Chocolate Nut Bark

(11)

Use your favorite combination of nuts to make this quick and easy chocolate nut bark.

Cook Time:
10 mins
Additional Time:
25 mins
Total Time:
35 mins
Servings:
36
Yield:
3 dozen 1 1/2-inch pieces
  • Two simple ingredients make this chocolate nut bark perfect for any occasion.
  • The antioxidants in dark chocolate may help your heart and brain stay strong.
  • Melt chocolate easily by using a microwave in this quick recipe.

You won't buy chocolate bars with nuts after seeing how easy it is to make this Chocolate Nut Bark. Bittersweet dark chocolate is studded with your favorite nuts and makes the perfect rich, nutty snack or dessert. Keep reading for our expert tips, including how to store your bark.

Tips from the EatingWell Test Kitchen

These are the key tips we learned while developing and testing this recipe in our Test Kitchen to make sure it works, tastes great and is good for you too! 

  • Always purchase the highest-quality chocolate available when planning to melt it, as cheaper options often don't melt or set as well.
  • To melt chocolate, microwave on Medium for 1 minute. Stir, then continue microwaving on Medium, stirring every 20 seconds, until melted. Or place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over hot (but not boiling) water and stir until melted.
  • To avoid chocolate bloom (the white, powdery dots and lines that can appear), allow the melted chocolate to cool on the countertop for 2 to 3 hours before transferring it to the fridge.
  • You can easily double or triple this recipe; just make sure to use a larger pot and sheet pan, or prepare a couple of batches one after the other.

Nutrition Notes

  • Dark chocolate not only tastes good, but is also good for you. Most of chocolate's health benefits come from its antioxidant power. If you eat a little bit of it each day, you might have a healthier heart and brain.
  • Nuts and chocolate—could there be a better pairing? Nuts add to chocolate's antioxidants, plus they bring plant-based protein, healthy fats and carbohydrates. Talk about being well-rounded! And like chocolate, nuts also have heart and brain health benefits.
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Ingredients

Original recipe (1X) yields 36 servings

  • 2 cups semisweet, bittersweet or milk chocolate chips, melted (see Tip)

  • 1 ½ cups assorted nuts, such as hazelnuts, almonds and cashews, plus more for garnish

Directions

  1. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. (Take care to avoid wrinkles.) Combine 2 cups melted chocolate and 1 1/2 cups nuts in a medium bowl. Scrape the mixture onto the foil and spread it into an approximate 12-by-9-inch rectangle. Sprinkle with additional finely chopped nuts, if desired. Refrigerate until set, about 20 minutes.

  2. Transfer the bark and foil to a cutting board. Use a sharp knife to cut into 1 1/2-inch pieces.

    Chocolate Nut Bark

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is this recipe called a bark?

    The candy gets its name because, after combining the nuts with the chocolate and allowing it to harden, it resembles the texture and appearance of tree bark.

  • What percent dark chocolate should I use?

    The choice of cacao percentage is a matter of personal preference. Our recipe suggests using dark chocolate chips, which typically range from 50% to 80% cacao. Alternatively, you can break up a chocolate bar that has between 70% and 90% cacao. As a general rule, the higher the cacao percentage, the more bitter the chocolate will taste.

  • Can I use white chocolate?

    Absolutely. White chocolate is technically not considered chocolate, but you could swirl some into the dark chocolate if you wish. Be aware that different types of chocolate melt and set in different ways, especially if you're using more than one type at once.

  • What are some ways to make the Chocolate Nut Bark festive for the holidays?

    For holiday-themed colors, consider adding green pistachios or pumpkin seeds along with red dried cranberries or crushed candy canes. Pretzel sticks can resemble bare trees, and topping with unsweetened coconut flakes or flaky sea salt can create a winter wonderland effect. Colorful pieces of candied or dried fruit can add an extra sparkle.

  • How should I store Chocolate Nut Bark?

    For the best results, store the Chocolate Nut Bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. Before serving, remove it from the fridge for about an hour to take the chill off.

EatingWell Magazine, January/February 2010

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

74 Calories
5g Fat
7g Carbs
1g Protein
Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 36
Serving Size 1 piece (1 1/2-inches)
Calories 74
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 7g 3%
Dietary Fiber 1g 3%
Total Sugars 5g
Added Sugars 5g 10%
Protein 1g 2%
Total Fat 5g 7%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Vitamin A 0IU 0%
Vitamin C 0mg 0%
Folate 5mcg 1%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Calcium 10mg 1%
Iron 1mg 3%
Magnesium 22mg 5%
Potassium 67mg 1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.

Additional reporting by
Carrie Myers, M.S.
Carrie Myers
Carrie Myers is a portfolio entrepreneur with more than 30 years of experience in the health and wellness space. As a writer and editor, Carrie has worked for both consumer and trade print and online publications. She's been quoted in several articles as a health and fitness expert. Carrie is also a certified life and wellness coach and exercise physiologist, and the founder of CarrieMichele Co., a lifestyle company that helps women create lives they love where they can be authentic.
and
Linda Frahm
Linda Frahm has been a copy editor and fact checker working with food and nutrition content for the past 30-plus years for consumer print and online publications.