This classic Chocolate Bark recipe couldn’t be easier to adapt and make your own! Made with layers of decadent milk chocolate and white chocolate, this chocolate bark is perfectly crisp, simple to make and delicious to eat and the perfect gift during the holidays.
Ingredients
- The Chocolate Base:
- Milk Chocolate Chips: Smooth, creamy, and oh-so-dreamy.
- White Chocolate Chips: For that sweet contrast.
- For Peppermint Bark:
- Candy Canes: Crushed, for a minty, merry crunch.
- For Toffee Hazelnut:
- Hazelnuts: Chopped, adding a nutty nirvana.
- Toffee Bits: For that irresistible, buttery sweet crunch.
- For Salted Caramel Pretzel:
- Caramel Chews: Melted into gooey perfection.
- Pretzels: A handful for that salty twist.
- Flaked Sea Salt: Just a pinch for a salty kiss.
- For Cranberry Pistachio:
- Salted Pistachios: Bringing their signature crunch and saltiness.
- Dried Cranberries: For a pop of tart and sweet.
How to Make Chocolate Bark
Learning how to make chocolate bark is not difficult. The recipe starts out like any other bark. You first melt semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips over a double boiler and spread it out flat on a parchment or non-stick foil lined cookie sheet and refrigerate to firm.
You repeat the process with white chocolate spreading on top of the semi-sweet chocolate then you sprinkle with crushed peppermint. That’s it!! Seriously how easy is that?
Tips
Tip 1: Use an offset spatula to spread your chocolate into thin, even layers.
It helps to make everything even so you have perfect amounts of milk chocolate and white chocolate in each taste!
Tip 2: For Peppermint Bark, the easiest way to crush your peppermint candies (either candy canes or peppermint candies) is to place them in a Ziploc bag, then use a meat mallet or rolling pin to break them into small pieces.
Tip 3: Allow your bark to set in the refrigerator before breaking apart.
Get creative! Try out new toppings for your bark that’ll set yours apart from the rest. Marshmallows, crushed up gingerbread cookies and pretzel pieces are all great options.
How to Store
To store chocolate bark, let it cool and harden completely first. Then, break or cut it into pieces and place them in an airtight container. Separate layers of bark with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking. Store the container in a cool, dry place. If your kitchen is warm or humid, you may want to keep the bark in the refrigerator to maintain its texture and prevent melting. Chocolate bark can generally be stored this way for several weeks, making it a perfect make-ahead treat!
Favorite Candy Recipes for the Holidays
Chocolate Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 11 ounces white chocolate
- 11 ounces bittersweet chocolate
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/3 cup crushed peppermints about 15 candies
Instructions
- Prep a half sheet pan by adding either parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- In one medium bowl, melt bittersweet chocolate over a pan with 1 inch simmering water. Careful not to get water in the chocolate or get it too hot.
- Remove from pan and pour onto prepared pan. Spread with an offset spatula leaving a ½ edge uncovered around all sides. Set in refrigerator for 8-10 minutes. Don’t allow it to fully set. We want the edges set and the middle still a little glossy. If it’s completely set, the layers won’t stay together.
- While that’s cooling, in another medium bowl add white chocolate and peppermint extract. Place over pan of simmering water and melt gently. (White chocolate has a tendency to melt faster and overheat, so make sure you take it off the heat occasionally to not burn it.)
- Once melted, remove the pan from the refrigerator and quickly pour and spread the white chocolate over the bittersweet chocolate. Do this by placing all the white chocolate at one short edge of the bittersweet, then using an offset, quickly spreading it in one direction. We don’t want to melt the chocolate underneath and make a swirl pattern; we want two distinctive layers.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermints over top and allow to chill in the refrigerator for another 30 minutes.
anne says
Do I melt the same for dark Choc?
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Yes you can.
Whitney says
I love eating chocolate bark but I haven’t attempted to make it yet, I will try it out for the upcoming holidays! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
ABsolutely!!!
Justine Howell says
Tried making this in the past and it wasn’t so easy, this was much better and is now a family fave.
Jocelyn (Grandbaby Cakes) says
Indeed! This is super easy!