The Best Chocolate Bark

Looking for a last minute gift?

Looking for something to give a host/hostess for Christmas, work, teacher, neighbor gifts? Or just because….for you and your family to enjoy this time of year, which is the reason I made this Chocolate Bark recipe.

This bark has such a luxuriously rich and smooth flavor from the bittersweet chocolate, a bit of tartness from the cranberries, sweetness from the shredded coconut, crunch from the pepitas and almonds, citrusy from the orange zest and lastly, the perfect hint of crunchy saltiness from the sea salt, combined to make the perfect melt-in-your-mouth bliss!!!

I , by no means, intend for this new blog to be a food/baking blog, but for some reason, around this time of year – I am more inspired than ever to bake for my family and allow them to feel the magic around this time of year. I want my kids to feel, as young as they are, that this is a very special time of year for celebration and festivity. I recall a few years ago, before I had kids, I was a bit of a “Grinch.” I didn’t like the chaos at the malls and a peppermint latte did not cheer me up. It was too stressful – finals in college, no time to shop, road rage on the street – it definitely wasn’t a Hallmark Movie. But after seeing the excitement in my daughters eyes, feeling her spirit and innocence – it only motivated and inspired me to teach and show them about the true meaning. The simple things surrounding Christmas was the best way to block out the chaos. Having visited Bethlehem this past summer, an experience of a lifetime, my husband and I were able to explain the importance of the sites we experienced and the true spirit of Christmas was the Holy Spirit.

The Chocolate Bark Recipe

Chocolate Bark is a simple recipe to make, that is festive, easy and fun – even your 3-year-old could help from beginning to end! I didn’t follow any recipe – I used ingredients that sounded good to me. Feel free to omit and add any topping you crave.

First, I poured about 24 Oz of my favorite Bitter Sweet Ghirardelli Baking Chocolate into a double boiler. It is important to use high quality chocolate when making chocolate bark because you want a good base that melts in your mouth.

I stirred it until it was completely melted.

I poured the melted chocolate into a parchment-lined tray.

Then I sprinkled with dried cranberries, shredded coconut, orange zest, raw pepitas, slivered almonds, and a dash of sea salt flakes.

I left them in the tray to cool for a couple hours.

Then break apart as desired. BOOM! That’s it! This is the easiest thing to make. As long as you have some good chocolate to melt, you can really top it with anything. Some other ideas are candy cane chips, dried fruit, any kind of nut, spice…anything your palette desires!

Chocolate Bark with Toppings

Chocolate Bark Ingredients:

24 Oz Baking Chocolate Chips

Dried Cranberries

Shredded Coconut

Sliced Almonds

Raw Pepitas

Orange Zest

Sea Salt Flakes

Chocolate Bark Directions:

Melt chocolate in double boiler over 1 inch of simmering water for about 15 minutes or when chocolate is completely melted. Keep stirring.

Pour chocolate on cookie sheet that is lined with parchment paper.

While chocolate is warm, start sprinkling your desired toppings. Sprinkle with the dried cranberries, shredded coconut, slivered almonds, raw pietas, orange zest and top with a sprinkle of sea salt flakes.

Leave tray in cool area until it hardens, about 2 hours. Test a small area to make sure it is fully hardened then break apart in smaller pies. You can wrap in clean parchment paper and tie with ribbon or twine to give as gift.