My Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark makes a fabulous last minute holiday gift, but it’s so delectable and easy to make that we enjoy it all year long.
Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark
Studded with rich pistachios, tart dried cranberries, and speckled with coarse chunks of salt, Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark sports the festive red and green of the holiday season and is a wholesome flavor explosion!
Best Low Carb Candy
While my healthy gluten free recipes are fantastic during the holidays, you may need something very low carb.
If so, make my Chocolate Christmas Bark and swap out the 70% chocolate that’s called for in the recipe, using 88% dark chocolate instead. Upping the percentage of cacao in the chocolate lowers the sugar, significantly lowering the carbs.
If you’re making this for someone with a real sweet tooth, who doesn’t count carbs, feel free to experiment with semi sweet chocolate chips. Either way, this bark is the bomb!
Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark
Ingredients
- 2 cups chocolate chips (12 ounces)
- ⅓ cup pistachios
- ⅓ cup dried cranberries
- ½ teaspoon coarse sea salt
Instructions
- In a small saucepan over very low heat, melt chocolate
- Pour chocolate into a parchment paper lined 8 x 8 inch baking dish
- Sprinkle pistachios and cranberries over chocolate
- Using a metal baking spatula, spread the mixture evenly
- Sprinkle salt over bark
- Allow to sit out until set, 2 hours
- Serve
How to Make Chocolate Bark the Elana Way
The first step to making my Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark is melting the chocolate slowly over low heat.
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Starting with chocolate in chip form is a huge time saver, there’s no need to chop the chocolate to get a quick and even melt.
The remaining 3 ingredients –pistachios, dried cranberries, and coarse salt, are the pop of texture and flavor that make this one of my all time favorite gluten free Christmas desserts.
Organic Fruit Juice Sweetened Dried Cranberries
I use organic dried cranberries to avoid putting pesticides on our plates, as cranberries are a heavily sprayed crop.
On top of that, to reduce the consumption of unnecessary sugar and carbs, I use fruit juice sweetened dried cranberries in this homemade chocolate bark.
If you’re really counting carbs, cut the cranberries in the recipe from one-third cup to 3 tablespoons.
Unsalted Pistachios
Pistachios are a rich and delectable nut that make this bark special.
My recipe calls for unsalted pistachios, but when I have a hankering for an additional spike of flavor, I use salted pistachios. Beware! I’m a salt-alcoholic, so this may not work for you.
Organic Dark Chocolate
Organic dark chocolate is one of my go-to rich in antioxidants foods, whether for a nibble to satisfy my sweet tooth or for adding an intense chocolatey richness to my recipes.
I also love it because chocolate provides some essential vitamins and minerals like magnesium.
When you buy chocolate, read the ingredient label to make sure it’s suitable for your diet, and look for a 70% or higher cocoa content to avoid carb loading.
Healthy Gluten Free Candy
As the old saying goes, everything tastes better from scratch, but taste is not the only thing that’s critical when it comes to homemade treats.
If you have celiac or an allergy to gluten, knowing the ingredients that go into your gut is an absolute necessity. Cooking at home makes this easy.
Almond Joy Bark
When I’m not whipping up my Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark, I find myself preparing my Almond Joy Bark. The paring of rich toasted coconut melds deliciously with crunchy almonds, smothered in healthy dark chocolate.
This simple recipe has minimal prep time and only 3 ingredients.
Desserts for Christmas Easy
Not in the mood for chocolate bark? Here are some of my favorite homemade healthy candy and cookie recipes!
- Gluten Free Girl Scout Cookies: Thin Mints
- Recipe for the Best Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Dairy Free Candy Bars
- Easy Cookies Recipe with Peanut Butter
Healthy Dairy Free Candy
My dairy free chocolate candy recipes (gluten and grain free too!) are the ideal indulgence for all of your festive gatherings.
Bring my healthy treats to your next party, and everyone –even those who have been diagnosed with celiac disease or have another intolerance to foods will be able to partake in dessert.
Small Christmas Gifts
Love sweet treats, but looking for a more wellness-centric gift to bring to the next holiday gathering you attend? Make one of my easy DIY recipes for the simple homemade luxuries below.
Christmas Bark Recipe
My homemade Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark recipe will quickly disappear throughout the holidays, however, this healthy easy recipe is a present that keeps giving all year round.
This post is an oldie but goodie from the archives. I first shared my Dairy Free Chocolate Christmas Bark recipe in 2010.
Jane says
Living in Florida. Want to make tomorrow. Temps in the low 80s. Will this still work and stay hard.
Elana says
Jane, if it is 80 degrees in your house the chocolate may not stay entirely solid :-)
VHM says
There was a run on the market here and the shelled pistachios and macadamias (second choice) were gone! I used 1/4c NSA dried cranberries and 1/2c chopped raw pecans instead. I also used a bag of Lilly’s chips.
The bark is delicious and I am excited to make it again on Christmas Eve, with the dried cranberries and pistachios! I may double the recipe and make 1 as you wrote, and a 2nd with pecans and shredded coconut…
Thank you for this delicious, easy recipe for chocolate bark.
Elana says
VHM, so great to hear this was delicious!
Pat says
Too scrumptious! Gone in the blink of any eye! Couldn’t have just one piece. Happy Holidays!
Elana says
Pat, so great to hear this was scrumptious!
Lynne says
Is there a way to make this recipe paleo? I know Stevia is an option, but I am not sure if the sugar is necessary to keep the consistency correct, and wondered if anyone has tried this so that I don’t have to experiment and possibly waste the ingredients. I have liquid Stevia and perhaps powdered would be better?
Elana says
Hi Lynne, thanks for your comment! I’m working on a homemade chocolate recipe that you’ll love :-)
David Kraft says
I notice you’re using chocolate chips in several recipes when you’re going to melt the chocolate. Is there a reason for this? Would chocolate in another form work as well?
Elana says
David, the chocolate I use is organic and high quality. I think when it’s melted, another product of similar quality in a different form, could work just as well :-)
Amy Roberts says
Just made 3 batches! This is awesome!!! I’m calling mine Grinch Bark cuz the green reminds me of him!
Elana says
Grinch bark?! That is the cutest thing ever Amy! So glad to hear this was awesome :-)
Sabrina says
Hi Elana. I’m thinking about making these ahead, as well as wrapping them up as gifts.
Do you suggest I leave them in the fridge in this case?
Elana says
Sabrina, I think you could store this in the fridge or leave it out if your house is not too hot :-)
paula says
I bet this would be great with dried unsweetened goji berries — I just bought a pound of them so definitely will be doing this soon!
Elana says
That sounds great Paula!
Marcia says
Included this in Christmas packages sent to relatives out-of-town. They enjoyed it so much they asked for the recipe. Fits in with everyone’s special dietary needs. Only problem is that now that the relatives have the recipe, I need to find something else to make!
Elana says
Marcia, that is the best type of problem! Here’s a wonderful gift that you can send to your relatives next year:
https://elanaspantry.com/hot-chocolate-mix-in-a-jar/
Enjoy!
Elana
Judy LaBine says
I just made this. Thank you for such a simple gluten free recipe. I know it will be a hit at our holiday party this weekend.
Elana says
So glad you enjoyed this recipe Judy! Simple is the name of the game here :-)