Date Bark

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Make this simple date bark recipe your own. We love it dates covered with dark chocolate, crunchy almonds, and flaky salt. Add nut butter, any kind of chocolate, and whatever nuts, seeds, or fruit you love to the top!

Prep Time15

Cook Time0

Total Time15

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Servings: servings

Calories: 214kcal

Author: Michelle Miller

Equipment

Ingredients

28 Medjool dates
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips or 100 g chocolate bar
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1/4 cup chopped nuts optional
1/2 teaspoon flaky salt optional

Instructions

Take a large piece of parchment paper and fold it in half. Line a quarter baking sheet or similar sized cutting board with the parchment.
Slit the dates down one side lengthwise to remove the pit. Open the date and place it open on the parchment paper. Place dates side by side to create a large rectangle shape.
Fold the parchment to cover the dates. Move the parchment paper with the dates off of the baking pan and onto a countertop. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dates so that the dates form a solid rectangle sheet. *It helps to pound on the dates and alternate rolling them to get them as thin as possible. Using fresh dates also makes this process easier!
Using a double boiler, melt the chocolate and coconut oil, stirring to prevent burning. This can also be done in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning.
Top the flattened dates with optional nut butter, and add a layer of chocolate. Add additions like chopped nuts and flaky salt. My favorite version is simply dark chocolate with crunchy almonds and a pinch of flaky sea salt.
Freeze the date bark for at least 1 hour. When it’s fully frozen, it will “snap” into pieces, or use a knife for cleaner cut pieces of date bark.

Notes

How to Store Date Bark

Store pieces of date bark in an airtight container in the freezer for up to 6 months.

The date bark is best (in my opinion) enjoyed right out of the freezer. The dates harden and have a chewy caramel consistency when frozen.

Tips & Variations

Use Fresh Dates: In order to “roll out” the dates, the dates need to be soft. Use fresh dates for the easiest smashing. If you want to use older dates that have started to dry out, place them in a bowl and pour hot water over them and allow them to soak for about 30 seconds. Drain the dates and pat them dry with a paper towel, and then cut them in half and lay them out.

Date varieties: Medjool dates are large so are the easiest to use for this recipe. However, once the dates are smashed, you won’t know what kind of dates are used!

Variations

Make your own version of this easy chocolate date bark! Try one of these recipes or choose from the list of toppings. The sky is the limit! You’ll fall for this viral trend.

Snickers Date Bark: If you love Snickers bar and want to try a healthier version, spread the dates with a thin layer of natural creamy peanut butter, and then top the melted chocolate with roasted chopped peanuts.

Almond Joy Date Bark: Drizzle the dates with coconut butter. Add a layer of milk chocolate. Sprinkle the top with whole almonds and unsweetened coconut flakes.

Dubai Date Bark: Top the dates with dark chocolate, then sprinkle with chopped pistachios, dried cherries, golden raisins, and flaky sea salt.

Optional Toppings

Dark Chocolate, Milk Chocolate, or White Chocolate (or use your favorite sugar free chocolate! Either a bar or chocolate chips works.)
Coconut Butter (this is delicious drizzled on top of the dates before adding the chocolate)
Nut Butter (peanut butter, cashew butter, almond butter, sunflower seed butter, tahini)
Crunchy Nuts (almonds, walnuts, pecans, pistachios, or macadamia nuts)
Seeds (pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds, hemp seeds)
Freeze Dried Fruit (strawberries, blueberries, raspberries or dragon fruit)
Dried Fruit (tart cherries, cranberries, or raisins)

Nutrition