Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bark (naturally sweet!)

This dark chocolate trail mix bark is a naturally sweet treat you can eat every day!  Get all the goodness from dark chocolate without the added sugar.  Perfect to share with kids!

True story, I won at mommin’ last night.  I made a tasty dinner, but that wasn’t the win.  I won my kid’s heart by putting a piece of this dark chocolate trial mix bark on their plates right between their chicken and asparagus and it promptly was the first food consumed.

Normally putting chocolate on their dinner plate isn’t a thing, but this treat is legit just FOOD.  I love the tagline from Eating Evolved (a chocolate company) – it’s food not candy.  That is exactly how I see this dark chocolate trail mix bark!  I started with 100% unsweetened baking chocolate and melted it with a touch of coconut oil.  Then I poured it over my trail mix goodies – dried apricots, almonds and dates (but go for whatever mix you like!) – let it chill in the fridge and voila, FOOD was made.

I’m always on the look out to enjoy treats while keeping the sugar low.  There is just such an over consumption of sugar going on, and especially for kids.  Kids are always offered treats of so many varieties, and that’s fine for special occasions, but not every day.  Maybe I’m not in the norm, but all the cookies and candies offered when you’re out running errands is just too much.  I know all the treats are well meaning, but it just becomes a lot.  Kid’s palettes are developing.  Their habits are developing.  I’m just over here working hard to keep their taste buds loving real food!

Real chocolate has some great benefits, but usually chocolate is found and loaded up with excess sugar.  I want myself and kids to get the benefit of real cacao so that we can get these benefits (source)

1. Protection from Disease-Causing Free Radicals
2. Potential Cancer Prevention
3. Improved Heart Health
4. Good for Overall Cholesterol Profile
5. Better Cognitive Function
6. Blood Pressure and Blood Sugar Aid
7. Antioxidant-Rich Superfood
8. Potential Vision Booster

If 100% unsweetened chocolate seems too intense to start with, slowly ease into it.  Maybe you use half unsweetened chocolate mixed with half 60% chocolate (thus making it a 80% chocolate).  Start with whatever combo of unsweetened and sweetened chocolate you like, then slowly creep towards reducing the sweetened one.  The dried apricot and dates add a nice bit of natural sweetness, so I highly suggest giving this one a try as is!  We are obsessed and I hope you will be too!

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5 from 1 vote

Dark Chocolate Trail Mix Bark (Naturally Sweet!)

This dark chocolate trail mix bark is a naturally sweet treat you can eat every day!  Get all the goodness from dark chocolate without the added sugar.  Perfect to share with kids!

Prep Time5 minutes mins

Cook Time5 minutes mins

Total Time10 minutes mins

Course: Snack

Cuisine: American

Keyword: chocolate, naturally sweet

Author: Heather

Ingredients

• 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• ½ cup dried apricots diced
• ½ cup raw almonds diced
• ½ cup pitted dates diced

Instructions

• Over a double boiler (see note) add the chocolate and coconut oil.  Melt together and stir occasionally.
• While the chocolate melts, add your dried apricots, almonds and dates to a silicone cake pan.  Once the chocolate is melted, pour over the trail mix.  Place in the fridge to chill and set.  Once fully cool cut into pieces and store in the fridge.

Notes

If you don’t have a double boiler (like me!) fill 1-2 inches of water in a small pot and place a glass bowl over the top of your pot.  Bring the water to a simmer and melt your chocolate in the glass bowl portion.

Did you make this recipe?Be sure to tag me @fitmamarealfood or tag #fitmamarealfood!

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What is your favorite percentage of chocolate?  I love 90% – give me all that bitter delicious chocolate flavor, please!

Heather