The Best Chocolate Bark Recipe

Introduction

This easy chocolate bark recipe is perfect for any occasion, offering a delightful mix of sweet and salty flavors. With three delicious variations featuring pretzels, dried fruit, and nuts, you can create a beautiful treat that’s as tasty as it is visually appealing.

The image shows three stacks of chocolate bark pieces on a white marbled surface. The closest stack has dark chocolate with many colorful candy-coated chocolates scattered on top, adding bright red, green, blue, orange, and yellow spots on the dark brown base. Behind it, the middle stack features dark chocolate with a mix of crushed popcorn and white bits, creating a contrast of white and light yellow on the dark chocolate layer. The furthest stack has dark chocolate topped with dried red fruit bits and white pieces, making the top look textured and colorful with red and white on dark brown. The bark pieces are large and irregularly broken, showing rough edges and layers. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup pretzels
  • 2 Tbsp. mini M&M’s
  • 1 Tbsp. glitter sprinkles (yellow, white etc.)
  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup dried pineapple
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped pistachios
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
  • 2 Tbsp. mini white chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup white chocolate wafers or chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup cranberries
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • 2 Tbsp. chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Melt chocolate chips using the double boiler method or microwave. To melt in the microwave, place chocolate chips in a glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, then continue melting in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth.
  2. Step 2: For the double boiler method, bring 1½ to 2 cups of water to a boil in a medium pot, then reduce to low heat. Place a large glass bowl containing the chocolate chips over the pot and stir constantly until melted. Remove from heat.
  3. Step 3: Prepare a large baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the sheet and smooth with a spatula into a thin layer about 7×7 inches for pretzel and dried fruit bark, or 8×8 inches for cranberry almond bark.
  4. Step 4: For Pretzel & M&M’s bark, sprinkle the pretzels, mini M&M’s, and glitter sprinkles evenly over the melted chocolate layer.
  5. Step 5: Let this bark rest on the counter for 4 hours until hardened.
  6. Step 6: For Dried Fruit and Nuts bark, sprinkle dried pineapple, chopped walnuts, chopped pistachios, and mini white chocolate chips over the melted chocolate layer.
  7. Step 7: Let this bark rest at room temperature for 4 hours to harden.
  8. Step 8: For Cranberry and Almond bark, melt the semi sweet chocolate chips and spread onto parchment paper in an 8×8 inch square. In a separate bowl, melt the white chocolate wafers or chips using either melting method.

Tips & Variations

  • Use high-quality chocolate for the best flavor and smooth texture.
  • Customize your bark by adding your favorite nuts, dried fruits, or candies.
  • If the bark softens too much while spreading, chill it briefly before topping to prevent sinking.
  • To easily break the bark into pieces, warm your hands slightly or use a sharp knife.

Storage

Store chocolate bark in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. If refrigerated, allow the bark to come to room temperature before serving to enjoy its full flavor and texture.

How to Serve

The image shows three layers of chocolate bark stacked unevenly on a white marbled surface, each layer broken into rough pieces. The bottom layer is dark chocolate covered with colorful round candy-coated chocolates scattered unevenly. Above it, a middle layer has dark chocolate topped with a mix of tiny white and orange crunchy bits. The top layer features dark chocolate covered with popcorn and white broken nut pieces. The textures range from smooth chocolate to crunchy toppings, with some crumbs scattered around. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use different types of chocolate for this bark?

Yes, feel free to use dark, milk, or white chocolate alone or in combination to suit your taste preferences.

How do I prevent the chocolate from seizing when melting?

Make sure no water comes into contact with the chocolate as it melts. Use dry utensils and bowls, and melt the chocolate slowly, stirring frequently.

Print
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The Best Chocolate Bark Recipe


  • Author: Ethan
  • Total Time: 4 hours 20 minutes
  • Yield: About 12 servings 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Best Chocolate Bark Recipe is an easy and customizable treat featuring semi-sweet and white chocolate with assorted toppings like pretzels, mini M&M’s, dried fruits, nuts, and festive sprinkles. It involves melting chocolate either in the microwave or double boiler and layering toppings for a glossy, sweet and crunchy bark that’s perfect for gifting or snacking.


Ingredients

Scale

Pretzel & M&M’s Chocolate Bark

  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ cup pretzels
  • 2 Tbsp. mini M&M’s
  • 1 Tbsp. glitter sprinkles (yellow, white etc.)

Dried Fruit and Nuts Chocolate Bark

  • 1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup dried pineapple
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped pistachios
  • 2 Tbsp. chopped walnuts
  • 2 Tbsp. mini white chocolate chips

Cranberry and Almond Chocolate Bark

  • ¾ cup semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ¾ cup white chocolate wafers or chocolate chips
  • ¼ cup cranberries
  • ¼ cup slivered almonds
  • 2 Tbsp. chocolate sprinkles

Instructions

  1. Melt Chocolate: Melt semi sweet or white chocolate chips using either the microwave or double boiler method. For microwave, place chocolate in a glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds, stir, repeat 30-second intervals until fully melted. For double boiler, boil 1½ to 2 cups water in a pot, reduce heat to low, place a glass bowl with chocolate on top, stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
  2. Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking and for easy cleanup.
  3. Spread Chocolate: Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and use a spatula to spread into a thin, even layer approximately 7″ x 7″ (8″ x 8″ for cranberry and almond bark).
  4. Add Toppings: For Pretzel & M&M’s bark, sprinkle pretzels, mini M&M’s, and glitter sprinkles evenly over the chocolate layer. For Dried Fruit and Nuts bark, top melted chocolate with dried pineapple, chopped walnuts, pistachios, and mini white chocolate chips. For Cranberry and Almond bark, first spread semi sweet chocolate, then melt white chocolate separately and drizzle or spread over; sprinkle cranberries, slivered almonds, and chocolate sprinkles on top.
  5. Let Harden: Allow the chocolate bark to rest at room temperature on the counter for about 4 hours until fully hardened and set.
  6. Break and Serve: Once hardened, break the bark into pieces and serve or store in an airtight container.

Notes

  • Use parchment paper for easy removal and clean-up of chocolate bark.
  • You can customize toppings with your favorites such as other nuts, dried fruits, or candies.
  • If your kitchen is warm, refrigerate the bark after topping to speed up setting.
  • Store chocolate bark in a cool, dry place in an airtight container for up to two weeks.
  • Be careful not to overheat chocolate to avoid burning or seizing.
  • Prep Time: 10 minutes
  • Cook Time: 10 minutes
  • Category: Dessert
  • Method: Melting
  • Cuisine: American

Keywords: Chocolate bark, chocolate with nuts, holiday chocolate treat, easy chocolate bark, semi sweet chocolate bark, festive chocolate bark

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