Oh My Chocolate Bark Food

EASY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• If you have time, toast the nuts/seeds: Preheat the oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Toast the nuts/seeds on a rimmed baking sheet until fragrant and turning lightly golden on the edges, about 6 to 9 minutes. Transfer the nuts to a cutting board and roughly chop them.
• In the meantime, melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each one. Don't overdo it. The chocolate is done when it's about 90% melted-keep stirring off the heat and the pieces should completely dissolve. (Alternately, you can use melt it in a heat-proof bowl set over a saucepan of gently simmering water.)
• Cover a large, rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Use a silicone or rubber spatula to spread chocolate evenly over the center area of the baking sheet-aim for about 1/4″ thickness (it won't reach the edges).
• Sprinkle the nuts evenly over the chocolate, followed by the dried fruit. If you're adding flaky salt, crush it between your fingers as you sprinkle it over the chocolate. Lightly use your palms to press the toppings into the chocolate.
• If you're in a hurry, place the pan on a flat surface in the refrigerator to harden for about 15 minutes. If you're not, let the chocolate cool at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours, until completely hardened.
• Once the chocolate is completely hardened, use your hands to break it into about 25 pieces. Serve immediately, or cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week.

FRENCH CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt the 2 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 facedown 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.

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.

EASY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate in short bursts in the microwave, stirring every 20 secs, until smooth. Spoon onto a parchment-lined baking tray and smooth over with a spatula to make a thinnish layer, around 35 x 20cm.
• Sprinkle over the chocolate chips along with the pieces of pretzel and honeycomb, then chill until solid. For neat slices, remove the bark from the fridge and leave for a minute to come to room temperature. Use a sharp knife to cut it into shards (if it's fridge cold, the chocolate will snap rather than cut).

BAKER'S CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY BARK

Steps:

• Microwave chocolates in separate medium microwaveable bowls as directed on packages. Stir half each of the nuts, cranberries and apricots into chocolate in each bowl.
• Drop spoonfuls of chocolate mixtures alternately onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet; swirl gently with knife.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

OH MY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Melt chocolates in separate microwavable containers according to directions on bags.
• Mix almonds, caramel, and semi-sweet chocolate then place randomly in blobs on a cookie sheet with wax paper on it.
• Mix ginger, cardamom, toffee and orange zest with white chocolate.
• Then place in random spots among the chocolate.
• Swirl the two together to make streaks.
• Place another piece of wax paper on top. Then another cookie sheet to slightly flatten smooth. 2009 I used sil pads below and above the melted bark. It`s 20 degrees outdoors with 12 inches of snow expected so out goes the tray of bark to harden. ;).
• Chill till hard and break into pieces.