Cinnamon-Spiced Nut & Fruit Chocolate Bark
Indulge in the delightful combination of rich chocolate, warm spices, and crunchy nuts with this Cinnamon-Spiced Nut & Fruit Chocolate Bark. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth, this easy-to-make treat is a fusion of semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate, enhanced by the silky texture of apricot preserves and the aromatic touches of cinnamon and citrus zest. Topped with toasted walnuts and chewy dried apricots, this bark is not just a dessert, but a snack that everyone will love. It's ideal for sharing or enjoying solo, making it a perfect addition to any occasion or a sweet gift for loved ones. Whip it up easily and relish the blend of flavors and textures in each bite!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups (none)
bittersweet chocolate chips
1 cup (none)
apricot preserves
2 tablespoons (none)
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (none)
lemon zest
1 teaspoon (finely grated)
orange zest
1 teaspoon (finely grated)
walnuts
1/2 cup (chopped coarsely, toasted)
dried apricot
1/2 cup (finely chopped)
Instructions
1
Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Spread the coarsely chopped walnuts evenly on a baking sheet. Toast them in the preheated oven for about 8 minutes, or until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
3
In a double boiler, melt both the semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate chips over gentle heat, stirring frequently until the mixture becomes smooth and velvety. If using a microwave, heat in short intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning.
4
Once the chocolate is melted, remove it from heat and stir in the apricot preserves until well combined.
5
Next, fold in the ground cinnamon, finely grated lemon zest, and orange zest, ensuring all ingredients are thoroughly mixed into the chocolate.
6
Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Pour the chocolate mixture onto the lined sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula.
7
Sprinkle the toasted walnuts and finely chopped dried apricots over the chocolate, pressing them down gently to ensure they adhere well.
8
Transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour, or until the bark is firm to the touch.
9
Once hardened, break the chocolate bark into pieces of your desired size. Store in a covered container or zip-lock bag in the refrigerator, where it will keep for at least one week. Enjoy this deliciously spiced treat!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Cinnamon-Spiced Nut & Fruit Chocolate Bark?
It is a rich chocolate dessert featuring semi-sweet and bittersweet chocolate chips, toasted walnuts, and dried apricots with warm cinnamon and citrus notes.
What types of chocolate are used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for a combination of 1.5 cups of semi-sweet chocolate chips and 1 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips.
How do I toast the walnuts for the bark?
Spread the coarsely chopped walnuts on a baking sheet and toast them in a 400 degree Fahrenheit oven for about 8 minutes.
What temperature should the oven be set to for toasting nuts?
The oven should be preheated to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 200 degrees Celsius.
Can I melt the chocolate in a microwave?
Yes, you can heat the chocolate in short intervals, stirring in between to prevent burning.
What is the alternative to using a microwave for melting chocolate?
You can use a double boiler to melt the chocolate chips over gentle heat.
When should I add the apricot preserves to the chocolate?
Stir in the apricot preserves once the chocolate has been melted and removed from the heat.
What spices are included in this chocolate bark?
The recipe includes 2 teaspoons of ground cinnamon to provide a warm spice profile.
What types of citrus zest are used?
The recipe requires both finely grated lemon zest and finely grated orange zest.
How much lemon zest is needed?
You need 1 teaspoon of finely grated lemon zest.
How much orange zest is needed?
You need 1 teaspoon of finely grated orange zest.
How should I prepare the dried apricots?
The dried apricots should be finely chopped before being sprinkled over the chocolate.
What kind of paper should I use to line the baking sheet?
The baking sheet should be lined with wax paper to prevent the chocolate from sticking.
How do I ensure the toppings stick to the chocolate?
Press the toasted walnuts and chopped dried apricots down gently into the spread chocolate mixture.
How long does the chocolate bark need to chill?
The bark needs to chill in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until it is firm to the touch.
Where should I store the finished chocolate bark?
Store the bark in a covered container or a zip-lock bag inside the refrigerator.
How long will the chocolate bark stay fresh?
The bark will keep for at least one week when stored properly in the refrigerator.
How do I break the bark into pieces?
Once the bark is fully hardened, you can break it into pieces of your desired size by hand.
Is this recipe considered easy to make?
Yes, it is described as an easy-to-make treat that is perfect for satisfying a sweet tooth.
What is the role of apricot preserves in this recipe?
The apricot preserves enhance the texture of the chocolate, making it silky and adding a subtle fruit flavor.
What is the texture of this chocolate bark?
The bark features a blend of smooth, velvety chocolate, crunchy toasted nuts, and chewy dried fruit.
Can I give this chocolate bark as a gift?
Yes, it is noted as being a sweet gift for loved ones or a perfect addition to any special occasion.
How many cups of walnuts are used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of walnuts that are chopped coarsely.
How much dried apricot is used?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of finely chopped dried apricots.
What tools are needed to spread the chocolate?
A spatula is recommended to spread the chocolate mixture evenly onto the wax paper.
Is ground cinnamon the only spice?
Yes, ground cinnamon is the primary spice used in this recipe.
Can I use milk chocolate instead?
While the recipe specifies semi-sweet and bittersweet, you could use milk chocolate, though it will change the flavor and sweetness level.
What should I do if the chocolate mixture is not smooth?
Ensure you stir frequently during melting and keep the heat gentle to maintain a velvety texture.
Can this be served at room temperature?
It is best served chilled or shortly after being removed from the fridge to ensure the bark remains firm.
Does the recipe require any salt?
No, there is no added salt in the provided list of ingredients.