Chocolate 'bark' with coconut oil

[metqa]

Thanks Soobee, Greannmhar. Someone told me about the coffee grinder business, but is seems it just stays settled at the bottom. Maybe I should spin it a long time or try the vanilla extract dissolving. I make mine dark chocolate so I won't be using cream, but I will put both of your ideas together. It finally got hot here finally and I don't have to melt my coconut oil anymore. Wish it were melted yesterday

I think I'm going to go grind the heck out of some xylitol, now and let you know how the next batch comes out. If it still doesn't work then I'm gonna return to liquid sucralose and use the xylitol in something else, like jello, or tea where I KNOW it will dissolve eventually.


Question in general, About what time of day do you eat your C.O. Bark? or do you snack all day on it. Do you eat it alone, before or after a meal?

[Soobee]

I am just starting coconut bark. I try to eat it midafternoon. That's when I get the itch to eat, and it's very filling. I would use it at your weakest moments. Instant will power!

[metqa]

Originally Posted by Soobee

Instant will power!

BF STILL can't comprehend the idea that eating oily chocolate could be good for you. He says, are you really suppose to eat all of that? Each day?

Wow, I feel so silly, you were correct about powdering the sweetener. someone told me to do that before but I didn't quite get it. I thought I was just getting the lumps out. I ran the spin button for like 30 to almost a minute and when I opened the lid, it was really powdered sugar. So Cool! I hadn't run it long enough before HA! So I've made a new batch cause I'm still worried about it settling out since the oil is just liquid but not warm.
Grean, I stirred the vanilla extract into it, I usually only use around five drops, so I had to use a bit more. I'll see in a few minutes how the taste is.

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It wasn't sweet enough, so I had to add some stevia to it, andnow its really sweet despite the dark cocoa. sort of grainy still but not as bad as before. thanks for the tips.

[greannmhar]

Metga, I heat the vanilla extract and cream in the micro with the xylitol - this allows it to dissolve better and it mixes better with the warm CO. I'm sure if you do the same with just the vanilla it'll work just as well. I really like the cream in it, though - not quite milk chocolate, just really yummy
I eat mine at night - that's when my cravings kick in. And I eat it ALONE - otherwise, I have to share with DH and DS
Babs

[kirax2]

I've been experimenting with this recipe for about a week now. I grabbed a candy mold at Michael's the other day for under two dollars, and it's been pretty fun to use. Sometime I'd like to make a lot of different batches and put them together into "Valentine's Boxes", that is, a mix of different flavors in each box. Just 'cause I think it would be fun.

Here are the flavors I've tried so far:

Orange oil extract (yummy)
Cherry flavor extract (yummy)
Peppermint flavor extract (yummy)
Brandy extract (just okay, but I've never been a fan of liquor chocolates!)

My list of things to try when I can (I'm not eating nuts until I lose a certain amount):
Natural peanut butter
Natural almond butter
Natural mac nut butter
Almonds
Coconut
Almonds and Coconut together
Macadamia nuts (I think these will work very well in the mold I bought
Pecans, walnuts, peanuts, etc.
Almond extract
"White" chocolate
I have some canned unsweetened tart pie cherries; maybe if I add some cherry extract or soak them in sf cherry syrup they'll taste like maraschinos? I thought that would be fun to add. ^_^
Any other suggestions?

Does anyone have a recipe for caramel that would work? I'd love to have caramel chocolates! They're my favorite!
Has anyone successfully made a convincing "milk chocolate" flavor? I love dark chocolate, but I'm looking for some variety.

