Trail Mix Chocolate Dark Bark Recipe - Cookin Canuck (2024)

Whip up this pretty and delicious trail mix chocolate bark in no time! It’s packed with great flavors and is perfect for dessert or gift-giving. 93 calories and 4 Weight Watchers SP

Now that December is here, it’s time to bust out some holiday treats and this trail mix dark chocolate bark recipe definitely gets the nod of approval for gifting and indulging. Life can’t be all about salads and chicken breasts, right? That being said, I couldn’t resist putting a “healthy” spin on this chocolate bark.

First up, dark chocolate. If you’re eating chocolate, dark is definitely the way to go. Dark chocolate contains a variety of antioxidants, to name one of its health benefits. Though the experts like to note that moderation is key. One to two ounces per day is the recommendation. In other words, savor every bite!

The addition of raw nuts and seeds, and dried food add to the “healthy” profile of this dark chocolate bark. Think healthy fats and antioxidants.

Tips for making dark chocolate bark:

The first step is lighting toasting the cashews and sliced almonds. You can do this in a small skillet set over medium heat. Make sure to stir them often and watch them carefully. Those little suckers like to turn from raw to scorched in the blink of an eye!

Create a double boiler by filling a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce it to a simmer.

Choose a medium-sized bowl that will fit on top of the saucepan, dipping down into the saucepan, but not touching the simmering water.

Place the chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate in the bowl and stir it until it’s melted and smooth.

THIS IS IMPORTANT! When you lift the bowl off of the saucepan, dry the bottom of the bowl thoroughly. You do not want any of the condensation to drip into the chocolate as you’re spreading it onto the baking sheet. Why? Water causes melted chocolate to seize (think grainy and solid).

Once the chocolate is spread on the parchment-lined baking sheet, sprinkle over the chocolate. Pop the whole thing into the fridge to harden the chocolate.

Can I use store-bought trail mix?

Absolutely! However, I suggest looking for mixes that contain raw nuts. Many premade trail mixes contain roasted and salted nuts. In this recipe, I was really going for the unadulterated flavor of raw nuts with a sprinkling of sea salt on the side. Unfortunately, many store-bought trail mixes are roasted at such a high heat that the healthy fats are destroyed.

Can I use other nuts and dried fruits?

Of course! Use whatever appeals to you. Macadamia nuts, pistachios and dried cranberries would be great options.

How long does it take to make chocolate bark?

The whole process of preparing the toppings and melting the chocolate takes about 10 minutes. The hardest part is waiting for the bark to set in the fridge! That take about 1 ½ hours.

Other light desserts for the holidays:

{Cookin' Canuck}
Mini Pumpkin Cocoa Maple Bites {Cookin' Canuck}
Healthy Chocolate Hazelnut Raspberry Tart {Healthy Seasonal Recipes}
Gingerbread Christmas Tree Cookies {Skinnytaste}
{Skinny} Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Hazelnut Fudge {Joyful Healthy Eats}

Printable Recipe

This post was originally published on December 2, 2015 and updated on December 6, 2019.

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