Never use a measuring spoon

So, summer in Manhattan with no AC can be pretty unbearable.  We tried frozen bags of ice, wet sheets, and cucumbers on our foreheads; but at the end of the day our favorite cool summer treat was this recipe for raw chocolate bark.

The best part? I can feel slightly less guilty when the chocolate cravings hit, because there is no butter, sugar, or gluten in either of these recipes.  Make as much as you need, these recipes are so easy you won't need to measure a thing, just taste test along the way!

Raw Chocolate Bark


Base Recipe:
Equal parts:
Coconut oil (liquid)
Raw cacao powder (or if you're like me, whatever coco is cheapest in the grocery store)

Honey, Maple Syrup, or Agave Nectar to taste

Extras:
Peanut Butter
Nuts (sliced or slivered almonds, pecans, walnuts, etc)
Berries or Fruit (you can use dates as a sweetener)
Spices (hot pepper, ginger, etc)
Herbs (lavender, rosemary, etc)
Barbara's Bakery Brown Rice Crisps (the healthier version of Rice Krispies)

Directions:

1. Mix coco and coconut oil in a bowl until smooth.
2. Add in sweeteners and whatever extras you desire.
3. Pour mixture onto a wax paper lined plate/cake pan/cookie sheet and freeze for 15-20 minutes.
4. Break apart into chunks and enjoy!

Peanut Butter Crunch Bars
(maple syrup, peanut butter, and brown rice crisps)

Raw Fudge

Base Recipe:

Equal parts:
Finely ground nuts or nut flour (I prefer almonds or hazelnuts)

Pitted dates

Coco powder to taste (be generous)

Extras:
Coconut oil (for a more moist dough)
Extracts (vanilla, almond, mint, etc)
Shredded Unsweetened Coconut
Nuts
Spices
Salt (coarse or fine)
Jam
Ice Cream

Directions:

1. In a food processor combine dates, nut flour, and coco powder until it begins to clump together.
2. Add in extracts, spices, or fine salt if desired.
3. Pour into a bowl and knead with hands until a ball of dough forms.
4. Ideas for presentation:
• Roll the dough out until it is about 1/2 inch thick.  Cut into 2"x2" squares for brownies or bite sized squares for chocolates.  Garnish with walnuts/pecans or coarse sea salt.
• Form the dough into 1/2 or 1 inch balls.  Roll in coconut or ground nuts to make truffles.
• Roll dough until it is very thin, cut out small cookie cutter shapes.  You can eat them like this or dehydrate them for a firmer consistency.
• Make sandwiches using your favorite fillings.
5. Chill until firm.