Currently, I make one batch of chocolates a day, usually half with a new flavor oil and half plain. This is my current recipe; it exactly fills the 14 slots of the mold:

6 Tablespoons coconut oil (I have some EVCO I've been using, and I just placed a big order from Tropical Traditions for both EVCO and CO)
2 Tablespoons powdered cocoa (Wondercocoa)
4-10 sprays of my splenda spritzer (this is 1 to 2.5 packets of splenda). I prefer the spritzer because the chocolate comes out much smoother and less "grainy". The number of sprays depends on how I'm feeling that day. I taste as I go to determine if it's sweet enough.
(Optional) 1/4 teaspoon flavoring extract to taste

2 net carbs for the entire recipe

I always finish all the chocolates by the end of the day, but sometimes my DH and DD help! I like giving the DD one in the morning along with breakfast, it helps her stay more satisfied until lunch at her preschool, I think (I give her a healthy breakfast, but she'll only eat so much at a time, and then complain of hunger later. The snacks they serve are often bread or cracker-based, which of course makes things worse.)

Thanks so much for this recipe. I can't imagine drinking CO in my coffee or tea when I could be eating wonderful CHOCOLATE! ^_^

-Janice

[Soobee]

These look so delicious. I like dark chocolate, so I don't know. How would heavy cream affect your recipe? Because milk chocolate is chocolate with milk solids and way more sweetener.

[kirax2]

Originally Posted by Soobee

These look so delicious. I like dark chocolate, so I don't know. How would heavy cream affect your recipe? Because milk chocolate is chocolate with milk solids and way more sweetener.

I tried putting in cream the first time, and it sort of separated out, so I ended up with a clumpy chocolate mess at the bottom and a layer of coconut oil on top. But I also may have over-heated it that time. Maybe I'll try again later today with a half-recipe.

I also want to try mixing in flax meal; I hear that's good.

Thanks for your input!

-Janice

[metqa]

Originally Posted by kirax2

I tried putting in cream the first time, and it sort of separated out, so I ended up with a clumpy chocolate mess at the bottom and a layer of coconut oil on top. But I also may have over-heated it that time. Maybe I'll try again later today with a half-recipe.

I also want to try mixing in flax meal; I hear that's good.

Thanks for your input!

-Janice

I don't know about flax "meal" but I LOVE to put whole flax seeds in my bark. It adds an interesting crunchy/chewiness. More Chewy. It's awesome. I want to get some candy molds now!

[Panda120]

I have come upon a solution to coconut bark melting too fast in my hand. I began with Kevinpa's coconut bark ratio of 1/2 c. coconut oil to 1/4 c. cocoa (I've been happy with Hershey's Special Dark). I've been using 1/4 tsp of Stevia Liquid (NOW brand) and 1 tablespoon of various Davinci syrups. It may not be sweet enough for everyone's taste, but I like it.

I experimented with adding 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) of Oat Fiber 500 and was amazed at the result!!! It adds 6 grams of fiber, 0 net carbs and does not affect the flavor at all but keeps the bark from melting. I am so excited. I've made it several times now and it works like a charm.

[CopperAnnette]

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[gungadinn1997]

Originally Posted by Panda120

I have come upon a solution to coconut bark melting too fast in my hand. I began with Kevinpa's coconut bark ratio of 1/2 c. coconut oil to 1/4 c. cocoa (I've been happy with Hershey's Special Dark). I've been using 1/4 tsp of Stevia Liquid (NOW brand) and 1 tablespoon of various Davinci syrups. It may not be sweet enough for everyone's taste, but I like it.

I experimented with adding 1/8 cup (2 tablespoons) of Oat Fiber 500 and was amazed at the result!!! It adds 6 grams of fiber, 0 net carbs and does not affect the flavor at all but keeps the bark from melting. I am so excited. I've made it several times now and it works like a charm.

I wonder if you could sub PolyD for the oat fiber with the same results? I don't have the oat fiber 500, but have polyd, wpi5000, wpi8000

hmm, does anyone know?

TIA

[crazywoman-n-wy]

Originally Posted by gungadinn1997

I wonder if you could sub PolyD for the oat fiber with the same results? I don't have the oat fiber 500, but have polyd, wpi5000, wpi8000

hmm, does anyone know?

