More Gourmet Gifts: Chocolate Bark with Assorted Toppings

Chocolate Bark with Assorted Toppings

If you need a last minute gift idea, this quick candy takes just minutes to assemble and a few hour to harden.

11 oz. bag dark chocolate, white chocolate, or milk chocolate chips (I like Ghiradelli brand, particularly the 60% dark chocolate chips. You can also melt down your favorite high-quality chocolate bars, but using chips is easier)

1/4 - 1/2 cup assorted toppings such as:

Roasted whole cashews

Dried apricots, chopped

Dried cherries and/or cranberries

Crumbled toffee bits

Crushed peppermint candies

Mini-marshmallows 

Candied pecans

Candied ginger, chopped

Shredded coconut

Caramel candies, chopped

Crumbled candybars

Sprinkle of sea salt (try a touch of gray, Himalayan, or smoked sea salt to really bring out the cocoa flavor)

or use your imagination to create your own unique flavor combination!

To temper the chocolate (meaning to heat slowly so it melts evenly and seize up) you can use a double boiler, but I prefer the easier microwave method. Place the chocolate chips in a microwave safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds at a time, taking it out of the microwave and stirring gently with a wooden spoon (not metal) after each interval. Usually after the third 30-second session, it will be almost fully melted. Stir until the chocolate is smooth - remember, wooden spoons only. 

Line a baking sheet with a layer of parchment paper and pour on the melted chocolate in a rectangular shape. Smooth out with the back of a wooden spoon or a spatula. *it may help to draw a rectangle, approx 12x8, on the parchment paper with a pencil. 

Gently press on your choice of toppings, distributing evenly. Let rest for several hours until candy is hardened. To speed up the process, you can put it in the fridge or outside for faster results. When it is hardened, break the candy up into slightly larger than bite size pieces. You can do this roughly by breaking it by hand, or you can cut it with a knife into more precise squares. Place the finished candy in a holiday tin with tissue paper or in a cellophane bag tied with ribbon.

*Budget Tip*

You can find holiday themed tins as well as gift bags and tissue paper at your local dollar store!