We’re firm believers that healthy living is all about balance.
And if there’s one time of year that you can indulge without feeling guilty…
It has to be Halloween!
So when your little ones come home with bags and bags of candy and you try to resist… we’ve got a recipe that can allow you to indulge while feeling good about making better choices.
You and your kids can make this crispy, crunchy, chocolatey recipe in just 15 minutes – and clean up within 5 minutes!
Let’s dive right into it.
Dark Chocolate Halloween Bark
Toasted quinoa adds a crunch explosion to this treat, just as the Halloween candy adds color, texture, and of course, flavor! Dark chocolate ties the whole dessert together in one decadent treat.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ½ cups dark chocolate (chips work best)
- ⅓ cup quinoa
- ½ cup assorted Halloween candy
- ½ cup of your favorite Nature’s Garden treats
STEPS
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Toast quinoa in a small saucepan, until it's golden brown. Watch it closely as it burns quickly (between 5-8 minutes).
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Melt chocolate chips in the microwave. Remove and stir chips every 30 seconds so it cooks well, and gets silky smooth.
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Remove from the microwave when the chocolate is almost all melted and shiny. Stir one last time so all chocolate is melted and smooth, set aside. Pour quinoa into melted chocolate, mix together.
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Pour chocolate/quinoa mixture onto a quarter sized baking sheet with a baking mat or parchment paper in it.
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Sprinkle your favorite Halloween candy or Nature’s Garden treats mix (we’d recommend our Choco Nut Mix, Heart Healthy Mix, or Milk Chocolate Covered Pretzels) over the chocolate bark, and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes, but preferably about an hour.
- Dig in! Carefully cut to break up this blissful bite and chow down – in moderation, of course.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Quality dark chocolate is rich in fiber, iron, magnesium, copper, manganese, and a few other minerals. Cocoa and dark chocolate have a wide variety of powerful antioxidants. In fact, they have way more than most other foods.
The bioactive compounds in cocoa may improve blood flow in the arteries and cause a small but statistically significant decrease in blood pressure.
Quinoa is an edible seed that has become increasingly popular. It’s loaded with many important nutrients, including fiber, protein, folate, and magnesium. Quinoa contains flavonoids, including quercetin and kaempferol, which have powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects in the body.
Quinoa is also very high in fiber, a nutrient that’s important for health. Adding more fiber-rich foods into your diet can help support gut health and body weight maintenance.
RECOMMENDED BUYS
Choco Nut Mix
With no cholesterol, sodium, or trans fats, give into your chocolate craving without any guilt. The almonds and cashews inside our ChocoNut Mix provide a burst of omega-3 fatty acids, vital in maintaining a healthy heart. Both nuts also pack a magnesium punch, a nutrient important for brain health, immunity, and bone health. The fiber and protein from the nuts satisfies hunger cravings while keeping you energized all day long.
And of course – the addition of the milk chocolate raisins make your first bite feel like a mini-vacation! Escape from ordinary healthy snacking and explore the decadence of Choco Nut paradise! Toss one of these individual servings into your kid’s lunch boxes, into your work bag, and drop a few in your purse for an afternoon pick-me-up.
Dark Chocolate Pretzels
From the moment you tear the bag, to the first whiff of chocolatey heaven, and the first crunchy, decadent bite… you’ll fall in love with Nature’s Garden Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels. We believe in snacking that promotes balanced wellness – and indulgence is certainly a part of that balance!
Our Dark Chocolate Covered Pretzels are the perfect cheat snack if you’re seeking a sweet tooth fix and a dreamy escape from reality. The 7 oz (198g) bag is the perfect size for sharing with family, friends, and chocolate lovers alike.
1 comment
Very good products thanks