![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-08.jpg\")
This Christmas Bark makes for a wonderful homemade holiday gift. Who wouldn’t love the gift of chocolate for Christmas or the New Year?!<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n
Ingredients<\/h2>\n\n\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-Ingredients.jpg\")
It only takes a few simple ingredients to make candy bark, including chocolate chips and some sweet toppings.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nTo make this Christmas bark, you’ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Tempered dark chocolate<\/strong> – Working with tempered chocolate is one of the most important parts of this recipe. In fact, using chocolate that is out of temper is about the only way you can mess this up – the bark won’t be shiny and will crumble instead of having a crisp break. The easiest way to temper chocolate is in the microwave (see all of the details in my post on tempering chocolate<\/a>).<\/li>
- White chocolate<\/strong> – Because you are using the white chocolate to drizzle on top of the bark, tempering is less important. However, there is no reason not to temper it as well if you can.<\/li>
- Dried cherries<\/strong> – If you can’t find these, use dried cranberries for another red option.<\/li>
- Freeze dried strawberries<\/strong> – These are my favorite part of the bark. I don’t recommend any substitutes.<\/li>
- Pumpkin seeds<\/strong> (pepitas) – I like to use salted pumpkin seeds. The salty bites perfectly complement the chocolate.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How It’s Made<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pour out the tempered chocolate onto a silicone mat or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread it out with a spatula to any thickness you like.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Spreading](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-01.jpg\")
Using tempered chocolate is a sure-fire way to ensure that your Christmas bark has a beautiful presentation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWorking quickly, before the melted chocolate hardens, evenly distribute the toppings.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Placing](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-02.jpg\")
The best part about this chocolate bark recipe is its versatility; feel free to change the toppings as you please!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhen it has completely cooled at room temperature (about 15 minutes), drizzle the white chocolate over the candy bark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip:<\/span><\/strong> The easiest way to drizzle the white chocolate is to put it in a sandwich bag, cut off the corner, and pipe it in thin lines.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Piping](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-04.jpg\")
A drizzle of white chocolate gives your Christmas chocolate bark some extra sweetness and color variety.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nWhen the white chocolate has hardened, break the bark into pieces and enjoy or wrap up to give as a gift!<\/p>\n\n\n
\n![\"Plate](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-06.jpg\")
This candy bark makes for a great homemade gift to give around the holidays or a fun and exciting option to bring for cookie swaps.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\nExpert Tips and FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\nVariations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are so many options for candy bark toppings. Customize this easy chocolate holiday treat however you like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Use crushed peppermints or candy canes to make chocolate peppermint bark<\/li>
- Any nuts – pecans, cashews, and walnuts are favorites<\/li>
- Drizzle with melted peanut butter<\/li>
- For a sweet and salty treat, use crushed potato chips, crackers, or popcorn<\/li>
- Pretzels<\/li>
- Toffee chips<\/li>
- Graham crackers<\/li>
- M&M’s<\/li>
- Coconut flakes<\/a><\/li>
- Candied fruit<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h3>\n\n\n\nCan you double this recipe?<\/strong>
Yes, you can double it, triple it, quadruple it, whatever you want!<\/p>
<\/div>
How long does Christmas bark last?<\/strong>
Store it in a cool, dry place for up to three weeks. Do not refrigerate it.<\/strong>
<\/p>
<\/div>
How can I best package bark for gifting?<\/strong>
To make this Christmas bark, you’ll need:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Tempered dark chocolate<\/strong> – Working with tempered chocolate is one of the most important parts of this recipe. In fact, using chocolate that is out of temper is about the only way you can mess this up – the bark won’t be shiny and will crumble instead of having a crisp break. The easiest way to temper chocolate is in the microwave (see all of the details in my post on tempering chocolate<\/a>).<\/li>
- White chocolate<\/strong> – Because you are using the white chocolate to drizzle on top of the bark, tempering is less important. However, there is no reason not to temper it as well if you can.<\/li>
- Dried cherries<\/strong> – If you can’t find these, use dried cranberries for another red option.<\/li>
- Freeze dried strawberries<\/strong> – These are my favorite part of the bark. I don’t recommend any substitutes.<\/li>
- Pumpkin seeds<\/strong> (pepitas) – I like to use salted pumpkin seeds. The salty bites perfectly complement the chocolate.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
How It’s Made<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Pour out the tempered chocolate onto a silicone mat or a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spread it out with a spatula to any thickness you like.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nUsing tempered chocolate is a sure-fire way to ensure that your Christmas bark has a beautiful presentation.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Working quickly, before the melted chocolate hardens, evenly distribute the toppings.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nThe best part about this chocolate bark recipe is its versatility; feel free to change the toppings as you please!<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n When it has completely cooled at room temperature (about 15 minutes), drizzle the white chocolate over the candy bark.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tip:<\/span><\/strong> The easiest way to drizzle the white chocolate is to put it in a sandwich bag, cut off the corner, and pipe it in thin lines.<\/p>\n\n\n
\nA drizzle of white chocolate gives your Christmas chocolate bark some extra sweetness and color variety.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n When the white chocolate has hardened, break the bark into pieces and enjoy or wrap up to give as a gift!<\/p>\n\n\n
\nThis candy bark makes for a great homemade gift to give around the holidays or a fun and exciting option to bring for cookie swaps.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n Expert Tips and FAQs<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Variations<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are so many options for candy bark toppings. Customize this easy chocolate holiday treat however you like!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Use crushed peppermints or candy canes to make chocolate peppermint bark<\/li>
- Any nuts – pecans, cashews, and walnuts are favorites<\/li>
- Drizzle with melted peanut butter<\/li>
- For a sweet and salty treat, use crushed potato chips, crackers, or popcorn<\/li>
- Pretzels<\/li>
- Toffee chips<\/li>
- Graham crackers<\/li>
- M&M’s<\/li>
- Coconut flakes<\/a><\/li>
- Candied fruit<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
FAQs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can you double this recipe?<\/strong>Yes, you can double it, triple it, quadruple it, whatever you want!<\/p> <\/div>
How long does Christmas bark last?<\/strong>Store it in a cool, dry place for up to three weeks. Do not refrigerate it.<\/strong> <\/p> <\/div>
How can I best package bark for gifting?<\/strong> - Candied fruit<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n
- White chocolate<\/strong> – Because you are using the white chocolate to drizzle on top of the bark, tempering is less important. However, there is no reason not to temper it as well if you can.<\/li>
![\"overhead](\"https:\/\/cdn.cupcakeproject.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/12\/Chocolate-Bark-08-150x150.jpg\")
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