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.

How do you wrap chocolate bark?

Let the kids decorate, using small pretzels to make antlers, smarties for noses and mini marshmallows for snowmen. To give them as a gift, break up the bark into shards and wrap in a cellophane bag with a pretty ribbon .

What is bark candy made of?

Like other forms of sheet candy, such as brittle, peppermint bark is generally made by pouring tempered chocolate over the top of crushed hard peppermint . Once the chocolate has cooled, it's then cut up or broken into smaller pieces.

What to add to chocolate to make it harden?

Coconut oil is the secret to achieving a super-shiny chocolate coating. It brings a little extra luster to melted chocolate, which, on its own, can become matte when dry. Not only does coconut oil make your chocolate coating shine, but it also helps the chocolate harden.

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.

What is the shelf life of chocolate bark?

If kept unopened in a cool, dry place, chocolate bark can last up to a year . Once you've opened the package, aim to consume it within a few months.

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.

What is the difference between chocolate and bark?

A: The main difference is that almond bark does not contain chocolate liquor , an essential ingredient in real chocolate to provide flavor.

Does water melt candy?

Hard candy is often made primarily of sugar, corn syrup and other substances that dissolve easily in water . Like the saliva in your mouth, the water in the glass allowed them to dissolve. Adding heat made this process easier and faster.

Can I melt chocolate candy?

Melt chocolate over low or medium-low heat or use a double boiler . Chocolate burns easily, so it's best to melt chocolate slowly. Be sure that your work surface, pans, and tools are absolutely dry before melting chocolate. Even a drop of water or other liquid can cause chocolate to seize up.

How long does it take bark to harden?

Let the chocolate bark harden at room temperature which will take 2-4 hours . If you live in a hot climate or you are in a hurry, place the tray on a flat surface in the refrigerator (or even in the freezer) to harden for about 15 minutes; Once completely hardened use your hands to break the bark into pieces.

What to do if chocolate didn't temper?

Don't worry if this happens. You are going to have to heat the mass again to either temper it or use it in a recipe . This will mix the cocoa butter back into the mass. When you remelt untempered chocolate to temper it again, you need to melt all the unstable crystals that were formed and solidified.

How do you increase the hardness of chocolate?

The addition of hydrogel did not only increase the melting point of chocolate, but also increased the hardness and particle size of chocolate. The higher the hydrogel concentration, the higher the hardness values.

How long does it take for chocolate to harden?

Generally, chocolate takes 20-30 minutes to harden and set at room temperature. Using a fridge or freezer can significantly reduce the time it takes for the chocolate to set fully. (Click here if you want to learn how to melt chocolate).

How-to Make Chocolate Bark | Tasty Yummies Healthy Dessert Recipe (2024)

How-to Make Chocolate Bark

Homemade holiday gifts are one of my very favorite things. I love thoughtful, personalized gifts that are truly made with love! Homemade chocolate bark is probably one of my most favorite edible homemade gifts to make. Whether it’s a gift for a hostess of a holiday party or your dish to share, homemade chocolate bark is super simple to make and you can customize it to no end.

The possibilities for flavors and toppings is endless and you can really create something super special for whoever will receive it. It is super easy to make your chocolate bark allergen friendly, too. Easy to make gluten-free, vegan, nut-free, soy-free and so on. You can add dried fruit, nuts, seeds, your favorite cookies or candy, dried botanicals, spices or herbs. Some of my personal favorite flavor combos include sea salt or smoked sea salt. I also love a sprinkle of cinnamon, chili powder or cayenne to bring a little heat. Gluten-free pretzels or mini peanut butter cups are both amazing and fun toppings. The list could go on and on.

This time around I made a batch of dark chocolate bark with coconut chips, dried cranberries and spiced pepitas (pumpkin seeds). I also made a tray with dried bing cherries, pecans and sea salt. Of course, I couldn’t resist a holiday-inspired tray with candy cane bits. Check out these other flavor combos from the archivesDark Chocolate Bark with Dried Bing Cherries, Pistachios and Grey Sea Saltand Spicy Dark Chocolate Bark with Toasted Pumpkin Seeds and Sea Salt. (Can you tell I love sea salt on my chocolate?)

When I am making my bark, I prefer to look for ahigh qualitydairy-free dark chocolate and I look for it to be at 70%-85% cacao with no soy lectin, organic and fair-trade, whenever possible.I usually use this brandor this one. You can also use homemade dark chocolate bars.

