Here is a tasty recipe just in time for the New Year celebrations. This Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruits and Almonds recipe is sweetened with Monk Fruit In The Raw which is a wholesome, zero-calorie sweetener.
Monk Fruit is a vine-ripened fruit native to South East Asia. It can found in packets and Bakers Bags. IF you are looking for a reduced sugar and lower calorie option to kick off the new year this one has wholesome ingredients, taste great, no sugar alcohols and you'll feel good about using this for your family.
Here is one recipe to give Monk Fruit In The Raw a try. Check out this recipe and more, HERE.
Chocolate Bark with Dried Fruits and Almonds
Ingredients
| 1/4 | cup sliced almonds |
| 1/4 | cup dried cranberries |
| 1/4 | cup Hunza or golden raisins |
| 1/4 | cup Thompson raisins |
| 1 | Monk Fruit In The Raw® -sweetened dark chocolate, preferably tempered (see attached) |
Preparation
Tempering Chocolate: See recipe for tempering chocolate
Line a baking sheet with baking parchment. In a bowl, combine the almonds, cranberries, and raisins.
Using a metal or a flexible spatula, spread the Monk Fruit In The Raw™ -sweetened tempered chocolate in a roughly 8-inch x 12-inch x 1/4-inch layer on the prepared baking sheet, smoothing to even it. Sprinkle the dried fruits and nuts evenly over the chocolate. Set the Bark aside until the chocolate sets firmly, 2-3 hours.
Gently lift the bark off the baking sheet, using your fingers to break it into pieces of varying size. Place the pieces of Bark in an airtight container, or a decorative gift box, using wax paper to separate layers.
Chocolate bark can be made with melted chocolate that is not tempered. To harden, chill the bark until the chocolate is firm, and serve it directly from the refrigerator. The chocolate may look cloudy or streaky and will melt quickly in your fingers, but the bark will taste as good as when made using tempered chocolate.
Per serving/1 ounce:
211 calories, 11 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 12 mg sodium
211 calories, 11 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 12 mg sodium
Alternate toppings are:
Tropical Bark:
3 tablespoons cacao nibs, 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded dried coconut, 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots, and 1/3 cup chopped dried mango.
3 tablespoons cacao nibs, 3 tablespoons unsweetened shredded dried coconut, 1/4 cup chopped dried apricots, and 1/3 cup chopped dried mango.
Per serving/1 ounce:
223 calories, 13 g fat 8 g saturated fat, 25 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 14 mg sodium
223 calories, 13 g fat 8 g saturated fat, 25 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 4 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 14 mg sodium
Zen Bark:
1/4 cup dried white mulberries, 1/4 cup Hunza raisins, 3 tablespoons dried goji berries, 1/4 cup raw cashews, and 3 tablespoons shelled pistachios
1/4 cup dried white mulberries, 1/4 cup Hunza raisins, 3 tablespoons dried goji berries, 1/4 cup raw cashews, and 3 tablespoons shelled pistachios
Per serving/1 ounce:
226 calories, 12 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 15 mg sodium
226 calories, 12 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 27 g carbohydrate, 3 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 15 mg sodium
Fig and Nut Bark:
4 Turkish figs, cut vertically into thin slices, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/3 cup dried cranberries
4 Turkish figs, cut vertically into thin slices, 1/3 cup chopped walnuts, and 1/3 cup dried cranberries
Per serving/1 ounce:
214 calories, 12 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 25 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 11 mg sodium
214 calories, 12 g fat 6 g saturated fat, 25 g carbohydrate, 2 g protein, 3 g dietary fiber, 1 mg cholesterol, 11 mg sodium
To make candy bars, pour the tempered chocolate into plastic molds, then press dried fruits and nuts into the exposed surface of what would normally become the bottom of the bar when it is unmolded.
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