Happy Holidays! Seems I only make this recipe around the holidays and with quarantine and lockdowns happening all over the world again, we can all use a little more sweet goodness in our lives. They say that chocolate gives you the same happy hormones as a hug. It releases the calming neurotransmitter serotonin, and small amounts of a compound called phenylethylamine, which acts like an amphetamine, stimulating your brain cells to release dopamine, which is the feel good and happy hormone. So for those missing all hugs this Christmas weekend, this recipe is for you! 🥰 This is a Christmassy version of my OG Dark Chocolate Bark recipe, with goji berries, pistachios, coconut flakes and peppermint oil for some festive cheer.
1 ½ cups dark chocolate chips
3 x tbsp coconut oil
1 tbsp cacao powder
Pinch cinnamon
3 drops peppermint oil
Pinch Salt
TOPPINGS:
Goji berries
Pistachios
Coconut flakes
Cacao nibs
Flakey Sea Salt
1. First, line a rimmed baking sheet or glass pyrex with parchment paper. And have your ingredients measured out in bowls ready to go.
2. Using a small saucepan on very low heat, add the coconut oil and let it melt. Next add cacao powder and slowly mix it together. Next add the dark cooking chocolate chips and keep mixing until melted together, and a creamy texture forms. Turn off from heat and add pinch of sea salt and 3 drops of the peppermint oil and mix well.
3. Pour melted mixture out onto the parchment paper and use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly.
4. Sprinkle with goji berries, pistachios, coconut flakes evenly over the chocolate - make it look pretty. Last sprinkle some flakey salt on top, for that sweet salty bite.
5. Cover with lid or cling film and place on a flat surface in the freezer to harden for about 1 hour, until set.
6. To serve, lift the chocolate from the parchment paper and you should be able to peel apart easily. Crack the bark into bite size pieces and store in a glass airtight container.
6. It will last in the fridge for a month, but I doubt it will last past this weekend it’s so yummy!