TIA

Yes, I think you could. It should work very well. Not really sure of the amount.
I think you should stay away from the WPIs tho. That would be like adding flour to candy. Don't think either of those would turn out well.

If you try it, let us know how it turns out.

[gungadinn1997]

Originally Posted by crazywoman-n-wy

Yes, I think you could. It should work very well. Not really sure of the amount.
I think you should stay away from the WPIs tho. That would be like adding flour to candy. Don't think either of those would turn out well.

If you try it, let us know how it turns out.

Am gonna try it later tonight and will definitely let you all know!

[kirax2]

For those considering getting the Wilson candy mold: Don't put it in the dishwasher! ^^;;; I made that mistake (I'd always hand washed it before, but I was in a hurry that night) and now I have a warped, unusable mold! Fortunately it was cheap, so I don't feel too bad about having to replace it.

Up until now I've been using a kind of ev coconut oil I found at Wal-Mart. This is NOT Lou-Anne's, it's manufactured by a company called Rexall and is sold in the supplement aisle as a nutritional supplement. It comes in a white plastic jar with a screw-on white lid, and is labeled "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil". It has a picture of a coconut on the front and claims to be nothing but "pure, unrefined coconut oil". It's got a light coconut flavor that I find pleasant. It's about $10.00 for 16oz.

I was not unhappy with the EVCO I was getting, but it was kind of expensive, and I wanted some that didn't have any coconut flavor to try making chocolates with. I fried all kinds of things in the EVCO and never tasted the coconut flavor, but I always did when I made chocolates with it. (It was a good flavor, but I wanted some variety.) So I ordered some CO and EVCO in bulk from Tropical Traditions, after calculating that it was cheaper than the individual tubs I've been buying.

I got my order from Tropical Traditions yesterday. First, I want to say that the ordering process was a very positive experience. I emailed them a question about my order and they responded quickly and helpfully.

I opened up the gallon of expeller-pressed CO first. It seems light and is definitely odorless and tasteless. I'm looking forward to using it.

I also liked the coconut cream concentrate I got. It's rich and creamy, and has a light coconut flavor that's very similar the oil I was getting before.

Then I opened the Tropical Traditions EVCO. This was the Gold Label, the fancy stuff. I took a taste...and I'm really disappointed. It just tastes weird. There's a sort of sharpish overtone that's very unpleasant. I thought it might be me at first, but my DH tried it and immediately made a face. I don't think it's just this gallon; I remember that someone else on the boards didn't like the TT EVCO either.

I haven't tried making anything with the TT EVCO yet, and I don't know that I want to. I have been using it on my skin, so it won't totally go to waste, and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to fry with it without it affecting the taste of the food. But I won't be buying EVCO from TT again.

Just thought I'd share.

-Janice

[metqa]

Originally Posted by kirax2

For those considering getting the Wilson candy mold: Don't put it in the dishwasher! ^^;;; I made that mistake (I'd always hand washed it before, but I was in a hurry that night) and now I have a warped, unusable mold! Fortunately it was cheap, so I don't feel too bad about having to replace it.

Up until now I've been using a kind of ev coconut oil I found at Wal-Mart. This is NOT Lou-Anne's, it's manufactured by a company called Rexall and is sold in the supplement aisle as a nutritional supplement. It comes in a white plastic jar with a screw-on white lid, and is labeled "Extra Virgin Coconut Oil". It has a picture of a coconut on the front and claims to be nothing but "pure, unrefined coconut oil". It's got a light coconut flavor that I find pleasant. It's about $10.00 for 16oz.

I was not unhappy with the EVCO I was getting, but it was kind of expensive, and I wanted some that didn't have any coconut flavor to try making chocolates with. I fried all kinds of things in the EVCO and never tasted the coconut flavor, but I always did when I made chocolates with it. (It was a good flavor, but I wanted some variety.) So I ordered some CO and EVCO in bulk from Tropical Traditions, after calculating that it was cheaper than the individual tubs I've been buying.

