Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Bark in a Splendid Variety

I really like writing "Bark in a Splendid Variety." It has the clunkiness of something translated from a foreign film. "Bark in a Splendid Variety." I've got bark in splendid varieties and lots of it! Yesterday I made ten plate fulls of the lovely stuff. It took less than thirty minutes of active work and I didn't wash a single dish. This might just be the easiest treat you'll ever make. If you can spread chocolate chips in a single layer on a foil-lined cookie sheet, then you can make bark.
Put the chips in the oven at 325 for about 2-3 minutes.
If you can find the mint chocolate/dark chocolate chips from Nestle, then you can make Jackson Pollock bark.
Just swirl the melted chips around with a toothpick. It will come out ridiculously gorgeous.
Sprinkle some nuts, if you like. Yep, nuts. They're suprisingly good with mint. After you sprinkle the toppings on, hold the pan a good six inches above your counter and drop it down with a thud. It'll wake the dead and keep your toppings in place. Two good things in one.
Here comes my white chocolate bark with Grasshopper cookies. Kim wrote me a comment to suggest I use Oreos, but I didn't have any and I almost cried bitterly. But then I found these cookies in my cupboard and wiped the tears and forged ahead. It was in high demand from the kitchen scroungers, i.e. the kids and me.
I call this one "Candy Cane Lane" Bark. It's just so Christmas-y. Marshmallows, Candy Canes and Christmas sprinkles deck the halls of dark chocolate. Santa's getting some on his plate this year.
I also made a Candy Bar Cunch bark. It's in the back on the left and consists of a lovely blend of milk chocolate, rice krispies, cornflakes and roasted peanuts. I could have sworn I took a picture of it. Where did it go? Where oh where did it go?

After all the bark has cooled, break it into pieces and arrange on paper plates. I tried putting the bark in pretty boxes, but the bark is too pretty to hide its light under a bushel. Let it shine, baby, let it shine.
See what I'm talking about?
I made four double batches and got ten plates of bark in a splendid variety. Maybe I spent $20. Maybe even a little less. I'm doing a repeat today. For complete instructions, click here.

And one more thing before I go. Here's your chance to do something so easy and good today. Nuskin has developed a product for malnourished children all over the world. Vitameal is specifically formulated to target the nutritional needs of the poorest little people all over the world. Each Vitameal pouch contains 31 child-size meals-enough for a whole month for a hungry little soul. Here's what you can do: like this page on Facebook (click here) and Nuskin will donate a pouch. Easy, right? Spread the word and spread the love.

And one more one more thing before I go. I'm going to a Cookie Swap tomorrow and I don't know what I'm making yet. Any suggestions?

Next Up:

Salted Browned Butter Cookies

16 comments:

The JR said...

I'll go to FB now and like them.

You were busy!

gigi said...

I made 4 batches yesterday! Thank you for sharing this easy and stress free Christmas goody. Love it!

Leslie said...

What kind of bark has been your favorite?
I made the mint bark yesterday and really liked it.
I bought the peanut butter and chocolate chips this morning and have a batch of it in the oven.
I'm wondering which one has been the best?
I have to do VTing tomorrow, so I'm trying to get all the gifts and packaging done today.
I'm just going to wrap it up in cellophane bags with ribbon. Thanks for sharing such a great recipe. It's so easy.

Prudy said...

Leslie,
I'm not done experimenting. The mint is the prettiest so far, but the white chocolate was the favorite. It might just be because it was different. I'd love to do a peppermint bark-just white and dark with a tiny bit of candy cane on top. I hate to cover up the pretty swirls. Which one did you like?

Leslie said...

Prudy,
This is so dangerous.
I've been eating peanut butter &chocolate bark all morning and it's only 8:30!
My swirls have not turned out so beautiful. I didn't have a toothpick and had to use a knife so it looks a little mushed together.
Your mint swirl really looked beautiful, and the candy bar bark sounded really good.
I will try the white chocolate one as soon as I can.
Thanks for getting back to me.
This is the perfect, quick, delicious little handout to give away.

John Williams said...

Thank you so much for a great post. The Nourish the Children foundation is an incredible thing. Thanks for your heart and helping hand to better the world.

Kristen said...

You are amazing I want to try the chocolate mint! It is beautiful and I am sure it is delicious! I will miss seeing your cute family at the Dentist office. I hope you have Very Merry Christmas!

Prudy said...

Kristen,
I've been dying to talk to you! How are you? I'm sad you won't be my friendly dentist pal! Darn! What are you up to now? Hopefully you got some good time off to hang out with the kiddos.

MK and Co. said...

Prudy,
My favorite was the peanut butter and milk chocolate with pieces of pretzels on top. It was delicious! It tasted like a Take5 bar. The mint is the prettiest though. Thanks for the great recipe. If I use cellophane bags how many bags do you think I could get out of a double batch? Thanks!

Prudy said...

MK,
I think you could get 4-5. I'd do a double batch of two kinds, just for variety. I think it looks prettier with the color contrast. So make two double batches for 8-10 bags. Good luck.

Elder Christian Sullivan said...

Just made some today. My favorite so far is white chocolate and peanut butter chips with heath bar.

Tightwad Mom said...

Double yeah for quick and easy! I bought all my supplies, so I can whip up a couple of batches!!!!! Thanks for a great recipe.

Prudy said...

Sallie-You're killing me! Now I've got to make some of that combo. Back to the store....

Kristen said...

Hey we are in a small town in Woodland Utah. It is near Kamas. My husband got a Job here on a Ranch raising buffalo. Crazy huh? I am now a stay at home mom again and loving it! I am expecting a little girl in April. Are you on Facebook? I would love to keep in touch. I have a blog that I am trying to get back into so that my friends and family can stay connected you can check it out too!
I made the mint chocolate bark and it was easy and it was super delicious!

cheap nike jerseys said...

Your mint swirl really looked beautiful, and the candy bar bark sounded really good.
I will try the white chocolate one as soon as I can.
Thanks for getting back to me.
This is the perfect, quick, delicious little handout to give away.

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