Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (2024)

Home Recipes Candy Barks

ByGrace Mannon

Taste of Home's Editorial Process

Updated: Feb. 19, 2024

Christmas bark is the perfect holiday treat—easy to make and endlessly versatile. Take a look at our best bark recipe ideas that feature all sorts of fun flavors.

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Oreos and Candy Cane Chocolate Bark

There are incredible surprises in this festive bark, including dark chocolate, candy canes and cream-filled cookies. We keep a big supply ready for gift-giving. —Robin Turner, Lake Elsinore, California

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2/24

Molly Allen for Taste of Home

How to Make Williams Sonoma Copycat Peppermint Bark

A huge fan of Williams Sonoma peppermint bark? Learn how to make this coveted holiday treat at home with just four ingredients.

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3/24

Buddy the Elf Bark

Drawing inspiration from one of our favorite holiday movies, this Buddy the Elf dessert incorporates ramen noodles with chocolate, candy and everyone's favorite—marshmallows. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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4/24

Matcha Bark

How could you not love the brilliant green color of this matcha bark? The flavor is a little earthy and it pairs well with lemon. —James Schend, Dairy Freed

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5/24

Taste of Home

Chocolate Pomegranate Candies

This recipe pairs white and dark chocolate with whole, natural ingredients for an unbelievably delicious treat! These candies are perfect to give as a gift for Christmas. —Kelly Zdrowak, Orchard Park, New York

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Homemade Almond Roca

My easy almond roca recipe is an old favorite that we keep in steady use from mid-November until the New Year. Homemade gifts are still a Christmas tradition at our house.

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7/24

Malted Milk Bark

An old-time candy gets a fresh makeover. This is one of our favorite malted milk ball dessert recipes. The malted milk powder adds such a unique flavor to this bark so don’t be tempted to skip it. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Editor

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8/24

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10/24

Chocolate Bacon Bark

Sweet, salty, crunchy, smooth—bacon and chocolate is a match made in heaven in this chocolate bacon bark. —James Schend, Taste of Home Deputy Culinary Editor

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11/24

Coffee Bean Bark

Chopped coffee beans add a yummy crunch to this pretty two-toned bark. Coffee lovers won’t be able to resist pieces of the chocolaty candy treat. —Anne Addesso, Sheboygan, Wisconsin

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12/24

Lime-in-the-Coconut Almond Bark

I love the combination of flavors in this tropical treat, and it takes mere minutes to make. If you need something for a school or church bake sale, this will get you out of the kitchen in a flash. —Julie Beckwith, Crete, Illinois

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13/24

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Pistachio Cranberry Bark

I picked up this bark recipe at a Christmas sweets swap hosted by a woman in my Bible study group. My family, friends and I think it's just divine. Even my dad, who's not big on candy, loves it. —Susan Wacek, Pleasanton, California

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Spicy Chocolate Seed Bark

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15/24

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White Candy Bark

This speedy candy recipe can be varied depending on the type of fruit or nuts you have on hand. Since we have a walnut tree, I use walnuts, but pecans could also be substituted, as well as dried cherries in place of the cranberries. —Marcia Snyder, Grand Junction, Colorado

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16/24

Coconut-Almond Cookie Bark

As kids, my friends and I sandwiched Almond Joys between cookies. For our high school reunion, I re-created the idea with a tasty baked version that breaks apart like chocolate bark.—Faith Cromwell, San Francisco, California

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17/24

18/24

Saltine Toffee Bark

Everyone loves these salty-sweet treasures—their flavor is simply irresistible. The bark is like brittle, but better. Get ready for a new family favorite! —Laura Cox, Brewster, Massachusetts

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19/24

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Cranberry Butter Crunch Bark

One Christmas I dreamed this recipe up when making butter crunch toffee. It is an addictive treat that disappears fast.—Heather Ferris, Vanderhoof, British Columbia

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20/24

21/24

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Tiger Butter Bark Candy

Fans of tiger butter fudge will revel in this version that's very similar to bark candy. The chocolate swirls are pleasing to the eye, and the creamy peanut flavor is a treat for the taste buds.—Philip Jones, Lubbock, Texas

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22/24

Pecan Cherry Bark

I just love to make chocolates at Christmastime. This popular candy combines pecans, chocolate and cherries. It’s crunchy, sweet and just plain yummy. —Sue Kauffman, Columbia City, Indiana

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23/24

Lemon Bark

I wasn’t a fan of white chocolate until I made this candy. It’s tangy, sweet and creamy all at the same time. The bark was a lovely treat during a springtime shower but would be nice year-round. —Diana Wing, Bountiful, Utah