I got my order from Tropical Traditions yesterday. First, I want to say that the ordering process was a very positive experience. I emailed them a question about my order and they responded quickly and helpfully.

I opened up the gallon of expeller-pressed CO first. It seems light and is definitely odorless and tasteless. I'm looking forward to using it.

I also liked the coconut cream concentrate I got. It's rich and creamy, and has a light coconut flavor that's very similar the oil I was getting before.

Then I opened the Tropical Traditions EVCO. This was the Gold Label, the fancy stuff. I took a taste...and I'm really disappointed. It just tastes weird. There's a sort of sharpish overtone that's very unpleasant. I thought it might be me at first, but my DH tried it and immediately made a face. I don't think it's just this gallon; I remember that someone else on the boards didn't like the TT EVCO either.

I haven't tried making anything with the TT EVCO yet, and I don't know that I want to. I have been using it on my skin, so it won't totally go to waste, and I'm pretty sure I'll be able to fry with it without it affecting the taste of the food. But I won't be buying EVCO from TT again.

Just thought I'd share.

-Janice

Have you written or called to tell them about your experience with the EVCO? I remember someone else complaining about an odd taste. When I contacted Tropical Traditions last month, they were changing the process for the Refined oil, but they may not know something is wrong with the EVCO. Even if you don't return it, it would be good to let them know that you find it unacceptable and why. They may even be able to discover what batch it is from and find out why, thereby preventing others from bad experiences. I know they'd want to keep your business and your feed back would help.

Thanks for posting your experiences and warning about the TT. Maybe others will also write and get them to get their EVCO back on track.

Soobee, Greannmhar, I want to thank you again for your suggestions last week. My barks are coming out wonderfully. I can finally use the xylitol and stevia like I've been wanting to. I've been adding mint extract to it since weather's been heating up. cold chocolaty minty treat!

[Tweaker Geek]

Gungadinn - did you ever try the polyD in this recipe?

[gungadinn1997]

Originally Posted by Tweaker Geek

Gungadinn - did you ever try the polyD in this recipe?

I just tried it today. Very strange. this is the first time I ever made the bark where the coconut oil completely separated from the rest. I had a totally white top and chocolate bottom, tasted nasty and didn't really seem to hold up any better than without the polyd. Will probably try it again, maybe it was the sweeteners, i don't know. I used davinci's- 1 tbsp-same as usual, but yuck!

[Tweaker Geek]

Well I guess I scratch trying polyD in this one but I will try the Oat Fiber sometime - thanks for experimenting.

[Kattbelly]

I have been making this with the new Russel Stover sugar free dark chocolate squares, and I think it tastes waaaaay better than using cocoa powder!

The serving size on the RS squares is 3 squares, so I melt that with 1/4 cup of CO, a drop of orange oil, 1/4 t. Not Sugar, and some pecans. Yummmm-tastes like MagicShell!

[theislandgirl]

Originally Posted by gungadinn1997

I just tried it today. Very strange. this is the first time I ever made the bark where the coconut oil completely separated from the rest. I had a totally white top and chocolate bottom, tasted nasty and didn't really seem to hold up any better than without the polyd. Will probably try it again, maybe it was the sweeteners, i don't know. I used davinci's- 1 tbsp-same as usual, but yuck!

First time I've popped into this thread; fun to watch! Just wanted to say that I wish I'd popped in sooner...it hasn't been my experience that the polyd is all that mixable with fats. With liquids and under heat, yes, and in baking when mixed with other dry ingredients so it is well scattered. But its primary purpose in LC so far seems to be to prevent recrystallization or to provide a gooey syrupy texture...and chocolate (I don't know about coconut oil) is actually a sort of crystalline structure when it hardens.

The oat fiber is doing something else altogether; certainly seems to be surprisingly soluble, and I'm definitely going to try that, now that I'm thinking about (finally!) making some of the chocolate coconut oil bark.

[rosethorns]

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