Nothing gets you in the holiday spirit like a festive, sweet treat!
December has arrived! Have you started your Christmas shopping? How about a homemade holiday gift? Try making this delicious chocolate bark and pass it out to your friends, family, and coworkers. A homemade gift always goes a long way, especially when it tastes as good as this bark does. Just one bite will transport you directly into the holiday baking spirit—without the butter, sugar, and guilty-sweet calories. Tie a few pieces of bark together with a festive bow for gifting or make a "test" batch for yourself to indulge in all season long.
- 1 bag of bittersweet chocolate chips
- ¾ cup raw nuts or seeds (almonds, pecans, pistachios, and/or pepitas)
- ¼ cup dried cranberries, cherries, or other dried fruit (optional)
- ½ tsp. coarsely ground sea salt
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the nuts and seeds on a baking sheet and toast for about 8 minutes, or until their edges turn golden.
2. Pour the chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and microwave for two to three 30-second intervals, stirring after each one. It's easy to overheat the chocolate, so stop microwaving once it has melted about 90% of the way. Stir until fully melted.
3. Cover a large cookie sheet with parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread evenly (about ¼″ thick) with a rubber spatula.
4. Sprinkle the nuts over the chocolate, then the dried fruit and sea salt. Lightly press the toppings into the chocolate.
5. Allow the chocolate bark to cool at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours, or until completely hardened. To expedite cooling, you can also place the baking sheet into the refrigerator for 15 minutes.
6. After the bark has cooled and hardened, break the chocolate with your hands into about 20-25 pieces. Wrap the chocolate up and store for up to a week!