Dark Chocolate and Pomegranate Bark Recipe (2024)

Recipe from Tom fa*glon

Adapted by Melissa Clark

Updated Oct. 16, 2023

Dark Chocolate and Pomegranate Bark Recipe (1)

Total Time
10 minutes, plus chilling
Rating
4(529)
Notes
Read community notes

Chocolate bark is the workhorse of homemade holiday gifts, and in Tom fa*glon's version, he scatters fresh pomegranate seeds over the surface, where they glisten like rubies. Chewy bits of candied ginger are hidden inside the bittersweet chocolate, lying in wait to surprise you with their spiciness. Then, to make things even more interesting, Mr. fa*glon strews the top with crunchy sea salt. This bark is as sweet and juicy as a box of chocolate-covered cherries, but a lot more sophisticated. —Melissa Clark

Featured in: Treats From Their Kitchens to Yours

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Ingredients

Yield:About ¾ pound of bark (8 servings)

  • 140grams dark (bittersweet) chocolate pieces (5 ounces)
  • 20grams minced crystallized ginger (2 tablespoons)
  • 140grams fresh pomegranate seeds (1 cup)
  • 6grams flaky sea salt (1 teaspoon)

Ingredient Substitution Guide

Nutritional analysis per serving (8 servings)

114 calories; 6 grams fat; 3 grams saturated fat; 0 grams trans fat; 2 grams monounsaturated fat; 0 grams polyunsaturated fat; 18 grams carbohydrates; 2 grams dietary fiber; 15 grams sugars; 1 gram protein; 100 milligrams sodium

Note: The information shown is Edamam’s estimate based on available ingredients and preparation. It should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist’s advice.

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Dark Chocolate and Pomegranate Bark Recipe (2)

Preparation

Make the recipe with us

  1. Fit a heatproof bowl over a pot of simmering water, making sure the water doesn’t touch the bottom of the bowl. Place the chocolate in the bowl and stir until fully melted, about 5 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pot and stir the crystallized ginger and half of the pomegranate seeds into the melted chocolate.

  2. Step

    2

    Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Pour melted chocolate mixture onto the sheet. Use a spatula to smooth the chocolate into one even layer about ¼ inch thick (it does not need to fill the entire sheet). Sprinkle chocolate with remaining pomegranate seeds and sea salt.

  3. Step

    3

    Chill for 20 to 30 minutes or until firm. Break or cut into pieces and store in an airtight container, separating the layers with wax paper. This is best served the same day it’s made, otherwise condensation may form on the surface.

Tip

  • Measurements for dry ingredients are given by weight for greater accuracy. The equivalent measurements by volume are approximate.

Ratings

4

out of 5

529

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Private Notes

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Cooking Notes

Neil

This dessert is delicious but the salt measurement is off. The first time I made it, I weighed out 6 grams using Maldon sea salt flakes, which came to 2.5 teaspoons worth. The resulting bark was waaaaay too salty, fairly inedible. Now I make it using just 1/3 teaspoon, which provides a nice undercurrent of salt without overwhelming the dessert.

bluetomatoes

If made by this technique, chocolate will condense on the surface. To avoid this, temper the chocolate with baking chocolate and store at 65-70 degrees--the intense cold of the fridge will cause the chocolate to bloom and become discolored. Also, blot the pomegranates as dry as possible in order to prevent the chocolate from seizing or not adhering to the pomegranates sprinkled atop the bark.

Paxson

You need to press the pomegranate seeds into the chocolate when it's soft so they adhere--otherwise a lot fall off. The taste is great in any case.

Phyllis Blake

I made this last year for a finicky daughter-in-law and she raved — and so did everyone else! Only problem is that the finished product must be kept cold and it's superb only for a day. Otherwise, an unusual treat that gave me an undeserved "gourmet cook" reputation.

Diana

Used Lindt 90% chocolate. No one noticed the lack of sweetness. It was the most eaten dish of all at Thanksgiving. The recipe calls for only two tablespoons of crystalized ginger but the video shows a larger amount. Go with more ginger. The Lindt chocolate tastes great but is a bit soft with the moisture of the pomegranates. It wil melt on you fingers easily. Still the best chocolate concoction I've ever tasted.

bsaylor

We used 70% chocolate, not bittersweet, but liked the result. Measured salt by volume and 1 teaspoon was not overwhelming but one could easily use less.

