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Chocolate Bark: A Delicious Treat and a Yummy Gift

kac24 |

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Chocolate Bark is among the easiest type of chocolate confection to make at home. Perhaps the most common variety we see in stores is the Chocolate Almond Bark. While this is a classic, there are countless combinations to experiment with once you get started.

You will need:

Chocolate melting wafers (Milk, Dark, or White)

Parchment Paper

Baking Sheet

Your favorite "Add In"

"Add In's" are an ingredient that is either stirred into the melted chocolate, or sprinkled on top before the chocolate hardens. An "Add In" could be any type of nut (toasted or raw), dried fruit, crushed candies, or even cookies. The only limiting factor to choosing an "Add In" is your own personal taste.

Possible Combinations:

White Chocolate with Dried Cranberries

Dark Chocolate with Toasted Almonds

Milk Chocolate with Crushed Peppermints

White Chocolate with Peanut Butter Cup bits

Dark Chocolate with Orange Rind

Milk Chocolate with Skor bits

Start by placing chocolate wafers in a large, heat proof glass bowl. Place this bowl over a saucepan with a few inches of water in the bottom. Place both over high heat and bring water to a boil. The boiling water will begin to melt the chocolate. Be patient, but stir often to disperse heat and melt chocolate evenly. Meanwhile, cut a piece of parchment paper to fit your baking sheet. As soon as the chocolate becomes smooth, it is ready. Carefully remove bowl from heat. At this point, you will either a) stir in "Add In" ingredients, or b) pour chocolate onto pan, and sprinkle "Add In" ingredients on top. After pouring chocolate onto the pan, smooth with a spatula so you have a uniform thickness. You may also need to use the spatula to evenly disperse nuts and other "Add In's" that may clump together.

Ideally, every piece of chocolate bark should have a scrumptious ratio of chocolate to "Add In's". After chilling in the fridge for at least an hour, bark will be solid enough to break into pieces.

Whichever combination you choose, this Chocolate Bark is always a hit. Going to a dinner party? Arrange Bark on a plater or small candy dish for an inexpensive hostess gift. Have a chocolate lover in your family? Make their day by combining their favorite flavours in a small cellophane bag tied with a pretty ribbon.

For many, Chocolate Bark may be a Christmas tradition, but why not theme Bark for any holiday? Add a few drops of red food colouring to white chocolate, and top with cinnamon hearts for a spicy Valentine's treat. Adorn milk chocolate with green pistachios this St. Patrick's Day. Dark Chocolate with pale orange Butterscotch Chips make a spooky Halloween sweet.