Can an herbal chocolate bark really say “I love you?” Well, plants have helped people express and invite love for thousands of years. And while flowers and seeds can’t make someone change their feelings, they can create a mood that nurtures connection, or add a bit of spice, whether it’s a new connection or the kind that’s been growing for a long time.
If gifts are your love language, you already know how meaningful a simple, thoughtful item can be. And if gift giving isn’t your love language, you’ll definitely want to keep this recipe’s ingredients on hand. There are times we all need to celebrate or show support for a loved one, and when that occasion arises, you won’t need to worry about finding an impactful gift on a deadline. This recipe is one of those things you can make quickly when you want to celebrate someone, and it has a way of saying what words sometimes can’t.
Sprinkled with roses, this herbal chocolate bark is striking to the eye, delicious to the tongue, and you don’t need to be an expert in the kitchen to pull it off. Plus, with the possible exception of the dried rose petals, you likely have all the ingredients on your shelf.
Speaking of ingredients, let’s take a closer look.
Lore of the Ancients: Chocolate and Roses
Chocolate (Theobroma cacao)
The natural scientist Carl Linnaeus dubbed the genus Theobroma, “food of the gods.” And the species name, “cacao,” comes from the original Olmec name, kakaw, believed to be the source of similar-sounding names throughout lower Central America.
Chocolate contains compounds that can influence mood, helping to balance low levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin and dopamine. It’s also rich in antioxidants and minerals. Dark chocolate, especially, is high in magnesium and iron. To this day, chocolate remains a powerful cultural symbol of love and devotion.
In this recipe, I use dark chocolate to help you savor all those benefits with less sugar.
Rose (Rosa spp.)
Rose’s connection to love can be traced to the ancient Greeks, who wove tales of the flower into myths about Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Though these ancient stories are all but forgotten, we continue to idealize roses as a symbol of love.
Roses, when eaten, nourish and tone our nervous system for a restorative, calming effect that allows us to access our most open, loving presence. I like to think of it as bathing your heart in the flower’s gentle aroma. In this particular recipe, rose petals also add a delicious tang that complements the sweet and savory flavors of chocolate and herbs.
The petals of all Rosa species are edible and high in antioxidants. However, the vast majority of store-bought roses are grown with harmful herbicides. When you make this recipe, buy dried organic petals or harvest and dry your own roses.
Herbs of Note
Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): The bark of a tropical tree, cinnamon, brings a natural sweetness without extra sugar and helps the body digest the fats and sugars in the chocolate.
Vanilla (Vanilla planifolia): One of the original herbs mixed with cacao to make chocolate, the aroma of vanilla has a calming and mildly euphoric effect. Good vanilla extract is rich in antioxidants and a beautiful addition to this treat.
Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum): Aside from adding a delicious bite that will ensure you’re fully present to experience this chocolate bark, cayenne helps maximize the delivery of oxygen and nutrients throughout the body by increasing circulation.
Coconut Oil (Cocos nucifera): Adding the optional coconut oil to this recipe will enhance the shine of your finished bark, making the chocolate look tempered. Coconut oil is also rich in antioxidants. If you can, use oil made from organically grown coconuts, processed without heat and chemicals.
How to Make Chocolate Bark with Rose Petals
Ingredients
- 2 cups high-quality dark chocolate chips
- 2 tsp coconut oil (optional)
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon powder
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 tsp powdered cayenne pepper
- 2 tbsp dried rose petals
Instructions
- Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment or wax paper.
- Melt the chocolate. To do this, you can use a double boiler, stirring constantly, or microwave the chocolate in a bowl for 30 seconds at a time, stirring after each round until it’s melted.
- Stir the coconut oil into the melted chocolate (if using), heating gently if necessary.
- Stir the cinnamon, vanilla, and cayenne into the melted chocolate.
- Pour the chocolate mixture onto the lined pan, then smooth it with a spoon or spatula until it’s about ¼-inch thick, or as thin or thick as you’d like.
- Sprinkle the rose petals on top.
- Allow to sit in a cool, room-temperature spot until the chocolate is set, about 3 hours.
- Separate the chocolate bark from the parchment or wax paper.
- Break or cut the bark into pieces and serve.
- Store in a cool, room temperature location.
A Genuine Homemade Treat
So often, we’re forced to choose between health and convenience. When we’re pressed for time, we turn to mass-produced gifts that are filled with sugar, packaged in plastic, sprayed with herbicides, or otherwise toxic for people and the planet. This herb-infused chocolate bark offers the best of both worlds. It’s a nutrient-rich treat that takes very little time to whip up – just remember to make it several hours ahead to allow the chocolate to set.
Both chocolate and roses have long-standing links to romance that have endured through the ages as gestures of love. When you make this decadent treat with high-quality ingredients, you’re calling upon the wisdom of those ancient cultures to show love. Plus, you’ll know it’s rich in antioxidants and beneficial plant compounds – minus the sugar, plastic packaging, and pesticides. I call that a truly wonderful way to show that you care.
I would love to hear from you! Who will you share this delicious treat with? Please share in the comments below.
Want more recipes to show them your love? Join me in My Herbal Kitchen online course and dive into more herbal treats!
