Chocolate bark is one of the easiest edible gifts you can make.
If you can melt chocolate you can make chocolate bark. But the best part is that you can totally customize this recipe with various toppings!
When I told a friend I had made Chocolate Bark that morning before work, she wondered what I was talking about. That was surprising to me because I didn’t realize that this easy, edible gift was not that well known.
Instructions
This recipe is so simple.
- Melt chocolate – white, milk or dark
- Spread thinly about 3mm (⅛ inch) to 6mm (¼ inch)
- Or make it thicker up to 12mm (½ inch), if you like!
- Scatter with various yummy toppings
- Allow to harden then cut or snap into shards
How super easy is that. If you can melt chocolate then you can make this wonderful treat.
How to melt chocolate.
Have you ever tried to melt chocolate only to have it seize and be ruined? Moisture is the enemy of chocolate. Just a drop of water will cause the chocolate to seize. However melting chocolate is easy if you follow these steps.
- Cut chocolate into similar size small pieces.
- Place in a clean, dry glass or ceramic bowl – not plastic as it may retain moisture and a metal bowl can become very hot.
- Place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water – be sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
- Stir occasionally with a clean, dry metal spoon until melted – don’t use a wooden spoon because it also may retain moisture.
- Be sure not to let any water splash into the chocolate.
You can also use a microwave to melt chocolate. A microwave can be harsh on chocolate but follow my tips for a no fail microwave method.
- Cut chocolate into similar size small pieces
- Place in a microwave safe, clean, dry glass or ceramic bowl – not plastic as it may retain moisture
- Microwave, uncovered on medium or 50% power, in 30 second intervals.
- Stir with a clean, dry metal spoon in between each, until melted.
Variations
What type of toppings can you use?
You can use almost any delicious morsels you like to top your Bark. It’s such a wonderful gift in this way because you can totally personalize it for the recipient. I think the choices of toppings are endless but here are just a few.
- dried fruit
- nuts
- seeds
- coconut
- candy
- any edible cake decorations
- salted nuts
- salted pretzels
Make two toned bark – all you need to do is spread out some melted dark chocolate. Then place teaspoons full blobs of melted white chocolate randomly on the dark chocolate and with a skewer or a fork, swirl the white chocolate through the melted chocolate. Add toppings as desired.
Make three different varieties in one – just scatter three different toppings on the one sheet of chocolate.
Serving suggestion
Simply package in cellophane bags and tie with a pretty ribbon for a thoughtful and delicious gift. For an extra special gift, why not prepare an edible gift basket by including a bag each of Chocolate Bark, caramel popcorn and homemade crackers, along with a jar of Olivada?
If you enjoyed this recipe, I’d really appreciate a star rating and a comment or tag me on instagram @marcellina.in.cucina.
Either way, I love to hear from you!
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Chocolate Bark recipe
Ingredients
- 400 grams chocolate white, milk or dark
- toppings of your choice see notes
Instructions
- Cover a large baking sheet/ pan with non stick baking paper. You may need two if your baking sheets/pan are small.
To melt chocolate – stove top method
- Cut chocolate into similar size small pieces.
- Place in a clean, dry glass or ceramic bowl – not plastic as it may retain moisture and a metal bowl can become very hot.
- Place the bowl over a pot of barely simmering water – be sure the bottom of the bowl doesn’t touch the water.
- Stir occasionally with a clean, dry metal spoon until melted – don’t use a wooden spoon because it also may retain moisture.
- Be sure not to let any water splash into the chocolate.
To melt chocolate – microwave method
- Cut chocolate into similar size small pieces
- Place in a microwave safe, clean, dry glass or ceramic bowl – not plastic as it may retain moisture
- Microwave, uncovered on medium or 50% power, in 30 second intervals.
- Stir with a clean, dry metal spoon in between each, until melted.
To make chocolate bark
- Spread chocolate onto prepared baking sheet/pan thinly (about ¼ inch).
- While the chocolate is still soft, scatter with various toppings.
- Refrigerate until hard then break or cut into pieces.
- Will keep refrigerated for up to two weeks depending on toppings.
Notes
- dried fruit
- nuts
- seeds
- coconut
- candy
- any edible cake decorations
- salted nuts
- salted pretzels
- dried chilli
- salt flakes
Love this – what a wonderful simple gift!
Thanks, Robyn! Plus, really yummy!
Love how easy this is to make! The perfect way to make chocolate a little more fun and individual 🙂
It sure is!
You had me at chocolate… haha! I love how easy this recipe is, and yet super delicious and indulgent! Definitely a great edible gift!
Ahh, we must be kindred spirits!
This is great as something a little bit ‘different’ for Easter that still involves chocolate! Love it Marcellina!
I think so too! Plus you can personalise the chocolate bark especially for the lucky recipient!
I agree, this makes such a wonderful gift – and when a gift is homemade (and delicious!) such as this, I know it will make people happy. Beautiful ideas!
Thank you, Alexandra! It always a pleasant surprise to receive a homemade gift, isn’t it?