Make: The Low-Cal, Four-Ingredient Dessert You’ll Absolutely Love

Photo by Becca Boyd

Guys, I’m not going to lie: Baking can be hard. It’s like one big chemistry experiment that can go horribly awry if you mis-measure an ingredient by just thiiiis much. It’s why I get phone calls from my friends all the time, who ask me why their cookies got so thin, why their bread didn’t rise, why their cake was dry. And etc.

So today I’m going to introduce you to a dessert that you seriously couldn’t screw up if you tried. Here’s what it involves: melting chocolate, spreading it on a sheet, and topping it with whatever you want. Easy as pie (except this recipe is actually easy, whereas pie is not). What I’m talking about is bark, thin chocolate bites you can customize to your liking. And it’s totally diet-friendly, too: The thinner you spread it, the fewer calories you’ll take in. This is a treat that I can, with complete sincerity, describe as healthy.

Bittersweet Salted Coconut Almond Bark
Makes roughly 40 bite-size pieces

1 lb. 72 percent bittersweet chocolate, chopped well
2/3 c. sweetened coconut chips
2/3 c. roasted sliced almonds
Pinch of kosher salt

Method

1. Line a large, flat, baking sheet with parchment paper. Make sure coconut and almonds are nearby and ready to use.

2. In a large glass bowl, microwave chocolate for 1 minute. Stir and microwave for another minute. Stir well until all chunks melt and chocolate is smooth (depending on microwave, you might need to microwave another 15 seconds).

3. Pour chocolate on onto parchment and spread with a small offset spatula, rubber spatula, or even the back of a spoon. Spread to about 12 x 15 inches, or the space of the baking sheet.

4. Immediately sprinkle generously with almonds and coconut. Finish with a pinch of salt. Let cool at room temperature or chill until completely firm. Break into pieces and keep in airtight container or fridge, depending on the temp of your kitchen.

Per piece: 89 calories, 6.5 fat grams (including 3.5 grams saturated fat), 9 milligrams sodium, 6.1 grams carbs, 1.4 grams dietary fiber, 3.7 grams sugar, 1.6 grams protein.

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Becca Boyd is a wife and mom who creates healthy and delicious recipes in her West Chester kitchen. She blogs about them on her website, Home Beccanomics.

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