This recipe doesn’t need a whole lot of introduction. We all know what dark chocolate almond bark is, right? Delicious. I am talking sinfully rich and delish dark chocolate with almonds. Yum! This recipe for Dark Chocolate Almond Bark (sodium-free) is shared with us today by Janet Bond Brill, PhD, RDN from her book BLOOD PRESSURE DOWN: the 10-step program to lower your blood pressure in 4 weeks–without prescription drugs (Crown/Three Rivers, May 2013). The book is available to your local book store or through my affiliate Amazon link.This Dark Chocolate Almond Bark Recipe is easy to make and easy to enjoy, guilt free!
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
Almond Bark Ingredients:
- 12 ounces (12 squares) Baker’s unsweetened baking chocolate squares
- 6 tablespoons SPLENDA® Sugar Blend for baking
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds (whole almonds or chopped, as you prefer)
How To Make Chocolate Almond Bark
Place chocolate squares in a double boiler and melt until creamy.
Add the sugar blend to the melted chocolate and continue stirring until smooth.
Remove pot from the heat. Stir in the almonds until they are completely covered with the melted dark chocolate.
Line a cookie sheet pan with parchment paper or wax paper. Then use a baking spatula to spread the chocolate almond mixture in an even layer on the parchment.
Place the prepared baking sheet in the refrigerator to allow the almond bark to chill and harden for approximately one hour or until firm.
Remove bark from the fridge, break into bite-sized pieces and enjoy!
This easy recipe for homemade chocolate bark makes a delicious treat with rich dark chocolate. It is also a great gift. Store leftovers in a airtight container.
Recipe Note:
If you don’t like Splenda, just substitute 6 tablespoons of sugar but that will change the nutrition information, of course!
Almond Bark Nutrition Facts (per 1/16th of of recipe):
- Almond Bark Calories: 180 kcal
- Sodium: 0 mg
- Potassium: 65 mg
- Magnesium: 25 mg
- Fat: 15 g (EPA0 g, DHA 0g, ALA 0g)
- Saturated Fat: 7 g
Printable Dark Chocolate Almond Bark Recipe Card
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
Notes
This recipe version is sugar-free but if you prefer, you may substitute 6 tablespoons of sugar in place of the Splenda. This will change the nutrition facts.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces unsweetened baking chocolate squares (12 squares of Baker’s)
- 6 tablespoons SPLENDA® Sugar Blend for baking
- 1 cup unsalted, dry roasted almonds
Instructions
- Place chocolate squares in a double boiler and melt until creamy.
- Add the sugar blend and continue stirring until smooth.
- Remove pot from the heat and stir in the almonds. Make sure the almonds are completely covered with the chocolate.
- Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper and spread the almond mixture evenly on the parchment into a thin layer, spacing almonds evenly.
- Chill the bark in the refrigerator for approximately one hour or until firm. Remove, break into small pieces and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Dark Chocolate Almond Bark
Serves: 16
|
Amount Per Serving: 1 slice
|
||
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 206.22 kcal | |
| % Daily Value* | ||
| Total Fat 15.65 g | 23.1% | |
| Saturated Fat 7.22 g | 35% | |
| Trans Fat 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol 0.43 mg | 0% | |
| Sodium 48.1 mg | 2% | |
| Total Carbohydrate 12.54 g | 4% | |
| Dietary Fiber 4.47 g | 16% | |
| Sugars 5.29 g | ||
| Protein 4.85 g | ||
| Vitamin A 0.0 µg | Vitamin C 0.0 mg | |
| Calcium 44.64 mg | Iron 4.02 mg | |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet. Your daily values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.
Family Focus Blog
The Dark Chocolate Benefits For Health Are Impressive
Is dark chocolate good for you? Well, I think you will be surprised at just how much research shows that dark chocolate benefits for health are powerful, numerous and varied. I already had a vague idea that dark chocolate benefits health but when I was reading HEALED: Health & Wellness for the 21st Century, I really enjoyed learning the full scoop on exactly what is in dark chocolate that is good for you, and precisely what studies had been done showing that dark chocolate benefits health. The authors, Dr. Robin Miller and Dave Kahn, are full integrative medicine experts and the writing style in the new book is very approachable and illustrated through real patient experiences. Here is what they had to say:
THE BRAIN
Research at Harvard Medical School found seniors who drank two cups of hot cocoa a day for a month had improved blood flow of the brain and memory. It only worked with chocolate that contained high levels of antioxidants, otherwise known as dark chocolate.19
A Canadian study of over 44,000 people found people who ate chocolate were 22 percent less likely to suffer a stroke than those who did not. They were also 46 percent less likely to die as a result.20 Chocolate also makes us feel good. It boosts endorphins and it can create a similar effect to cannabis, but in a small way, because to make a real psychotropic impact an average size person would have to eat 25 pounds. So, the reason it may perk us up and make us happy is probably due to the taste, texture and the overall experience.21
THE HEART
Chocolate lowers the risk of developing heart disease by a full one third in those who eat it regularly. In a study of 21,000 people from Norfolk, England that took place over 11 years, of those who were in the top level of chocolate consumption, 12 percent developed cardiovascular disease compared to 17.4 percent who did not eat chocolate.22
A study of 470 elderly men found cocoa reduced the risk of cardio vascular death by 50 percent over a 15-year period.23 Another study revealed eating chocolate five times a week lowered the risk of disease by 57 percent.24 Yet another study found eating chocolate two or more times a week decreased the risk of calcified plaque in the arteries by 32 percent.25
Chocolate improves some of the risk factors for cardiovascular disease. The flavanols in dark chocolate stimulate the lining of blood vessels to relax, and in doing so reduces blood pressure. Cocoa powder decreases LDL cholesterol in men and increases their HDL, or “good” cholesterol.26
THE SKIN
The flavanols in chocolate can protect against sun damage of the skin. In a study of 30 people, the time required to develop redness doubled after eating one third of a two-ounce dark chocolate bar every day for 12 weeks.27
19. Sorond et al. 2013
20. Sahib et al. 2010
21. Sunni and Latif 2014
22. Kwok et al. 2014
23. Buijsse et al. 2006
24. Djousse et al. 2011
25. Djousse et al. 2010
26. Galleano et al. 2009.
27. Williams, Tamburic and Lally. 2009
IN SUMMARY
Chocolate in moderation is healthy. It is important to eat a small square (1.5 oz.) with 70 percent organic cocoa or higher. The healing power is in the cocoa content.
Conclusion
As you can see this crunchy almonds recipe is sodium free and amazingly easy to make. The dark chocolate almond bark makes great treat to enjoy on movie night at home or to prepare as DIY gifts anytime of year. Again thanks to Dr. Janet Brill, nutritionist and award-winning author, for sharing it with us. You can follow her on Twitter for more great recipes at @drjanetbrill. If you enjoy this dark chocolate bark recipe, please give it a 5 star rating. Thanks so much!
Making your own dark chocolate almond bark is a simple yet rewarding process that allows you to enjoy a delicious and nutritious treat tailored to your taste. By using high-quality dark chocolate and roasted almonds, you can create a satisfying snack that is rich in antioxidants and healthy fats. Whether you prefer adding a sprinkle of sea salt, a drizzle of honey, or a hint of spice, the versatility of homemade almond bark ensures it can cater to your unique preferences. Plus, the process of making it at home is both fun and economical, making it a great choice for anyone looking to indulge in a healthier sweet option.
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clellie says
I was excited to make my first chocolate bark at home.
I used sugar and I had to wait 10 min for the sugar to melt, with lots of stirring.
This homemade chocolate almond bark was delish!