Chocolate Bark is the perfect easy treat to make! Made in just minutes, this is perfect gifting for all the chocolate lovers in your life.
I’m a little obsessed with chocolate bark recipes. I have made so many over the years, and my family makes this mint Oreo bark every single year at the holidays.
Basic chocolate bark is so simple to make. There are so many variations that you are bound to find the perfect flavor combination.
How to Make Chocolate Bark
Here is a brief overview of how this easy chocolate bark recipe comes together. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post for the full recipe including all ingredients and their measurements.
- Melt the chocolate. Follow the instructions on the package and read more on melting chocolate below. Be sure to stir, stir, stir.
- Spread the chocolate out. Pour the chocolate over the parchment paper and spread with an offset spatula so it is even thickness. Do not spread to the edges of the pan or the bark will be too thin.
- Add the toppings. Sprinkle the desired toppings. Allow the chocolate to fully set and then break into pieces and enjoy.
Chocolate for Chocolate Bark
I’ve used so many different kinds of chocolate for bark over the years. The chocolate that yielded the best results is Ghirardelli’s chocolate-flavored melting wafers. While they do have some added oil, this helps the bark set and it also prevents any of the toppings you add to pull moisture from it. When moisture is pulled from the chocolate it still tastes delicious but it has less of an appetizing look to it.
All of that being said, any chocolate that you love will work well with this recipe. This includes Nestle chocolate chips and Godiva chocolate bars. Use what you like most.
You can also use whatever type of chocolate you like most. Dark chocolate, white chocolate, and semisweet chocolate all work great to make chocolate bark.
Ghirardelli Milk Chocolate Melting Wafers
Melting Chocolate
Typically most chocolate can be melted really easily in the microwave. You want to follow the instructions on the packaging, but most of the time it involves microwaving it at half power for one minute and then stirring the chocolate really well. After that, microwave in 30 second intervals stirring extremely well between each interval.
The most important thing to note is that you don’t want to overheat the chocolate. It usually takes less than 2 1/2 minutes to melt 20 ounces of chocolate. Let the stirring do a lot of the work for you and avoid microwaving too much or the chocolate will seize.
Toppings
Many different toppings would be delicious in this chocolate bark recipe. It’s a great idea to make two batches and use different toppings for each half. This way you have four different kinds. The key is to use 1/4 cup of one or a combination of toppings that equals 1/4 cup for a full batch of bark. If you make two flavors for one batch of bark, you want just two tablespoons per side.
- Chopped Nuts: Pistachios, pecans, salted peanut pieces, almond slices, hazelnuts chopped, or macadamia nut bits.
- Dried Fruit: Dried cranberries, dried cherries, raisins, cut up dried apricots, or candied ginger.
- Seeds: Pepitas (pumpkin seeds) or sunflower seeds.
- Other Great Ideas: Sprinkles, coconut flakes, pretzels broken into pieces, crushed candy canes, and chopped peanut butter cups all make great toppings as well.
Keep in mind that just adding a teaspoon of kosher salt or sea salt and skipping the fruit and nuts is a great option.
Storing Chocolate Bark
Room Temperature
This chocolate bark can be kept in an airtight container on the counter at room temperature for up to two weeks.
Freezing
Chocolate bark freezes really well. Once it is solid and broken up, you can put it in an air tight container and into the freezer. It will last in the freezer for up to three months.
(Full transparency: Writing this reminded me that I had some in our freezer and I took a break to go get some!)
Other Great No Bake Treats
If you make this homemade chocolate bark recipe or any of my other recipes, I’d love to hear what you think and would be so grateful if you came back and left a comment.
Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 20 ounces good quality chocolate chopped, read more about this above
- 1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit see note
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt optional
Instructions
- Line a 17.9"L x 12.9"W rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate according to the instructions on the package. Read more about this in the post.20 ounces good quality chocolate
- Pour the chocolate over the parchment paper and spread with an offset spatula so it is even thickness. Do not spread to the edges of the pan or the bark will be too thin.
- Sprinkle the desired toppings.1/2 cup chopped nuts or dried fruit
- Allow the chocolate to fully set and then break into pieces and enjoy.
Notes
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