Apricot Chai Almond Bark Food

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.

ALMOND APRICOT TART

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• To make the frangipane, place the almonds and the sugar in a food processor and grind until sandy. Add the butter and continue mixing then add the egg, vanilla, and the flour and mix until smooth.
• To make the tart, on a floured work surface pass your rolling pin over the pastry just to flatten any ridges.
• Place it on a parchment paper lined sheet pan and cut out a 9-inch disk. Spread the almond frangipane in the center of the tart leaving a 1-inch border. Firmly place the apricot halves into the frangipane spacing them evenly around the tart. Dot the spaces between the apricots with the whole almonds.
• Bake until golden brown on the top and puffy, about 30 to 40 minutes. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and serve.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

FRUIT AND NUT BARK (APRICOTS, ALMONDS, CRANBERRIES & GINGER)

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in a large double-boiler over just simmering water until barely melted. You want to avoid needing to re-temper the chocolate.
• Stir in the fruits and nuts. Pour out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Let cool completely. Break into pieces and serve.

ALMOND BARK COOKIES

Steps:

• Melt the almond bark following the direction on the package. I do mine in the microwave for 1 minute, stir, then 30 sec., stir, repeat until melted.
• Add the peanut butter and stir until well blended.
• Add the remaining ingredients and mix until all ingredients are coated.
• Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper and let cool.

APRICOT ALMOND BARS

Steps:

• Mix together melted butter, sugar, flour and vanilla and pour into 13x9 pan. Bake at 350 for about 25 minutes.
• Cool completely. Spread with apricot preserves.
• Beat egg whites and almond ext. Add powdered sugar and beat just to mix well. Pour evenly over preserves and sprinkle with blanched almonds.
• Bake at 400 for 15-20 mins or until golden. Cool completely before cutting into small squares.