Break Apart Christmas Tree Candy Bark Recipes

FULLY LOADED CHRISTMAS BARK

Steps:

• Line a small rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
• Place 2 inches of water in each of 2 medium saucepans. Bring to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce the heat so the water stays at a very gentle simmer.
• Place the white chocolate chips in a large heatproof bowl and the dark chocolate chips in another large heatproof bowl. Place the bowls over the simmering water in the pans. Stir the pots occasionally with rubber spatulas until smooth, being sure to use a separate spatula for each to keep the chocolates separate.
• Pour the melted white chocolate into the prepared baking sheet. Spread the chocolate evenly with an offset spatula or the same rubber spatula. Place in the freezer to firm up, about 5 minutes.
• Stir the peppermint extract into the dark chocolate. Remove the chilled white chocolate from the freezer and pour the dark chocolate on top. Spread the dark chocolate evenly on the baking sheet, then sprinkle with the pretzels, rice cereal and crushed candy. Press the toppings gently into the dark chocolate so they'll stay in place when the chocolate hardens. Place back in the freezer until the chocolate is firm to the touch, 5 to 7 minutes.
• Cut the bark into 24 pieces, or break it into shards with your hands for a more rustic look. Store in an airtight container in a cool dry place, or refrigerate.

CANDY BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet or pan with foil.
• Put the chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Bring a saucepan filled with an inch or so of water to a very slow simmer; set the bowl over, but not touching, the water, and stir with a rubber spatula. Just before the chocolate is completely melted, add the oil and stir to blend. Remove from the heat and stir vigorously until completely smooth. Set aside and let cool until just slightly warm, about 8 minutes
• Add all but a few pieces of the candy and quickly stir to combine. Spread the chocolate mixture on the prepared baking sheet so it's about 1/2 inch thick and the candy is coated. Scatter the remaining candy on top. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours. Remove from the foil and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

BREAK-APART CHRISTMAS TREE CANDY BARK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F and line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat or parchment.
• With a short side of the prepared baking sheet facing you, arrange the white candy melting wafers on the prepared sheet tray in a 9-by-10-inch rectangle, leaving an empty 5 1/2-by-7-by-7-inch triangle in the center (vertically; this will be the Christmas tree). Fill the triangle with the green candy melting wafers. Place in the oven until the candy melting wafers are glossy and begin to melt, 3 to 4 minutes. Immediately use a small offset spatula to smooth and spread the white candy melting wafers. Use a clean small offset spatula to spread and smooth the green melting wafers. Go back over the triangle in small downward textured strokes to create the appearance of branches on a Christmas tree.
• Arrange the candy-coated chocolates in a decorative pattern across the tree to create a string of lights. Arrange the 5 yellow chocolates at the top of the tree in the shape of a star, setting each chocolate on its edge. Decorate the remaining space on the tree with gold sugar pearl sprinkles
• If using gingersnap cookies, break them into bite-size pieces. Decorate the white space around the tree with the whole gingerbread men or gingersnap cookie pieces, yogurt-covered pretzels, candied ginger and holiday sprinkles, leaving just a little white space in between. Let the bark sit at room temperature until fully set, about 45 minutes.
• To serve, break the bark into bite-size pieces.