Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (2024)

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Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (1)Grace MannonUpdated: Feb. 19, 2024

    Christmas bark is the perfect holiday treat—easy to make and endlessly versatile. Take a look at our best bark recipe ideas that feature all sorts of fun flavors.

    1/24

    Oreos and Candy Cane Chocolate Bark

    There are incredible surprises in this festive bark, including dark chocolate, candy canes and cream-filled cookies. We keep a big supply ready for gift-giving. —Robin Turner, Lake Elsinore, California

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    2/24

    Molly Allen for Taste of Home

    How to Make Williams Sonoma Copycat Peppermint Bark

    A huge fan of Williams Sonoma peppermint bark? Learn how to make this coveted holiday treat at home with just four ingredients.

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    3/24

    Buddy the Elf Bark

    Drawing inspiration from one of our favorite holiday movies, this Buddy the Elf dessert incorporates ramen noodles with chocolate, candy and everyone's favorite—marshmallows. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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    4/24

    Matcha Bark

    How could you not love the brilliant green color of this matcha bark? The flavor is a little earthy and it pairs well with lemon. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

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    5/24

    Taste of Home

    Chocolate Pomegranate Candies

    This recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York

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    6/24

    Homemade Almond Roca

    My easy almond roca recipe is an old favorite that we keep in steady use from mid-November until the New Year. Homemade gifts are still a Christmas tradition at our house.

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    7/24

    Malted Milk Bark

    An old-time candy gets a fresh makeover. This is one of our favorite malted milk ball dessert recipes. The malted milk powder adds such a unique flavor to this bark so don’t be tempted to skip it. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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    8/24

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    10/24

    Chocolate Bacon Bark

    Sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth—bacon and chocolate is a match made in heaven in this chocolate bacon bark. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Culinary Editor

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    11/24

    Coffee Bean Bark

    Chopped coffee beans add a yummy crunch to this pretty two-toned bark. Coffee lovers won’t be able to resist pieces of the chocolaty candy treat. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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    12/24

    Lime-in-the-Coconut Almond Bark

    I love the combination of flavors in this tropical treat, and it takes mere minutes to make. If you need something for a school or church bake sale, this will get you out of the kitchen in a flash. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois

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    13/24

    Taste of Home

    Pistachio Cranberry Bark

    I picked up this bark recipe at a Christmas sweets swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I think it's just divine. Even my dad, who's not big on candy, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California

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    14/24

    Spicy Chocolate Seed Bark

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    15/24

    Taste of Home

    White Candy Bark

    This speedy candy recipe can be varied depending on the type of fruit or nuts you have on hand. Since we have a walnut tree, I use walnuts, but pecans could also be substituted, as well as dried cherries in place of the cranberries. —Marcia Snyder, Grand Junction, Colorado

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    16/24

    Coconut-Almond Cookie Bark

    As kids, my friends and I sandwiched Almond Joys between cookies. For our high school reunion, I re-created the idea with a tasty baked version that breaks apart like chocolate bark.—Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

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    17/24

    18/24

    Saltine Toffee Bark

    Everyone loves these salty-sweet treasures—their flavor is simply irresistible. The bark is like brittle, but better. Get ready for a new family favorite! —Laura Cox, Brewster, Massachusetts

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    19/24

    Taste of Home

    Cranberry Butter Crunch Bark

    One Christmas I dreamed this recipe up when making butter crunch toffee. It is an addictive treat that disappears fast.—Heather Ferris, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

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    20/24

    21/24

    Taste of Home

    Tiger Butter Bark Candy

    Fans of tiger butter fudge will revel in this version that's very similar to bark candy. The chocolate swirls are pleasing to the eye, and the creamy peanut flavor is a treat for the taste buds.—Philip Jones, Lubbock, Texas

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    22/24

    Pecan Cherry Bark

    I just love to make chocolates at Christmastime. This popular candy combines pecans, chocolate and cherries. It’s crunchy, sweet and just plain yummy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana

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    23/24

    Lemon Bark

    I wasn’t a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It’s tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah

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    24/24

    Nut Fruit Bark

    Here's a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you're a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas fa*glon, Somerset, New Jersey

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    Originally Published: October 29, 2021

    Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (21)

    Grace Mannon

    Grace learned a ton about the nitty-gritty of food and nutrition while earning her master’s degree in food science. She worked for a well-known baby food company and a company responsible for many favorite snack foods before transitioning to being a stay-at-home mom. She loves writing about complicated food science concepts in an understandable way and as a Taste of Home contributor, Grace covers a little bit of everything, from vintage recipes to must-have holiday foods and treats.

    Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (2024)

    FAQs

    Does Christmas bark need to be refrigerated? ›

    Storage: Store Christmas bark in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

    How long can chocolate bark last? ›

    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 to make chocolate bark that doesn't melt? ›

    To keep your chocolate bark from melting, a proper tempering process is necessary. Tempering is a process where the chocolate is brought to certain temperatures, which essentially optimizes the form of the cocoa butter fat crystals and keeps it stable.

    Why is my chocolate bark not hardening? ›

    That's because your chocolate wasn't tempered. Tempered chocolate sets at room temperature and has a snap just like a chocolate bar you buy from the store.

    How long does bark last in the fridge? ›

    Store your bark in a airtight container in your fridge. It will stay good for weeks.

    What brand of chocolate is best for bark? ›

    Use quality chocolate.

    For bark-making, use the best chocolate within your budget, either in bars or discs meant for melting and baking. Valrhona, Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Guittard, and Ghirardelli are all good options.

    How to gift Christmas bark? ›

    Package in a pretty bag or box and send one out to the bus driver, postal worker, neighbors or teachers…anyone you want to make smile. I've topped mine with a fruitcake-inspired mix (pistachios + dried cherries+dried cranberries+dried apricots+golden raisins+chopped macadamia nuts+pepitas+a sprinkle of flake salt).

    Why did my chocolate bark turn white? ›

    The white appearance is due to a process known as 'blooming' – either 'fat bloom'. This occurs when the cocoa butter in the chocolate separates and rises to the surface due to temperature fluctuations, or 'sugar bloom', which happens when the sugar in the chocolate absorbs moisture and then crystallises on the surface.

    How to store homemade bark? ›

    The bark is still salvageable, though. Simply store in an airtight container in the refrigerator until ready to serve.

    How do you wrap chocolate bark? ›

    Let the kids decorate, using small pretzels to make antlers, smarties for noses and mini marshmallows for snowmen. To give them as a gift, break up the bark into shards and wrap in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon.

    How do you cut chocolate bark without cracking it? ›

    To achieve clean and neat cuts on chocolate bark, it is important to use a sharp knife. Dip the knife in hot water and wipe it dry before making each cut. This helps to warm the blade slightly, preventing the chocolate from cracking as you cut through it.

    What can I add to chocolate to make it harden? ›

    Coconut oil is the secret to achieving a super-shiny chocolate coating. It brings a little extra luster to melted chocolate, which, on its own, can become matte when dry. Not only does coconut oil make your chocolate coating shine, but it also helps the chocolate harden.

    How long does it take bark to harden? ›

    Let the chocolate bark harden at room temperature which will take 2-4 hours. If you live in a hot climate or you are in a hurry, place the tray on a flat surface in the refrigerator (or even in the freezer) to harden for about 15 minutes; Once completely hardened use your hands to break the bark into pieces.

    How do you store holiday bark? ›

    How To Store Peppermint Bark. Peppermint bark will keep for weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. This makes it a great gift idea around the holidays—make a big batch at the beginning of December and grab what you need for easy gifts for teachers, neighbors, and friends.

    How do you store candy bark? ›

    Homemade chocolate bark will last in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks. I recommend storing it in the fridge to ensure that the chocolate doesn't melt!

    Should you refrigerate almond bark? ›

    Store in a cool, dry place, stacked between layers of foil or parchment in an airtight container. The bark will keep, tightly sealed in your pantry, for up to a week.

    Do bark thins go bad? ›

    What's the shelf life of barkTHINS? If they remain sealed, barkTHINS will stay fresh for 12 months from the time they're produced. For your convenience, the 'best by' date can be found on the back of the bag.

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