Basic Bark and Bark Variations

By melanieroe

Active: 15 min.
Total: 1 hour 15 min.
Makes: One 9-by-12 1/2-in sheet

Ingredients

• Basic Bark:
• Vegetable oil cooking spray
• Bittersweet, milk, or white chocolate, chopped (variations follow)
• Toppings
• Movie Theater Bark:
• 1 lb bittersweet chocolate
• 3/4 cup mini pretzels
• 1/2 cup salted shelled peanuts
• 1/3 cup raisins
• S'mores Bark:
• 1 lb milk chocolate
• 1 cup coarsely chopped graham crackers (about 3 sheets)
• 1 cup mini marshmallows
• Peppermint Bark:
• 1 lb milk chocolate
• 32 peppermint ball candies (about 4 oz), halved

Preparation

Step 1

Basic Bark:
1. Coat a 9-by-12 1/2-in rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray, and line with parchment, leaving an overhang on ends.
2. Melt chocolate in a double-boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water, stirring. Pour into baking sheet, and spread in an even layer.
3. Immediately sprinkle toppings over chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, about 1 hour. Peel off parchment, and break into pieces.

Bark Bars:
Coat 6 small loaf pans (2 1/2-by-5 in) with cooking spray, and line with parchment, leaving an overhang on long sides. Divide melted chocolate among pans (3 tablespoons each). Sprinkle toppings over chocolate, dividing evenly among pans. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour.