Salted Cashew Chocolate Bark Food

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.

SALTED CASHEW CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Stir 1/2 cup nuts into each kind of chocolate.
• Drop spoonfuls of chocolate mixtures onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet, alternating colors of chocolates. Swirl with knife. Sprinkle with salt.
• Refrigerate 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.

SALTED CARAMEL-CASHEW BARS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F and line an 8-inch baking dish with foil. Whisk together flour, powdered sugar, and salt in a medium bowl. Cut butter into 1/2-inch pieces; sprinkle over flour mixture and use a pastry cutter to cut in evenly until mixture resembles coarse meal. Add dough to prepared baking dish; use a piece of parchment to press dough into an even layer. Bake for 23 minutes, until crust is lightly golden. Cool on wire rack.
• Place butter and brown sugar in a heavy saucepan. Melt over medium heat, stirring constantly with a rubber spatula, until boiling. Once mixture boils, reduce temperature to medium-low and let bubble for 3 more minutes, stirring constantly. Remove from heat; carefully add salt and vanilla (mixture will bubble up). Quickly pour caramel over shortbread layer and spread with an offset spatula. Top with cashews, pressingly gently to adhere; sprinkle with sea salt. Chill in the refrigerator until completely set, about 1 hour.
• Carefully lift foil and place bars on a cutting board; use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Store leftover squares in an airtight container at room temperature.

SALTED CHOCOLATE-SUNFLOWER BUTTER BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Place chocolate in the top of a double boiler over simmering water. Stir constantly, scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, until chocolate is melted, about 5 minutes.
• Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread out with a spatula.
• Drop several dollops of sunflower seed butter across the chocolate. Use a butter knife to cut and swirl the sunflower seed butter into the melted chocolate. Drop pretzel sticks onto the swirled mixture and press slightly into the chocolate. Sprinkle sea salt across the top.
• Freeze for at least 1 hour. Break bark apart and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

SALTED CASHEW & CARAMEL CHEWS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, cream butter and brown sugar until light and fluffy, 5-7 minutes. Gradually beat in eggs, caramel topping and vanilla. In another bowl, whisk flour, baking soda and salt; gradually beat into creamed mixture. Stir in 1-1/3 cups chocolate chips and 3/4 cup cashews., Drop dough by rounded tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake until edges are firm, 10-12 minutes. Cool on pans 5 minutes. Remove to wire racks to cool completely., In a microwave, melt remaining chocolate chips; stir until smooth. Drizzle over cookies; sprinkle with remaining cashews. Let stand until set.

SALTED HONEY AND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350°F. Using your hands, coarsely crumble crackers onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Toast in oven until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Transfer baking sheet to a wire rack and let crackers cool.
• Meanwhile, heat sugar, honey, and butter in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until butter is melted. Fit saucepan with thermometer and cook, whisking frequently, until thermometer registers 300°F, 8-10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in baking soda (mixture will bubble vigorously). Quickly pour mixture over crackers, spreading to coat evenly. Let cool completely.
• Drizzle chocolate over cooled crackers; immediately top with cherries, coffee beans, hazelnuts, and cacao nibs and sprinkle with salt. Chill until chocolate is hardened, at least 10 minutes. Break bark into pieces.
• MAKE AHEAD: Bark can be made 3 days ahead. Wrap tightly and keep chilled.

MARBLED CASHEW BARK (SUPER EASY!)

Steps:

• Microwave chocolates in separate bowls for 1 minute or until almost melted, stirring halfway through heating time. Stir until completely melted. Stir 1/2 cup of the cashews into each bowl.
• Note: Microwaves are so different, so be careful when melting chocolates!
• Alternately spoon melted chocolates onto wax-paper lined cookie sheet. Swirl chocolates together with knife to create marble swirls.
• Cool in refrigerator for 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces.