Apricot Chai Almond Bark Recipes

SWIRLED ALMOND-APRICOT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with foil, shiny-side up; smooth out the creases. Make sure all your tools are dry.
• Chop the bittersweet and white chocolate into 1/2-inch pieces with a large knife. Place all but 1/2 cup of the bittersweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave 15 seconds, then stir with a rubber spatula. Continue microwaving and stirring at 15-second intervals until melted, about 3 minutes total. Immediately add the reserved chopped bittersweet chocolate to the bowl; stir vigorously until melted and shiny. Repeat with the white chocolate in a separate bowl. Don't worry if there are a few small unmelted pieces.
• Pour the 2 chocolates side by side onto the prepared baking sheet; use the rubber spatula to swirl them together and spread into a 10-to-12-inch circle, about 1/4 inch thick.
• Press the almonds and apricots into the chocolate, arranging them so each bite has a mix of flavors and textures. Sprinkle with fennel seeds. Let the bark harden completely at room temperature, about 1 hour. (If the room is warm, you may need to freeze the bark for a few minutes.) Break into pieces and store in an airtight container at room temperature for 1 to 2 weeks.

FRUIT AND NUT BARK (APRICOTS, ALMONDS, CRANBERRIES & GINGER)

Steps:

• Melt chocolate in a large double-boiler over just simmering water until barely melted. You want to avoid needing to re-temper the chocolate.
• Stir in the fruits and nuts. Pour out onto a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.
• Let cool completely. Break into pieces and serve.

APRICOT ALMOND CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Line a 13"x9" rimmed baking sheet with a smooth sheet of heavy duty aluminum foil.
• In large bowl, melt chocolate carefully.
• Add 1 cup chopped almonds to chocolate, & stir to combine.
• Pour chocolate mixture onto prepared baking sheet, & spread with spatula or spoon until there is an even, thin layer.
• While chocolate is still wet, sprinkle remaining almonds & all the apricots over top of chocolate, pressing down gently to embed them in the chocolate.
• Place in refrigerator to set, about 10 minutes.
• Once set, break bark into uneven pieces & serve.
• If chocolate has not been tempered, keep in refrigerator until ready to serve.

APRICOT-CHAI ALMOND BARK

Steps:

• Sprinkle almonds in ungreased heavy skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 to 7 minutes, stirring frequently until nuts begin to brown, then stirring constantly until nuts are light brown. Cool 10 minutes. In food processor, process almonds until finely chopped; set aside.
• Line 15x10x1-inch pan with waxed paper. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave 12 oz of the candy coating on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Quickly stir in 1/3 cup of the chopped almonds. Spread evenly in pan. Refrigerate 15 minutes or until set.
• In small bowl, mix apricot nectar, cinnamon, allspice, cardamom, vanilla and lemon peel; set aside. In medium microwavable bowl, microwave remaining 12 oz candy coating on High 1 minute; stir. Microwave in 15-second intervals, stirring after each, until melted. Quickly stir in apricot nectar mixture and dried apricots.
• Pour and spread over chilled bark. Sprinkle with remaining chopped almonds. Refrigerate at least 1 hour. Break into 2-inch pieces.