Learn how to make French Chocolate Bark (Chocolate Mendiants)! This healthy holiday treat is incredibly easy to make. This recipe is surprisingly simple and ready in no time!
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Chocolate Mendiants (French Chocolate Bark) are a real classic treat over here, in France, for any holiday (Christmas, Valentine's Day, Easter...). We can, of course, buy them at any chocolate shop but it's so much more exciting and rewarding to share homemade Chocolate Bark with your loved ones.
They make a perfect gourmet last minute holiday treat to bring to a party or a delicious edible Christmas gift.
If you like French recipes, you might also enjoy my French Carrot Apple Salad, my French Leek Salad or my French Buckwheat Crepes.
⭐ Why you'll love this recipe
- This recipe uses simple ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry.
- This French Chocolate Bark recipe is quick and easy to make.
- Perfect for an elegant treat either for a cocktail party, Christmas party, Valentine's Day, Easter or any other holiday party or celebration.
- Those Chocolate Mendiants make a perfect edible gift.
📖 Ingredient notes
- Dark chocolate. Make sure to choose high quality chocolate. As it is the main ingredient of this recipe, the quality of your French Chocolate Bark relies on the quality of the chocolate you're going to use. You can either use chocolate chips or chocolate bars, it doesn't matter because you are going to melt them. Make sure to check the ingredients in order to choose dark chocolate that doesn't contain milk if you're dairy free, vegan or paleo.
- Dried fruits. Check the ingredients to make sure they don't contain additives or if they do contain additives, they need to be clean, natural additives that are suitable with your diet.
- Nuts. I'm using walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds but you can use other nuts and only 2 or 3 different kinds, it's up to you. Make sure to use unsalted, plain nuts. They can either be toasted or not and you can either use blanched or whole almonds and hazelnuts, here again, the choice is up to you.
For the quantities for this French chocolate bark recipe, please see the recipe card below.
💭 Variations
- Chocolate. This recipe can, of course, also be made with white chocolate or milk chocolate. Make sure to use chocolate that applies to your dietary needs (for example, dairy free chocolate if you're vegan, paleo or dairy free).
- Nuts. I'm using walnuts, pistachios, hazelnuts, cashews and almonds but feel free to use any other kind of nuts (pecans, macadamias, Brazil nuts...). You can also remove all nuts from this recipe to make nut-free Chocolate Bark.
- Dried fruits. Instead of raisins and dried cranberries, you can use dried figs, apricots, goji berries, raspberries, papaya...
- Candied fruits. Candied ginger, candied lemon peel, candied orange peel... Make sure to check the ingredients as candied fruits often contain a lot of additives.
- Coconut flakes can be replaced by shredded coconut.
- Fleur de sel to add a little salty flavor. If you don't know what fleur de sel is, make sure to check my complete guide to fleur de sel.
🥣 Step by step instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (bain-marie) and stir it with a spoon or spatula.
- Prepare all your toppings in separate bowls to have them ready to be used. Line a baking tray with baking paper. Using a tablespoon or a piping bag, form even sized chocolate disks (only make 8 - 10 at a time or they will set too quickly).
- Quickly decorate each chocolate disk with a selection of toppings before they set.
- Allow to fully crystallize at room temperature for at least 1 hour and voilà!
👩🏻🍳Top tips
How to melt chocolate in a double boiler (bain-marie)
Fill a medium sized saucepan about a quarter full with water and bring to a simmer. Put a heatproof bowl on top, making sure it isn’t touching the water. Break the chocolate up into small, even pieces and add to the bowl. Simmer gently for 3-5 minutes, until the chocolate is melted, stirring a couple of times with a spatula or spoon.
How to prepare the piping bag
If you choose to use a piping bag rather than a spoon to form the chocolate disks: place the chocolate into a disposable piping bag, and once ready to use, cut a small hole at the tip of the piping bag.
How to present French Chocolate Bark as a gift
French chocolate bark is the perfect holiday edible gift. Present your Chocolate Mendiants in a clear treat bag with a tie to transform them into a fancy homemade gift.
🍪 Other chocolate recipes you might like
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a 5-star rating 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟 on the recipe card and leave a nice review below! Tag @gohealthywithbea on Instagram and hashtag #gohealthywithbea! Also, let's stay connected on social media and continue to cook together! You can find me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.
📋 Recipe / Recette
Easy French Chocolate Bark (Chocolate Mendiants)
Ingredients
- 200 grams (7 oz) dark chocolate (high quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate)
- 50 grams (⅓ cup) nuts (almonds, hazelnuts, cashews, pistachios, walnuts...)
- 2 tablespoons dried fruits (raisins, cranberries...)
- 1 tablespoon coconut flakes
Instructions
- Melt the chocolate in a double boiler (see notes below if you don't know how to do that) and stir it with a spoon or spatula.
- Prepare all your toppings in separate bowls to have them ready to be used.
- Line a baking tray with baking paper. Using a tablespoon or a piping bag, form even sized chocolate disks (only make 8 - 10 at a time or they will set too quickly).
- Quickly decorate each chocolate disk with a selection of toppings before they set.
- Allow to fully crystallize at room temperature for at least 1 hour and voilà! Store at room temperature for up to one week.Bon appétit!
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