White Chocolate Bark Food

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.

WHITE CHOCOLATE HOLIDAY BARK

Steps:

• Tempering the chocolate for the bark requires a double boiler. If you don't have a double boiler, improvise one by using a saucepan and a stainless steel bowl: Nestle the bowl into the saucepan, allowing a few inches of space to remain between the bottom of the bowl and the bottom of the saucepan. Keep an extra bowl of a similar size on hand to transfer the chocolate for cooling. Rest the chocolate thermometer on a towel. Line a baking sheet with foil.
• Pour a couple inches of water into the bottom half of the double boiler and heat over medium-low to just below a simmer. Put the chocolate in the top half of the double boiler and set over the hot water. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring with a heat-resistant rubber spatula. As the chocolate melts, check the temperature periodically to make sure it stays between 82 and 86 degrees F. If it starts to rise above this temperature, quickly transfer the chocolate to the bowl on reserve and stir briskly to reduce heat. Return bowl to double boiler to maintain heat between 82 and 86 degrees F.
• Remove bowl from over the hot water just before all the chocolate melts. Stir vigorously until the chocolate melts completely. Check temperature again. Stir in the oil until evenly blended. Chocolate is now tempered and ready to use. Keep within the 82 to 86 degree F range, returning bowl briefly to the double boiler if necessary.
• Quickly stir the fruit and nuts into the chocolate. Spread chocolate mixture out on the prepared baking sheet so it's about 1/2-inch thick and the fruit and nuts are coated. Set bark aside at room temperature to harden. Break into angled pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.

WHITE CHOCOLATE UNICORN BARK

Steps:

• Measure all your ingredients into separate bowls. Heat the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-sec bursts until melted, stirring each time. Or put it in a heatproof bowl set over (but not touching) a pan of simmering water (an adult should help with this bit). Stir frequently until the chocolate has melted smoothly.
• Pour the melted chocolate into four or five small bowls. Use the food colouring to dye the chocolate in the colours you like best. Food colouring can be very strong, so start by adding a tiny amount, mixing well, then add more if you like.
• Line a large tray or board with baking parchment and spoon the different coloured chocolates onto the parchment in puddles, in any order you like. The different colours should start to join up and become one big puddle.
• Use a skewer or a cocktail stick to swirl the colours together, but don't swirl too much, otherwise the colours will blend into one. Gently shake the tray from side to side to help the chocolate sit in an even layer and fill in any gaps.
• Decorate with your sprinkles, sweets and marshmallows. Leave the chocolate to set in a cool place, or overnight, until set hard. Then break it into pieces and place in gift boxes lined with baking parchment. Will keep in the fridge for up to a week.

WHITE CHOCOLATE COCONUT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with parchment; set aside. , In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt baking chips until 2/3 chips are melted. Remove from heat; stir until smooth. Stir in 1/4 cup each nuts, coconut and ginger. Spread into prepared pan; top with remaining ingredients (pan will not be full). Refrigerate until firm, 15-20 minutes. Break or cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

WHITE CANDY BARK

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. baking pan with foil. Brush with butter. Microwave white chips on high until melted; stir until smooth. Stir in walnuts, cranberries and nutmeg. Spread into prepared pan. Chill until firm. Break into pieces.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil.
• Break up the white chocolate into small pieces and melt in either a double boiler set over simmering water, or in the microwave according to the package directions.
• Do not let the chocolate burn!
• Remove from heat and stir in the 1/3 cup of crushed candy canes.
• Immediately pour this mixture into the prepared pan and spread spoon with a rubber spatula, leaving a 1/2" border around the edge of the pan.
• Don't worry if it doesn't look perfectly shaped, but try to get it as evenly flattened as possible.
• Melt semisweet chocolate pieces.
• Drizzle the melted semisweet chocolate all over the surface of the white chocolate.
• Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of crushed candy canes.
• Set in the fridge until it firms up- this only takes a short time (about 15 minutes or so).
• Cut or break the bark into serving pieces.
• Jagged edges are ok.
• These will look nice wrapped in plastic tin and tied with pink& white curling ribbon to give as holiday treats.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH PISTACHIOS AND DRIED CRANBERRIES

Steps:

• Place the white chocolate in a microwave-proof glass bowl, uncovered, & melt it in that appliance on 50% power, starting with 1 minute, then stirring & adding 20- to 30-second increments until completely melted. BE SURE TO WATCH IT CAREFULLY ~ Once it is totally melted, proceed.
• Add nuts & berries, stirring to combine, then spread this mixture to the thickness desired on a parchment-lined baking tray.
• Refrigerate 5 to 10 minutes, then remove the tray & let it set in a cool place.
• When completely cooled, cut or break into pieces & store in an airtight container.

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.