Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots | A Holiday Brunch Party
December is no ordinary month. For many of us it’s a series of weekends spent baking, nights spent celebrating and houses filled with family and friends. An abundance of special occasions fill the calendar during this time.
And while the frantic pace can be unrelenting, holiday brunches are the one exception that seem to ignore the clock and invite us to recharge and savor a long, lazy meal in good company.
Brunch is a sane way to celebrate the season; not as frantic as or as potentially fraught with familial tensions as parties and dinners.
There are none of the worries of seating arrangements, fancy table linens, or elaborate meal preparation. Beyond breakfast and lunch, it escapes precise description and can be savory, sweet, light and hearty all at once.
Cherished memories are made in the kitchen. Everyone remembers parties spent lazily sipping coffee or cocktails and catching up with one another while stirring, nibbling and cooking up a feast. We’ve waited all year for these precious moments; to have the time to talk and enjoy the season.
Because brunch is served early in the day and sleep is precious during the holiday season, prep time is the key to a stress-free brunch. One choice is to make some food ahead of time, keep the menu simple, and cook a few of the dishes while your guests are there.
This year some friends and I are throwing a virtual bunch. Since we can’t all be together in the kitchen cooking we are doing the next best thing and sharing our menu for a memorable holiday brunch with you, and I’m bringing the chocolate!
Chocolate bark makes an elegant hostess gift or party favor for any holiday get-together. It’s simple to prepare and is a wonderful healthy indulgence.
Shards of decadent dark chocolate are topped with crunchy roasted pumpkin seeds, shimmering bits of crystallized ginger, along with sweet, but tart dried apricots and finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.
The salty, sweet combination is thoroughly addicting and the little zip from the ginger gives this bark just the right amount of heat.
Filled with antioxidants, heart healthy fats and immune boosting properties, this deliciously rich treat is sure to be gratefully devoured by its recipients.
I was thrilled to contribute this recipe to the Holiday 2011 issue of Simply the Sweet Life Magazine (pg.56-57). It’s a wonderful publication filled with great ideas for the holiday season, I hope you check it out.
RECIPE: Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots
INGREDIENTS
- 1/2 cup/ 2oz toasted pumpkin seeds
- 1/4 cup/ 1 oz dried apricots, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup/ 1 oz crystallized or candied ginger, thinly sliced
- 1 pound / 16 oz bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped
- A few pinches of fleur de sel
INSTRUCTIONS
- Line an 11″ x 17″ baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Combine the pumpkin seeds, apricots, and ginger in a bowl.
- To temper chocolate: Using a microwave, place 3/4 of chocolate in a microwave- bowl (set aside remaining chocolate). With bowl uncovered, heat chocolate for 30 seconds at 50 percent power and then stir with a rubber spatula. Repeat, heating for 30 seconds and stirring, until almost all the chocolate in the bowl is melted, about 4 to 5 minutes.
- Using an instant-read thermometer, check temperature of chocolate. It should be no more than 118°. If it hasn’t reached desired temperature, continue to heat (in 10-second increments). Then add reserved chocolate and stir constantly until completely melted and smooth and thermometer reads 88° to 90°. Chocolate is now tempered.
- To make bark: Using an offset spatula, spread chocolate in an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick, on the parchment paper. Sprinkle with the nut and fruit mixture and a pinch of fleur de sel. Tap the pan to settle the toppings into the chocolate.
- Allow bark to cool until hard and use a sharp knife to cut into pieces.
- Wrap in gift boxes lined with decorative paper, or place in cellophane bags and tie with ribbon.
Preparation time: 15 minute(s)
Diet tags: Gluten free
Number of servings (yield): makes 1 lb of bark
Copyright © 2010-2011 gourmande in the kitchen.
