Make your very own chocolate bark this holiday season! Covered with all sorts of goodies from nuts, seeds, dried fruits, candies and more, I’ll share how to quickly and easily make your very own deliciously customizable chocolate bark combo!
Why this Recipe Works
- Quick and easy! Whip this chocolate bark up in 15min.
- Recipe is versatile! Different type of chocolate, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, candies and more can all be used!
- An EPIC homemade holiday gift! Customizable bark: your answer to everyone and anyone’s Holiday present needs!
Homemade chocolate falls in that magic intersection of low maintenance to make but looks highly impressive! And it’s such a neat trick to have in your culinary arsenal during holiday season!!!
To make your present receivers feel extra special ask them what there favorite nuts/dried fruits/seeds/etc. are and customize their bark present JUST for them!
The mix-ins are super easy to swap out!
Some Very Hard Questions to Answer
The hardest part of making chocolate bark is in the decision making process. Some very hard questions will need to be answered:
- What type of chocolate to use?
- What mix-ins to use?
- How much of the mix-ins to use?
- How much of the mix-ins to use?
- To place the mix-ins on the chocolate, in the chocolate, or both?!
I’m here to hold your hand and support ya to make answering these tough questions as easy as can be!
What type of Chocolate to Use for Chocolate Bark?
Not all chocolate is created equal. And quality matters! Get the good stuff. Doesn’t have to be the very best of the best, but we’re going for good quality chocolate without a ton of additives so it melts nicely.
Whichever style you like, dark, milk or white, just make sure it’s good stuff!
Choosing your Mix-Ins?
On to the next tough question.
So many mix-in options…. what will you’re combo be? Pistachios, almonds, dried cherries, coffee beans, candied ginger, pretzels, dehydrated strawberries, salted cashews, coconut flakes even potato chips… the munchies skies the limit!
Choose only 1 or a combo of flavors. Personally, I go for between 3-6. Really anything goes here!
And just went you may thought the tough questions were over and done with you then have to decide if you want the mix-ins you’re adding to be onlyon topof the chocolate layer, only mixed in the chocolate layer or both mixed in and on top the chocolate layer.
It really is a personal preference and I suggest you try it al 3 ways.
Personally, I got for both mixed in and on top. Cause I’m a more is more kinda gal.
How much of the mix-ins to use is also flexi. Are you densely populated bark lover or do ya want plenty of pure chocolate in between chunks?
If you’re adding the mix-ins to the melted chocolate, taste it! If you want more mix-ins, add more. If you want less, simply add in more chocolate. Kapish?
Are You an Extra-Credit Kinda of Person?
If so, you can also think about adding flavoring elements the chocolate. Think vanilla, citrus zest, ground spices, salt, etc.
As long as it pairs with your mix-ins, you’re good to go!
How to Make a Double Boiler
You’ll be melting the chocolate bark in double boiler. If you insist on using a microwave, I wont judge you. But I wont support that habit either…
To make a double boiler at home, simmer a few inches of water in a pot. Stack a heatproof bowl on top of said pot; making sure the water underneath doesn’t directly touch the bottom of the bowl. Turn heat to low, so the water is at a gently simmer and your double boiler is made! Voila ~ we’ll be placing the chocolate in the heatproof bowl on top of the simmering water.
How to Make Chocolate Bark
Melt that chocolate (optional to add flavoring elements at this point). Choose your mix-ins. Add the said mix-ins to melted chocolate. Spread on a sheet. Sprinkle with more mix-ins while the chocolate is still warm. Place in freezer for 10 min to set. Break up into chocolate shards. Don’t worry about getting them all the same size and shape (you cant). It’s deliciously homemade and rustic chocolate bark.
My intention is to give you a chocolate bark blue print so you’ll have all the info you need at your fingertips to customize your very own blend!
Cooks Tips
- Quality of chocolate matters! Get the good stuff.
- To make your bark nut free, use seeds instead.
- To make your chocolate bark vegan/dairy free, use vegan/dairy free chocolate.
- Chocolate bark will keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week.
Wanna know how I candied this citrus above for the chocolate bark? Check out this post here!
Have ya tried this recipe? I’d love to hear about it and see it too! Please leave a comment below and take a pic and tag it on Instagram with #chefdanielagerson. You can also follow me on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest to see more colorfully delicious food and all sorts of awesome adventures!
Let's make waves in the kitchen!
Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 12 ounces quality chocolate chips or chopped chocolate I like bittersweet/about 60% cacao content
- ¾ cup raw nuts or seeds choose from almonds, pecans, hazelnuts, pistachios, pepitas and/or more
- ¼ cup dried candied or dehydrated fruit (chopped if large)
- About ½ teaspoon flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Choose your mix-ins and melt chocolate using a double boiler on the stove. See above for more info on making a double boiler. Using a rubber spatula, stir chocolate occasionally until it all melted, smooth and shiny.
- If you are adding your mix-ins and any flavoring to the chocolate, do so now and mix until spread evenly throughout the melted chocolate.
- Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a spatula to spread chocolate evenly over the center area of the baking sheet.
- If adding more mix-ins on top, sprinkle them and the flaky sea salt on top after spreading the chocolate out, while its still warm.
- Place baking sheet in freezer for 10 min so the chocolate bark can set. Alternatively, it will set if left at room temp 2-4 hours.
- Once the chocolate bark has hardened, use your hands to break it up into shards. No need for them to be equal shapes and sizes. Serve immediately, or cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Notes
- Quality of chocolate matters! Get the good stuff.
- To make your bark nut free, use seeds instead.
- To make your chocolate bark vegan/dairy free, use vegan/dairy free chocolate.
- Chocolate bark will keep in an airtight container at room temperature up to a week.
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