So, how crazy have the past couple of weeks been for you? Between work, birthdays, family dinners, the final stages of purchasing a house, volunteering, winter recitals and performances, open houses, networking events, and a relentless cold, the holidays are kind of the last thing on our minds at the moment.
The great December rush also typically brings with it carry-ins, pot lucks, and the desire to treat friends, family, and neighbors with some homemade goodies… but some years, it’s just not possible to spend a night slaving away in the kitchen creating ten different varieties of baked goods to share, and that’s okay.
If you need to whip up something sweet and do it quickly, then consider giving this holiday chocolate bark (or a variation of it) a try!
Holiday Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 8 oz. baking chocolate (I used two 4 oz. bars)
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 tablespoon maple syrup
- 1/4 cup crushed pistachios
- 1/4 cup crushed pecans
- 1/4 cup chopped cranberries
- 1/8 cup coconut flakes
- Sprinkling of coarse sea salt
Directions
1. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and have all of your toppings prepared (shelled/crushed/chopped) as you’ll need to work quickly once the chocolate is melted.
2. Break up the chocolate bars and place them in a heat/microwave safe bowl. Drizzle the vegetable oil and maple syrup over the chocolate and melt using the stovetop method or in the microwave (running it 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each, until completely melted.)
3. Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment-lined baking sheet.
4. Sprinkle the toppings over the melted chocolate.
5. Place the pan in the freezer or refrigerator until the chocolate is hardened.
6. Once the chocolate has set, break into pieces and enjoy!
This holiday bark is so simple and you can customize it to your liking! Not a fan of coconut or pistachio? Leave those toppings off. Prefer dark chocolate over milk? It’s your call! Or, experiment with different toppings – like pomegranate, raisins, or pretzels.
I love how this looks festive enough on its own because of the brightly colored ingredients. It’ll look great sitting out on a small plate on the break room table or when given away in a little plastic bag tied with a simple ribbon.
Save a little time in the kitchen this holiday season so you can focus on the more important things that come with it – or so you can focus on simply making it through the busy week(s) ahead! Hope it’s a good one, friends!
xo, Aly