The Goodness of Chocolate Bark and What to Fuel Your Body When

Here’s an idea for a gift, a dinner party, or a casual Sunday afternoon treat: Salted Chocolate & Almond Bark. If you’re not a fan of salted sweet food, then eliminate the salt for straight and pure Chocolate and Almond Bark – who wouldn’t like that?!

What I especially love about this recipe is that it isn’t only an ‘alternative’ to chocolate, it actually benefits our bodies when consumed in moderation (1 - 2 pieces per day, if not having other chocolate). These benefits are found in the raw cacao, coconut oil, and cacao powder. Maple syrup is present to sweeten the bitter cacao, but doesn’t have many health benefits unfortunately.
First things first: Cacao Butter. Cacao butter is essentially composed of oil from raw cacao beans that have undergone the process of being cold pressed. Our favourite benefit of raw cacao butter and powder (not cocoa, take note!) is its generous offering of antioxidants. We need antioxidants due to the number of free-radicles remaining in our bodies after the breakdown of oxygen. Left to their own devices, free-radicles will do anything to damage our cells and tissues, leaving our bodies to work over time to repair the damage. Antioxidants are the key to counter this activity. Bring on antioxidants! Some dietary sources of antioxidants include blue and red berries, unprocessed berry powders, green leafy vegetables, and of course raw cacao.

Coconut oil is more well known for its quality fat content and its ability to raise healthy cholesterol, HDL. Fat is the most efficient fuel source for the body. When the body is at rest; sitting, sleeping, or even eating dinner, the body fuels itself with fat. Another common fuel source are carbohydrates. Carbohydrates are activity dependent. Meaning the body uses carbohydrates to fuel itself during intense exercise. For most of us living busy lives, fat is a more beneficial fuel source than carbohydrates. Of course we can consume carbohydrates as well, although smaller portions are preferable. Good sources of fats are avocado, eggs, raw olive oil, some nuts, and cheese with self-restraint(!). Coconut oil is a great fat alternative for cooking and baking when consumed in moderation.

We hope you enjoy this treat. We recommend it is best served with a warm cup of tea.

Salted Chocolate & Almond Bark
Makes 15 - 20 pieces of bark

You'll need:

½ cup coconut oil
½ cup cacao butter
½ cup cacao powder or cocoa powder
3 tsp pure maple syrup
2 Tbsp sliced almonds
sea salt

To make:

1. In a medium saucepan over low heat, melt the cacao butter and coconut oil. As soon as they are melted remove from the heat.
2. Pour in the maple syrup, whisk. 
3. Finally whisk in the cacao powder. The mixture will be runny. 
4. On a grease proof tray, pour the mixture out. It will spread into a thin layer. 
5. Sprinkle over the almond flakes and a pinch of sea salt. Place in the refrigerator until set. 
6. Once set, remove from the refrigerator and break into small to medium sized pieces.