Did You Win the Cooking Classes? And Chocolate Peppermint Bark with a Protein Boost!
[Mmmm. . . . a dessert-like treat that provides healthy carbs, fats and protein. . . great post-feast snacking!]
Hello everyone! Hope those of you who celebrated yesterday had a relaxing, stress-free holiday filled with the love of family, good friends, and fabulous food! We had a bit of an adventure over here (more on that next post), but suffice it to say we deferred our Christmas feast until. . . today!
Before I flit off to enjoy the meal, I wanted to let you know about our cooking class winner, mention a great Boxing Day Sale courtesy of Heather, and post this recipe for quick and easy (and all-too-yummy) chocolate peppermint bark with a protein boost! (Because really, isn’t it great when you don’t have to feel guilty about having two three pieces of chocolate bark?
Congratulations to Lisa Zerbe–you won all 24 online cooking classes!
And. . . if you didn’t win, you can still enjoy the classes at a massive discount! Heather is offering a special discount for DDD readers only until Friday (December 28th) at midnight. You’ll get all 24 classes plus the bonuses for $80 off (that’s a 55% discount)–or $67 for the whole package. Check out the details here, and my sample recipe from the courses here. [Note: I am an affiliate for Heather's classes. If you purchase after clicking on a link here, I will receive a small commission that will go to maintaining this blog.]
And now. . . on to dessert (or, perhaps, a really good snack)!
I wanted to create a holiday-themed chocolate bark, but one that would offer more than empty calories and sugars. After I received a bunch of amazing products from Growing Naturals a couple of weeks ago, I began to play in the kitchen with their rice and pea proteins. I loved the fact that their rice protein is quite fine and didn’t feel gritty to me at all when I blended it with my other ingredients. So then it hit me: why not add it to my chocolate bark, and see what happens? The result was this very decadent-tasting bark that is reminiscent of milk chocolate and will stay firm for up to 30 minutes at room temperature (after which point it begins to soften because of the hemp).
With hemp seeds and protein powder as two major ingredients, this is a sweet treat that actually provides calories from all three macronutrients (protein, carb, good fats), so it should help to satisfy a sweet tooth without triggering sugar cravings. And it contains 7.5 g of protein per serving–about 1/6 of your daily needs, almost unheard of in a sweet treat! I loved this flavor combination with peppermint and gojis, but that’s the beauty of a recipe like this one–you can add whatever you like in the way of dried fruits, chopped nuts, or flavorings (I think coconut flavoring and chopped candied ginger would be spectacular if you can have it).
I’m going to be taking it easy over the next few days, but will be back with a holiday recap and new recipe before the new year. In the meantime, I hope you’re all enjoying yourselves as the year winds down.
Happy Holiday Hugs,
Ricki xo
PS No, I am not an affiliate of Growing Naturals, and I did not receive any payment for this post. I am looking into becoming an affiliate, though, since I enjoyed their products so much! 
I’m sending this recipe to Amy’s Slightly Indulgent Tuesday.
Peppermint-Chocolate Bark with a Protein Boost
A lovely, festive chocolate snack that delivers more than mere calories. Feel free to play with the flavors in this creamy confection.
2 cups (160 g) raw unsweetened finely shredded coconut (not the large shreds) OR 1 cup (240 ml) raw coconut butter, melted
3/4 cup (120 g) raw hemp seeds
1/3 cup (80 ml) coconut sugar
2 ounces (60 g) good quality unsweetened chocolate, chopped
1/4-1/2 tsp (1-2.5 ml) 100% stevia powder, to your taste
pinch fine sea salt
1 tsp (5 ml) pure vanilla extract
1/2 tsp (2. 5 ml) pure peppermint extract
1 scoop raw protein powder (I used Growing Naturals plain rice)
1/4 cup (60 ml) goji berries, dried cranberries, blueberries or cherries, or chopped nuts, if desired
1-2 Tbsp (15-30 ml) more hemp seeds, if desired
Line a loaf pan or mold with plastic wrap and set aside.
Place the coconut or coconut butter, hemp seeds and coconut sugar in a high-powered blender and, using the tamper to keep the mixture moving, blend until liquefied. This should take only a minute or two. (If you have a powerful food processor, you can use it instead, but it will take longer for the coconut to turn to butter, and the texture will be slightly more grainy.) Add the chocolate, stevia, salt and vanilla, and continue to blend, stirring with the tamper, until the chocolate is completely melted and the mixture is smooth. Finally, add the protein powder and blend again until incorporated.
Pour into the pan and smooth the top. Sprinkle with goji berries and additional hemp seeds if desired. Place in refrigerator until firm, at least 2 hours.
Once firm, invert onto a cutting board and remove the plastic. Cut into odd shapes and store, covered, in the refrigerator. Serve cold. Makes 12-16 pieces. Will keep, refrigerated, up to 2 weeks. Protein per piece (12 pieces): 7.5 g.
Suitable for: ACD Stage 3 and beyond, sugar-free, gluten-free, dairy-free, egg free, soy-free, nut free, vegan, low glycemic.
Never miss a recipe–or a comment from The Girls! Click here to subscribe to Diet, Dessert and Dogs via email. (“We love subscribers, Mum. . . almost as much as we love treats!”)
Last Year at this Time: Podcast with Kelly of The Spunky Coconut
Two Years Ago: African Sweet Potato Stew (gluten free; ACD All Stages)
Three Years Ago: Spicy Chickpea Koftas (gluten free; ACD All Stages)
Four Years Ago: Have a Wonderful Holiday
Five Years Ago: Wishes for a Wonderful Day
© Ricki Heller, Diet, Dessert and Dogs
Good gosh this looks good!
[Reply]
Ricki Reply:
December 26th, 2012 at 10:20 pm
Thanks, Kari! It’s almost a cross between chocolate and fudge. . . very yummy.
[Reply]
Oh how I love desserts with protein! They leave me feeling more satisfied…I’m not tempted to eat the whole plate! And the peppermint chocolate combo is perfect this time of year. Thanks for another great recipe!
[Reply]
This looks fabulous Ricki! I LOVE the simplicity and deliciousness of bark. I’m eager to try stevia in chocolate, this is perfect timing! We are headed to Pete’s family Christmas tomorrow. I think I will bring some bark
[Reply]
Maggie Reply:
December 27th, 2012 at 5:27 pm
I just made some Ricki! Omitted the gojis and peppermint in favour of more vanilla
Can’t wait to test it tomorrow. So glad I had some cocoa camino on hand 
[Reply]
Ricki Reply:
December 27th, 2012 at 5:37 pm
Can’t wait to hear what you think! Which protein powder did you use?
[Reply]
Looks wonderful! It’s like you read my mind, I was wondering recently how to make chocolate bark healthier. Thanks for sharing!
[Reply]
Ricki Reply:
December 29th, 2012 at 5:58 pm
So glad to hear that! I hope you enjoy it.
[Reply]
[...] Chocolate Peppermint Bark [...]
Thank you! I was so excited to hear from Heather I’d won the cooking classes and so busy with Christmas I forgot to come back and say thank you and for that I apologise. Can’t wait for the holidays mayhem to be over, kids back to school and settle down to some serious cooking.
[Reply]
Ricki Reply:
January 3rd, 2013 at 9:44 am
Glad you got them–and congrats again! Always nice to know that prizes are happily received.
[Reply]