Spoonful of Sugar Free

Registered Dietitian

Raw Coconut-Iced Bark

By

I’m a genius.

One day while making some homemade coconut butter, I had a flash of genius…

“Coconut oil solidifies at cold temperatures. If I mix it with nuts and fruit I can make my own ‘bark.’ “

As soon as I realized this, I did blurt out, “I’m a genius!”

Yes, I am extremely humble.

 

Raw Coconut-Iced Bark

~This bark recipe does not have to be raw. It can be anything you like!

Ingredients

  • Coconut Oil (Raw, unprocessed coconut oil tastes the most coconut-ty. However, you can use a non-raw coconut oil if you do not like the taste of coconut)
  • Filling-Choose any combination listed below, or be creative and add more!
    • Nuts or Seeds (peanuts, almonds, cashews, walnuts, pumpkin seeds, sunflower seeds)
    • Fruit (dates, raisins, cherries, cranberries, blueberries, goji berries)
    • Extravagant Extras (coconut shavings, cacao nibs, dark chocolate pieces)
    • Grains (The first time I made this I did not add any grains, but if you would like to add puffed rice, puffed millet, or oats, go ahead! The puffed millet tastes great in the bark, and it fills up spaces for those counting calories)
    • Extracts (I have not yet tried adding any extracts, but I think it would taste great! Peppermint extract, vanilla, almond, chocolate, or even orange extract!)

Mix your fillings in a bowl. Then, drizzle coconut oil over the top. Mix this around until the bark’s fillings are evenly coated in oil. The oil will be the binder, so make sure there is enough of it. If you don’t add enough the bark will simply crumble.

Next, lay a piece of wax paper on a baking sheet. Spread the bark mixture across the paper in an even layer. Place the bark in the freezer, and wait for about ten minutes. This should be enough time for the coconut oil to solidify.

In the freezer...

Break pieces off of your bark to enjoy!

I adore this recipe! It is very versatile, and can be made into anything you might crave. I am dying to try a peppermint bark…first I have to buy some peppermint extract!

Thought-provoking, mind-prodding question of the day:

What is one of your favorite holiday traditions?

I love my family’s advent calender. Ours is a big cloth with a Christmas tree on it. Every day we get to reach inside a pocket and pull out an ornament to hang on the tree. Today is the first of December, so I wonder what the first ornament is going to be!

Reader Interactions

Comments

    • Yes! You do! I never made Christmas Candy with my family, but we always made cookies for Santa!!! I need to make some sugar-free sugar cookies to decorate! (That one is going to be difficult…)

  4. OMGGGG, YOU ARE DEFINITELY A GENIUS!! I’m making this ASAP, maybe tonight even 😐 It looks THAT good. And I’m already obsessed with coconut and portable snacks πŸ™‚
    THAAAANK YOU! πŸ˜€

  8. This is so great. I’m not even kidding when I say I was thinking about bark last night and wondering how I was going to make it this year since I can’t do Saltines now that I’m gluten-free. Great substitute – thanks!

  11. Holy freaking crap! This is PURE and UTTER genius! I love bark of any kind and this recipe is so versatile that it can be used for any holiday, occasion or just because. I’ve already added a few ingredients for this recipe to the shopping list and am looking forward to making it!

  12. okay thats just too clever Alex!!! much healthier than peppermint bark with all the sugar- its like trail mix and bark together..which totally works- omg and it would work as a snack for hiking and any winter activities too πŸ˜‰
    mmm so crunch crunch crunchy <3

  13. Cool site! I love the graphics of the fruits on top πŸ™‚
    That bark looks incredble- I’m giong to have to experiment this weekend.

    My favorite holiday traditions are our present openings by the fire with Ben & Jerry’s, book reading, and chaos, and making gingerbread cookies decorated as family members.

  14. Hey Alex! I’ve been reading your blog for a few months but haven’t commented yet…hi. πŸ™‚

    That coconut bark looks so good! Does it have to stay in the freezer until right before you eat it?

    I think we might have the same advent calendar! haha That’s one of my favorite traditions too. Ours has little Velcro spots where you can stick fabric ornaments (there’s also fabric toys and candy canes too) on. Very cute!

    Megan

    • Hi Megan! I’m glad you’ve commented πŸ™‚ and I’m glad you’ve liked my blog enough to keep reading πŸ™‚

      To answer your question, Yes it does have to stay in the freezer. You can leave it out for about an hour or so without it melting, though! Or, if you keep your house below 75*, it should stay solid! Coconut oil is amazing that way.

      I love my advent calendar! I’m sure ours are similar, but they are defiantly not the same ones because my mom made ours! My mom is a wonderful artist, and she sewed it and decorated it herself….she also made her own ‘ornaments’ by sticking little hanging things on the backs of small toys and figurines. LOVE IT!

  15. nice! loooks awesome!!! you are genious!!!! my fave holiday tradition has got to be…spending Christmas Eve with my whole family..eating, exchanging gifts and just talking..we always have fun! πŸ™‚

  16. Yummy! By the way, I think this would look fabulous packaged up in a mason jar with a cute tag and ribbon to give as Christmas gifts to teachers, friends, etc.

  20. Alex,

    Love this idea! Just made some with pistachios, almonds, cashews, sunflower seeds, raw cacao nibs, dates, raisins and dark chocolate pieces. I am so excited! I am hoping to make more to give as gifts. It’s always nice to make healthy desserts/snacks for my friends to show that I care about them and hopefully help them see that healthy is yummy, too πŸ™‚ Thanks again and keep up the great work!

    • Hey Leslie!

      I didn’t really add any specifics because it totally depends on how much your making, what you put in, and the binding it needs. If you are using 2 cups of filling, maybe 1/4 cup oil? Just make sure all the ingredients are evenly coated and have a glossy look before freezing.

  24. you are a genius! Thank you – I paid $8 for some raw coconut oil, for my hair – but then I found Tsubuki Oil for hair which is better. I put coconut oil on my face, not a good idea – I got bumps. So now I have something awesome to do with my coconut oil – waste not want not. Awesome, can’t wait. I would add one thing – whenever I use oats I toast them with cinnamon and vegan butter. It adds a nice flavor. I like to make sure every ingredient is awesome – thanks to some guidance from Martha Stewart back in the day. Peace.

    • Yeah, some people have skin too delicate for coconut oil. I hope you are able to find what works best for you! And the oats sound great πŸ˜€

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  1. […] today’s agenda, putting together my very own healthy bark using Alex’s ingenious simple recipe. I am super excited for this recipe!Β  Happy ‘Manic Monday’ […]