marbled chocolate bar bark is the perfect last minute gift!

Save this marbled chocolate bar bark for all those last minute treat and gift needs that seem to always pop up this month!

chocolate bark is one of the easiest foodie gifts you can make!

I love to make bark – it’s one of those recipes that requires zero skill, minimal time and effort and yet yields such satisfying results!

what is bark?

Bark is simply melted chocolate that’s poured into a sheet pan and broken into pieces once it’s set. You can use literally any kind of chocolate – chocolate chips, melting wafers, fancy “feves” – and it will always come out great (see: cobweb bark, red white and blue bark, and almond butter bark!).

this marbled chocolate bar bark takes the basic idea to the next level!

I saw this marble bark recipe on Instagram last year and had been patiently waiting for just the right occasion to make it. A last minute holiday party invite was the perfect opportunity!

The result is so pretty (and looked so delicious!) that I knew I had to try it!

how do you make it?

Chocolate bark is probably one of my favorite desserts because of how quick and easy it is to make. After weeks of endless rounds of baking – and measuring and folding and cleaning up – I love the effortlessness of bark. There’s minimal equipment needed, zero mess and no fussing!

Though bark is typically made by melting the chocolate in a double boiler, this is even easier. Just lay your bars side by side on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and pop into a low oven. I set my oven to 175 degrees, and find that it takes between 5 and 7 minutes to get everything nice and “melty”. Once removed you’ll use a skewer to swirl the chocolate into a marbled pattern, and then add your choice of toppings to finish it off.

what ingredients do you need?

I used 6 full size chocolate bars – a mix of white, milk and bitter sweet chocolate. As this bark was going to a holiday party I kept “on theme” for Christmas by adding red and green M&M’s and sprinkles. And because I am forever #teamsweetandsalty I finished things off with some mini pretzels.

can you switch up the chocolate and toppings?

Heck yeah! The sky is the actual limit with this recipe, and can be endlessly adapted for the season, dietary restrictions and personal preferences. You can use dairy-free chocolate and toppings for a vegan bark. Chocolate is typically gluten free so if you need to go that route, just choose the appropriate toppings. And of course you can use more or less of whichever chocolate bars you like – semisweet chocolate would be a nice addition!

The ONE thing I would strongly suggest is using high quality chocolate. I have never tried this with lesser-quality brands but can’t guarantee that they will melt as evenly/consistently. That said, if you try it and it works please let me know!

And the toppings can include anything and everything – peppermint bark is a classic, but nuts, dried fruit, marshmallows, graham crackers, cereal, even your favorite cookie or candy will all work!

this is a great do-ahead treat!

It just gets better, too – because you can make this marbled chocolate bark in advance and keep it in an airtight container for up to a week at room temperature or in the fridge or freezer for easily a month, till you’re ready to gift or serve.

how do you package marbled chocolate bar bark for gifting?

Because of the sturdy nature of chocolate bark you can get creative with packaging. Cellophane bags, kraft boxes or any kind of pastry box is perfect. You can arrange it on a pretty tray for a gift that lasts after the bark is finished. And if you want to go “extra” you can keep the bark in the pan and tie a chocolate breaking hammer to the pan with a ribbon so the recipients can have at it!

Let me know if you try it!

Note: After hearing from several readers I’ve amended the recipe to include the following tip: at the 5 minute mark pull the tray, still on the rack, out of the oven. Use your knife or skewer to gently pull through the chocolate. If it moves easily it’s ready to come out. If not, pop it back in for another minute. You shouldn’t need more than 7 minutes for all of the chocolate to be sufficiently melty.

Marbled Chocolate Bar Bark

sherisilver

4.64 from 19 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Course Dessert

Equipment

• Sheet pan
• pre-cut parchment sheet

Ingredients

  

• 2 4 ounce white chocolate bars
• 2 4 ounce milk chocolate bars
• 2 4 ounce bittersweet chocolate bars
• mini salted pretzel twists
• M&M's
• Christmas sprinkles

Instructions

 

• Pre-heat the oven to 175 degrees. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Arrange the chocolate bars on your baking sheet in two rows of three, placing them as closely together as possible.
• Bake for 5 minutes. Working carefully, slide the oven rack out and try to swirl the chocolate with a skewer or thin knife. If the chocolate feels fluid you can remove the tray. If not, return to the oven for another minute, and test again. You should need no more than 7 minutes total for all of the chocolate to be sufficiently melted. Use a skewer or thin knife to swirl the chocolate into a marbled design. Immediately top with the pretzels, M&M's and sprinkles. Freeze or refrigerate till set.
• Break the bark into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature, in the fridge or in the freezer.

Keywords bark, candy, chocolate, chocolate bark, gluten free, white chocolate

did you make this recipe?tag @sherisilver on instagram!

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