December 20, 2011

Make Your Own Chocolate Bark

One of the easiest (and tastiest!) homemade gifts to make is chocolate bark. One of the great things about bark is that there's no limit to the way you can make it! Two of my favorites are peppermint bark (One layer of dark chocolate, one layer of white chocolate that's topped with crusted candy canes.) and dark chocolate cherry bark (one layer of dark chocolate, sprinkled with dried cherries and white chocolate chips.)

Use this recipe as a guideline to encourage your own creativity.

RECIPE

1 or 2 pounds dark, milk, or white chocolate (For a “double layer” bark, select two types of chocolate. Directions below.)

1 1/2 cups* toppings. 

Topping Suggestions:

Nuts

Candy Pieces (M&Ms, crushed candy candy canes, chopped candy bars, etc.) 

Coconut (Toasted or flake)

Dried fruit 

Crushed gluten-free cookies

Crushed gluten-free pretzels

*You want the toppings to equal 1 1/2 cups, no matter which combination of toppings you select.

For Single Layer Bark (Single Layer Bark shown above)

1. Line a large (18" x 13") rimmed baking with parchment paper. In the microwave, melt chocolate. (To melt, place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30-seconds. Remove from the microwave, stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted.)
2. Spread chocolate into prepared pan. Sprinkle selected topping over chocolate. Chill until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove pan from the refrigerator, snap bark into pieces, and enjoy.

1. Line a large (18" x 13") rimmed baking with parchment paper. In the microwave, melt one pound of chocolate. (To melt, place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat for 30-seconds. Remove from the microwave, stir. Repeat until chocolate is melted.) Spread chocolate into prepared pan. Chill until chocolate is firm but not fully set, about seven minutes. Chocolate will look “fudgy.”
2. In microwave, melt second pound of chocolate. Spread evenly over the first layer of chocolate. Sprinkle toppings evenly over chocolate. Chill until chocolate is set, about 15 minutes.
3. Remove pan from the refrigerator, snap bark into pieces, and enjoy.