Chocolate Nut Bark
50 Min
GF

Chocolate Nut Bark

More than 5000 years ago, the cacao bean was domesticated in present day Ecuador. Even then it was considered a gift from the gods by the Mayans and the Aztecs. By the 1500’s, now believed to be an aphrodisiac and medicine, shipments of cacao to Europe began. The complicated process of turning bitter cacao pods into chocolate evolved over the years. Sweetened chocolate caught on like wildfire in the 18th century and the rest is history. The worldwide love for chocolate has continued to this day.

And given that Valentine’s Day is around the corner, here is a simple chocolate bark with nuts for you to play with. You could turn the bark into clusters or make it in a heart shaped pan. The important thing is buying good dark chocolate with a high percentage of cocoa butter. The more cacao butter in the chocolate, the better it will temper to make the chocolates. 

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Cook Time

50 Minutes + cooling time

Serves

4

Step 1
Toast the cashews and the almonds separately in a preheated 325°F oven for 8 to 10 minutes. The cashews should just turn golden brown, but the almonds should turn a medium brown on the inside. Leave the pistachios untoasted but mince finely.
Step 2
Prepare a small baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 3
Place the chocolate, cream, spices and salt into a small bowl and on top of a double boiler filling it only a third with water, making sure the bottom of the bowl is not touching the water.
Step 4
As the water warms up, the chocolate will start to melt. Resist the temptation to stir – let the chocolate melt almost entirely, then remove the bowl from the heat. Let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes then gently stir it.
Step 5
Next, spread half the almonds and cashews on the parchment paper. Pour half the chocolate over it. Then place the rest of the nuts on top and top off with remaining chocolate mix. Sprinkle the pistachios on top. Let the bark cool in the refrigerator for an hour or so. Cut or crack into smaller pieces.

1 cup whole cashews

1 cup whole almonds

1/4 cup pistachios

8 oz of dark chocolate

1/4 cup heavy cream

1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Generous pinch of salt

Notes & Variations

  • Personalize this bark by making it with the nuts of your choice from walnuts to pecans.
  • To make clusters, once the chocolate has melted, combine all the ingredients except the pistachios and drop spoonfuls on the parchment paper. Top with pistachios.
  • The bark or the clusters will keep for 3 to 4 weeks in the refrigerator in an airtight container. Take it out 10 to 15 minutes before consuming.
Tags:
50 Min
GF

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