BONUS – PRINTABLE LABELS:

Once you’ve made your bark, grab some super cute packaging, a paper bag or pouch, a box, some ribbon or baker’s twine etc and add a cute label telling the recipient what’s on/in their bark. I included a FREE printable label for you here, just fill in your name up top and add what the toppings are at the bottom. There is a version for “dark chocolate bark” and another that just says “chocolate bark“. Print them out and get to your gift making. Or just make a tray of your favorite bark and don’t share a bit of it!Print these 2.5-inch diameter labels on anyAvery brand 22808 template.I used these brown kraft paper labels.

What chocolate bark flavor combos are your favorite?

How-to Make Chocolate Bark

What you’ll need:

8-10 ounces of good quality chocolate (milk, dark, white), chopped
Toppings and add-ons of your choice: dried fruit, nuts, seeds, granola, cookies, popcorn, pretzels, candy, herbs, spices, dried botanicals, sea salt, etc
parchment paper or foil
cookie sheet
spatula

Melt the chocolate over double boiler using hot but not boiling water, in the microwave in 30 second increments or a chocolate melter. However you melt it, stir regularly as you are melting the chocolate. Keep the chocolate under 90ºF, so that it doesn’t seize up on you. If on the stove top, you can remove from the heat if necessary, as you go.

Once melted, pour the chocolate onto a foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Using a rubber spatula or offset spatula, spread the chocolate evenly until it is about 1/8 – 1/4 inch thick, or as thick as you want it to be.

Sprinkle any toppings you are using, evenly over top the melted chocolate. Figure approximately a total of 1 cup of toppings for every half pound (8 ounces) of chocolate. If you are using three different ingredients, you would likely want to go with 1/3 cup of each.

Let the bark cool at least 2 hours in a cool area or 30 minutes in the fridge. Break into bite-sized pieces and place into jars or gift boxes with a tag that says what’s in the bark.

NOTE: You can also created layered bark with layers of dark or milk chocolate or maybe alayer of white chocolate on top. Simply follow the instructions above, lettingthe first layer cool for 30 minutes in the fridge, before you add the nextlayer of melted chocolate and so on.

This time of year, one of my favorite ways to to make chocolate bark is a good quality dark chocolate with candy cane bits! It’s the best flavor combo, it’s so perfectly festive and it makes a wonderful gift!

Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com. This meansif you make a purchase using these links above – your cost remains the same, but I earn a small percentage to help support this blog. Thank you!

Did you make this recipe - or any others from the TY archives?

Share your photos on Instagram, tag @bethmanosbrickey and include the hashtag #tastyyummies