Leslie

Have made many times & often substitute dried cherries/dried blueberries or dried cranberries for the pomegranate. I use more choc also& store in the freezer to have on hand for gifts. Freezing keeps the bark well

kathy

Followed recipe as written , thank you Niel for the heads up on the salt. Came out perfect and so easy to make (once you have the pomegranate seeds). Kept for a few days , some condensation but didn't spoil the taste or texture. Will make again tonite for holiday guests.

kniterati

Served this for dessert on Channukah first night/Christmas Eve. I used fleur de sel but quite a bit less than asked for. Since there is such wide variability of crystal/clump size in the different types of sea salt, one really has to exercise judgement. Also, timing is everything. It must have time to cool and solidify but deep chilling will compromise the chocolate. It uses fresh fruit so it won't keep. Anyway, it is a lovely confection and elegant. Every one loved it.

Susan

This was delicious and a hit. After reading the notes, I found a video from America's Test Kitchen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5_kheJtQO4. It shows an easy way to temper chocolate. The bark was shiny and did not melt in our hands. The tiny piece that was not eaten immediately was still quite good two days later. I used a whole pomegranate, dried the seeds on paper towels, and firmly pressed the topping seeds firmly into the warm chocolate.

Darlene

When you say temper the (bittersweet) chocolate w/ baking chocolate, what do you mean? How much baking choc vs bittersweet should I use? Thx!

Neil

I think that 70% chocolate actually IS bittersweet.

Trish

Outstanding combination of flavors and lovely to look at. No problems using recipe as given. Froze what I did not use immediately and it is just as brilliant coming out of the freezer.

Caroline

This is insanely good. Agree with others to gently press the pomegranate seeds into the chocolate before freezing. Also note that crystallized ginger is not available at all grocery stores - you’ll want to go to a more high end or specialized one for this, and it can be a little expensive ($10 for a spice sized bottle at mine).

Lydia

For me this was just OK, and needing to eat it on the same day (for ideal quality...) can be impractical. In any case, here's what I learned. 1) Get ready-to-use pomegranate seeds if available. For some reason I chose the whole fruit instead. But already-prepped seeds would save time and mess! However, if using the whole fruit, one pomegranate is enough. 2) As someone else mentioned, the moisture from the seeds caused my chocolate to seize a bit. Also adds an unwanted element of fussiness.

Liz

Used 8oz of the Ghirardelli dark melting wafers over a double boiler until just melted. Poured into an 8x8 pan with parchment and sprinkled the pomegranate seeds (drained) in. Then sprinkled a little flaky salt and stuck it in the fridge. Tastes great, super easy and did not run into any of the fussiness or trouble that other people have described.

Claire C

Definitely only make this if you’re planning on eating all of it the same day. It doesn’t keep well. I kept leftovers in the fridge between wax paper and sealed in an airtight container. The next day it had gathered condensation and was melty. Luckily we only had about 2 broken off pieces left - it was truly delicious and our guests loved it. Just glad I didn’t end up giving it to them in gift bags to take home.

Dee

ginger best run through a small ninja processor to insure uniformity

ted s

Cut the salt in 1/2

Meaghan

DEFINITELY dry off the pomegranate seeds! My chocolate seized up. It still tastes good, but it’s not pretty

Rhys

An absolute dream to make and delicious. I used candied crystallised ginger and the result was fantastic. Only a small pinch of salt was needed and I made it go a long way. There was no bloom on my chocolate but I used 69% bittersweet chocolate as this blooms less than higher % dark chocolate (in my fridge). No issues here with the pomegranate arils just folded them straight in and sprinkled on top. Great crowd pleaser and easy to make.

beth

Just made this because I had a pomegranate and was looking for something interesting to do with it. I have bittersweet Guittard chips in the house and the combination is fabulous. Will make for dessert for Passover too.

Luther

Insane! First off, however much you think you'll need triple it. I doubled it and it's not nearly enough. Even doubling it I still only used a tsp of flake sea salt. Down side is that the shelf life is not long. Up side is that everyone gets to devour this better quickly.

Tani

The family loved this addictive recipe. Cut back the salt based on others comments.

Rebecca

Serve same dayDry pomegranate

Trish

Outstanding combination of flavors and lovely to look at. No problems using recipe as given. Froze what I did not use immediately and it is just as brilliant coming out of the freezer.

Susan

This was delicious and a hit. After reading the notes, I found a video from America's Test Kitchen: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5_kheJtQO4. It shows an easy way to temper chocolate. The bark was shiny and did not melt in our hands. The tiny piece that was not eaten immediately was still quite good two days later. I used a whole pomegranate, dried the seeds on paper towels, and firmly pressed the topping seeds firmly into the warm chocolate.

flinhart

Follow the directions AND add more ginger. Best new holiday recipe. Everywhere I took it, people asked for the recipe.

flinhart

Oh ... seed the pomegranate and let the seeds dry in a strainer for a few hours. You need to eliminate excess /extraneous liquids.

Abenjamin8

Needs more ginger. I didn’t read the note about pressing the pomegranates into the soft chocolate. Definitely need to do that.

