Dec 16 2009 01:00 am
How To Make A Fruit and Nut Chocolate Bark
- I thought this recipe was very easy and quick to prepare. It only took heating up the store for a short time, and except for cutting up the dried apricots there was nothing else I had to prepare. If you like chocolate this recipe will be for you. Having almonds and fruit in the recipe makes it a little more healthy.
Recipe
1 1/2 cups whole raw almonds (about 9 oz), divided
1 lb. bittersweet chocolate (65% cocoa), finely chopped
1/2 cup dried pitted tart cherries
1/2 cup chopped dried apricots
Preparation:
- Toast almonds by baking at 325 degrees for 8-10 minutes, until fragrant and golden (or leave raw).
- Line a baking sheet with waxed paper. Melt chocolate in a bowl set over hot water (see how to melt chocolate below), stirring frequently until smooth. Remove from heat. Stir in 1 cup almonds, plus cherries and apricots. Scrape mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread out with a spatula to about 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle remaining almonds evenly over top, gently pressing into chocolate to adhere.
- Chill bark until completely firm, abour 2 hours. Break or cut into chunks and store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one day, or refrigerate for up to two weeks.
PER SERVING (1 ounce): 162 cal, 60% fat cal, 13g fat, 4g sat fat, 0mg chol, 3g protein, 15g carb, 3g fiber, 2mg sodium
How To Melt Chocolate:
Place chopped chocolate in a glass or metal bowl that can nest on top of a pot filled with a few inches of water. Bring water to a simmer, turn off heat, and then place bowl over hot water (the bottom should not touch the water). Stir frequently with a flexible spatula to encourage even melting. If necessary, remove bowl, reheat water, and replace bowl. Once chocolate is melted, remove bowel from pan, stir well, and use immediately.
- I used bittersweet chocolate chips which I found to melt quite easily. I have never melted chocolate like this before so I wasn’t sure how the method was going to work but found it to be very quick. I did have to reheat my water but it could of been because my bowl was more deep that wide.
- This recipe makes for a nice chocolate treat with an added touch of fruit and nuts.
Reference:
