prove you wrong! Think about a thin layer of melted semi-sweet chocolate chips, sprinkled with sour dried cherries, crunchy slivered almonds, and velvety swirls of orange dark chocolate. An indulgent caress for the palate, which is also good for your body! 🛀🏽
These dark chocolate barks are a real powerhouse of nutrition. Besides being entirely plant-based, gluten-free, dairy-free, and low in sugar, they also contain precious antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that can support our physical and mental well-being, and help us feel energized and ready to tackle day-to-day tasks. I love consuming them as a quick snack whenever I am following peckish, paired with some Greek yogurt or a protein shake for a complete meal, but also as a healthier dessert after a decadent lunch or dinner. 🍒
And the best thing is that my children adore them too, and I’m certainly not complaining about that! These dark chocolate barks are a great alternative to store-bought candies and pralines, as they do not contain any added sugars or preservatives. Use them to fill their stockings for a scrumptious and wholesome Christmas morning! 🎅🏽
The recipe below makes for approximately 20-25 chocolate bark pieces, which should last for up to 7-10 days if stored in the fridge in an airtight container. However, I am sure they will be gone in a couple of days if not hours! 🤣
On a last note, you can easily personalize the chocolate bark recipe by easily swapping the dried cherries with some dried apricots or raisins, using some walnuts, pumpkin seeds, or hazelnut grits in place of the shaved almonds, or adding some peanut butter or tahini on top for an indulgent touch.
Dark Chocolate Bark: Uncovering the Incredible Benefits of Its Ingredient 💣
As explained above, this dark chocolate bark with almonds and dried cherries recipe is full of goodness due to the combination of nutrient-rich ingredients used in its preparation. Let’s uncover them!
Dark Chocolate 🍫
- Heart-Healthy Antioxidants: Dark chocolate is rich in antioxidants like flavonoids, known for their potential heart health benefits.
- Mood-Boosting Properties: Dark chocolate contains serotonin precursors, such as theobromin, contributing to a potential mood lift.
Ingredient Selection Tip: Opt for high-quality dark chocolate with at least 70% cocoa content to maximize antioxidant benefits. Read labels to avoid excess sugar and artificial additives. If possible, opt for chocolate made from organic cocoa.
Unsweetened Dried Cherries 🍒
- Antioxidant Powerhouse: Cherries are packed with antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which may help combat oxidative stress.
- Anti-Inflammatory Properties: The compounds in cherries have been linked to reduced inflammation and may aid in joint health.
Ingredient Selection Tip: Look for unsweetened dried cherries without added sugars or preservatives. I love the unsweetened dried cherries from Herbaila! 😍
Shaved Almonds 🥜
- Heart-Healthy Fats: Almonds are a great source of monounsaturated fats, which can contribute to heart health.
- Nutrient-Rich: Almonds contain essential nutrients like vitamin E, magnesium, and fiber.
Ingredient SelectionTip: Opt for raw, unsalted shaved almonds to avoid unnecessary sodium and preserve the nut’s natural nutritional profile.
If you like this recipe, I am sure you will also love this scrumptious Chocolate Cherry Ice Cream (vegan, dairy-free) 🍒🍫. Another great addition to your Christmas Eve dinner menu. Let me know in the comments how you like this recipe💗…and wish you a happy Festive season! 🎄
Dark Chocolate Bark with Dried Cherries and Almonds (vegan, dairy-free)
Ingredients
- 2 cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 1 cup Dried Cherries better if unsweetened
- 3 oz Orange Dark Chocolate
- 3 cups Shaved Almonds
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure the parchment paper extends beyond the edges of the sheet for easy removal later.
- In a heatproof bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can use a microwave or a double boiler for this. If using a microwave, heat in 20-second intervals, stirring in between until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it out evenly, creating a thin layer.
- Sprinkle the dried cherries evenly over the melted chocolate layer. Press them gently into the chocolate.
- Melt the orange dark chocolate using the same method as the semi-sweet chocolate. Drizzle the melted orange chocolate over the dried cherries.
- Use a toothpick or a skewer to create swirls by gently dragging it through the layers of melted chocolate. This will create a marbled effect.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator to allow the chocolate to set. This will take approximately 1-2 hours.
- Once the chocolate bark has hardened, remove it from the refrigerator. Lift the parchment paper to easily break the bark into rustic pieces.
- Arrange the dark chocolate bark on a serving plate and enjoy! Store any leftovers in an airtight container in a cool place.
