I love making this super easy dark chocolate date bark as a quick weeknight treat or when I have girlfriends coming over last minute - everyone drools over each bite. With crunchy nuts, a caramel-like flavor from the chewy dates, and dark chocolate, this treat is deliciously unreal!
Dates are something I always have in my healthy pantry! They make so many delicious treats and are the perfect natural sweetener, just as they are in this recipe. I've been buying medjool dates for years because they are soft, gooey, and taste like caramel!
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Why you will love this super easy chocolate date bark:
Simple: 5 ingredients, very few dishes, 5 minutes of work, and 20 minutes from the start until you can eat this! It's the perfect 'I'm craving a chocolate bar' but want something healthy recipe!
Natural ingredients: Being vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and no refined sugar, it's a delightful treat for most dietary restrictions. This date crunch bark is a good source of healthy fats (from the nut butter and crunchy nuts), its natural sweetness comes from dates, and the dark chocolate (which contains good minerals and is lower in sugar) makes it a perfect healthy dessert or snack.
Crunchy & chewy texture: Just like the Snickers bar, this bar is covered in crunchy nuts - you choose: peanuts, almonds, or cashews; what's your favorite? The dates with nut butter make the bark chewy!
Easy: If you have made stuffed dates before or date Snickers (peanut butter inside of medjool dates with melted chocolate on top) making these is even easier! It's made to taste like the traditional candy bar Snickers, but healthier. I love that this satisfies my sweet cravings yet is still wholesome ingredients just like my recipe for bounty bars or sweet potato brownies!
Ingredients needed to make dark chocolate bark
This date bark started as a viral trend thanks to @thathealthjunkie, here's how I make it!
- Dates: I like to use medjool dates as they are so big and caramel-like - they are actually referred to as the king of fruits! This sweet caramel tasting fruit is the base of the bark.
- Nut Butter: Creamy peanut butter, almond butter, cashew butter, seed butter, or any natural nut butter can be used to make the nutty flavor for this bark. Make it nut free: You could even use seed butter like pumpkin seed butter or tahini if you have a nut allergy.
- Nuts: Use chopped peanuts, chopped almonds, or your favorite nut that is chopped! Next time I make this, I want to try it with pistachios! Make it nut free: Use roasted sunflower seeds or flaky coconut instead of chopped nuts.
- Chocolate: The top layer of this recipe is melted dark chocolate chips; you can use enjoy life for dairy free chocolate chips. If you want to make this sugar-free, use lily's chocolate chips. Choose 70% chocolate or higher to make this chocolate bark healthier. Alternatively, use milk chocolate or white chocolate chips.
- Sea salt: Okkkay, honestly, it's worth investing in a little box of Maldon sea salt; I just have a small box but it lasts a long time. I sprinkle it on so many treats. It makes the flavors pop and gives a beautiful look.
Danika's nutrition note
In my recipe blog posts, I like to share insight from my 2 years of schooling in nutrition. Let's talk about dates!
Dates are a great source of vitamin B, copper, iron, potassium, and magnesium. The sweet fruit supports in cleaning the large intestine and treats constipation. Read more about dates here!
How to make viral date bark
Follow the simple step-by-step photos from my kitchen to make your own super easy dark chocolate date bark! See the recipe below for exact ingredient measurements.
1.Date Layer: Start by covering a small baking sheet with parchment paper (I'm using a 6x5 inch pan in these photos). Open the dates, and remove the pits. Create a rough rectangle with the dates, spread them 4 long ways and 6 rows. Press the dates down with slightly wet hands to make the perfect base.
2. Nut Layer: Next, spread a thin layer of nut butter on top of the dates. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top of the nut butter.
3. Chocolate Layer: Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat stirring constantly until fully melted. Alternatively, use a small microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate in the microwave, 20 seconds at a time. Spread the chocolate over the dates and nuts until it is fully covered. Then add a sprinkle of flaky salt on top of the chocolate.
4. Last Steps: The best part is this takes only 10 minutes to set in the freezer! Then remove the baking tray from the freezer and use a sharp knife to cut into smaller pieces of bark.