Be sure to check out the complete Virtual Holiday Brunch Menu below:
Drink
Godiva Mudslide Minitini – Kristen from Dine & Dish
Main Dish
Gingerbread French Toast – Diane from Created by Diane
Asian Fusion Omelette/Frittata – Jeanette from Jeanette’s Healthy Living
Bon Appetit’s Macaroni and Cheese - Naomi from Bakers Royale
Side Dish
Potato Casserole – Julie from The Little Kitchen
Hazelnut Roasted Brussel Sprouts – Carolyn from All Day I Dream About Food
Dessert
Gingerbread Pumpkin Trifle with Cranberry Pomegranate Sauce – Sommer from A Spicy Perspective
Almond Brickle Coffee Cake – Kathy from Cooking On the Side
Gingerbread Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream – Cheryl from TidyMom
What are your favorite brunch dishes?
leave a comment
64 Responses to “Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots | A Holiday Brunch Party”
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[...] Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the Kitchen [...]
[...] Favor/Hostess Gift Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the Kitchen Posted In Blogging, Breakfast, Recipes, Side Dishes [...]
[...] Favor/Hostess Gift Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the Kitchen Print Asian Omelette or Frittata Recipe Rating: [...]
A divine looking bark and a great gift idea!
Cheers,
Rosa
What stunning images of this holiday treat. I wish I had a tin of this right now, although I’m afraid I would eat the entire batch up. Love the combination of flavors and textures in your recipe.
What an unusual bark, it’s so beautiful with the orange tones and the slivers on top going every which way. I love how thin and regular yours is, I’ve been making barks to give as gifts all week, and mine is more of the rustic variety!
This looks wonderful Sylvie! and I love the idea of gifting it!
I was on another blog this morning who made dark choc and candied orange bark…I need to make this. I keep getting nudged
Looks delish!
What a wonderful homemade gift idea. Loving the flavor combinations — especially the chocolate and ginger. Beautiful colors, too.
this is a great gift idea & it looks fabulous !
This is gorgeous! Oh my goodness. I’m in love.
This is a great gift idea! Lovely bark, I particularly like the candied ginger in it.
Magda
What a stunning combination!!!
Deliciously healthy Sylvie. I love that you’ve added fleur de sel on the top. Really like the sweet and salty combo.
[...] Gingerbread Cupcakes with Brown Sugar Buttercream – Cheryl from TidyMomParty Favor/Hostess Gift Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the KitchenA few notes:Base of the cheese sauce is cabonara in [...]
Oh my, these look decadent. I wouldn’t mind receiving these in a pretty box.
Oh joy! Those are perfection! I want!
[...] Favor/Hostess Gift Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the [...]
SOOO Fabulous! You rock!
Ooh! Simple and absolutely gorgeous!
This looks so good, Sylvie. What a great winter flavour of chocolate bark.
you took my breath away, Sylvie!
what lovely gift this would make
I am so making bark with ginger this time! Delightful!
What a beautiful combination, Sylvie, and congrats!!! So glad you could join us and I wish it was a party that we were having in real life!
A choc full of yum…. Hope Santa will drop a box through my chimney
Simply gorgeous
[...] Favor/Hostess Gift Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger, Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots – Sylvie from Gourmande in the [...]
SO gorgeous, Sylvie! Plus I love the flavors in this – I’ve recently come to really appreciate ginger with dark chocolate.
Oh heavens me… that pic of the bark all stacked up has me in fits. It is so beautiful, Sylvie!
Love, love, the bark… and the virtual brunch is delicious!
this looks amazing. the possibilities are endless with this one.
Gorgeous!
I’m sure it tastes great, because it sure looks great. The colors and textures in the chocolate are brilliant.
1st – Gorgeous (as always) and 2nd – I want to eat the stack of bark right now! Yum Sylvie. Yum.
Holy moly! This is beautiful
Congrats on the magazine feature! You know this is great for a chocolate lover like me
I absolutely adore the last picture, can almost reach out of the screen to take it!
These photos are really really good!
The colours in this bark are absolutely gorgeous – so wintry and vibrant. I love sharing food with friends and can completely understand the need to continue to do so, even if you can’t actually meet. A virtual brunch is such a good idea!
