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.
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…
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.
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.
Hope you all have a wonderful weekend. Be well! xoxo
PrintSalted 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
- In a microwave safe bowl, melt chocolate chips in 15 second increments until melted and smooth. About 1 minute.
- Pour melted chocolate evenly onto a baking pan lined with parchment paper to your desired consistency.
- Scatter trail mix over the chocolate evenly pressing just slightly so the trail mix adheres.
- Sprinkle with sea salt.
- Put chocolate in the fridge or a cool spot and let set for at least 90 minutes.
- Break chocolate bark into pieces and store in a covered container in a cool place.
19 Comments
This would last two seconds in my house!
Smarty pants coming in for the save when the house is void of chocolate. You are a lucky duck, and your friends aren’t there just because…they’re there because of you, and you give back as much as you think you take. Maybe one day I’ll be on the shortlist 😉 XO
xoxo
I cannot believe how easy and crazy delicious this looks! I may never buy a bar of chocolate again…
OK, I will, but I’ll make this too 😉
It’s too easy not to make!
Okay, I didn’t have the bark version, but you were kind enough to share your homemade trail mix with chocolate chips that included all of these ingredients. So darn good!
And friends…yep, really good girlfriends truly make life richer in every way. And Heidi’s right – you attract those people into your life because of who YOU are.
Big hugs to you Dara!! xo
I love this kind of stuff! No house is complete without chocolate 🙂
It’s so true. A house void of chocolate is a sad one 🙂
hey sweet cheeks – LOVE this recipe but darn it all girl, i just love YOU to pieces!! it was really, really delightful to meet you in real life this past weekend – i feel like i’ve known you my entire life – i do hope we have the chance to meet again (((hugs)))
Right back at you Deb! You radiate all things good and I know we’ll meet up again. Just a matter of where and when. 🙂
Even at 52, Chocolate and girlfriends make everything better.
Glad to hear! 🙂
love love this! Miss you!!
Thanks for sharing looks great and super easy 🙂
It IS really easy and one of my favorite sweet treats for in a pinch!
These are absolutely amazing! I’m on a fairly strict paleo-inspired diet, and the only “sweet” thing I’m allowed is a little piece of chocolate with 85%. Besides that I’m allowed to eat some nuts. I like both, but combined like this? AMAZING! I ate way too much and now my stomach hurts, but it’s worth it 😉
Thanks a lot,
Marieke from Denmark
Do you have a recipe for the trail mix you used? It looks delicious!
I didn’t use a trail mix- just used my favorite nuts and dried fruits!