Let’s Chalk It Up to Chocolate Bars
Let’s Chalk It Up to Chocolate Bars
An annual reminder for those who invite me to haunted houses: Don’t. But I’m always down to consume colossal amounts of Halloween chocolate, especially if it’s coated or filled with nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or even quinoa. Dark chocolate provides antioxidants. And you know what else it provides? A vessel for peppermint to make bark. As someone who is essentially a self-described elf from the North Pole, this is always a welcome and refreshing topping to accompany Mariah’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You.” Except all I really want for Christmas is definitely more peppermint bark.
Ingrediënten
- Âľ cup cooked quinoa
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1½ cups Medjool dates about 9 ounces, pitted
- ½ cup walnuts
- ÂĽ cup roasted salted cashews
- ÂĽ cup hulled pumpkin seeds
- ÂĽ cup sweetened coconut flakes
- ÂĽ cup cacao nibs
- ½ cup cashew butter
- 2 tablespoons hulled hemp seeds
- 2 tablespoons wheat germ
- ÂĽ cup goji berries
- 8 ounces dark chocolate melted
- Flaky sea salt for topping
Instructies
- For the crispy quinoa: Preheat the oven to 350ÂşF.
- Line an 8-inch-square baking dish with parchment paper.
- Grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray.
- Toss the cooked quinoa with the coconut oil and spread it evenly over the prepared baking sheet.
- Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and crispy.
- Remove from the oven and let cool completely.
- In a food processor, combine the dates, walnuts, cashews, pumpkin seeds, and coconut flakes.
- Process until finely ground.
- Add the cacao nibs, cashew butter, hemp seeds, wheat germ, and goji berries and process until combined.
- Add the crispy quinoa and pulse to mix.
- Press the date mixture over the bottom of the prepared baking dish in an even layer, using the bottom of a measuring cup to press it down firmly.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the top and spread it into an even layer.
- Sprinkle with flaky sea salt.
- Transfer the baking dish to the refrigerator to chill for at least 4 hours.
- Remove from the fridge and cut into 16 bars.
- Store in an airtight container, separated by waxed paper, in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes / Tips / Wine Advice:
LITERALLY CAN’T EVEN
It’s important to use Medjool dates for this recipe. They are softer in texture, so they break up easily and have a rich, caramel-like taste.
Feel free to switch up the garnish. Use broken-up peppermint sticks for the holidays. Decorate with sprinkles or add crushed-up candies. THE MORE YOU GLOW Cacao nibs are naturally low in sugar and are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Yes, hemp seeds are from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), but they have many health properties. They are rich in healthy fats, protein, and minerals, but contain only trace amounts of THC (you won’t get high). The flavor is mildly nutty.
Wheat germ is part of the wheat kernel and a good source of vegetable protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It’s also high in vitamin E.
Goji berries contain all nine essential amino acids. They are high in fiber, iron, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
Feel free to switch up the garnish. Use broken-up peppermint sticks for the holidays. Decorate with sprinkles or add crushed-up candies. THE MORE YOU GLOW Cacao nibs are naturally low in sugar and are a good source of fiber, protein, and healthy fats.
Yes, hemp seeds are from the same species as cannabis (marijuana), but they have many health properties. They are rich in healthy fats, protein, and minerals, but contain only trace amounts of THC (you won’t get high). The flavor is mildly nutty.
Wheat germ is part of the wheat kernel and a good source of vegetable protein, fiber, and healthy fats. It’s also high in vitamin E.
Goji berries contain all nine essential amino acids. They are high in fiber, iron, vitamin A, zinc, vitamin C, and antioxidants.
