Dark Chocolate Fruit Bites

Healthier Dark Chocolate Fruit Bites

T hese delicious snacks make a healthier alternative to a lot of typical Christmas treats, without compromising on taste. They're fairly intense so I like to cut them into bitesize pieces, rather than the typical traybake size.

As well has being full of healthy fruit and nuts, dark chocolate has lots of health benefits (in moderation), such as high antioxidant concentration to help prevent some chronic diseases and flavinoids that improve heart health. Dark chocolate is also thought to help improve mood and balance your blood sugar and can even aid blood flow to your brain.

Ingredients

• 100g dark chocolate (look for a good brand with at least 70% cocoa content)
• 15g dried cranberries
• 25 ready-to-eat apricots
• 40g pecan nuts
• 5 Nairns rough oatcakes
• 2 tsp xylitol
• 40g flaked almonds

Method

1. Melt the chocolate in a glass bowl set in shallow water over a low heat.
2. Blend all ingredients (except almonds) in a foodprocessor until roughly chopped.
3. Add the blitzed mixture and the almonds to the meltedchocolate and coat thoroughly.
4. Spoon into a tray and chill in fridge until set.
5. Cut into pieces with a knife and serve chilled.