If you’re a diehard candy lover like me, you’ll satisfy your sweet tooth one way or another. My candy of choice is usually a Snickers bar, but I’ve recently discovered an alternative that delivers on chocolatey and nutty goodness in a healthier way. Meet date bark: the viral candy treat you can make with just six ingredients. As the name suggests, this bark uses date as a base for melted chocolate, nut butter and other toppings. The bar chills in the fridge until it’s set and then it’s ready to break into small pieces and enjoy. It’s the perfect snack to whip up when you need a sweet treat that your body will thank you for later! Here’s the scoop on date bark along with an easy recipe to try soon.
What is date bark?
Date bark is a treat made with Medjool dates, peanut butter or tahini (sesame paste), almonds, melted chocolate and salt. Similar to regular chocolate bark, it sits in the fridge so the chocolate hardens and makes it easier to break apart. TikTok creator @thathealthjunkie is credited with inventing this treat, which she first posted about in 2023. Since then, recipe videos for this bark have gone viral as it resembles the crunch and sweet yet nutty taste of a Snickers bar. Plus, the medjool dates are packed with nutrients that makes this the ultimate feel-good treat.
The health benefits of medjool dates
Medjool dates on their own are a healthy snack as a single piece of the fruit contains 67 calories and two grams of fiber. Research points to dates being a good source of insoluble fiber, which is key for digestive health and preventing constipation. The high fiber content of dates also make them slower to digest, which helps reduce the risk of blood sugar spikes. On top of the nutrition perks, dates are a versatile dried fruit that you can use in a range of treats—including a good-for-you homemade chocolate bark!
A simple and viral date bark recipe
This date bark recipe comes from blogger @kalejunkie and preps in just 10 minutes. Medjool dates work best for this bark as they’re thick and boast a caramel flavor. Additionally, nut butter and raw almonds provide the right amount of nuttiness and crunch to mimic the taste and texture of a Snickers bar.
The recipe uses dark chocolate to melt and drizzle on top of the bark base. But, milk or white chocolate can be substituted if desired. A sprinkle of flaky sea salt adds a nice flavor contrast while bringing out the sweetness from the ingredients. (Looking for another way to use dates in a dessert? Try this sticky toffee pudding recipe.)
Date Crunch Bark
Ingredients:
- 20 Medjool dates, pitted
- ⅓ cup tahini or peanut butter
- ½ cup raw almonds
- 1½ cups dark chocolate chips
- 1 tsp. coconut oil
- Flaky salt
Directions:
- Line baking sheet with parchment paper. Place dates on baking sheet close together to form a rectangular shape. Take a glass and spray bottom with oil or cooking spray and gently press dates down to flatten.
- Drizzle flatten dates with tahini or peanut butter. Sprinkle almonds on top.
- Then, place chocolate chips in bowl along with coconut oil and microwave in 2 to 3 30-second increments until fully melted and smooth. Pour over top.
- Refrigerate uncovered 1 hour (or freeze 35 minutes) until chocolate is set. Finish with sprinkling bark with flaky salt. Carefully break into pieces using your hands or sharp knife. Enjoy!
- Note: Store date bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.
