Apricot Almond Chocolate Bark Food

CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Butter a baking sheet or use a silicone baking mat (preferred).
• Bring about 1 inch of water to a simmer in a medium saucepan with a bowl fitted to sit just above the simmering water. Add the chocolate. When the chocolate is melted, remove the bowl from the heat and stir in the almonds. Spread on the baking sheet in a thin uniform layer. Let set for 5 minutes, then sprinkle with the salt. Chill in the refrigerator until firm, at least 2 hours.
• Break the bark into 1- to 2-inch pieces. 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.

THE BEST WHITE CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Roast almonds on 1 baking sheet in the preheated oven, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 10 minutes.
• Microwave white chocolate melting wafers and butter in a microwave-safe bowl on medium-high for 1 minute 30 seconds; stir. Microwave until completely melted, 20 to 30 seconds more. Add almond extract and stir until smooth. Stir in toasted almonds.
• Spread chocolate mixture evenly onto the second baking sheet. Chill in the refrigerator until hardened, about 1 hour. Break into small pieces by hand.

APRICOT, GOLDEN RAISIN AND SMOKED ALMOND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-9-inch baking sheet with parchment paper, coating the bottom and up the sides (this makes it super easy to remove your bark when it sets).
• Add two-thirds of the chocolate to a large metal bowl set over a pot with simmering (not boiling water). Stir gently to melt. When the chocolate is completely melted, sprinkle in the remaining chocolate and whisk to melt (adding the chocolate in stages helps the chocolate stay in temper and keep its shiny luster).
• Pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan and use an offset spatula to smooth the top. Sprinkle on the raisins, apricots and almonds, pressing a few pieces in just slightly to adhere. Sprinkle the orange zest lightly over the top (taking care not to let it clump all in one area) and top with flaky salt. Set aside at room temperature until completely set, about 4 hours (yes, you can speed this up in the fridge, but the cold can throw the chocolate out of temper and lesson your shiny, snappy results).
• Cut or break into 8 to 10 bars and serve. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

APRICOT ALMOND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Line a 13"x9" rimmed baking sheet with a smooth sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil.
• In large bowl, melt chocolate carefully.
• Add 1 cup chopped almonds to chocolate, & stir to combine.
• Pour chocolate mixture onto prepared baking sheet, & spread with spatula or spoon until there is an even, thin layer.
• While chocolate is still wet, sprinkle remaining almonds & all the apricots over top of chocolate, pressing down gently to embed them in the chocolate.
• Place in refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes.
• Once set, break bark into uneven pieces & serve.
• If chocolate has not been tempered, keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

SWIRLED ALMOND-APRICOT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with foil, shiny-side up; smooth out the creases. Make sure all your tools are dry.
• Chop the bittersweet and white chocolate into 1/2-inch pieces with a large knife. Place all but 1/2 cup of the bittersweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 15 seconds, then stir with a rubber spatula. Continue microwaving and stirring at 15-second intervals until melted, about 3 minutes total. Immediately add the reserved chopped bittersweet chocolate to the bowl; stir vigorously until melted and shiny. Repeat with the white chocolate in a separate bowl. Don't worry if there are a few small unmelted pieces.
• Pour the 2 chocolates side by side onto the prepared baking sheet; use the rubber spatula to swirl them together and spread into a 10-to-12-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Press the almonds and apricots into the chocolate, arranging them so each bite has a mix of flavors and textures. Sprinkle with fennel seeds. Let the bark harden completely at room temperature, about 1 hour. (If the room is warm, you may need to freeze the bark for a few minutes.) Break into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks.

TOASTED ALMOND & CHERRY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine the almonds and cherries; set aside.
• Melt the semisweet chocolate over low heat in a 2 quart saucepan, stirring constantly. In a 1 quart saucepan, melt the white chocolate over low heat, stirring constantly. Remove both saucepans from the heat.
• Stir half of the almond mixture into the semisweet chocolate. On a large cookie sheet, spread semisweet chocolate mixture to about 1/4" thickness. Drop the white chocolate by tablespoons onto the semisweet chocolate mixture. With the tip of your knife, swirl chocolates together for a marbles look. Sprinkle with the remaining almond mixture.
• Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Break the bark into pieces. Store in the fridge for up to 1 month (believe me, it won't last that long!).

ALMOND, APRICOT AND WHITE CHOCOLATE DECADENCE BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie base ingredients until soft dough forms. Spread dough in bottom of ungreased 13x9-inch pan. Bake 10 to 15 minutes or until set. Cool 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in large bowl, beat almond paste and sugar with electric mixer on low speed until crumbly but blended. Add apricots; beat on low speed just until combined. Add cream cheese, 2 eggs and the lemon juice; beat on medium speed until well blended. Pour over warm cookie base.
• Bake 20 to 25 minutes or until set. Cool 30 minutes.
• Place baking chips in small bowl. In 1-quart saucepan, heat whipping cream just to boiling over low heat, stirring occasionally; pour over baking chips. Let stand 1 minute. Stir until chips are melted and mixture is smooth. Pour and spread over filling. Sprinkle with almonds. Refrigerate about 2 hours or until set. For bars, cut into 9 rows by 4 rows. Store covered in refrigerator.

CHOCOLATE ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Finely chop your chocolate so that it melts evenly and quickly.
• Add your chocolate to a double broiler until the chocolate is warm and melty. You don't want to get the chocolate too warm and it is not necessary for this recipe.
• Once the chocolate is melted, mix in your almonds.
• Stir well to ensure the almonds are completely coated.
• Once well coated place the chocolate mixture to a baking sheet covered with wax paper.
• Spread the mixture out evenly to cool.
• It takes about two hours or so to completely cool enough to break the bark.

APRICOT-CHAI ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Sprinkle almonds in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown. Cool 10 minutes. In food processor, process almonds until finely chopped; set aside.
• Line 15x10x1-inch pan with waxed paper. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 12 oz of the candy coating on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Quickly stir in 1/3 cup of the chopped almonds. Spread evenly in pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until set.
• In small bowl, mix apricot nectar, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, vanilla and lemon peel; set aside. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 12 oz candy coating on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Quickly stir in apricot nectar mixture and dried apricots.
• Pour and spread over chilled bark. Sprinkle with remaining chopped almonds. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Break into 2-inch pieces.

CRANBERRY-ALMOND-APRICOT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a sheet of waxed paper.
• Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir frequently, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Combine cranberries, almonds, and apricots in a bowl. Add to melted chocolate and mix until well combined.
• Spread chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet to a thickness of about 1/4 inch. Place baking sheet in the refrigerator until chocolate has completely hardened, about 1 hour. Break into pieces.

ALMOND JOY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt chocolate over very low heat.
• Pour chocolate into a parchment lined 8x8 inch baking dish.
• Scatter almonds and 3 tablespoons of coconut over chocolate.
• Using a spatula spread the mixture evenly back and forth to ½ inch thickness.
• Sprinkle remaining tablespoon of coconut on top of mixture.
• Place bark in fridge for 2 hours to set.
• Break into square bars.
• Serve.

ALMOND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt the semisweet chocolate over low heat in a 2-quart saucepan, stirring constantly.
• Remove both saucepans from the heat.
• Stir in the almonds.
• On a large cookie sheet, spread semisweet chocolate mixture to about 1/4-inch thickness. Refrigerate at least 1 hour or until firm. Break the bark into pieces.
• Store in the fridge for up to 1 month.