Salted Trail Mix Dark Chocolate Bark

When you’re three, bandaids and lollipops make everything better. When you’re 36 and raising two young boys, it’s chocolate and my girlfriends that get me through.

Trail Mix Chocolate Bark, www.mountainmamacooks.com

I’m not sure I could navigate this whole motherhood thing if it weren’t for the amazing support of friends I can turn to when I’m feeling inadequate (all too often), pick me up when I feel like I’m doing a poor job (who knew this parenting thing was so tough?), and to share the all the good (snuggles, laughter, and funny stories) that comes along with. There isn’t a day that passes that I don’t turn to my girlfriends for advice, a supporting ear or to share the ins and outs that only another mother can understand. I am proof that it takes a village to raise a baby. I couldn’t do this on my own. I’ve been so blessed to have some amazing women as comrades on this journey of being a mama. In the six years of being a mom, if I’ve learned anything, it’s that I know nothing. We’re all just doing the best we can. We navigate motherhood without maps or a set of instructions. Everyday it’s something new and all we can do is be our best. Thank you to my friends, my mom and the pretty awesome caregivers in my life who listen without judging and help me a be a better me. You know who you are ladies…

Salted Trail Mix Chocolate Bark, www.mountainmamacooks.com

The other vice to get me through each day?
Chocolate.
You’ll almost always find a bar (or three) of chocolate in my pantry. More often than not, it’s plain jane- you just can’t go wrong with a good piece of unadorned dark chocolate. But sometimes I want more. Something studded with dried fruit and toasted nuts or sprinkled with sea salt and toffee bits. Sometimes I get a hankering for something a tad sweeter and then a bar of milk chocolate finds it’s away into my secret stash. Point is, I love chocolate. And somehow a nibble in the afternoon or with my evening cup of sleepy time tea does wonders for my soul.

Salted Dark Chocolate Bark with Nuts and Seeds, www.mountainmamacooks.com

This bark happened last week because, *gasp*, I realized I WAS OUT OF CHOCOLATE. That never happens in my house. Like ever. I usually pick up a bar every time I’m at Whole Foods. Since I’m there on a sometimes daily basis, I usually have more than I need. But somehow, last week, I was out. And it was crushing. Instead of accepting defeat, I did what any resourceful mama would do. I made my own. I gathered the ends of a few bags of chocolate chips and the last of some trail mix I had stashed in my purse. I pulled out my beloved box of Maldon Sea Salt and a few hours later, we were back in action. Dark chocolate loaded with toasted almonds, cashews, pumpkin and sunflower seeds, unsweetened coconut flakes and flakey salt. Yep, this is the goods.

Dark Chocolate Salted Trail Mix Bark, www.mountainmamacooks.com

Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Be well! xoxo

Print

Salted Trail Mix Dark Chocolate Bark


Ingredients

  • 8 oz dark chocolate chips
  • 1 cup your favorite trail mix
  • 1/2 teaspoon maldon or other sea salt

Instructions

  1. In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips in 15 second increments until melted and smooth. About 1 minute.
  2. Pour melted chocolate evenly onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper to your desired consistency.
  3. Scatter trail mix over the chocolate evenly pressing just slightly so the trail mix adheres.
  4. Sprinkle with sea salt.
  5. Put chocolate in the fridge or a cool spot and let set for at least 90 minutes.
  6. Break chocolate bark into pieces and store in a covered container in a cool place.