Keep pieces of bark in an airtight container in the fridge or freezer.
Top tips for the BEST date bark
- Use parchment paper or a silicone baking sheet: placing this under the dates will help remove the bark from the pan easily!
- Use big plump dates: If you want the best chewy caramel layer to bring this chocolate bark together, use Medjool dates!
- Melt the chocolate slowly: Melting chocolate needs to go slowly, too much heat will make the chocolate seize up. If your chocolate is too thick to spread, add 1-2 teaspoons of coconut oil.
FAQ about date bark
This dark chocolate date bark is a good source of good fats and protein from nuts. The fat and protein can help balance blood sugar levels. I like to eat this as a healthy snack or dessert as there is no refined sugar, and the dates make these bars sweet. Using dark chocolate means the chocolate contains less added sugar and it will be a small source of minerals such as magnesium.
Regular dates can be smaller and less chewy than medjool dates. If you do use regular dates, soak them in hot water for 10 minutes, drain well, and then use them. However, for the best full flavor, I recommend using medjool dates.
This date bark is best kept in the fridge for up to 2 weeks in a sealed container (to keep any smells or flavors from the fridge out!). You can also freeze this date bark and eat it within 3 months.
Fun Idea: Add this dark chocolate date bark to charcuterie boards! Chocolate, dates, and nuts belong on charcuterie boards, so this bark is the perfect new addition.
Thanks to the health junkie for this date bark recipe concept which went viral on social media summer 2023! Hope you enjoy this sweet treat of rich chocolate and sweet dates. Let it satisfy your sweet tooth!
Other healthy treats
My blog is all about healthy snacks, you will find over 120 recipes that are simple to make and taste amazing like this! Try these:
🍫 Did you make this dark chocolate date bark recipe? I wanna hear what you think! Leave a comment and a star rating below the recipe, it helps others make this recipe!
Super Easy Dark Chocolate Date Bark
Ingredients
- 20 plump dates Medjool dates are the best
- ½ cup nut butter almond butter, or peanut butter
- ½ cup chopped nuts
- 1 ¼ cup dark chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon flakey sea salt
Instructions
- Date Layer: Start by covering a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Open the dates and remove the pits. Create a rough rectangle with the dates, spread them 4 long ways and 6 rows. Press the dates down with slightly wet hands to make the perfect base.
- Nut Layer: Next spread a layer of nut butter on top of the dates. Sprinkle the chopped nuts on top of the nut butter.
- Chocolate Layer: Melt chocolate in a small saucepan over low heat stirring constantly until fully melted. Alternatively, use a small microwave-safe bowl to melt the chocolate in the microwave, 20 seconds at a time. Spread the chocolate over the dates and nuts until it is fully covered. Then sprinkle sea salt on top of the chocolate.
- Last Steps: Place the baking pan in the freezer for 10 minutes until the chocolate is solid. Then remove the baking tray from the freezer and use a sharp knife to cut into smaller pieces of bark (3 colums, 8 rows). Keep pieces of bark in an airtight container in the fridge (3 weeks) or freezer (3 months).
Brigitt says
Just made this to keep in my freezer as a sweet treat and oh my goodness I’m in love!! I used sunflower butter because that’s what I had on hand and it worked so well and adds a good flavour!
Danika Vanderpyl says
Love that you made this, yessss it's so yummm, hard to not eat!!
Rachel says
My new favorite treat! Thanks for the recipe and inspiration Danika!
Danika Vanderpyl says
OOoo so glad you are totally hooked to this healthy treat - me too!
Dinah says
made this awesome bark with the master herself! soc scrumptious and a great pre spelunking fibrous, nutritional treat! okay!! THE BIGGEST THINGNTO REMEBER IS THE SALT! sprinkle the SALT FLAKES, in generous, on top!
danikavanderpyl says
such a treat to make and eat this with you!
Shanna says
Made these today to take on our camping trip. super easy and yummy. I bought different already pitted dates, can't wait to try with the medjool dates next time.
danikavanderpyl says
Great to hear these were easy and yummy Shanna! Have fun camping.