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Dark Chocolate and Pomegranate Bark Recipe (2024)

FAQs

Is dark chocolate and pomegranate good for you? ›

Is there a way to make dark chocolate even more delicious and beneficial for your health? Yes! Add antioxidant-packed ginger and pomegranate seeds, and you've got a delicious, mood-boosting treat with no guilt. Now, doesn't that put a smile on your face?

What is pomegranate bark good for? ›

Pomegranates are popular, known especially for being high in antioxidants. What doesn't get enough attention is what a godsend this fruit is for dissolving gallstones and kidney stones, nodules, calcifications, and small cysts such as ganglia cysts. It also has anti-tumor properties.

How long does chocolate bark last? ›

this is a great do-ahead treat!

It just gets better, too – because you can make this marbled chocolate bark in advance and keep it in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge or freezer for easily a month, till you're ready to gift or serve.

What is the bark of a pomegranate tree? ›

The bark, known as pomegranate bark, has traditionally been used for the alkaloids it contains although the trunk and bark of the branches contain similar quantities of the same. The trunk is more or less round, erect, ramified, with alternate open branches, sometimes prickly at the apex.

What organ is dark chocolate good for? ›

The cocoa in dark chocolate is a natural source of fiber, vitamins, and minerals, and it has potential benefits for your heart, brain, gut, and overall health. Dark chocolate has several times more antioxidants than green tea or red wine.

What are the disadvantages of dark chocolate daily? ›

The dark chocolate side effects may be associated with caffeine. It may cause sleeplessness, nervousness, increased urination, fast heartbeat, skin allergies, migraine and headache, nausea, and stomach problems like gas and constipation.

What happens to your body when you eat pomegranate daily? ›

Preliminary studies show that dietary pomegranate produces brain anti-inflammatory effects that may help stall the progression of Alzheimer Disease. Other studies suggest drinking 8 ounces of pomegranate juice daily helps improve performance in tasks related to learning and memory.

What does pomegranate do for women's health? ›

Pomegranate can significantly improve hot flashes severity and menopause symptoms and decrease FSH. It significantly improves high-density lipoprotein but not low-density lipoprotein, body mass index, and weight.

Who should not drink pomegranate juice? ›

Drinking pomegranate juice might increase the risk of blood pressure dropping too low in people who already have low blood pressure. Allergies to plants: People with plant allergies seem to be more likely to have an allergic reaction to pomegranate. Surgery: Pomegranate might affect blood pressure.

Why did my chocolate bark turn white? ›

The white appearance is due to a process known as 'blooming' - either 'fat bloom'. This occurs when the cocoa butter in the chocolate separates and rises to the surface due to temperature fluctuations, or 'sugar bloom', which happens when the sugar in the chocolate absorbs moisture and then crystallises on the surface.

What brand of chocolate is best for bark? ›

Use quality chocolate.

For bark-making, use the best chocolate within your budget, either in bars or discs meant for melting and baking. Valrhona, Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Guittard, and Ghirardelli are all good options.

Why won t my chocolate bark harden? ›

That's because your chocolate wasn't tempered. Tempered chocolate sets at room temperature and has a snap just like a chocolate bar you buy from the store.

What is the benefit of pomegranate bark? ›

In traditional medicine, pomegranate bark is primarily used for:
  • Treating diarrhea, fevers, and toothaches.
  • Supporting the immune and cardiovascular systems due to its high vitamin C content.
  • Reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  • Eliminating intestinal parasites.

What do pomegranates symbolize? ›

The pomegranate was revered for the beauty of its shrub, flowers, and fruit—symbolising sanctity, fertility, and abundance. The Song of Solomon compares the cheeks of a bride behind her veil to the two halves of a pomegranate. Depictions of the fruit have long featured in architecture and design.

What dark chocolate is healthiest for you? ›

To get the most “health benefit,” select dark chocolate (70-80% cocoa) with the least amount of added sugar. “I think a key to long-term success with a healthy diet is to indulge on occasion – whether it's a small dessert or a great piece of dark chocolate,” says registered dietitian Haley Dockrey.

How much dark chocolate should you eat a day for benefits? ›

As much as we all love indulging in dark chocolate, it's important to keep your intake in check and enjoy it in moderation. Stick to the recommended daily amount of 30-60 grams and savour each bite, knowing that you're not only treating your taste buds but also reaping some potential health benefits.

Is dark chocolate covered fruit good for you? ›

They are filled with vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants. Adding dark chocolate is not only delicious but adds additional antioxidants. Both strawberries and dark chocolate have anti-inflammatory properties.

What are the benefits of dark chocolate before bed? ›

Dark chocolate may help improve sleep quality by increasing the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that is linked to feelings of calmness and relaxation. Additionally, the antioxidants and flavanols found in dark chocolate can reduce stress levels and help reduce the time it takes to fall asleep.

References

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