Christmas Tree Bark Recipes

CHRISTMAS BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a 13x18 rimmed baking sheet with foil and spray it with nonstick spray. Lay the graham cracker sheets in a single layer, side by side in the pan, breaking pieces as needed to fill the pan.
• Place butter and brown sugar in a medium saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, and boil for 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Carefully pour over the graham crackers. Use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the mixture over the graham crackers.
• Place the pan in the oven for 4 minutes. Remove from the oven and pour the melted peanut butter on top (if using). Use a rubber spatula to evenly spread the peanut butter. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and place back in the oven for 1 additional minute, to melt the chocolate (the chocolate might still be in the shape of the "chips", but it should be soft enough to spread). Remove from the oven and use an offset spatula to evenly spread the melted chocolate. Allow to cool just slightly, then sprinkle the top with M&M'S and sprinkles.
• Cool to room temperature, then transfer to the refrigerator to firm up completely. Once chilled, break the toffee into irregular pieces. Store in the refrigerator.

HOLIDAY OREO BARK

Steps:

• Cover large baking sheet with foil. Spread semi-sweet chocolate in a thin layer onto pan. Refrigerate 10 minutes.
• Spread white chocolate in a thin layer over semi-sweet chocolate. Sprinkle with remaining ingredients. Refrigerate 4 hours or until firm.
• Break into pieces or cut with cookie cutters to make Holiday OREO Bark Christmas Trees (see Tip). Store in tightly covered container.

CHRISTMAS BARK CANDY

Steps:

• In a heavy saucepan or microwave, melt chips with oil; stir until smooth. Cool for 5 minutes. Stir in M&M's or pretzels. Spread onto a waxed paper-lined baking sheet. Refrigerate for 10 minutes. Remove from the refrigerator; break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

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.

CHOCOLATE TREE BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Arrange crackers onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Stir butter and sugar together in a bowl until the sugar dissolves; drizzle over the crackers.
• Bake crackers in preheated oven until golden brown, about 10 minutes.
• Spread chocolate chips over the crackers to cover completely immediately after removing the baking sheet from the oven, allowing the residual heat to melt the chocolate. Sprinkle nuts over the chocolate layer before it re-solidifies.
• Cool the bark to room temperature. Once the chocolate is again firm, break the sheet into pieces to resemble tree bark.

CHRISTMAS BARK CANDY

Steps:

• Melt almond bark or white chocolate chips in microwave or use a double boiler on stove top.
• Stir in remaining ingredients and mix well.
• Line a cookie sheet with wax paper. Quickly place by teaspoonfuls onto waxed paper. Allow to set up and harden. (I sometimes refrigerate them for a few minutes.).