Holiday Chocolate Bark

Make chocolate bark for holiday gifts or make it anytime! The combos of mix-ins are endless!

Prep Time: 20 minutes    Chilling Time: 1 hour

WHAT YOU NEED:

12 oz.  (three  4 oz. packages) semi-sweet baking chocolate (Note: semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips can be used for this recipe, but they don’t always melt as well as baking or dipping chocolate)

Variety of Mix-Ins (choose one or many… it’s up to you!):

·         Dried Fruit (Dried Cranberries, Dried Cherries, Chopped Dried Apricots, Raisins)

·         Pre-Chopped Nuts (Pecans, Walnuts, Pistachios)

·         Crushed Candy/Cookies (Mini M&M’s, Oreos, Crushed Peppermint Candies)

·         Crushed Pretzels or Graham Crackers

MAKING IT:

Place a piece of parchment or waxed paper onto a baking sheet.  Prepare mix-ins and place in individual bowl (about 1 cup total of mix-ins needed)

Microwave chocolate in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH for 2 minutes or until chocolate is almost melted.  Stir until chocolate is completely melted. 

Working quickly once chocolate is melted, pour melted chocolate onto parchment/wax paper forming a large circle.  With a metal or heat-proof spatula or spoon, spread chocolate to about 1/4-inch thickness.  While chocolate is still melted, gently press about ¼ - ½ cup of desired mix-ins into the chocolate.

Chill chocolate for at least 1 hour in refrigerator.  Once chocolate has hardened, break chocolate “bark” into large pieces.  Store in airtight container or place in individual bags for gift giving. Makes about 1 lb. chocolate bark or 16 servings.

NUTRITION:

Nutrition Information per serving (1 ounce bark, with chopped walnuts and dried apricots as mix-ins): 150 Calories; 10 Total Fat; (5g Sat Fat; 0g Trans Fat); 0mg Cholesterol; 0mg Sodium; 15g Total Carb; 2g Fiber; 11g Sugars (includes 9g Added Sugars); 2g Protein; 10% DV Iron