Autumn Bark
Halloween is less than a week away, and for you have some very special pumpkins you want to bestow pick-of-the-patch treats on, you can’t go wrong with this gorgeous and glorious goodness. Easy to make and tailor-to-taste, this autumn bark has it all: sweet, savory, crunchy, smooth, chewy, and utterly delightful. At least, the yields have all you want them to. Crunch not for you? Leave it out. Eschew the chew, if you prefer. Sprinkle with a little salt, if you like. Anything goes.
This year, this autumn bark has been a gift for Grandma, dog park buddies (the humans, not the canines), and a favorite freezer snack for the boys at home. Every batch is different, but always delectable. The key is tempering the chocolate. We like a fairly thin layer, but we’ve gone a touch higher than 1/4 inch thickness, and that’s great, too. Our fam’s favorite topping blend has been pretzel pieces (sticks), dried cranberries (zero sugar from Trader Joe’s, yumazing), chopped walnuts or pecans, pumpkin seeds, and raisins. Felix likes to finish with a sprinkling of Halloween themed sprinkles.
If you want to elevate this easy treat even further, add a wellness boost by stirring in your favorite powdered supplement— my go-to is Ashwagandha, but Turmeric is wondrous, too, especially with a touch of ginger. Known as a Rasayana, or rejuvenator, in traditional Ayurvedic medicine, powerful adaptogen Ashwagandha has been used for centuries for a wide range of benefits. Best known for its role in enhancing the body’s resilience to stress, this herbal powerhouse may also help improve cognitive function, enhance energy levels, facilitate sleep, and more.
Truly, whatever you do, this recipe will do beautifully. What could be a more heavenly treat than a sheet of silky rich chocolate? And when Halloween has past, you can start to transition from autumn toppings to festive peppermint, marshmallow, and whatever speaks to you for simple, time-saving with big impact holiday gifts. Enjoy, my friends! xo
Use code HAPPYAPPLE for 15% off Organic India Ashwagandha and other products!
Vegan Autumn Bark
Ingredients
- 12 ounces quality chopped chocolate, or chocolate chunks/chips
- 1 -2 Teaspoons Ashwagandha or supplement of choice, optional
- 3/4 Cup crunchy mix-ins/toppings of choice: pretzels, pumpkin seeds, roughly chopped nuts such as pecans, almonds, and walnuts
- ⅓ to ½ Cup toppings of choice: dried cranberries, raisins, chopped apricots, pretzels, chopped nuts, autumn themed sprinkles
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate pieces in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water. When the chocolate is nearly melted and just a bit lumpy, turn off the heat and stir with a spoon or spatula until it is completely melted and smooth. Alternatively, you can melt in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each one, but you need to be careful not to overdo it. Stir in the ORGANIC INDIA Ashwagandha powder or other supplement.
- Stir about half of your nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and other mix-ins into the melted chocolate. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to spread chocolate in a thin, even layer over the center area of the baking sheet. Don’t be concerned about trying to reach the edges!
- Sprinkle the remaining addends over the chocolate. Lightly press the toppings into the chocolate with your spatula or fingers.
- Place the pan on a flat surface in the refrigerator to harden for about 30 minutes, or allow to at room temperature until completely hardened.
- Once the chocolate is hardened, break it into pieces. Serve and enjoy! Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to three weeks, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Notes
*Optional, preheat the oven to 325 degrees Fahrenheit and lightly toast any nuts/seeds you’re using on a rimmed baking sheet until just turning golden or beginning to brown, about 6 minutes. Transfer the nut mixture into a bowl and line your baking sheet with parchment paper.
Nutrition Facts
Calories
88Fat
5 gSat. Fat
3 gCarbs
9 gFiber
1 gNet carbs
8 gSugar
5 gProtein
1 gSodium
31 mgCholesterol
1 mg