Since my very early days of enjoying cacao paste I have been determined to master the art of making my own chocolate using minimal ingredients. Now that I have had cacao in its purest form, any store bought chocolate I try pales so much in comparison I’ve completely lost my taste for it (which is quite shocking coming from a lifelong chocolate lover).
Here’s one variation I love - chocolate bark. The world is your oyster when it comes to the added ingredients but pictured here is dried cranberries, chopped pistachios and coconut flakes 🥥.
𝗜𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 🍫 100g Soma Cacao* (Karkar Island or Australian) 🍫 3-4 tablespoons coconut oil 🍫1/4 cup pure maple syrup 🍫 3-4 tablespoons peanut or almond butter (optional) 🍫 handful each of dried cranberries, coconut flakes, and chopped pistachios or walnuts. 🍫 a couple pinches of sea salt
𝗠𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗱 1. Melt coconut oil and cacao using the double boiler method (using a saucepan with water and a large glass/pyrex/metal bowl on top which you place the ingredients in), or a microwave (but heat in short bursts). 2. Stir in the maple syrup and almond/peanut butter if using, and add a pinch of sea salt. 3. Stir in half of the cranberries, coconut flakes and nuts. 4. With a spatula, spoon the chocolate mixture onto a parchment-lined pan or sheet and smooth out until it's about 1/4-1/2 inch thick. Sprinkle on the remaining nuts, cranberries and all of the coconut flakes. Place into freezer on a flat surface for about 15 minutes, until solid. 5. Remove from freezer and break apart into chunks. Store in the freezer until ready to eat.