Salted Caramel Dark Chocolate Matzo Bark
Light and crispy matzo topped with salted date caramel and dark chocolate makes for a fun and festive twist on chocolate bark! (vegan + gluten-free)
Happy Monday and happy Hanukkah to those of you that celebrate!
I have to admit, coming from a non-Jewish family, I usually lose track of when Hanukkah begins and ends. However, I do know that it lasts an entire week because as a child I remember feeling jealous knowing that some of my friends received gifts for SEVEN DAYS. So not fair!
Anyways, this year I made sure to pay close attention to when it begins because…MATZO BARK.
Have you ever heard of this magical creation?
I hadn’t until one of the doctors I used to work with brought some in for us to try. I was taken aback at first because he’s a younger physician, who also happened to be single, bringing in trays of desserts that he had prepared himself at home. I mean, how many thirty-something single male doctors do you know that bake?
He had a plethora of delicious things in his tupperware but this recipe stood out to me because I thought it was so unique. The matzo was light and crispy and topped with a thin layer of caramel that was finished off with smooth dark chocolate. My mouth is watering just thinking about it.
Naturally I had to recreate some for you guys, but with a healthy date caramel for a little boost of nutrition. Because you know that’s how I roll.
I know date caramel sounds fancy but it’s actually fairly easy to make. All you have to do is soak the dates in warm water until they’re soft, place them in a blender with lemon juice, water, and a touch of sea salt then blend until smooth.
Once it’s ready, you spread it on top of the matzo, top with melted chocolate, and sprinkle on whatever toppings your heart desires. I went for a combo, two sheets with almonds and sea salt and two with cranberries and pistachios, for a little holiday pizazz. ;)
I was also able to find whole wheat and gluten-free matzo at my local Safeway so whether you’re interested in whole grains or avoiding gluten, there’s something for everyone.
I will say that the date caramel gives it a slightly softer texture than the real caramel did so if you want more of a hard texture you can use real caramel or just omit it altogether. I tried a few sheets without the caramel and just the chocolate on top and it was still delicious!
Either way, I think it’s the perfect treat to have on hand for the holidays. I hope you enjoy it!
Ingredients
4 sheets matzo
12 ounces dark chocolate
1 tablespoon coconut oil
2 cups Mejdool dates, pitted (approx. 15 large dates)
juice of 1 lemon
pinch of sea salt
desired toppings such as almonds, pistachios, cranberries, sea salt, etc.
Instructions
- Start making the date caramel by placing the pitted dates in a small saucepan covered with a few inches of water over medium heat. Bring to a low boil then remove from heat and set aside for 5 minutes, or until the dates are soft. Transfer them to a blender or a food processor along with the lemon juice, sea salt, and 5 tablespoons of the cooking water then blend on high until smooth. Add more water as needed. You might also need to stir it by hand in between blending to help it move.
- Next, melt the chocolate by placing it in a small saucepan over low heat along with the coconut oil. Continue to stir until it is entirely melted and smooth then let it sit over low heat.
- Meanwhile, spread the caramel on top of each matzo sheet. Pour the chocolate on top and use a spatula or the back of a spoon to spread it toward the edges. Top with desired toppings then place each one on a baking sheet. Transfer the baking sheet to the freezer and allow to set for at least 20 minutes.
- Break each sheet into separate pieces and serve on a plate or store in an airtight container or ziploc bag in the refrigerator until ready to eat.
Great idea, and I think it’s hilarious you were introduced to it be a single dude :) Do these need to be eaten right out of the fridge to stay hard? Or would this be an ok thing to transport to a party? Wondering if that date caramel and chocolate softens up to much?
It will be soft if it sits out for a while with the date caramel but if you made it with just melted chocolate + matzo then it will stay hard. But you could put it in a ziploc bag in the freezer for 20 minutes or so before you leave. That might help!
A thirty something doctor who bakes? Send him my way! It’s really hard to meet good men in your thirties. This seriously looks amazing. I’ve never had matzo.
Haha! I don’t work with him anymore otherwise I totally would! :)
I love GF dark chocolate matzo on Passover, but at Hanukkah it’s also welcome. I’d also love a single 30something male doctor who bakes to eat it with me ;)
Lol! I guess that wouldn’t hurt, huh? ;)
I love this and I love date caramel and I love that doctor. Him and this matzo sound dreamy. [insert emoji with heart eyes]
I have to admit, it’s a winning combination. :)
im not jewish either and I remember feel so jealous of all the kids in my school who got presents for 7 days also haha! This matzo bark looks so good and easy, I think it would be perfectly acceptable to serve this on my Christmas cookie tray too :)
Thanks Rachel! :)
This stuff is addictive! Love matzo bark :) Pinned!
Thanks Medha! :)
I’ve never had matza bark – it sure sounds scrumptious!
You have to try it, Shashi! It so good!
I love the idea of matzo bark! Interesting, I have only seen it spelled as “matzah” until your post… Just looked it up, and apparently matzo, matza, and matzah are all acceptable ways to spell it.
Funny thing about matzah – I grew up eating it with pb & jelly as a snack, and my hubby had never heard/seen matzah before he met me. My family isn’t Jewish and it always just seemed like a regular snack not affiliated with anything religious until he was like, “Wait, what is matzah??” Haha.
I just went with how it was spelled on the box, lol! I’ve always said it “matza”.
And that is funny because Brandon ate it as a kid too but I never did! He grew up in New York so maybe it was a northeastern thing?
Bread AND chocolate?? I’m in, and I’m not Jewish either! That date caramel, tho
Exactly! Best combo ever, haha! :)
That doctor sounds like a total catch! I mean, I’ve already got my own man to cook for me, but still. This looks delicious!
Yeah, I think Riley might have him beat in the kitchen. ;)
Uhm. Hi. A single doctor in his 30’s who loves to bake? I might know someone who’s interested ;) In all seriousness, though, these look and sound amazing! I’ve never had matzo, but I’m all for anything that’s crunchy and bread-y… especially when chocolate is involved!
That does sound like a perfect match for you! ;)
Genius idea with the date caramel! My mom used to make bark similar to this around the holidays but she used saltines instead of mattzo. Mattzo sounds like a great alternative and I cannot wait to give this recipe a try ;)
Oh, I bet saltines would be even better! :)
I could SO get down with these! LOVE that date layer!
Gah that date caramel layer!! I all of a sudden have a few cookie / treat swaps to go to in the next few weeks and I’ve been looking for non-cookie ideas! This looks perfect!
I was always super jealous of my Jewish friends in high school when Hanukkah would roll around and they’d talk about their gifts, at school! Also, I thought their traditions were 1000% cooler than my family’s, ha!
SO I’m certifiably obsessed with all things chocolate bark, and this matzo situation is driving me wild! The crunch, the sweet, the salt, the nut…AGH I need this in my life!
Question, Looks wonderful and I’m having 2 vegans for Passover. Can I make it and keep in freezer for a couple of days , then take out to serve?
Thank you
So sorry I am just now seeing your comment. Yes, you could have frozen it. I hope you had a nice holiday!