Chocolate Birch Bark Food

CHOCOLATE BIRCH BARK

Steps:

• Melt milk chocolate in a heat-proof bowl set over a pot of simmering water, or in a microwave. Just before all is melted, remove from heat; stir with a spatula until completely melted. Repeat with white chocolate.
• Cut a 12-by-9-inch sheet of parchment; place on a baking sheet. Transfer 2 tablespoons milk chocolate to a piping bag fitted with a small round tip (such as Ateco #3; you can also use a tiny paintbrush). Pipe or brush small dots and dashes and "knots" sparsely across surface of parchment. Refrigerate 5 minutes.
• Pour white chocolate over pat- tern, spreading to edges of parchment. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Spread milk chocolate over white chocolate with a spatula. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes. Break into pieces; refrigerate until ready to serve.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BIRCH BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Spread almonds in an even layer on a baking sheet. Bake until fragrant and golden brown, about 8 minutes. Let stand until cool, then coarsely chop; set aside. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Temper white chocolate. Pour tempered white chocolate onto prepared baking sheet. Spread into a thin, even layer, covering the parchment. Slowly roll a wood-graining tool over entire surface of white chocolate, parallel to the long side of the baking sheet. Let stand until set.
• Temper semisweet chocolate. Stir almonds into tempered semisweet chocolate. Pour semisweet chocolate over white chocolate. Spread in an even layer, completely covering white chocolate. Let stand until set. Peel off parchment paper. Break into pieces. Store at room temperature in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

DARK CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt the two chocolates in a heatproof bowl set over a pan of simmering water.
• Meanwhile, line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Using a ruler and a pencil, draw a 9-by-10-inch rectangle on the paper. Turn the paper face-down on the baking sheet.
• Pour the melted chocolate over the paper and spread to form a rectangle, using the outline. Sprinkle the cashews, apricots and cranberries over the chocolate. Set aside for 2 hours until firm. Cut the bark in 1-by-3-inch pieces and serve at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Using a pencil, draw an 8-by-10-inch rectangle on a piece of parchment paper. Turn the parchment paper over so the pencil mark doesn't get onto the chocolate and place it on a sheet pan.
• Place the pistachios in one layer on another sheet pan and bake for 8 minutes. Set aside to cool.
• Place three quarters of the white chocolate in a heat-proof glass bowl and put it in the microwave on high for 30 seconds. (Time it with your watch for accuracy.) Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula, return it to the microwave for another 30 seconds, then stir again. Continue to heat and stir in 30-second intervals until the chocolate is just melted. Immediately stir in the remaining chocolate and allow it to sit at room temperature, stirring often, until it's completely smooth. (If you need to heat it a little more, place it in the microwave for another 15 seconds.)
• Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper and spread it lightly to fill the drawn rectangle. Sprinkle the top evenly with the cooled pistachios, the cranberries, and apricots. Press the nuts and fruit lightly so they will set in the chocolate. Set aside for at least 2 hours until firm or refrigerate for 20 minutes. Cut or break the bark in 16 pieces and serve at room temperature.

CHOCOLATE BUTTER-CRUNCH BARK

Steps:

• Line cookie sheet with waxed paper. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on High about 2 minutes, stirring once, until melted and chips can be stirred smooth. Stir in peanuts and peanut butter.
• On cookie sheet, spread chocolate mixture to 1/4-inch thickness. Sprinkle chopped candy bars over top; press in lightly. Refrigerate 30 minutes. Break into 2-inch pieces.

CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARK RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
• Place crackers on a greased, parchment paper-lined baking sheet so that the entire surface is covered.
• In a saucepan, melt butter on low heat. Once melted, add brown sugar and turn heat to medium. Continue stirring until boiling, then boil for 3 minutes.
• Pour the caramel over the crackers, spreading evenly with a spatula.
• Bake for 5 minutes.
• Pour the chocolate chips over the crackers and cover with tin foil for 3 minutes.
• Remove the foil and spread the softened chocolate over the top evenly.
• Sprinkle with pecans, cover with foil, and freeze for 1 hour.
• Break the bark up into pieces.
• Enjoy!

OREO™ COOKIE BARK

Steps:

• Line a 10x15 inch jellyroll pan with waxed paper. Coat paper with non-stick vegetable spray and set aside.
• In a large mixing bowl, break half of the cookies into coarse pieces with fingers or the back of a wooden spoon.
• In a microwave safe glass or ceramic mixing bowl, melt one package of the white chocolate according to package directions. Remove from microwave and quickly fold in broken cookie pieces. Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread to cover half the pan.
• Repeat process with remaining chocolate and cookies, spreading mixture into the other half of pan. Refrigerate until solid, about 1 hour.
• Remove bark from the pan and carefully peel off waxed paper. Place bark on a large cutting board and cut with a large chef's knife. Store in airtight container.

BIRCH PRETZEL LOGS

Steps:

• In a microwave, melt candy coating; stir until smooth. Pour into an ungreased 8-in. square pan or a tall glass. Roll or dip pretzels in coating, leaving 1 in. of space on the end you are holding; allow excess to drip off. Place on waxed paper-lined baking sheets; let stand until set. , In a microwave, melt chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Pour into a small resealable plastic bag. Carefully cut a very small hole in the bottom corner of the bag. Pipe stripe markings across the pretzel rods to resemble birch trees. Allow to set. Store in an airtight container.