This recipe and photo were created by contributor Aylin Erman of Glow Kitchen. Learn more about Aylin and this recipe by checking out her accompanying post.

Not that plain chocolate is lacking by any extent of the imagination, but it sure wouldn’t hurt to experience extra taste and texture with some fun additions to your favorite bar. This chocolate bark recipe uses dark chocolate — at least 70 percent cocoa — and adds some dazzle to it with dried apricots and figs, raisins, and cashews. The addition of the dried fruit and nuts spreads out the chocolate’s intensity, and adds in a healthy dose of antioxidants and fiber. I like to carry this bark around in a plastic bag for a pop of energy whenever I need one. Enjoy!

Photo by Aylin Erman 

What You’ll Need:

12 ounces of 70 percent Baker’s chocolate, chopped
1/2 cup dried apricots, chopped
1/2 cup dried figs, chopped
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup cashews, chopped

Tools: 1 large baking sheet (about 11x18 inches) Parchment paper 

What to Do:

1. Melt chocolate over a double boiler until smooth.
2. Pour chocolate over parchment paper-lined baking sheet, spreading so it so that it is about 1/4-inch thick.
3. Evenly sprinkle dried fruit and cashews over the chocolate.
4. Place the bark into the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate hardens. (In the summer heat, keeping it in the freezer will make for an even more portable — and refreshing — treat!)

Photo by Aylin Erman