Holiday time is fast approaching, which means a great excuse to make all the sweet treats. Since becoming a stay at home mom, I’ve found myself with a lot of spare time now that our nap schedule is getting more routine. This means more time in the kitchen! I love making sweets, and this one is a new favorite. It’s so easy, and delicious – that’s why it’s called the easy 5-Minute Chocolate Bark.
This recipe is so easy, melt down some chocolate or chocolate chips, spread it on a parchment paper lined pan, and top with your favorite toppings. It’s seriously that easy. Don’t tell my husband though, he’ll likely want me to make this all the time if he knows that. 😉 Anyway, with Christmas just a few weeks away, I decided I should make some goodies to start giving out to friends and family. That’s where this one comes in. It’s so easy, it can be whipped together in a few minutes, and if needed, cooled in the fridge in about 30 minutes.
I prefer to cool mine on the counter because there are more opportunities to taste test along the way, but if you’re in a rush to a holiday party or a potluck, no need to fret, throw it in the fridge and it’ll be ready before you’re done getting ready.
Why you should try this Easy Chocolate Bark?
- It’s SO easy. Other than maybe a PB&J, I don’t know of much simpler recipes than this.
- Vegan friendly – just make sure you have vegan chocolate.
- Quick. You can prep this recipe in 5 minutes and have it set in about 30 in the fridge. Break it up and you have an elegant dessert.
- Eye appeal. This stuff looks pretty. No need to try to decorate, it’s all in the toppings.
How to make this Chocolate Bark?
- Put chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and microwave in 30 second intervals. Make sure to stir the chocolate between to prevent burning. It takes me about 1.5 minutes to melt down completely.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper. If you are conscious about waste, check out these silicone baking mats. You don’t want this sticking directly to a baking sheet, you won’t enjoy trying to get it off.
- Sprinkle toppings over the melted chocolate.
- Leave out at room temperature for a few hours or place in the fridge to set quickly. Normally before I break it up, I put it in the fridge for a bit first to allow it to get extra hard so it’s easier to snap.
- Break into pieces and enjoy. This should keep about a week in the fridge.
What excuse do you have to not try this out? If you’re trying to put together a holiday treat platter, add these nut-free chocolate macarons.
Easiest Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 1 cup dark chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips
- ⅓ cup roasted nuts
Optional
- toasted coconut
- pepitas
- crushed candy canes
- crushed toffee
Instructions
- Melt chocolate in a microwave safe dish in 30 second increments. Take care to stir between each 30 second interval.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- When melted smoothly, pour chocolate on to parchment paper and spread. Don’t line the whole pan, but try to make it an even layer (about 1/8-1/4″ in thickness).
- Sprinkle toppings of choice. Cool for 30-60 minutes in the fridge to harden.
- Once the chocolate is hardened and set, break into pieces around 3″ in size. Store in the fridge until serving.
- Crunchy Almond Joy Bar: Roasted chopped or slivered almonds, pecans, and shredded coconut.
- Crunchy Heath Bar: Crushed toffee, crushed almonds
- Christmas Time: Crushed Candy Canes
- Festive Holiday: Pepitas and Cranberries (or pistachios and raisins)
- Peanut Butter Lovers: Chopped peanut butter cups and crushed peanut butter M&Ms (or Reeces Pieces).
Notes
Nutrition
If you’re looking for other flavor combinations, get creative. You could do crushed oreos, chips a’hoy, coffee beans, sea salt, peanuts, hazelnuts, dried fruit, sunflower seeds, drizzled caramel, drizzled white chocolate, and more. The list goes on. Get creative, and let me know what you used in the comments below.
-Cassie 🙂