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With Christmas just around the corner our family is in full holiday mode. That means hosting, baking, and making tasty treats like this peppermint date bark. It’s naturally sweetened with dates and is full of nutrients.
This dessert looks pretty on the plate for guests, but it shines just as bright for an everyday dessert for the family. I’ll make a double batch and freeze the extra for a quick and easy way to have dessert on hand.
Peppermint Date Bark Ingredients
You’ve probably heard of chocolate bark before. It usually involves waxy tasting, super sweet chocolate covered in fruit, nuts, or candy. Bark candy has gotten an upgrade in recent years and there are lots of great recipes. However, they can still rely on a lot of sugar.
Mighty Medjool Dates
This version though relies on Medjool dates for the bulk of the sweetness. These dates are full of fiber and have modest amounts of iron, calcium, potassium, and magnesium. They’re also a good source of vitamin B6 and copper. Medjool dates are rich in antioxidants to fight free radical damage.
Researchers have studied their carotenoid and phenolic acid antioxidants and discovered benefits when it comes to heart health. A 2021 study concluded eating whole dates helped improve heart health markers. This included better cholesterol levels, and lower oxidative stress and inflammation.
Cacao vs Chocolate Chips
Instead of regular chocolate chips, I used two kinds of cacao wafers for this peppermint date bark. Cacao wafers are pure chocolate without the added milk or sugar. They have calcium, iron, antioxidants, and other nutrients that are great for overall health.
Cacao butter wafers are made from the pure fatty part of the cacao bean. They’re similar to white chocolate chips, but again without the added milk and sugar. I added a little coconut oil to the cacao butter wafers and cacao wafers when melting for a more spreadable texture.
The addition makes this peppermint bark a great vegan, allergen-friendly option for anyone who wants to avoid dairy.
Nut Butter (and Substitutes)
I love the smooth, creamy flavor of almond butter in these. You can also make date bark with peanut butter. Need a nut free option? To make date bark without peanut butter or other nut butters, substitute sunflower butter. And instead of the chopped almonds, try pumpkin seeds or hemp seeds for some crunch.
While the original date bark recipes tasted more like a Snickers bar, these have a mint flavor. I added some crushed candy canes to the top for some festive sweetness. Most peppermint candy has ingredients I prefer to avoid, but I really like these ones from Yum Earth for an occasional treat. They’re naturally flavored with real mint, use organic sugar, and are colored with fruits and veggies.
Peppermint date bark is high in calories, but it’s also high in healthy fats and nutrition so it’s filling. Here’s how to make it!
Peppermint Date Bark Recipe
Fold a piece of parchment paper in half and lay it open on a flat surface. Slice each pitted date in half lengthwise, but don’t cut all the way through, the halves should remain attached. Arrange the dates on one half of the parchment in four rows of three.
Lightly wet the parchment paper. Fold the parchment over the dates and gently roll with a rolling pin to flatten them evenly.
Spread almond butter evenly over the flattened dates. Sprinkle the chopped almonds over the almond butter layer.
Fill a pot or the bottom of the double boiler with a few inches of water and bring to a simmer. Add the chocolate chips and 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to the top pot or bowl.
Pour the melted chocolate over the almond butter and date layer and spread evenly.
Place candy canes or peppermint candies in a small bag and crush with a rolling pin or heavy object. Sprinkle the crushed peppermint evenly over the chocolate.
Melt the cacao butter wafers in the top of the double boiler or glass bowl with 1/2 teaspoon coconut oil. Drizzle or pipe the cacao butter over thh top of the bark.
Sprinkle flaky sea salt over the top.
Lift the bark using the parchment onto a baking sheet and chill in the fridge or freezer until fully set, about 20–30 minutes.
Slice or break into pieces and enjoy!
Nutrition Facts
Peppermint Date Bark Recipe
Amount Per Serving (1 serving)
Calories 0
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
You can also freeze leftovers for longer term storage.
Want some more healthy bark ideas? Try this healthy, high protein yogurt bark!
Have you ever made bark before? What are your favorite toppings? Leave a comment and let us know!
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