Chocolate Orange Pretzel Bark (say that 3 times fast ;) )

Chocolate. Orange. SOHAPPYTOGETHERRRR! As a kid, I never liked these flavors together. But now that I'm a full fledged adult, I like it. I really, really like it! My girlfriend Kelly, (who is equally obsessed with Young Living Essential Oils as moi) gave me this recipe the other day that lists one of the ingredients as Orange EO. It's a fast, easy, and sure to bring a smile to your face kind of recipe! Thank you Kelly for all of your wonderful recipes, especially when they include YLEO's ;) This won't be the last time I make this treat!

Behold...

This recipe calls for the following deliciousness:

- Young Living Orange Essential Oil

- 1/2 c unsalted pretzels, crushed

- 1 pkg Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet chocolate baking bar

- a pinch of Pink Himalayan Salt

- parchment paper covering a cookie sheet

Before I begin, let me nerd out and tell you some of the benefits you'll reap by using Orange YLEO's and Himalayan salt. The health benefits from using the Orange EO are as follows: While it not only enhances the flavor of your foods, the smell is uplifting to the body and mind, its an anti-inflammatory, and helps boost immunity. The health benefits of Pink Himalayan salt promotes a healthy blood sugar, increases hydration, is detoxifying when thrown into a bath, and helps support respiratory health. And chocolate...what's not to love? I mean, could eating this delicious treat be any more awesome?! 

Alright, back to the recipe. In a double boiler, melt chocolate until smooth and creamy. Add 4 drops of Young Living Orange Essential Oil, stir and mix well. Don't have a double boiler? Not to worry! I just used a glass bowl to put on top of the pot. Easy peasy and I just saved you money...you're welcome ;)

Side note: Do you know how hard it is to take a photo of yourself with only one hand?! Super duper hard, FYI. As I was saying, in a Ziploc baggie, take a 1/2 c of unsalted pretzels with a pinch of Himalayan salt and crush with rolling pin. Spread chocolate with a spatula onto parchment covered cookie sheet, then sprinkle the pretzel-salt mixture over the chocolate.

This layer will be pretty thin in thickness, so if you like a thicker bark, I would pour the chocolate-orange mixture into a small brownie pan. Place chocolate-orange-pretzel cookie sheet into fridge for 2 hours to harden. After 2 hours, take out cookie sheet and gently break the bark into pieces. You can eat them yourself (which I may or may not have done) or you can gift them in pretty little boxes. Either way you've made something from the heart, and that's always the best gift of all. 

Creatively Yours and Happy Holidays,

NorCal Contessa ;)