Both these recipes make easy sweet treats – just perfect when you craving something nice but don’t want to go too mad. The nuts and fruit make these a good healthy option – perfect when you are trying to stay on track with your diet.

Chocolate Bark

8 ounces very good semisweet chocolate, finely chopped (around 50%)
8 ounces very good bittersweet chocolate, finely chopped (70%)
1 cup whole roasted nuts of choice
1 1/2 cups chopped dried fruit of choice such as apricots, cranberries, raisins etc
Handful of Coconut chips or dessicated coconut if you have it

Melt the 2 chocolates in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.
Coarsely chop the fruit and nuts
Line a baking tray with parchment paper
Pour the melted chocolate over the paper and spread to form a rectangle.
Sprinkle the nuts and fruit over the chocolate.
Set aside for 2 hours until firm. Cut the bark in 1 by 3-inch pieces and serve at room temperature.
This will keep for 3-4 days in the fridge

Chocolate and Oat Protein Bars

250gr oats
4 large handfuls mixed nuts of choice
150gr bittersweet chocolate (70%)
4 tbsp peanut butter
3 tbsp coconut oil
30gr whey protein powder
Desiccated coconut or good quality cocoa to top

Line a shallow dish or tin (about 9″ by 9″) with parchment paper
Blend the oats and nuts coarsely – don’t do it too fine, you just want to reduce the size of the oats and nuts a little. Tip into a bowl and add the protein powder.
Melt the chocolate, peanut butter and coconut oil together.
Make a well in the middle of the dry ingredients and add the melted chocolate mixture.
Mix well to combine everything
Tip into the dish and flatten down with the back of a flat spoon
Top with sieved cocoa or desiccated coconut (optional)
Put into the fridge for about 2 hours to set
When ready cut into squares and enjoy.
Store in the fridge.