This make ahead Chocolate Cashew Cherry Protein Bark is perfect for snacking and is my new favorite treat. It’s delightfully refreshing and oh-so-healthy. If you are someone (like me) who craves chocolate candy bars but wants something a bit more wholesome, this bark recipe is a game-changer.
I have taken the flavors I love and turned them into something that feels like a treat but is made with nutrient-dense, clean ingredients. And with no refined sugars or artificial ingredients, this bark feels like a healthier alternative, but it’s still satisfying like a candy bar.
I love how amazing new food trends are being created on social media internet websites and some of them go viral and get loads of attention. One of them that is making a huge buzz is around what is called “bark” – layers of yummy foods placed in flat layers on top of each other then frozen. Once chilled or frozen the “bark” is broken or cut into squares.
I have tried a few of these recipes recently and they do not disappoint. Its not every day that a food trend exceeds my expectations, but this viral chocolate cherry bark is definitely a winner. The chocolate base is melted then poured onto a tray or into a pan, cherries and cashews are scattered on top and hey presto a delicious healthy treat is created. No food processor needed.
You can customize it with assorted toppings such as, fresh or freeze-dried fruit, nuts or nut butter drizzle, shredded coconut or granola. The taste is sweet and a little tangy and the texture is creamy and smooth.
There are many different bark recipes around now. It is basically a super healthy chilled or frozen treat. No wonder it’s a viral recipe on social media! I’m not gonna lie, I’m usually quite sceptical of the viral food trends on social media. Balsamic vinegar in sparking water? Butter in coffee? That weird pink pickle wrapped in candy thing on TikTok? Errrr no thank you. But frozen yogurt bark? I’m intrigued.
This bark recipe features a layer of the chocolate, mixed with your fave protein powder and topped with cherries and cashews. It’s the perfect tasty treat to keep in the freezer! I love the way the bark melts in your mouth as you eat it. It’s frozen, but because it’s spread so thin, it melts fairly quickly. It gets creamy and the flavors coat your tongue and it’s just oh-so-perfect!
Your kids will love this recipe. I think they will have a lot of fun helping you make it and/or creating their own masterpieces. Whether you are meal-prepping snacks or looking for a fun, kid friendly kitchen activity, this bark is a joyful, mess free dessert that tastes amaze-balls!
In my house, “no fuss” is the magic phrase. I need snacks that work hard and taste like a treat. That is where chocolate cherry cashew bark comes in – cooling, creamy and completely doable even on your busiest day. With this simple, basic, EASY bark recipe (only 2 main ingredients!) you will have chocolate bark success every time. I often call bark my “clean out the pantry” dessert because that’s basically what I do when I’m coming up with flavors:
I search through my pantry and take out any half used bags or packets of nuts or dried fruit or the dregs of the sprinkles or cookie boxes. EVERYTHING goes good with chocolate and it’s easy to personalize the recipe.
This recipe was created in exactly this way. Using ingredients I found hanging around my kitchen, this unique and delightful dessert or snack combines my favorite nutrient dense foods into something new and inspiring. And by choosing your toppings right and adding superfoods such as nuts, seeds, cacao nibs, coconut chips or goji berries, you are adding extra nutrition to your treat. Once chilled you can break it into bite sized pieces to share with friends and family, or package into bags to use as a ‘thank you’ gift.
Homemade chocolate bark is a great way of lifting plain chocolate to a higher level. And the beauty of it doesn’t reside in the end product only. Making your own chocolate bark is such a fun way of being creative in the kitchen and something you can do with children. It’s not as messy as some other desserts, and your kids can let their creativity go wild.
Dangerously easy to make with endless combinations, these make beautiful holiday gifts or, you know, as they say – treat yo self! Another one of those ‘HOLY YUM’ treats.
Chocolate Swirl Cashew Cherry Protein Bark
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cups dark or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup white chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup freeze-dried cherries or any berries
- 1/4 cup protein or collagen peptides powder
- 1/2 cup cashew nuts, salted, roasted, chopped
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
Instructions
- Line an oven tray or similar with a piece of parchment or baking paper. Place dark chocolate chips and coconut oil in medium sized dish and microwave with 20second bursts stirring between each one until melted and smooth.Or use double boiler method - (pot of boiling water with a bowl resting on top) melt the chocolate chips and the coconut oil together.Once melted, add the protein powder and spread the chocolate over your baking paper using a spatula until its fairly thin around ¼-½ inches thick. Next, melt the white chocolate in the same manner as above then dollop teaspoons of the white chocolate over the dark chocolate. Then use a butter knife to make swirls.While the chocolate is still wet, scatter over the cherries and cashew nuts. Sprinkle over a little sea salt if desired. Place in the fridge for an hour or so until set. Then break or cut into 12 (or more smaller) pieces and devour.
If you are looking for more delicious, healthy, protein-rich, no bake desserts and treats to help you reach your health, wellness and fitness goals, you will love my collection here: Blended Bites
