3 Chocolate Cherry Bark Recipes

TRIPLE-CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F (325°F for dark or nonstick pan). Grease and flour 15x10x1-inch or 13x9-inch pan, or spray with baking spray with flour.
• In large bowl, gently mix dry cake mix, pie filling, eggs and chocolate chips with rubber spatula; break up any undissolved cake mix by pressing with spatula. Carefully spread in pan.
• Bake 15x10x1-inch pan 23 to 27 minutes, 13x9-inch pan 29 to 34 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Cool completely, about 1 hour. Frost with frosting. For bars, cut into 8 rows by 6 rows. Store loosely covered.

CHERRY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9x13 inch baking pan with aluminum foil.
• Melt the chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, until smooth, 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Using a spatula, quickly spread the melted chocolate evenly in the prepared pan until the bottom of the pan is covered. Sprinkle the crushed candy evenly over the chocolate, and pat lightly with a clean spatula to help the candy settle into the chocolate.
• Melt the red confectioner's coating, if using, in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, until smooth, 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Spoon the melted coating into a resealable plastic bag; snip off a very small corner of the bag, and use to drizzle coating over the bark.
• Place the pan in the refrigerator or freezer until hardened, about 30 minutes. Remove from pan; peel off foil. Break into small pieces to serve.

3 CHOCOLATE CHERRY BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves and is bubbly. Add the pecans. Season the pecans with salt, cayenne, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar starts to caramelize and coat the pecans evenly. Cook for about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and spread the pecans over a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven and roast the pecans for about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely. Break the pecans into small pieces.
• Fill 3 small saucepans halfway up the pan with water. Place the pans over medium heat and bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. In three separate mixing bowls, add each type of chocolate into the individual bowls. Place the bowls over the saucepans. After about 2 minutes over the heat, the chocolate will start to melt. Stir each chocolate until totally melted. Remove the chocolate from the heat and stir 1 tablespoon of butter into each bowl of chocolate. Pour each type of chocolate over the marble or a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the pecans and cherries over the chocolates. Using a metal spatula, spread the mixture out evenly back and forth to about 1/4-inch thick. Either place the marble in the refrigerator or allow to sit out until set, about a couple of hours. Break the bark into medium pieces and serve.

CHOCOLATE BARK WITH MIXED NUTS AND DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Melt chocolate over double boiler until smooth and velvety. Spread evenly onto a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper.
• Top with pistachios, almonds and cherries. Cool for about 40 minutes. Break into pieces and serve.

THREE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH SPICED PECANS AND DRIED CHERRIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• In a large saute pan, melt 4 tablespoons of butter. Add the brown sugar and stir until the sugar dissolves and is bubbly. Add the pecans. Season the pecans with salt, cayenne, nutmeg, and cinnamon. Continue to cook, stirring constantly, until the sugar starts to caramelize and coat the pecans evenly. Cook for about 4 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and spread the pecans over a parchment lined baking sheet. Place the pan in the oven and roast the pecans for about 6 minutes. Remove the pan from the oven and cool completely. Break the pecans into small pieces.
• Fill 3 small saucepans halfway up the pan with water. Place the pans over medium heat and bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. In three separate mixing bowls, add each type of chocolate into the individual bowls. Place the bowls over the saucepans. After about 2 minutes over the heat, the chocolate will start to melt. Stir each chocolate until totally melted. Remove the chocolate from the heat and stir 1 tablespoon of butter into each bowl of chocolate. Pour each type of chocolate over the marble or a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the pecans and cherries over the chocolates. Using a metal spatula, spread the mixture out evenly back and forth to about 1/4-inch thick. Either place the marble in the refrigerator or allow to sit out until set, about a couple of hours. Break the bark into medium pieces and serve.

PECAN CHERRY BARK

Steps:

• In a large skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Stir in brown sugar and spices; bring to a boil. Cook and stir until sugar is completely dissolved, about 3 minutes. Stir in pecans until coated. Spread onto foil to cool. , Line two 15x10x1-in. pans with parchment or waxed paper. In a microwave, melt dark chocolate candy coating and 1 tablespoon shortening, stirring until smooth. Divide between prepared pans, spreading to desired thickness. Refrigerate just until set, but not firm., In microwave, melt milk chocolate candy coating and 1 tablespoon shortening, stirring to blend; spread over dark chocolate layer. Refrigerate until set, but not firm., Repeat with white candy coating and remaining 1 tablespoon shortening; spread over top. Sprinkle with cherries and candied pecans, pressing to adhere. Refrigerate until firm. Break into pieces.

ALMOND-CHERRY CHOCOLATE BARK

Steps:

• Heat oven to 350°F. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, toast 3/4 cup whole skin-on almonds until fragrant and light gold, 8 to 10 minutes. Let cool completely; transfer to a bowl. Fill a medium saucepan with 1 inch water; bring to a simmer over medium-low heat. Set a large heatproof bowl atop saucepan, making sure water doesn't touch bottom of bowl. Place 10 ounces dark chocolate (60 percent to 70 percent cocoa) in bowl; cook, stirring, until smooth. Remove bowl from saucepan; add another 2 ounces dark chocolate and stir until smooth. Stir in 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract, toasted almonds and 1/3 cup dried tart cherries, coarsely chopped. Pour onto baking sheet; spread into an even layer about 1/4 inch thick. Refrigerate until firm, 1 hour. Break into 24 pieces.