One word: stunning!
I can’t think of a nicer holiday gift than this!
Absolutely stunning Sylvie! I have never seen chocolate look so good!!
This chocolate bark looks unbelievable and what a perfect gift!
This is my kind of chocolate bark. Love the simplicity but array of great flavors. Congrats on the magazine feature will check it out. As always I love your photos. Happy Holidays !
Congrats on the magazine feature!!
This bark looks to beautiful to eat! Well, I wouldn’t resist, either
Absolutely gorgeous,Sylvie!I wish I can delve into that bark right now. Congrats on the magazine feature.
Great treat for gift giving!
This looks so elegant! I love me some bark!!
this is such a pretty bark! i love all of the colors & textures! a great gift idea
Oh how beautiful this is Sylvie…perfect for the holidays! And how fun to have a virtual brunch
Loving everything about this!
Oh this bark is so pretty and I love the ginger that you added in there with the apricot. Barks are my favorite to make- so little work for such a delish product!
Like jewels on a smooth velvety background! Love this Sylvie!
This bark is my kind of treat! What a lovely gift this would be. I love the combination of flavors. I look forward to making this!
WOW! This looks amazing – dark chocolate is my favorite, and I always love ginger. Great treat
Congrats on Top 9!
Congrats on the magazine feature!
I absolutely agree that chocolate bark makes an elegant hostess gift or party favor and it can certainly be a healthy indulgence if you use the right ingredients. I love how you’ve paired ginger with the pumpkin seeds – it’s unusual, but I’m sure it works really well.
As for my favorite brunch dishes, I have to say cardamom french toast with fruit, or then a frittata with lots of feta cheese!
[...] Dark Chocolate Bark with Ginger Pumpkin Seeds and Apricots Recipe | gourmandeinthekitchen.com 1/2 cup/ 2oz toasted pumpkin seeds 1/4 cup/ 1 oz dried apricots, thinly sliced INGREDIENTS 1/4 cup/ 1 oz crystallized or candied ginger, thinly sliced [...]
All I can say is…. wow! I’ve never been a huge fan of “bark” since most versions have been too sweet for my tastes. But this one? Oh, this one I could devour.. and as soon as I make it, I probably will!!
[...] all delicious! However, if you’re looking for something a little different you might enjoy this one from Gourmand in the Kitchen. This bark boasts dark, antioxidant-rich chocolate with pumpkin [...]
Love Love love the idea of ginger and chocolate together. Insanely delicious
Sylvie, that is just gorgeous! I’m positive I could eat every piece in that stack.
Just gorgeous – love this combination! I can’t belive Xmas is almost here and i am due in 9 weeks time is just flying by.
I am with you. Brunch is a great way to go. Besides, I have way more energy in the earlier part of the day. This chocolate bark looks wonderful! Great for gifts too.
This recipe sounds yummy, and the photos are great. Best of all, I adore dark chocolate. What an interesting mix of ingredients. Yummy.
Hmmm, no apricot in the house….I think I’ll try dried cranberries w/the pumpkin seeds. Yum!
That would work great together as well!
You had me at bark! That lead shot is gorgeous – I would LOVE to receive a box of this-love the flavor profile in this bark.
this looks so good! perfect for my xmas gifts!!
Im loving the idea of the apricots with the dark chocolate. The combination is making my taste buds excited.
I love the chocolate bark. It’s such a divine and delicious handmade gift to give to friends and family….or eat yourself
oh delicious! I just made ginger and darck chocolate caramels – oh my word, so good! I love how pretty the crystrallised ginger looks on top of the chocolate and so easy to make for last minutes gifts too.
That is almost too pretty to eat, but I’m sure I couldn’t resist!
[...] with a few of you. Why you ask? Because if I get fat, it’s your fault. Yep; YOU and YOU and YOU and Even YOU [...]
Sylvie, this is such a treat! I love the flavors you used on your chocolate here. Delicious and very Christmassy! These barks would make wonderful gifts.