Three words: Healthy Snickers bar.
Fun fact: The very first Snickers bar was introduced to the world in 1930, and it’s been living in our hearts, minds, and vending machines for the 93 years since. Despite our love for the famous candy bar, however, sometimes we long for a healthier alternative that somehow maintains the bar’s same irresistibly rich flavor and crunchy-yet-smooth texture. In fall 2023, TikTok finally granted our wish (it’s about time) with the invention of chocolate date bark, otherwise known as the “healthy Snickers bar.”
For all the nitty-gritty details on how to craft this viral treat, we turned to TikTok creator Gina Burgess. In her chocolate date bark tutorial, she lays out everything you’ll need to make the easy, no-bake snack. Keep in mind that this recipe isn’t an exact science, because it doesn’t need to be: Burgess doesn’t list precise ingredient measurements, suggesting that you “just go with your heart’s content.” If that’s intimidating, consider this recipe a gentle, ultimately rewarding exercise in letting go and letting chocolate.
Speaking of reservations, you may have some about the purported healthiness of this dessert. But we’re happy to report that the sweet star of date bark is, of course, dates. Dates are rich in fiber, which regulates blood sugar to keep your hunger levels and blood sugar in check. When sampling this treat in moderation, you can also enjoy the health benefits of dark chocolate, which is full of antioxidants (which prevent or slow cell damage). And we should also mention that peanuts are notably heart-healthy, given that they lower cholesterol levels.
Plus, given that these ingredients are pretty ubiquitous and easy to store, there’s a decent chance that you already have them in your pantry. Which means that there’s no time like the present to prepare your new favorite, decadent, fiber-rich snack. Think of them as a Snickers, sans the wrapper.
Date Bark aka the “Healthy Snickers Bar”
Ingredients
- Medjool dates
- Peanut butter
- Peanuts or almonds
- Melted dark chocolate
- Flaky salt
Instructions
- Lay out a sheet of parchment paper on a sheet pan or baking pan.
- Remove pits from the dates, if necessary.
- Smush the dates open-side-up onto the parchment paper. Press them down so that they lay flat, touching each other. Complete as many rows of smushed dates as you desire.
- Top the dates with an even amount of creamy peanut butter, smoothing it out with a rubber spatula if necessary.
- Sprinkle peanuts or almonds onto the surface of the peanut butter.
- Spread a layer of melted dark chocolate over the nuts, smoothing the melted chocolate with a rubber spatula if necessary.
- Sprinkle flaky salt onto the chocolate.
- Refrigerate the bark until the chocolate has set.
