Pistachio, Cherry, and Dark Chocolate Bark

Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Bark

I love Secret Recipe Club time! Each month I am assigned a blog and I get to pick any recipe I like and post about it on the 5th of the month. It’s been a wonderful way to meet other bloggers and to discover inspiring recipes. This month I was lucky enough to have Sustainable Cooking for One. Stephanie, the author of the blog, works in nutritional research and is passionate about food and sustainability. Besides wonderful recipes, Stephanie also writes thought-provoking posts like Ethical Eating: Raw Milk and Goats, Urban Ag, and Evidence-Based Supplements. And she should know – she has adorable goats! As the title of her blog suggests she focuses on cooking for one and even has a cookbook called One Bowl with even more recipes plus nutritional information and more.

As usual, it was no easy feat picking one recipe to make. But I’m a sucker for fruit, nuts, and berries so this pistachio, cherry, and chocolate recipe immediately called to me. I’m not a huge chocolate person, but something happens when dark chocolate is combined with fruit and nuts that makes it like crack to me. In particular I think that pistachio and cherry is a beautiful combination and I just couldn’t wait to enjoy it combined with chocolate. I’ve called this a bark, although the truth is it’s somewhere between a bark and a chocolate bar. Whatever you want to call it, it’s delicious and just as addictive as I imagined.

Chocolate Cherry Pistachio Bark

I made a few changes to Stephanie’s original recipe. First, although I love dates I didn’t realize I was out until it was too late so I omitted them. At her suggestion I used butter instead of coconut oil, dark baking chocolate instead of unsweetened, and I messed around with some of the measurements. My husband and I seriously can’t stop eating this! It’s so good! And I imagine at least a bit healthier than your typical candy bar. For a good tip on how to temper chocolate and get it nice and shiny, visit Stephanie’s post.

5.0 from 10 reviews
Pistachio, Cherry, and Dark Chocolate Bark
 
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This fruit and nut studded dark chocolate bark couldn't be easier to make and is sure to satisfy your sweet tooth. It would make a great gift as well!
Author:
Recipe Type: Dessert
Yield: 6 to 8 servings
Ingredients
  • 12 ounces dark baking chocolate
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped dried cherries
  • ¼ cup roughly chopped shelled pistachios
Directions
  1. Melt the chocolate and butter over a double boiler or in a small bowl in the microwave, stirring often.
  2. Mix together the dried cherries and pistachios and spread thinly on a piece of parchment paper in a rectangle.
  3. Pour the melted chocolate evenly over the rectangle, fold the edges of the paper over each side and press down to remove air and distribute the chocolate.
  4. Refrigerate until firm, at least 30 minutes. Roughly break apart and serve.
  5. Store in an air-tight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Gluten free, Kosher dairy, Vegetarian

Linked up at Sweets for Saturday over at Sweet as Sugar Cookies


98 thoughts on “Pistachio, Cherry, and Dark Chocolate Bark

  1. kitchenriffs

    Nice, quick, easy recipe! I love dried cherries and am all for any recipe that uses them. Looks like a really nice combo of flavors – thanks for this.

    • Katherine

      Thanks! I have been on a serious dried cherry kick lately – there’s a cabbage and kohlrabi slaw with dried cherries that I just can’t get enough of. It’s also great with chocolate here.

  2. Tina@flourtrader

    I have been toying around with what flavors would go well with pistachio-and here is my answer! I considered dark chocolate, but the dried cherries does sound like a nice flavor blend too.
    No doubt these are delicious, never had bark like this-creative recipe!

    • Katherine

      I was also thinking that they’d make the perfect Christmas gift with the green pistachios and red cherries. But I’ll definitely be making it lots before next year!

  3. mjskit

    Chocolate covered cherries with nuts! How can one not love that? This would be dangerous in my house because I see us both fighting over it. 🙂

    • Katherine

      Haha I’m right there with you MJ! What’s not to love? My husband and I managed to be very well behaved over the bark, but maybe because I promised to make more soon 😉

  4. Miriyummy

    You are so evil, now I NEED to make these when I get home tonight.

    No cherries, but will sub sour little organic craisins, should be so yum!

    Thanks!

    • Katherine

      Haha these have that effect on people!! Craisins would be awesome here as well – that’s the great part about the recipe! Really any dried fruit or nuts can be subbed. Hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

  5. sallybr

    reveal day already for your group?

    WOW, time is passing way too fast this year!

    Loved the recipe you picked – I’ve never made “bark” before, it’s on my list of projects, though.

    your use of pistachio and cherries made it so gorgeous! I wonder if dried cranberries could work? Too tart, maybe…

    • Katherine

      I know! Time really does fly. Thanks so much Sally. Bark is just about one of the easiest and most delicious things you can make. Cranberries would be great as well! Honestly any combo of dried fruits and nuts would be amazing.

    • Katherine

      Thanks Judee! I wasn’t even thinking of that but you’re right – it would be an excellent Passover dessert! To make it parve (if necessary) use coconut oil as Stephanie did in the original recipe.

  6. beti

    this is such a quick and delicious recipe, bark is one of my favorite “snacks” and I love the combination of cherries and pistachios

  7. Hotly Spiced

    That bark looks delicious. I love the colour of it. I think the pistachios give a great green colour. I like to take bark to dinner parties as a hostess gift.

  8. Beth

    This looks delish! My Mom owns a chocolate shop and makes something really similar with cranberries instead of cherries. Also, try to swirl a little white chocolate in there for an extra little something! Congrats on FoodBuzz Top 9… I will buzz you for sure 🙂 YUM!

    • Katherine

      Thanks Beth! So cool that your mom owns a chocolate shop. Cranberries would be excellent in this as well. The swirl of white chocolate is a great idea, thanks!

  9. Daisy@Nevertoosweet

    I love easy and quick recipes 🙂 this is great and if you put them in little bags I think it’ll be a great present to give friends ~ Congratulations for being Top 9 on Foodbuzz today!

  10. Lisa

    LOve pistachios and the addition of dried cherries makes it that much better. However, I’d make it with milk chocolate. No idea why..but I can’t get into dark chocolate – I try and try and try. Weird! In any event gorgeous bark – fantastic SRC choice!

  11. Jeff

    Congrats on the foodbuzz top 9! This is definitely one tasty looking delight! I love the mjix of pistachios and cherries! Delicious!

    • Katherine

      Absolutely! You can substitute any nuts or dried fruits that you like and have available. I’ve made it with just about every combination. Dried apricots, raisins, and dates are lovely as well.

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