Heart-Healthy Cookie Dough Bark: Dark Chocolate’s Effect on Blood Pressure

emullaademi
Aug 14, 2025
3 min read

Cookie dough; One of those baked goods that many argue, tastes better raw. But if you’re like me, my stomach cannot handle more than 2 bites before feeling sick. In addition to this sick feeling, cookie dough can be so sweet sometimes, leaving me feeling drowsy, tired, and not feeling my best.

This healthy cookie dough recipe will do nothing of the sorts; embrace the fulfilling moment without the worry, using simple, clean ingredients you can feel good about. After eating this light treat, you’ll feel satisfied, refreshed, and feeling better than ever.

Naturally gluten-free, it’s tasty and easy to make; perfect for when your sweet tooth strikes. Not to mention, it’s barely any dishes, and virtually no work, just bit of mixing and smashing.

Recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup almond flower

2 tablespoons honey~ Substitute with maple syrup for vegan

1 tsp vanilla

1 table spoons milk

.5 oz dark chocolate bar

(Optional) Flakey salt- I used salty dark chocolate, so I didn’t need

Tools:

Freezer

Whisk

Bowl

Pan

Parchment paper

Microwave/stove

Instructions:

In large bowl, mix almond flour, honey, vanilla, and milk. Dough should look like very crumbly, but be able to be molded, like play dough. If too wet, add more flour, one table spoon at a time. If too dry, add milk, 1/2 a table spoon at a time.

Using 2 pieces of parchment paper, place dough in between. Roll out till the dough is about 1/4 inch thick. Set in freezer for about 20 minutes( enough for dough to harden).

In a small bowl, melt down chocolate in microwave, or by using a double boiler method. Take out the cookie dough from freezer, remove top layer of parchment paper, and spread melted chocolate on top. Sprinkle flakey salt on top if adding, and leave in freezer for at least an hour.

After cooled, can cut or break into pieces. Store in an airtight container, in the freezer.

The Science:

Dark chocolate is such a tasty treat, but even better, it’s actually beneficial to your body’s circulation. To be considered dark chocolate, it must be made up of at least 50% cacao, but you really these these effects with chocolate 70% cacao and higher.

Recipe Nutrition Label — Cookie Dough Recipe Nutrition Facts

Today’s science-dive is a complex one, but let’s simplify it by talking about cacao’s biological make up first. Cocoa, like many plants, contain flavonoids. These flavonoids are naturally occurring plant pigments.

You might be asking, what does a plant pigment have to do with anything? Here’s where the magic starts: Flavonoids, like the ones found in cacao, actually simulate the linings of our arteries, endothelium, to produce nitric oxide (NO). NO helps relax and widen the blood vessels, directly allowing for better blood flow and reduced blood pressure. In many studies, increased nitric oxide is linked to improved cardiac health and enhanced performance during exercise (surprise, surprise, both a result of better blood flow).

That’s not all these flavonoids do for our circulation though; they also contain powerful antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. If you remember from our Almond Butter (TAG), these antioxidants protect from the free radicals in our body.

The lining of our arteries can get damaged from these free radicles. Flavonoids, the antioxidants, actually protect these linings and reduce oxidative stress, both of which are important for maintaining healthy blood vessels (You can read more about these antioxidants in our Granola Post (link)). This reduced inflammation in vessels also helps improve their functioning, contributing to better circulation.

The Main Point: dark chocolate isn’t just a delicious dessert; it’s great for your blood circulation, and in moderation, is one of the best desserts for you health.