This Christmas Bark is delicious and so easy to make! M&M’s, red and green sprinkles, and peppermint extract come together with chocolate to make this a festive treat!
This Christmas Bark is the ultimate holiday treat for chocolate lovers! It's unbelievably easy to make and is great if you need something when you are in a pinch for a cute gift.
It also makes for the perfect simple treat if you don't love to bake!
We love to make this Christmas Chocolate Bark along with other holiday treats like Rice Krispie Christmas Treats, Peanut Butter Blossoms, and these Hot Cocoa Cookies!
Why You’ll Love Christmas Candy Bark
- Fun to make: This Christmas bark is fun to decorate and to make. It's the perfect holiday activity!
- Customizable: This recipe can easily be made for any holiday and time of the year. Swap out the flavor and sprinkles.
- Easy: You don't even need the oven for this one! Melt, spread, and sprinkle!
What is Chocolate Bark?
Chocolate bark is at least one layer of chocolate covered in candies, nuts, fruits, or pretzels. There really is an endless variety of toppings you could add to chocolate bark.
Why is it called chocolate bark?
Chocolate bark get's it's name and is called "bark" because of its resemblance to tree bark (the chocolate) covered in candies. Depending on the type of toppings you add, it could appear "woody".
Ingredients
- Semisweet chocolate chips
- White chocolate chips
- Peppermint extract
- Red and green sprinkles
- Red and green M&M’s
Substitutions for this Recipe:
Semisweet Chocolate Chips: You can use any semi sweet chocolate chips, or even dark chocolate or milk chocolate chips!
White Chocolate Chips: If you don't like white chocolate you can skip it and sub in colored red and green chocolate or use dark chocolate.
Peppermint Extract: Peppermint extract alternative; peppermint oil, but make sure to use half, as it is very potent. You can also use creme de menthe, but you will need 3 times the amount for the same flavor.
Red and Green Sprinkles: Any red and green sprinkles will work, there are many varieties out there, so the ones you find will likely look different than the ones we have. (Save the leftover sprinkles and use them in these Christmas Butter Cookies!)
Red and Green M&Ms: Any red and green chocolate candies. M&Ms has many different flavors to choose from, some with pretzels and peanuts too that might be fun. If using larger M&Ms with peanuts, give them a rough chop first.
How to Make Bark Chocolate
- Line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add the semisweet chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt for 20-second increments.
- Pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread evenly with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
- Add the white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt for 20-second increments.
- Add the peppermint extract to the white chocolate chips and mix.
- Allow the white chocolate chips to cool for 5 minutes to prevent them from melting the semisweet chocolate chips.
- Pour the melted white chocolate chips into the prepared baking sheet over the semisweet chocolate chips. Spread evenly with the back of a spoon or a spatula.
- Sprinkle the colored sprinkles on top of the sticky chocolate and then top with the M&M’s.
- Place in the freezer for 10 minutes until fully set.
- Once the bark is completely set you can break the bark apart with your hands.
- Store in an airtight container in a room temperature cool room for up to a month.
How to Serve Chocolate Bark
Serving chocolate bark can be just as fun as making it! Here are a couple of servings options:
- As is: Break a piece off and snack right away!
- With hot cocoa: Whether you dip it, snack as you drink, or melt the whole piece in your hot cocoa, is up to you.
- Gifting: This great for gifting because it's so easy to make and stores well!
- Chocolate board or dessert table: Pieces of chocolate bark will look (and taste!) amazing on any dessert table or display.
Storage
How long does Christmas Bark keep?: Store in an airtight container in a room temperature cool room for up to a month.
Freezing: The Christmas bark can be frozen for up to 2-3 months in an airtight container. Wrap the Christmas bark tightly with parchment paper and then plastic wrap.
How to Use Candy Bark
Want to gift this chocolate bark as a gift?
Break up your bark in chunky pieces or even try to make perfect "candy bars" rectangles by slicing with a knife.
Packaging candy in clear plastic bags with a bow is a fun option for a kiddo's party. Or if you go the candy bar route, some foil, and a customized label for a more sophisticated candy gift.
How to melt chocolate:
You can melt chocolate in the microwave or by using a double boiler. Boil a pot of water and place a glass bowl on top, but make sure the bowl does not touch the water.
Simmer on low and allow the steam to melt the chocolate. Stir the chocolate constantly. Keep any and all water out of the chocolate, as the chocolate will separate and won’t spread.
Variations
- If you want a thinner bark use a larger baking sheet and spread thinner
- Give them as a gift- If you are giving these as gifts in goodie bags you can stack them on top of each other and place them in cellophane bags and use a festive ribbon to tie the bag together. Craft stores will be your friend when finding everything you need.
- Make sure you line the baking sheet with parchment paper so you can easily break apart the bark.
- If you have extra leftover chop it up and stir it into Dark Chocolate Brownies!
Christmas Bark Recipe FAQ
Yes you can, you can substitute chocolate bark for chocolate chips 1:1.
If you plan to use a knife to cut up your chocolate bark, run the blade under some hot water first so cutting through the hard chocolate will be easier. Otherwise, breaking it apart with your hands is perfectly acceptable.
To slice up your chocolate bark without it cracking, you'll want it to come to room temperature first. If it's still chilled from the fridge it will crack. Using a combination of room-temperature bark, and a knife that's been run under hot water should do the trick.
Make sure not to place your chocolate bark in the sunlight or in front of a window. If you find that the room temperature is too warm, place it back in the fridge to harden.
Absolutely not! While a lot of professional chocolatiers will temper chocolate, it isn't necessary. We want a quick and fun dessert, so using the microwave or even a double boiler for a quick temper will still make a delicious chocolate bark.
More Great Holiday Recipes
- Saltine Cracker Candy
- Easy Caramel Popcorn
- Easy Peanut Brittle
- White Peppermint Fudge
- Gingerbread Cake Recipe
- Cranberry Pie Recipe
Christmas Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 2 tablespoons red and green sprinkles
- ¼ cup red and green M&M’s
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside.
- Add the semisweet chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt for 20-second increments and mix until fully melted with a rubber spatula or a wooden spoon.
- Pour the melted semi-sweet chocolate chips onto the prepared baking sheet. Spread evenly with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Place in the freezer for 10 minutes until fully set.
- Add the white chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl. Melt for 20-second increments and mix until fully melted.
- Add the peppermint extract to the white chocolate chips and mix until fully incorporated.
- Allow the white chocolate chips to cool for 5 minutes to prevent them from melting the semisweet chocolate chips.
- Pour the melted white chocolate chips into the prepared baking sheet over the semisweet chocolate chips. Spread evenly with the back of a spoon or a spatula. Some of the chocolate may show through, but that is okay, because it will be covered with the toppings.
- Sprinkle the colored sprinkles on top of the sticky chocolate and then top with the M&M’s.
- Place in the freezer for 10 minutes until fully set.
- Once the bark is completely set you can break the bark apart with your hands, use a sharp knife that has been run under hot water from the faucet and dried, or the flat side of a meat tenderizer.
- Store in an airtight container in a room temperature cool room for up to a month.
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