Let’s Get Real
Oh, chocolate. Is there even a more divine food on this planet? Probably not, and if anyone tells you otherwise, just nod politely and ignore them like you would someone suggesting pineapple belongs on pizza. I can’t help but get salivary just thinking about the delightful concoctions we can whip up with just a few basic ingredients. One of my absolute favorites is this sinfully delicious Chocolate Bark with Strawberry Swirls. And let me tell you, it’s as easy as 1-2-3, which is about my speed when I find myself concocting (aka chaotically fumbling around my kitchen).
I had a love-hate relationship with this treat as a kid. On one hand, chocolate = happiness. On the other hand, I had a tendency to sabotage my own happiness by eating way too much of it and then suffering the consequence of a stomachache. I’m not one to shy away from a ridiculously indulgent chocolate experience, and believe me, learning to control my chocolate intake has been a journey. Spoiler alert: only partially successful. But no regrets here!
Every time I make this beauty, I’m transported back to lazy afternoons spent with my mom, who’d smile and pretend not to notice when I’d keep going back for pieces “just to taste-test.” It’s reminiscent of carefree days, and who doesn’t want to channel some of that vibrant nostalgia? So, roll up your sleeves and join me in this chocolaty adventure!
Ingredients, Unfiltered
What’s Really in Chocolate Bark with Strawberry Swirls
Now, let’s break down our ingredients like we’re in a relationship counseling session—because you have to love each one of them to create a true masterpiece.
Chocolate: You’ll want to use some high-quality chocolate here. This is **not** the time to be cheap. I’m talking about good quality baking chocolate or chocolate chips. I usually go for bittersweet because it has that perfect balance of sweetness and richness—you can never go wrong with that.
Strawberries: Fresh strawberries are the star of the show here. You could use frozen, but they won’t give you that vibrant, fruity pop, and we all need a little magic, right? Plus, fresh strawberries are loaded with flavor and will provide a beautiful swirl effect when combined with the chocolate. Just remember to wash them! No one wants dirt in their chocolate (or anywhere, really).
Coconut Oil: It might seem odd, but trust me on this one. A drizzle of coconut oil helps to keep the chocolate glossy and smooth, which is basically the holy grail of chocolate bark. If you’re feeling fancy, you can even use flavored oils, but let’s keep it simple for now.
Sea Salt: Because chocolate without a pinch of salt is a missed opportunity for greatness. We’ve all seen those trendy dessert recipes garnished with flaky sea salt that turn okay desserts into crispy, mouthwatering masterpieces. It’s a must!
Optional Add-Ins: Here’s where you can get fun and personal! Nuts, seeds, dried fruit, or even crushed cookies. I like the idea of crushed graham crackers or shortbread cookies for a bit of crunch. Basically, this is your bark—you can do what you want!
Let’s Talk Health (or Not)
Is This Even Healthy? Let’s Discuss
Alright, time for the real talk. Let’s not kid ourselves—this isn’t exactly a health food. Yes, there are strawberries, which carry some health benefits (antioxidants and all that good stuff), but the bulk of this recipe involves **chocolate** and **sugar**, and a splish of **coconut oil**. Call it what it is: pure indulgence.
But here’s the kicker: I believe that eating should be a balance. Look—I’m not about to run a marathon after scarfing this down (unless my life depends on it, but even then). But I think life is too short for boring food. Does that mean I’m tossing all my kale salads out the window? Absolutely not. But let’s embrace these decadent moments. You know what? I sleep just fine at night knowing I ate some chocolate bark and lived my life to the fullest.
Your Grocery List
Here’s What You’ll Need
– 1 cup of bittersweet chocolate chips or chopped chocolate
– 2 tablespoons coconut oil
– 1 cup fresh strawberries, hulled and diced
– 1/4 teaspoon sea salt (plus a little extra for garnishing)
– Optional add-ins (up to you!): nuts, seeds, crushed cookies, whatever tickles your fancy!
Makes about 12 servings (if you’re feeling generous; if not, it could be way less).
The Actual Cooking Part
Okay, Let’s Make This
Alright, my brave kitchen warriors. This part might seem daunting if you’ve never melted chocolate before, but keep the faith. I’m here for you, like a virtual kitchen timer that you totally forgot to set.
1. **Prep the Baking Sheet:** Grab a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. Don’t skip this step because the last thing you want is to be wrestling your beautiful creation off the pan like a contestant on a cooking show trying to save their soufflé.
2. **Melt the Chocolate:** In a microwave-safe bowl, toss in the **chocolate chips** and **coconut oil**. Pop it in the microwave for about 30 seconds. Give it a stir. Return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds. Stir again. You want it just melted but not overheated. Why do they make it sound so simple? Spoiler — it’s simple until it’s not. Keep a watchful eye on it like you would a friend who’s out with that one Tinder date.
3. **Pour It Out:** Once melted, pour the gorgeous glossy chocolate onto the lined baking sheet. Spread it out evenly, but don’t stress it too much. It doesn’t have to be perfect; remember, chocolate is supposed to be a little unruly.
4. **Strawberry Time:** Let’s get those **fresh strawberries** involved! Use a spoon to drop dollops of the diced strawberries over the chocolate in a free-spirited way. You’re not going for uniformity here; life (and desserts) is much more fun with its messy bits.
5. **Swirl It Up:** The fun part! Use a skewer, toothpick, or the back of a fork to gently swirl the strawberries into the chocolate. Make sure to keep the swirling to a minimum—otherwise, you’ll end up with a pink chocolate blob, which could lead to chocolate heartbreak.
6. **Sprinkle It with Salt:** Time for that finishing touch! Sprinkle the sea salt over the top. Eeeek! This is where the magic happens.
7. **Chill Out:** Pop that baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 30-60 minutes until it’s set. While it chills, you have time to contemplate all your life choices or indulge in some leftover strawberry chunks.
8. **Break and Serve:** Once it’s firm and solid, you can break it into pieces. I like to use a knife to chop into pretty squares or just break it like you’re unleashing your inner snack beast. Either way works!
9. **Store It:** This bark can last a few days in an airtight container—if you manage to save any, that is. But I wouldn’t fault you if you claimed this as your one true love forever.
Side Notes & Sassy Hacks
Bonus Tips You Didn’t Ask For
– **Stuck?** If your chocolate seems a little too think to spread, just add a tad more coconut oil (or regular oil), and give it a good stir. It’ll work itself out, trust me.
– **Swirl Colors:** Because who doesn’t love to be extra? After you have your strawberries swirled in, you could consider melting some white chocolate for extra pizzazz! Just drizzle that over the top right before you chill it, and watch your Instagram followers go wild.
– **Add Nuts:** I adore the crunch of almonds or hazelnuts in my bark. If you’re a nut-loving fiend, throw some chopped nuts on top of the chocolate before chilling. It adds that satisfying texture that’ll make you swoon, elastic waistband optional.
– **Funny Mishaps:** My first attempt at this involved me stirring with a plastic spoon (it melted—obviously), and spreading half of my chocolate on the floor. Luckily, I had a heroic dog who made it less of a tragedy and more of an opportunity.
Final Words of (Culinary) Wisdom
So, there you have it, my chocolate-loving friends! Chocolate Bark with Strawberry Swirls that will knock your socks off and add a jolt of joy to your day. It’s incredible how such simplicity in ingredients can equal decadence in pleasure.
If you try this (because you totally should), tag me in your creations or drop me a line about your own chaotic kitchen adventures. I overhyped this for good reason—it’s delightful! Don’t be shy—send me a mental high-five while you’re at it. Let’s celebrate chocolate the right way, shall we?
