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I can’t tell you how many an evening I have found myself in the pantry, scrounging for chocolate –anything chocolate! And then, out of pure desperation, grabbing a handful of chocolate chips. Who am I kidding? Full disclosure here…that should be plural – handfuls of chocolate chips. This is not good -especially when I’m trying to be healthy and stay on track. But I NEED chocolate. This is also why I need an arsenal of quick and healthy chocolate dessert recipes, like these No Bake Healthy Rocky Road Bars.
I am chocolate crazy. Obviously. But I’m especially crazy for chocolate dessert recipes that are also healthy! However, aside from my Spinach Brownies, Healthy Chocolate Chip Cookies and No Bake Chocolate Cherry Energy Bites, I realized that I don’t have nearly enough healthy chocolate dessert recipes on this website! So, I set to work trying to create an easy, quick and healthy chocolate dessert, that’s also Weight Watchers friendly.
But what surprised me the most about these bars, is what happened when my daughter took one to school.
These No Bake Healthy Rocky Road Bars are made with rice cakes so they’re light and healthy. But it’s the ‘rocky road’ part makes them irresistible! Loaded with mini marshmallows, sunflower seeds, butterscotch chips and cranberries, they are bursting with flavor! And it’s all stuff I happen to have on hand in my pantry. Although these bars are 9 WW fsp’s, when you think about the comparison, just ONE of my ‘handfuls’ (about 4 tbsp) of milk chocolate chips are 16 WW fsp points! And you get so much more satisfaction out of this chocolate fix.
Healthy Chocolate Desserts
There was a time in my life when I’d simply go to the store and buy a chocolate bar, but that ship sailed many years ago because that behavior cannot be sustained beyond the age of 25 without some serious health and weight consequences.
Yet I can’t live without chocolate. And it’s a good thing that I don’t have to. Fortunately, I happen to follow a program that’s not one of those trendy diets, where you deprive yourself of specific foods then eventually go back to normal eating and try keep the weight off. I can eat anything, in moderation, of course. It’s all about balance, right? And that’s real life and normal eating. So, if you also believe in balance and can’t live without healthy chocolate desserts either, then give this No Bake Rocky Road Square a try!
Healthy Lunch Bag Dessert
My 11-year-old daughter and I have similar tastes so she when tested this Rocky Road Bar, she loved it and asked me to pack it for dessert in her lunch bag the next day. But what surprised me most was when she came from school that day and said that all her friends were literally drooling (she loves to say literally) over it and she had to share. And when she did, they loved it! My kids aren’t always crazy for my “healthy” lunch box desserts so I was pretty happy that these were so popular because they’re so easy to make, pack and they freeze well~!
So, if you’re looking for healthy chocolate desserts that can be made in 10 minutes with stuff you already have on hand, then give these No Bake Healthy Rocky Road Bars a try!
If you love healthy rocky road recipes, then give my Rocky Road Froyo Bark a try. It’s a delicious frozen treat that only 4 WW fsp’s per piece!
No Bake Healthy Chocolate Rocky Road Bars
Ingredients
- 12 thin stackers - thin rice cake squares * I use Lundberg organic brown rice, lightly salted
- 1/3 cup dried cranberries
- 1.5 tbsp sunflower seeds raw shelled
- 10 ounces semi sweet bakers chocolate (bars)
- 1/3 cup butterscotch chips
- 1/3 cup mini marshmallows- cut in half
Instructions
- Lay 12 rice cake thin squares out on parchment covered cookie sheet, as close together as possible.
- Break bakers chocolate bars into 1 ounce chunks and microwave on half power (50%) for 5 minutes, stopping at 3 minutes to stir, then stirring again at then end until chocolate is completely melted.
- Pour chocolate over rice cake squares and spread evenly over all 12 rice cake thins.
- Sprinkle on mini marshmallow, dried cranberries, butterscotch chips and sunflower seed evenly over chocolate covered rice cakes.
- Refrigerate for 10 minutes or until chocolate has set.
- Cut into 12 pieces and serve. It's easiest to cut them apart if you flip it over- you can see the squares easily this way.
What a delicious way to ease into the new year! I can still have a treat, but feel good about it 😉 Bet these are lovely on Friday night with a glass of vino too!
Thanks, Dawn! I will definitely try them with wine on Friday night- great idea! ?
I was always suspicious of my mom’s ‘healthy’ desserts too, when I was a kid. Lol. I would have gobbled these up quickly though. Love the freezer tip!
Thanks, Sharon!
What a fun recipe to make, I would love to do something like this with Luna when she’s a little older. Perfect little sweet treat.
Hi Kristen, Yes,it’s really fun with kids- super easy! 🙂
I have been known to snack on a few dark chocolate chips after dinner! It usually satisfies my craving, but I would take one of these rocky road bars any day! They look awesome Terri!
Thanks, Leanne!
Genius! Love the rice cracker base for these bars. Cannot wait to try it!
Thank, Jo! Hope you enjoy 🙂
What a fantastic idea, Terri – a healthy confection with chocolate – you can’t go wrong with that! They remind me so much of the French chocolate confection called mendiant (which I had to make so many of at work!). I love these! Thanks so much for sharing another fantastic recipe.
Thanks, Denise! I have never heard of or tried mendiant, so I looked it up and thanks for that! I love learning about new foods I’m not familiar with (especially chocoalate ones) ! And I can see why it reminds you of it -this would be a healthier version of mendiant for sure 🙂