Bournville Almond Bark Recipe: Simple No-Bake Treat With Vegan Swap Ideas

Chocolate bark is a one for all recipe that requires no cooking, no baking, simply setting in the fridge and devouring. That is what you need when you need a recipe that is fit for the whole crowd. Bite-sizes, easy serving, and mesmerizing plating options makes chocolate bark even more irresistible. You cannot ever call a chocolate bark a low effort and lazy recipe after you taste how delicious it is. All it takes is just a little effort to assemble the ingredients and then you just break it and serve it.

Making the chocolate bark even more scrumptious, this recipe brings you an easy version of how you can create it using Bournville dark chocolate and almonds. A nutty spin to the classic dessert, this recipe will tell you how you can enhance the fun of chocolate with roasted almonds. The recipe uses only a few ingredients like Bournville dark chocolate, almonds, and coconut oil, which makes it open for more innovative flavor spins. You can enhance these barks with the addition of flavor extracts like vanilla extract or lemon extract, or you can bring a royal touch with the addition of dried or fresh rose petals. This recipe is so delightful that you will be compelled to make yet another batch. Follow the simple recipe below and rejoice in the overlapping nutty and dark essence at the comfort of your home.

Ingredients:

• 200g Cadbury Bournville dark chocolate (roughly 1 large bar)
• ½ cup almonds, roughly chopped or slivered
• 1 tsp coconut oil (optional, for smoother texture & shine)
• Pinch of sea salt (for flavor contrast)
• ½ tsp vanilla or almond extract
• Zest of ½ orange (for a citrusy twist)
• Crushed rose petals or dried cranberries for garnish

Method:

Step 1: Toast the Almonds

Start off by roasting chopped almonds in a dry pan on medium heat for up to 3 to 4 minutes until they turn fragrant and golden. Set them aside to cool down.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

Break the Bournville chocolate into small pieces and put it in a heat proof bowl. Heat up some water in a saucepan and let it come to a boil. Once the steam starts to come up, place the chocolate bowl over the saucepan and let the steam melt chocolate slowly. Stir the chocolate until you finally get a glossy and smooth consistency.

You can also melt chocolate in a microwave. Just place the chocolate bowl in a preheated oven and let it heat up to 20 seconds bursts. Stir between every 20 seconds until the chocolate melts smoothly. If you want a glossier finish, you can add some coconut oil to it as well.

Step 3: Mix & Pour

Stir the toasted almonds into the chocolate, saving a few almonds for garnishing. Add flavorings like vanilla and more nuts if you want. Pour the mixture into the parchment lined tray or plate or a chocolate bar mold. Spread it and let it sit at room temperature for a few minutes.

Step 4: Top & Set

Sprinkle the remaining almonds on top followed by some sea salt. Add more garnishings like dry fruits, orange zest, or rose petals for a royal appeal. You can add more textures if you like if you want to bring the feel of bark chocolate. Refrigerate the bar for about 30 to 40 minutes until it turns firm.

Step 5: Break & Serve

Once the chocolate bar is hardened, break it into uneven pieces or don’t break it if you use a chocolate mold. Uneven pieces are a classic for chocolate barks and it makes eating the chocolate more fun. Eat the barks right away or store it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

Tips to make the Bournville almond bark recipe more delicious:

• To get an extra layer of crunch, add some puffed rice or granola into the bark. This will make the bars light, crunchy, and more scrumptious.
• To make the chocolate bark sweeter, add some maple syrup into melted chocolate. Maple syrup is a perfect vegan substitute for honey and it is better than sugar.
• For a festive touch, add some chopped pistachios, saffron strands, or rose petals. These ingredients make the homemade chocolate bark look like a royal treat.
• Prepare a double batch as one batch won’t be enough to serve the crowd and it will vanish in no time.
• Toss the nuts in maple syrup if you want to bring an extra sweet flavor without the need for honey or sugar.
• Add vegan-friendly toppings like shredded coconut, pumpkin seeds, or a few cacao nibs to make the chocolate bark extra delicious.