During the day, I personally find it relatively easy to maintain a healthy diet without too much struggle. Breakfast? No problem! Oatmeal or greek yogurt with fruit does the trick. Lunch? A whole wheat sandwich or a soup and salad satisfies me and makes me feel full and energized. And dinner? I’m a huge fan of my sweet potato chicken bake or some other lean poultry with healthy carbs. But, watch out! After dinner I’m usually left with a raging sweet tooth that has me pitter-pattering throughout the kitchen and pantry, searching for anything and everything that can help satisfy my cravings.
My pantry raids usually turn up a big find of cookies, ice cream, and candy, all of which have about a three second period before being gracefully stuffed in my face.
And I know I’m not the only one out there who has the late-night munchies! According to Livestrong.com, “Habits, brain chemistry, and your diet’s makeup can all cause you to crave sweets” and that one of the main hormones that causes our need to feed is seratonin, which improves your mood and causes your body to hunger for sweets to reach that sugar high. In my opinion, those who don’t struggle with the urge to eat a dozen chocolate chip cookies before bedtime must have some special secret or supernatural power!
While treats in moderation can definitely be part of a healthy diet and help keep us sane, overdoing the sugar at night can be detrimental to those trying to lose weight or to those who just don’t want to be controlled by their cravings. That’s why I decided to put together this quick and easy recipe for Dark Chocolate Cranberry Nut Bark! Simple to make and with only a handful of household food items, these dark chocolate bites may just be the perfect solution to your post-meal sweet tooth.
Let’s take a quick look into why you should reach for a piece of dark chocolate the next time your sugar cravings come out!
Dark chocolate has been receiving positive reviews from health experts around the world and is renowned for its many health benefits such as a lowered added sugar content, protection against cardiovascular disease, antioxidants, and its ability to help control your blood sugar levels. Not to mention it’s downright delicious and provides a sense of satiety that doesn’t come with other desserts, which is perfect for those of us who never seem to feel satisfied after just one cookie. One piece of this dark chocolate cranberry nut bark and your cravings will be booted to the curb!
Loaded with that rich and indulgent dark chocolate flavor, extra bit of sweetness from the dried fruit and white chocolate, and that delectable crunch from the nuts, this dessert has everything your taste buds could want!
Sounds like a pretty sweet deal, right? Well, let’s get to eating!
Loaded with that rich and indulgent dark chocolate flavor, extra bit of sweetness from the dried fruit and white chocolate, and that delectable crunch from the nuts, this dessert has everything your taste buds could want!
Ingredients
- 6 oz dark chocolate baking bar, roughly chopped (not chocolate chips)
- 1/4 cup dried cranberries or raisins
- 2 tbsps white chocolate chips
- 2 tbsps walnuts, roughly chopped
- pinch of sea salt
Instructions
- Fill a medium-sized saucepan a quarter full with water.
- Heat over medium-high heat until the water comes to a boil.
- Place a second smaller saucepan over the first and add in the dark chocolate. Heat until fully melted, stirring constantly.
- Place a large piece of parchment paper on a baking sheet and spread the melted chocolate mixture until it is about an eighth of an inch thick. Sprinkle with the dried fruit, white chocolate chips, walnuts, and sea salt.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for 45 minutes to an hour, or until completely solidified.
- Remove and break into 12 pieces.
Notes
*Store refrigerated for up to two weeks or at room temperature for up to five days.
Nutrition: Calories: 95, Carbohydrates: 12.4g, Dietary Fiber: 1.3g, Protein: 0.8g, Total Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 1.7 mg, Sodium: 21 mg, Potassium: 77 mg
Christine is a health and body image activist who is passionate about creating recipes that combine delicious and fresh ingredients with nutrition. Located on the coast of California, she enjoys spending time hiking, exploring new restaurants, and leading an active lifestyle. She is currently studying to become a physical therapist and runs her own growing food and fitness blog, Apple of My... Read More
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