Healthifying a Decadent Treat: Cranberry & Cherry Crunch Bark

25 Oct 2011

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Recipes
Anne-Marie
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cranberry cherry chocolate crunch bark recipe

Before you know it, the holidays will be here along with all those not-so-good-for-you treats. So many of our holiday memories are tied to food, so indulge if you must, but find ways to health things up. One of my favorite ways to do that is to take unhealthy treats and add good stuff to them like nuts and dried fruits.

That’s why I love making chocolate bark candy – by adding some healthy goodness, you don’t feel too guilty about enjoying the chocolate. It’s also a great treat if you’re gluten free or need to avoid nuts. Just use a gluten free cereal like Erewhon Crispy Brown Rice and just dried fruit, like I’ve done below.

Cooking Challenges Recipe Contest

Speaking of treats, have you entered Attune’s Cooking Challenges Recipe Contest? This month, they’re looking for a treat recipe that uses an Attune product. Details here.

Each month, the lucky winner will get a $200 grocery store gift card, their recipe printed on Attune Foods packaging, and most importantly, $200 donated on their behalf to Share Our Strength, dedicated to ending childhood hunger in the U.S.

Can’t wait to see your recipe, so get cooking!

Cranberry & Cherry Crunch Bark

Ingredients:

You will also need:

  • a large cookie sheet or jelly roll pan
  • parchment paper

Directions:

  1. Place a large cookie sheet in your freezer until well chilled – one to two hours.
  2. In a large bowl, mix cereal, dried cherries and 1/4 cup dried cranberries together.
  3. Melt candy coating (bark) according to directions.
  4. Stir melted chocolate into the cereal and dried fruit mixture.
  5. Spread mixture onto the cold, parchment lined baking sheet. (Use the pack of a spatula or an offset spatula to spread the mixture.)
  6. Once spread, sprinkle on remaining cranberries and gently press into the surface.
  7. Cover with parchment and place into freezer until solid – 30 to 60 minutes.
  8. Break into pieces and serve.

Variations:

  • Instead of chocolate candy coating, try vanilla.
  • Substitute other dried fruits and nuts for the dried cherries
    and cranberries.
  • Instead of sprinkling cranberries on top, tried shredded,
    unsweetened coconut.

Tips:

  • You can find “bark chocolate” (candy coating) in the baking section
    of your grocery store.
  • Treats like Crunch Bark make a nice gift. Place pieces in a decorative
    jar or box or put in a cellophane bag tied with a ribbon. It’s great for
    cookie exchanges, too!
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