Do you ever see those insanely expensive chocolate bars in the grocery store that are some exotic flavor (that sound amazing)? I have to admit I buy them from time to time, but it’s a bit ridiculous how much they cost. I mean, if it’s some sort of chocolate that is uber fair trade and gives jobs to people in some desolate rural area, then fine, I can justify the expense. But just to get my sea salt and almond craving on, yeah, not so great.
I discovered recently how easy it is to flavor your own chocolate though. Have you ever used essential oils to flavor anything? I certainly hadn’t, unless you count all the processed food I’ve had in my life that does this. But to use a pure, unadulterated essential oil in my own cooking was new to me.
Essential oils are made from the leaves, rinds, barks, and seeds of plants, and orange essential oil is made from the rind of an orange. Ever break into an orange and get squirted with the liquid? That’s the essential oil from the orange. So using the oils in cooking requires just a teeny tiny amount to get big flavor.
Chocolate bark too, is one of those things you can customize endlessly to your heart’s content. But I love how easy it was to flavor with just 2 drops of essential oil! These are perfect for giving as a gift or for serving at your holiday parties.
Let me know if you try this simple recipe! And if you want to know more about using essential oils or what brand I love and trust, I have a newsletter just about essential oils that I send out approx once a month that you can sign up for here (it will show as being from my Thriving On Paleo account). Or you can always email me and I’d be happy to discuss.
- 2 cups Semi-sweet or Dark Chocolate Chips
- 1/2 tsp Vanilla Extract
- 1/2 tsp Coffee Grounds (optional, just gives it deeper taste)
- 1/4 tsp Sea Salt
- 2 drops Orange Essential Oil
- 1/4 cup Macadamia Nuts, roughly chopped
- Melt the chocolate in a pan over low heat or in the microwave. Stir frequently either way (if in the microwave, stop the microwave every 20 seconds or so to stir until melted).
- Mix in the other ingredients except for the macadamia nuts.
- Spread thinly on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper using a spatula or spoon. Smooth the top using the spatula or spoon.
- Sprinkle the macadamia nuts over the chocolate and lightly press in with your hand or a spatula.
- Freeze for at least 30 minutes.
- Break apart once solid and serve.
- Customize this as your imagination desires! No nuts? No problem. Want to try a peppermint bark instead? Use peppermint essential oil. The key is to not use too much oil because the stuff is super powerful.