23 Responses

Brigettesays:
December 9, 2014 at 3:49 pm
I am a celiac and have a difficult time finding truly gluten free chocolate (not processed on equipment that also processes gluten). Would anyone know a good source?
Reply
Katsays:
December 9, 2014 at 7:16 pm
See Also
Red Velvet Cake | How To Make Red Velvet Cupcakes | Recipes Homemade Kit Kat Candy Bar Recipe Vegan Baked Chocolate Chip Skillet Scones (Gluten-Free) Recipe | VEEG All-Purpose Gluten-Free Flour Substitute Recipe
How many bars of chocolate would you say go into making one tray of bark?
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  December 10, 2014 at 8:32 am
  Kat, I give the measurements above. The amount of bars depends on the weight of each bar. One tray of bark is approximately 8-10 ounces of chocolate, as I mention above.
  Reply
  - Jin Hui Noudsays:
    May 4, 2016 at 8:49 am
    What kind of chocolate bar do you recommend? Can I use GHIRARDELLI 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Baking Chips? or Do I need to use good quality chocolate bar that I like to eat? Thanks.
    Reply
Sarah @ SnixyKitchensays:
December 10, 2014 at 2:35 am
These photos are simply gorgeous and I’m drooling over all that chocolate bark (especially the peppermint one – that’s my weak spot). Love the labels you made too! (Where can I place orders?;)
Reply
Gabysays:
December 10, 2014 at 8:30 am
This would be eaten in my house in minutes!!
Reply
nicole andersonsays:
December 13, 2014 at 10:39 am
How can I prevent the chocolate from melting after putting it in the box? When I make toffee It usually gets warm after freezer time.
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  December 14, 2014 at 6:58 pm
  Nicole, as long as it is stored in a cool spot, it should be fine and not melt. If it is in a warm room, in the sun, etc – it will definitely melt.
  Reply
Michelesays:
December 14, 2014 at 6:55 am
See Also
Besan Ladoo | Microwave & Traditional Besan Ladoo Recipe
Can you provide a link to buy the cute boxes?
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  December 14, 2014 at 6:57 pm
  Michele I bought these several years ago, they are from Martha Stewart’s line of products, I either got them at Michael’s or Joann Fabrics.
  Reply
Ericasays:
April 2, 2015 at 3:52 pm
I don’t know about this. I’m allergic to wheat, dairy, gluten, about everything. So could you tell me how to make chocolate bark that doesn’t have any of that allergen stuff in it? I can hardly eat, I’m always hungry, cause it takes a long time to make foods that don’t have my allergic stuff in it. So please, please help me!
Erica
Reply
Megansays:
May 30, 2015 at 9:54 am
I made these for my sister’s birthday, and I don’t want her to see them in the fridge. They are currently cooling right now because she isn’t home. Do you have any suggestions on where to put them?
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  May 30, 2015 at 9:58 am
  Megan, you can put in the freezer too, then just give them a little time to thaw before you eat. Though the chocolate will sweat just a bit (that little bit of moisture on the surface) once it comes out of the freezer, but it will still be tasty and beautiful. You could also just put them in a brown paper bag in the fridge and write on the front “poop. don’t open”. That’ll solve all your problems.
  Reply
  - jennifer kaplanskisays:
    December 3, 2015 at 4:54 pm
    that made me laugh Beth @ Tasty Yummies 🙂
    Reply
Erikasays:
December 18, 2015 at 12:25 pm
Thanks so much for this wonderful homemade gift idea and also for sharing the printable labels to save me some extra time. Looking forward to making and giving these as family gifts this year to all the aunts and uncles. I hope they turn out as beautiful as yours!
Reply
Lisasays:
December 20, 2015 at 11:47 pm
Hi, do I use salted nuts or raw?
Thanks
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  January 6, 2016 at 6:55 pm
  Whatever you prefer!
  Reply
Pat Z.says:
December 26, 2015 at 11:00 am
I made bark for the holidays. I used morsels, melted properly and smoothed onto a silicone topped try. Spread toppings snd cooled in refrigerator. They looked perfect! I stored in tin cookie tins which I placed in garage due to warm weather conditions. after 4 days, I opened tins to serve at Christmas table. To my huge disappointment, the bark had lost its sheen and picked up an ugly spotted white appearance. I knew it wasn’t spoiled and still tasted good, but too ugly to serve to my guests! What did I do wrong?
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  January 6, 2016 at 6:52 pm
  How did you melt the chocolate? It could be “bloom” https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chocolate_bloom
  This has to do with the tempering (melting) not being done properly or it could have been too warm wherever you kept it. Chocolate can be a tad temperamental that way. Usually this means that the cocoa butter that has separated toward the surface – still edible, just not as pretty is all. Sorry that happened to you.
  Reply
Charlenesays:
November 30, 2016 at 4:18 pm
Hi there!
Great ideas! Quick question do you have a link to purchase the boxes that you package the bark in?
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  December 7, 2016 at 7:33 pm
  Hi Charlene, I bought these boxes years ago at a craft store, Michaels or Joann Fabrics or something, I think they were made by Martha Stewart.
  Reply
Linda Marie Wilsonsays:
November 14, 2017 at 8:41 am
I can not find the free printable label…
Reply
- Beth @ Tasty Yummiessays:
  December 8, 2017 at 2:54 pm
  Linda, they are all right there within the post, liked up. Can’t miss em, under the heading that says “BONUS – PRINTABLE LABELS:”
  Reply

How-to Make Chocolate Bark | Tasty Yummies Healthy Dessert Recipe (2024)

How-to Make Chocolate Bark

Share This

BONUS – PRINTABLE LABELS:

How-to Make Chocolate Bark

Did you make this recipe - or any others from the TY archives?

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE:

23 Responses

Leave a Comment

FAQs

Why is my chocolate bark not hardening? ›

How long does it take bark to harden? ›

References