I’ve been a little absent lately. I’ve definitely been in a food blogging slump. I expressed it the other week–when I cook I need to cook quick because I’m starving. I don’t have time to wait the extra 5 minutes to take photos of my food. I need food NOW! I recently made a batch of dark chocolate macadamia nut bark to hand out to family and friends during the holidays and I figured this would be the perfect recipe to share with my loyal readers. I promise I will get out of this slump and start sharing more recipes (frequently) again. Until then… hang in there with me. Please!!??!?
This dark chocolate macadamia nut bark is super easy to make, but looks way fancy and will impress just about everyone you know! That’s why I love making this bark. Plus, who doesn’t love macadamia nuts? I toasted them to really let the flavor come out and used some of the best chocolate I know… SCHARFFEN BERGER Chocolate. I always have a little stash on hand especially during the holidays so I can make delectable barks to hand out. I also always have dried fruit on hand. I recently purchased a Costco size bag of dried apricots. I eat a handful nightly to keep the calf cramps away. It seems to be working, and I’ve actually started to love them.
Oh and because I like no-mess I used a SILPAT mat to pour my warm chocolate on to. If you don’t have one, no worries–just line you’re baking sheet with parchment paper. I popped the tray into the refrigerator for 30 minutes and voila… it was ready to be broken up and distributed. Of course, you have to have room in your refrigerator to be able to store the cookie sheet. Luckily, I had the room since any more I can’t keep our refrigerator full enough thanks to my raging teenage-boy like appetite! 
So if you are looking for a quick and easy holiday gift to give your friends and family this holiday season, give my recipe for dark chocolate macadamia nut bark a try! Don’t worry–if you don’t have dried apricots and pomegranates on hand you can use other dried fruit. The sky is the limit!
Katie Original Recipe
Dark Chocolate Macadamia Nut Bark
Ingredients
- 9.7 oz Bittersweet Dark Chocolate chopped
- 1 6 oz package of Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 1 cup Macadamia Nuts chopped
- ½ cup Dried Pomegranates chopped
- ½ cup Dried Apricots chopped
Instructions
- In a frying pan, toast macadamia nuts until golden brown 3-5 minutes on medium-high (tossing frequently). Remove from the pan, and rough chop.
- While the nuts are roasting, begin to melt the bittersweet dark chocolate. *I use a microwave on the melt setting in 30 second intervals. Mix every 30 seconds then add in the semi-sweet chocolate. Mix until just melted.
- Pour on a lined cookie sheet, top with chopped macadamia nuts, dried pomegranates, and dried apricots.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until hard. Break apart and package. Store in sealed container for 3-5 days.
Karen Petersen
I just love bark and macadamia nuts are the best!!
Katie
Thanks Karen–I think it’s a sophisticated and easy gift to make! 🙂
Shaina
We miss ya, but understand your absence – your preggers, its totally ok! 🙂 At least you came back with an awesome recipe!
Katie
Ha ha thanks Shaina! I have made a few recipes in the past week so I’ll have a few new things to share in 2014! 🙂
Angie | Big Bear's Wife
The only kind of bark I’ve ever made was chocolate peppermint bark but I do love the look of this chocolate macadamia nut bark!! So pretty! I can see why it makes for the perfect gift!
Katie
I normally make peppermint bark too! But like to switch up as well!
Joanne
I’m definitely busier this year than ever before so having time to make crazy recipes AND photograph has proved challenging! I think I need a large pan of bark to destress with. Mmm.
Laura @ Laura's Culinary Adventures
Not only are pomegranats and apricots tasty, but they look so pretty on this bark!
Katie
Thanks Laura! I know I love the pop of color they add!
Jessica @ A Kitchen Addiction
I love dark chocolate and I love macadamia nuts! This bark needs to happen ASAP!
Jen
We’ve all been in a slump at one time or another. You’ll work your way through it!
Katie
Thanks Jen! Hope you are doing well!
Monet
Hi Katie. I can totally relate to the slump. I’m feeling a bit burned out myself right now! But I also love when you post and this bark is making me crave chocolate! Thank you for sharing!
Katie
Awe thanks Monet! Just trying to find the time and energy to cook and post! 🙂 I was hoping the bark would make up for my lack of posting!
Anna@CrunchyCreamySweet
I love love dark chocolate! This bark looks fantastic, Katie!
Katie
Thanks Anna!
danielle
Dark chocolate is my favorite and I love it with the pomegranite. This really sounds dangerously delish!
Katie
Thanks Danielle!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
I hear you on the appetite thing… my lil’ bun has been leaving me ravenous at the worst times (like 11 p.m. right before I need to go to sleep, or the middle of the night…) I should make a batch of this bark to put in my bedside table!
Katie
Stephanie, I’m right there with you. I’ve woken up a few nights over the past few weeks at 4am and have grabbed a yogurt to snack on to hold me over until “morning”.
Erin | The Law Student's Wife
Blogging around the holidays is so tough! Enjoy a bit of a break and don’t be too hard on yourself 🙂
I adore this recipe Katie! Dark chocolate is my happy downfall (I have an emergency stash in my desk at all times), and I love the combo with the fruit.
Katie
Holidays + being pregnant = extra strenuous! lol. Trying to let it go and post when I have energy! I just recently started loving dark chocolate… that could be a bad thing! 😉