Made from scratch, this dark chocolate pomegranate bark is a deliciously refreshing burst! Reap the benefits of pomegranate arils and indulge in a chocolate craving by whipping up some of this paleo bark!
The first bite into crisp, crunchy chocolate bark is always the best part!
And this paleo bark comes with the added bonus of mini flavor bursts from the pomegranate arils.
As a Certified Nutrition Coach, this pomegranate bark gives the best of all worlds because it's:
- A healthy dessert
- Easy to make
- Dairy-free, gluten-free, and paleo
- A hit with kids
- Wonderfully refreshing
If you're not sure what to do with all the pomegranates on sale through the colder months, buy a bunch and whip up this chocolate bark or a tasty pomegranate smoothie!
Ingredients You Need
Coconut oil: this helps give the pomegranate bark a silky feel and texture.
Cacao butter: this butter helps firm up the dark chocolate bark so that it doesn't melt at room temperature. Fun fact: it's also one of the main ingredients in DIY skincare products!
Honey: the purer the honey the more perks of this pomegranate bark. Though you only need a bit for added sweetness.
Paleo chocolate chips: make sure to double-check that your chocolate chips are allergy-friendly. We use the mini chocolate chips personally.
Cacao powder: not to be confused with cocoa powder though that would work in a pinch. Cacao powder is loaded with its own awesome benefits. Learn more about the benefits and the difference between cacao powder and cocoa.
Sea salt: this just makes the paleo bark feel that much more indulgent. Chocolate + salt is always a winning combo.
Pomegranate arils: you want the fresh ones for this dark chocolate bark (not dried pomegranate) so that they pop in your mouth. Which means you need to learn how to open a pomegranate (see below).
Pomegranate Benefits
Like anything so pure and potent in color, pomegranates have a lot of potential health benefits. Which means having them on hand can be a major win.
- Pomegranates are high in antioxidants
- They contain anti-inflammation properties
- Loaded with Vitamin C
- They can help reduce joint pain
- Lower your risk of heart disease
- A Vitamin-rich health booster
Pomegranates are potent antioxidants and loaded with Vitamin C.
These two nutrients can help with just about every function in your body. So, getting a boost in them is always a bonus.
Blueberries, cacao powder (learn more about why I recommend cacao powder to everyone!), and now pomegranate seeds should be a staple in a healthy house.
Apparently, there have also been some studies on both prostate and breast cancer using pomegranates to help slow and in some cases help kill cancer cells.
Likewise, the benefits of pomegranates include helping with joint pain. Given pomegranate arils are so high in antioxidants this makes sense..
How To Open A Pomegranate
I'm well aware that this is one of the areas that stop people from using pomegranates more frequently. It took me years to find a system that didn't bathe my kitchen in what looked like blood or stain my clothes.
To open a pomegranate, you want to cut it in half, press on the halves lightly, and then literally beat the seeds out into a bowl.
While, I look like a crazy person getting the arils out, using a wooden spoon is effective. Peep the video for the best way to de-seed a pomegranate.
How To Make Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark
- In a small pot, combine the cacao butter, coconut oil, honey, and chocolate chips.
- Heat on low until the cacao butter is just melted.
- Mix in the cacao powder until smooth.
- Add in the pomegranate arils.
- Pour into a silicone baking loaf and sprinkle with sea salt.
- Freeze until ready to eat.
Step By Step Photos
Important Teaching Tips
Make sure to melt everything over low. If the chocolate chips or honey burns, than it will keep that flavor.
You can pour the dark chocolate mixture into a large silicone baking mold or just a baking tray lined with parchment. You want the mixture to be about ¼ inch thick.
Store the bark in the freezer. it can be eaten right out of the freezer or sit at room temperature for 10-20 minutes.
Frequently Asked Questions About Pomegranate Bark
Though the recipe contains very little sweetener it is actually pretty sweet. The sweetness coupled with the bursts from the pomegranate arils are a great combo.
Though the chocolate bark will start to melt slightly at room temperature, it will last about half an hour when left out.
Because pomegranate arils are low in calories and loaded with antioxidants, they are touted as a tool for weight loss. And though they do have a lot of nutritional benefits, at the end of the day a well-rounded diet will have the most effect on weight loss.
Other Dairy-Free Dessert Recipes You'll Love
- Peanut butter protein cups
- Dairy-free cream cheese frosting
- Paleo chocolate chip cookies
- Protein truffles
- Vanilla protein ice cream
- Dairy-free S'mores cups
- Candy cane fudge
- The BEST dairy-free brownies
- White chocolate fudge
- Peppermint patty bars
- Fudgy protein brownies
- Chocolate frosted cashew cookies
- Sugar-free pudding
- Healthy chocolate pudding
- Peanut butter thumbprint cookies
- Chocolate-covered frozen bananas
- High protein snack ideas
- Healthy dessert recipes
Dark Chocolate Pomegranate Bark (Paleo)
Video
Equipment
- Small pot
- Parchment paper
Ingredients
- 2 tbs coconut oil
- 2 teaspoon cacao powder
- ⅛ cup pomegranate arils
- 4 tbs cacao butter
- 2 tbs honey
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- 2 tbs Mini chocolate chips
Instructions
- In a small pot, heat the coconut oil, honey, cacao butter, and chocolate chips over low heat. Turn the heat off as soon as the cacao butter is melted.
- While heating, line an 8/8 pan with parchment paper.
- Once melted, whisk in the cacao powder until no clumps remain.
- Stir in the pomegranate seeds.
- Pour the mixture into the lined baking pan making sure the pomegranates are spread out evenly.
- Sprinkle the sea salt over top of the mixture and pop into the freezer for thirty minutes.
- When ready to eat, break apart the bark and enjoy!
Notes
Disclaimer:
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data"
Shelby S says
The burst of pomegranate seeds with the chocolate is perfection.