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24/24

Nut Fruit Bark

Here's a sophisticated version of fruit bark. Dark chocolate turns into a rich mocha flavor with the espresso powder. If you're a fan of sweet-salty tidbits, make sure to use the sea salt. —Thomas fa*glon, Somerset, New Jersey

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Originally Published: October 29, 2021

Author

Grace Mannon

Grace is a full-time mom with a master’s degree in food science. She has worked for clients like a bakery, a baby food company and a snack food company. Now a Taste of Home contributor, she curates recipe collections and shares baking techniques. She loves to experiment in the kitchen and writes about her hits (and misses) on her blog, A Southern...

Our Best Bark Recipes for the Holidays (2024)

FAQs

How long can you store chocolate bark? ›

How Long Will Chocolate Bark Last? Homemade chocolate bark will last in an airtight container for 2-3 weeks.

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How to make chocolate bark that doesn't melt? ›

To keep your chocolate bark from melting, a proper tempering process is necessary. Tempering is a process where the chocolate is brought to certain temperatures, which essentially optimizes the form of the cocoa butter fat crystals and keeps it stable.

Why is my chocolate bark not hardening? ›

That's because your chocolate wasn't tempered. Tempered chocolate sets at room temperature and has a snap just like a chocolate bar you buy from the store.

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How to make chocolate look like tree bark? ›

Spread the melted chocolate on parchment paper, roll it up and let it cool down, once hardened, roll out the parchment paper and it automatically breaks into tree bark looking pieces.

Can you use chocolate bark after the expiration date? ›

In most cases, chocolate past its expiration date is still safe to eat, provided it has been stored properly and shows no signs of spoilage. However, if chocolate exhibits any unusual odors, flavors, or textures, it's best to discard it to avoid any potential health risks.

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What brand of chocolate is best for bark? ›

Use quality chocolate.

For bark-making, use the best chocolate within your budget, either in bars or discs meant for melting and baking. Valrhona, Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Guittard, and Ghirardelli are all good options.

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What can I add to chocolate to make it harden? ›

Since coconut oil can solidify so quickly, it's great to use in a coating that you want to harden, such as when making chocolate-covered strawberries.

Why did my chocolate bark turn white? ›

The white appearance is due to a process known as 'blooming' - either 'fat bloom'. This occurs when the cocoa butter in the chocolate separates and rises to the surface due to temperature fluctuations, or 'sugar bloom', which happens when the sugar in the chocolate absorbs moisture and then crystallises on the surface.

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How do you thin chocolate for bark? ›

To thin melted chocolate, add a small amount of neutral oil, like vegetable oil or cocoa butter, stirring gently until it reaches the desired consistency. Melt slowly to avoid overheating, and keep water out to prevent the chocolate from seizing.

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Do you need to temper chocolate for chocolate bark? ›

Chocolate bark is a simple application for a first-time chocolate project that is a great way to get your feet wet. The bark doesn't involve any molds or dipping techniques—and it's delicious! Whenever working with chocolate it must be tempered; we're about to simplify the science and make it easy for you.

How to make a chocolate Christmas tree? ›

Spoon melted chocolate into a small resealable plastic bag and cut off a small corner. Pipe Christmas tree shape onto the parchment paper and allow to harden in a cool place overnight. Once the chocolate has hardened, carefully remove chocolate trees from paper and use to decorate Christmas cakes or desserts.

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Can you use almond bark instead of chocolate? ›

A: Almond bark can be used as a coating instead of milk chocolate, but if chocolate is the predominant flavor, you might be disappointed.

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Does bark expire? ›

Although bark mulch and wood chippings won't go bad in a short space of time, they will decompose over time as it is a natural product. If you want to store a bulk bag of bark mulch for an upcoming project, you need to make sure it's kept in a cool and dry place as this will help prevent mould and insects.

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Do bark thins go bad? ›

What is the shelf life of barkTHINS? If they remain sealed, barkTHINS will stay fresh for 12 months from the time they're produced. For your convenience, the 'best by' date can be found on the back of the bag.

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How to store homemade bark? ›

Chocolate bark should be stored cool but not too cold, remember chocolate can sweat and become aqueous in the cold. Better a dark, cool, cellar type room. Airtight container, away from any strong smells and this should do the trick.

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How do you store bark? ›

Spray the surface and bark with water. Then, wrap it loosely in plastic wrap and store it at room temperature for up to 1 week. If you store it longer than this, it can start to grow mold.