July 2, 2015
Chocolate Bark!
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Really easy yet delicious chocolate bark – perfect idea for homemade gifts or a little treat for yourself!
Chocolate bark is one of those bakes that never stops being fun. It’s brilliant for making with little ones, great for a chilled afternoon with friends, and absolutely perfect for homemade gifts. I adore giving these away because chocolate is always a safe bet, there’s always someone in the house who’ll happily nibble on it (usually me!). Even though it’s such a simple idea, it feels thoughtful and playful, and people genuinely love it.
The chocolate
The best part about chocolate bark is how flexible it is. The base is entirely your choice, this recipe is more of a guide than a strict set of rules, because you can tailor it to whatever you love. I usually go for a mix of milk and white chocolate because the swirl effect looks so pretty once it’s set.
You don’t need anything fancy here either. Cooking chocolate, supermarket bars, or a posh-brand slab will all work as long as you can melt it down smoothly. This bake is all about ease and enjoyment, so use whatever chocolate makes you happiest.
I usually melt mine in the microwave because it’s quick and fuss-free, but everyone’s microwave behaves differently. Some blast too hot, some need half-power, some are absolutely fine as they are, you just need to get to know yours. Short bursts, lots of stirring, and stop as soon as it’s glossy.
If microwaves aren’t your thing, melt your chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water. Just make sure the base of the bowl isn’t touching the water. Stir gently and watch it melt into silky heaven.
The topping
The amazing part about chocolate bark is that you can top it with WHATEVER YOU WANT… and that’s why it is so good! Honestly, whatever you like in your life – sweets, chocolates, biscuits, and so on. I used a combination of some of my favourites when I made it!
I used mini marshmallows, M&Ms, Malteasers, Mint Aero, freeze dried raspberries… and it was a wonderful combination. I just randomly sprinkle each ingredient all over the melted and swirled chocolate and you get the best results without needing a keen eye for detail. Messy is better for this bake!
Serving
I package mine into little decorated bags for my gifts, or chocolate boxes that you can buy online – I try to make it as personal as possible for each person who would want some – such as using their favourite sweet treats in the chocolate bark, and even using dark/milk/white chocolate as the base depending on what they prefer also!
Chocolate bark can be enjoyed by all ages. A big slab of chocolate bark broken into shards enjoyed with my friends or family on a cosy move night is my go too. Be warned though – you wont be able to just stop at one piece so be sure make enough to go round!
Occasions
The best thing about chocolate bark is the fact you can make it for any occasion! I have recipes for bonfire bark, valentines bark, easter bark, halloween bark and let’s not forget my favourite – christmas bark! You can change the base chocolate and mix the decoration up to suit, its not only tasty but great fun too.
I am obsessed with any bake that involves chocolate- as you might have noticed from all of the chocolate recipes on my blog! It is a tad ridiculous, and I apologise if you’re not a fan of chocolate in particular, but this will still be good to make for others who do! Enjoy!
Tips & tricks
- You can multiply up or down the ingredients to get bigger or smaller batches easily
- This lasts 14+ days at room temp or in the fridge – check your chocolate “use by date”
- I use this milk chocolate
- I use this white chocolate
- Use whatever topping chocolates you fancy
- ENJOY IT!!!
Chocolate Bark!
Ingredients
- 475 g milk chocolate
- 200 g white chocolate
- 100 g maltesers
- 50 g mini marshmallows
- Smarties/M&Ms/Mint Aero
- Freeze dried raspberries
Instructions
- Line a tray with parchment paper and leave to the side
- Prep what sweets/chocolate's are going on your bark. I crushed my smarties & malteser's - be careful when you do this bit!
- Melt both types of chocolate - I melted my milk chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of boiling water as there was more of it and then my white chocolate in the microwave on short bursts
- Pour the milk chocolate into the tray and spread so its even and about 1cm thick
- Drizzle the white chocolate over the top and using the end of a cake tester (or whatever you want) swirl the two types of chocolate together to make a marble pattern
- Sprinkle over your decorations and leave to set. If its hot it might be best to do this in the fridge so it'll actually become hard
- Cut/break into shards and enjoy!
Notes
- You can multiply up or down the ingredients to get bigger or smaller batches easily
- This lasts 14+ days at room temp or in the fridge - check your chocolate "use by date"
- I use this milk chocolate
- I use this white chocolate
- Use whatever topping chocolates you fancy
- ENJOY IT!!!
ENJOY!
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J x
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Mine is not going hard after an hour in cold room
How odd, unless you added something to it, it should only be chocolate solidifying again. Try the fridge? x
This is fab! Thinking of making some for presents for Xmas this year. What brand of chocolate do you use? Xxxx
I use callebaut as I bulk buy and love it – but most work. I would use supermarket own for the base chocolate though if you didn’t want to use cooking chocolate xx
I am sooo making this yummy treat this week!!
Awwh haha yay! Its so easy but so good!!
Woah! Looking at this makes me feel like a kid in ‘Charlie and The Chocolate Factory’! It’s gorgeous, Jane!!! <3
thelemonandjar.com
Thank you so much! That’s so kind ☺️
Can’t go wrong guy with chocolate bark! I made a cranberry and pistachio one when I want to appear slightly healthy otherwise it’s marshmallow, fudge and honeycomb. I’m definitely going to try this one ?
Ooh both of those sound delicious! I love combining so many different things, so yummy! ?
The colors are spectacular! ?
Thank youuuu!
…….and it looks YUMMY! Love this! ?
Hehe thank youuuuu!
I normally give some kind of homemade treat as a gift to family at Christmas.Usually cookies. But I think this might be what I do this year. It looks amazing!
Awwh haha thank you! I always do this at Christmas – such a good gift! Cookies are good too though ?
I’m still experimenting with truffles and thinking of new flavour combinations, but this has opened new doors! Looks like a good way of using up random left-over snacks and treats…
Yesss I love making it when I don’t just want the sweets! Great for Christmas too!
These chocolate barks look so appetizing! I would love to try this, especially with crushed Malteser’s! 🙂
It’s sooo yummy with the maltesers 😀 haha and thank you!!
Stop tormenting me please!???
Sorry ??
????
looks great!
when i read the title i literally thought woof 🙂
Thanks! Hahah I hope that’s good ?
That looks so fun! Heat idea for gifts 🙂
Thank you! 🙂