Chocolate Cherry Nut Bark {Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free}
/Indulge with this healthy paleo chocolate cherry nut bark. This antioxidant-rich treat will have you enjoying a healthy dessert without the guilt since it’s dairy free, vegan, gluten free, and free from refined sugar.
So I don’t eat a lot of sweets. You know the sugar thing. I avoid it.
I won’t tell you that you should too, but really you should :-) Your body will thank you.
I do still like a little treat after eating and that treat is usually raw cacao. I like up to 100% raw cacao.
I know. It can be a little bitter for some, but I love it.
It’s full of great antioxidant properties, and of course, it’s just tasty.
To me. You may have to work your way up to 100%. It’s not for amateur healthy chocolate lovers.
So I took the whole better for you chocolate idea and extended it to this healthy chocolate cherry nut bark.
People, this healthy dessert is so easy.
Really easy.
All you do is melt some chocolate.
I recommend using a minimum of 70% cacao.
That’s the good stuff. Cacao is an Amazonian superfood you know.
Cacao is minimally processed, so you won’t have any dairy or added sugars.
You’ll just have the antioxidant-rich, heart-healthy, hormone balancing offspring of the cacao bean.
And then you have cherries. Cherries are also loaded with antioxidants and can help lower your blood sugar and risk of heart disease.
I used dried cherries in this chocolate nut bark. Just be sure a bunch of crap hasn’t been added to the cherries to make this healthy dessert, well you know, not so healthy.
You gotta love walnuts for their great crunch and, guess what, more antioxidants. You’ll also get some protein, Omega-3s, copper, manganese, and biotin (great for hair and nails!).
Ok, you may not care about any of the health benefits of this dessert. So let me just tell you that this chocolate cherry nut bark just tastes good. It’s an easy dessert that just happens to be healthy too.
Serve it to Santa so he can fit down a few extra chimneys this year!
Chocolate Cherry Nut Bark
(Paleo, Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Refined Sugar Free}
Ingredients
14 ounces (about 2 cups) or 60-70% paleo vegan chocolate
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/2 cup dried cherries, coarsely chopped
1 cup toasted walnuts, coarsely chopped
1/2 cup shredded coconut, coarsely chopped
Instructions
Heat a small amount of water in the bottom of a double boiler. Before it comes to a full boil, add the chocolate to the top and stir until melted. Add the coconut oil to the chocolate until combined.
Line a baking sheet with parchment. Pour the melted chocolate in a thin layer on the paper.
Sprinkle the cherries, walnuts, and coconut over the chocolate. Place in the refrigerator until set, about 30 minutes.
Once the bark is set, break into small pieces and enjoy! (Keep refrigerated)