valentine cookie bark is the easiest, prettiest heart day treat you’ll ever make!
It’s February – and it doesn’t get simpler than this charming and delicious valentine cookie bark – you’re gonna love it!
I used to go BIG on Valentine’s Day!
For most of my kids’ childhoods Valentine’s Day was right up there with birthdays and winter holidays. We’re talking gifts, specialty wrapping paper, cards and of course all the heart-themed recipes and sweet treats. I was all in and was so for many years (So. Many. Conversation hearts).
But those early school years are behind me, as is my inclination to pull out all the pans, bowls and equipment. I still want to make festive goodies, but let’s keep it simpler, shall we?
cookie bark is going to be your new best friend!
I’m sure you’ve seen the trending recipe for Oreo cookie bark – basically chopped Oreo cookies mixed with melted white chocolate, spread onto a sheet pan and broken up into bite-sized pieces. And while Oreo bark sounds amazing (I mean, OREOS!), it got me thinking about what it would look like if the bark itself was an actual cookie?
it’s no secret that I love bark!
Bark is the treat that gives so much more than what it requires. You typically need nothing more than a sheet pan, and because you literally break it into pieces to serve, doesn’t require any special skills or technique. I’m a fan, as you can see by my marbled, “ghost“, almond butter and red/white/blue barks that I’ve shared right here.
what ingredients do you need?
It just gets better from here – because you just need a few ingredients to make this treat:
butter
light brown sugar
vanilla
kosher salt
flour
This makes the sheet pan cookie. To decorate, the sky’s the limit! I used a combination of red, white and pink candy melts, which I swirled atop the cookie for a marbelized effect. I then topped it all off with Valentine’s themed chocolate chips and sprinkles. But let your creativity guide you!
how do you make this valentine cookie bark recipe?
Could NOT be easier. The cookie itself is a one-bowl wonder, made by combining melted butter, light brown sugar, vanilla, salt and flour.
Spread into a sheet pan and bake till golden brown. Once it’s cooled, pop it out of the pan and get to work!
I melted the red, white and pink candy melts and created dollops all over the top of the cooled cookie.
I used a thin knife to create a pretty swirled effect.
I then topped it off with red, white and pink chocolate chips and Valentine’s sprinkles. Once it all set I broke it up into pieces! So simple!
Let me know if you make this recipe (even better, send me a picture of what you create!), and be sure to check out the fabulous Valentine’s Day ideas that my talented friends are sharing today!
Valentine Cookie Bark!
Ingredients
- 14 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 1 cup light brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 2 cups flour
- 2 cups white candy melts
- 1 cup pink candy melts
- 1 cup red candy melts
- assorted decorations such as sprinkles, chocolate chips, conversation hearts, sanding sugar
Instructions
- Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees, and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a large microwave safe bowl melt the butter and sugar in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until the butter is almost melted. Whisk till the butter is completely melted and let cool for 5 minutes. Add the vanilla and salt and whisk again. Add the flour and whisk till blended.
- Scrape the batter into your prepared pan and use a small angled spatula to spread completely into the pan.
- Bake till golden brown, rotating the pan every 5 minutes (my batch took about 15 minutes). Place the pan on a wire rack and allow to cool completely.
- Use your angled spatula or a small knife to gently remove the cookie from the pan, and place on a cutting board.
- Melt the white candy melts either in the microwave or in the top half of a double boiler. Repeat with the pink and red candy melts in separate bowls.
- Use a spoon to dollop the white candy melts over the cookie, then do the same with the pink and red melts. Use a small thin knife to swirl the melts together, covering any bare spots as needed.
- Immediately sprinkle your decorations over the top. Allow to set fully, and then using your hands or a large knife, break into bite-sized pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Notes
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16 Comments
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Hi! I'm Sheri!
Welcome to my little corner of the web where you’ll find easy, delicious recipes, the best kitchen hacks and simple tips for turning your home into a clean haven that is free of toxins. So glad you’re here!
Sheri, my mouth is watering! This would be good with my morning cup of coffee don’t you think? 🙂
I just pinned it to keep forever!!!
Thank you Mary Ann! And thank you for including me! I don’t think there’s ever a “wrong” time for a cookie! xoxo
Sheri, I think I might even be able to make this! Summer would LOVE swirling the icing and eating the final product! I am pinning this for future use. This year I will not have time but maybe next!!
Thank you Cindy, and thanks for including me as always! I’m particularly fond of this one because there is such little fuss and always looks good because you can’t mess up swirling and sprinkling! xo
Oh, Sheri … I’ll be right over! Yum! The way you swirled the melted candy … just beautiful. It’s a masterpiece and I can’t stop pining. What a fun, beautiful (and yummy) idea! xo
Thank you lady! Swirling chocolate is as satisfying to do as it is to watch – I recommend it! Let me know if you try it! xo
Sheri love this idea! I may try it this weekend when my post college kids are here.. They still love all this holiday stuff and would have a blast making this. I have to say it looks delicious. I agree love barks! They make baking so much easier..I’m with you, over spending so much time on things!
Always fun doing this with you Sheri! You inspire always.
xo
Kim
I feel just the same about you and this fabulous group! This is a perfect “any age” activity and I promise it will come out looking beautiful (and so delicious too)! xoxo
I forgot to rate your recipe!! I have printed it out and saved it too!
Thank you so much Kim! xo
Sheri!! This has to be the prettiest candy bark I have ever seen! The colors the texture…it’s just amazing!!!
Xx
Aw thank you Annie! xoxoxo
Sheri, this looks delicious! The addition of the homemade cookie is genius!
Thank you Elizabeth – cookies make everything better right? xo
I’m going to adapt this for Christmas, but Sheri, could you please specify the sheet pan dimensions? Your link goes to a half sheet (~13 x 18), vs a full sheet. I only want a half sheet’s worth, so trying to figure out if I should halve the recipe. Thank you!
Hi! Yay! That sounds so fun! The half sheet (what I linked to) is what you want. That’s the typical size sheet pan that most people have – about 12 x 17, give or take. So the recipe is designed for just that size!