If you’ve ever read my blog – which you’re doing right now so that’s every one of you – you well know that I’ve got a wee bit of a sweet tooth… That’s why I was beyond stoked when Kelly Brozyna’s new book arrived at my doorstep. Even better, WE JUST BECAME NEIGHBORS. The name? The Paleo Chocolate Lovers’ Cookbook. Oooooh yes!! I am both paleo and a chocolate lover, so this book could’ve been called “The Cookbook for George” ;)
As I looked through the 200+ pages of the book, I was floored immediately by the fabulous photography – and the fact that my stomach started growling almost instantly! The cover photo of the chocolate crepe cake alone turns my mouth into Niagra Falls. If you’ve checked out Kelly’s blog, The Spunky Coconut, or her 3 previous books, you probably already know of her crazy talent for photography. If you haven’t, stop reading and go bookmark the site right now.
What really makes the book are the recipes – Kelly has everything in here from cookies and cakes, to ice cream and brownies. Now, this book is more than just desserts…she’s also got savory recipes that incorporate chocolate in ways you never thought of before. She’s got you covered from breakfast (Hazelnut Pancakes), lunch (Chicken in Mole Sauce), dinner (Cocoa & Spiced-Rubbed Ribs) and of course, DESSERT.
What separates this book from other chocolate books out there, is the dedication to showing the history of the cacao plant. The first part of the book is a little history lesson, explaining all things cacao – from cultivation and farming to production and health benefits as well as tips and tricks when working with chocolate. I know I learned a few things and I’m sure you will too. All while making and enjoying some pretty sweet treats! Pun intended :)
Paleo Chocolate Lovers' Cookbook - Salted Caramel Bacon Bark
Ingredients
Salted Caramel
- 1 cup canned full-fat coconut milk
- 1 cup coconut sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon sea salt
Salted Caramel Bacon Bark
- 1/2 batch Salted Caramel
- 6 ounces dark chocolate
- 4 strips of crisp cooked bacon
Instructions
Salted Caramel
- In a heavy-bottomed pot, add the coconut milk, coconut sugar and salt
- Whisk to combine the ingredients, and turn on the heat. Bring to boil for 15 minutes watching carefully so mixture doesn't boil over
- Reduce heat to low, and simmer for 5 minutes, making sure it doesn't burn.
- Wear gloves to pour the caramel into a small bowl, and stir periodically as it cools to room temperature.
- If the caramel isn't thick when it reaches room temperature, pour it back into the pot and let it simmer over the lowest heat possible for another 3-5 minutes.
- Wear gloves to pour caramel back into the small bowl, stirring occasionally until it reaches room temperature. Store covered at room temperature.
Salted Caramel Bacon Bark
- Make Salted Caramel recipe above and let it cool to almost room temperature
- Line an 8" x 8" dish with a piece of unbleached parchment paper big enough to cover the bottom and go up the sides. Pinch the corners to help it stay in place and set aside
- Over a double boiler, melt the chocolate and pour it into the prepared dish
- Allow the chocolate to cool to room temperature on the counter then place it in the freezer until hard
- Drizzle the caramel over the chocolate and sprinkle the top with crumbled crisp bacon
- Freeze the candy until it is hard enough to break into bark. You can then store in the refrigerator or freezer.
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Sirloin Salad with Balsamic Vinaigrette
This recipe is ridiculous easy and delicious! I’ll be adding it my list of Paleo awesomeness! Thanks for being a rock star, George!
ohhhhh noooo…. this looks amazing, but I just started Whole30 today… bookmark this one until September
Can you recommend a sub for coconut sugar? How would honey measure out compared to the 1 cup portion of coconut sugar?
These look deeeelish!!
My CrossFit box is going to have a paleo recipe challenge at our Christmas party and this recipe is sure to win. I made a trial run last night that was just awesome. Thanks for sharing this and I’m going to check out that book for sure!
I know, right? This recipe rocks… probably because it has bacon in it! Good luck with the recipe challenge.
Just got back from the store and realized the recipe calls for canned coconut will. Can regular coconut milk in a carton be substituted?
Hi! Unfortunately not. Coconut milk in a carton is entirely different… it usually has several attitudes, and they also water it down. You need the full fat canned coconut milk for this recipe :)
Made this last night and it was great. Thanks!
You are welcome. Bacon makes the world go round :)
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This looks very delicious!
Thank you! :)
Nice one, very interesting recipe, and also very easy in ingredients, easily available ingredients..
I like delicious things that are easy to make. Thanks!
I thought the caramel was thick enough, but it never set. It’s still delicious, but it’s a huge gooey mess. Should I have heated the caramel back up again? Any advice?
I had a gooey mess, too. Thought it had thickened enough, but even after sitting in the freezer, it is still gooey. Tastes amazing, but I wish the caramel had hardened. Someone have any advice?
Sam and Marni,
That happened to me the first time I made it, then the second time I realized we’re only supposed to use half the salted caramel batch for the bark. It was much less gooey then and I was able to cut and break it without getting caramel everywhere!
and I experienced the opposite … my caramel became too hard. had to soften it up to drizzle it and never quite got to the drizzle stage. sort of blopped it on and smeared it around. hope the bacon sticks to it!
*drool*
I use enjoy life chocolate chips or shop on chocosphere
This looks great! I love her blog and recipes.
I was wondering if most of the recipes contain nuts… My husband can’t have nuts so I try to make mostly nut-free meals and desserts. :|
I would flip through the preview on amazon, I don’t remember and someone took my copy so I can’t look for you
Holy Crap this looks amazing.. Wish I wasn’t on the Whole Life Challenge or I would be making this ASAP.. Guess I will have to wait till November
At the end :)
Your welcome