Monday, July 23, 2012

Chocolate Bark

Last night I got together with some friends and I wanted to bring a quick dessert but (as often happens at my house) we had no butter or eggs. This is my go to quick dessert because it seriously took me all of 10 minutes to make and even though it is incredibly easy, it looks so impressive! 

This is French Chocolate Bark because instead of American bark where all the goodies are mixed into the chocolate, they are displayed on top of it. Which really makes for lots of pretty color :) I originally saw the recipe from Ina Garden (of course.... my fav!) and have done so many variations of it since then. The original recipe is here if you would like it! 

Since I was serving it that night I didn't worry about tempering it this time, but it is a great skill to know how to do if you want to check out this video. Tempering is important so that you don't end up with cloudy colored chocolate or a crumbly consistency. You want it to be glossy and have a nice crunch to it. There are a couple different methods to tempering....I don't have a candy thermometer so I've always done it either in the microwave or the double boiler (which for me is just a pot with simmering water and a glass bowl over it!) If I do it in the microwave I keep stirring every minute or so until just melted, then I add in about a half a cup or so of chocolate and stir it in till melted. Of course you could use chocolate buttons or a block of chocolate cut up but I always just use chocolate chips. (dark!!!!! Is there another kind??


Here is what I had in my cupboard :) 


Have a cookie sheet with parchment paper ready as well :) 


I chopped up my raw almonds then toasted them (microwave for a couple minutes). It gives an amazing extra boost of flavor.


Another tip I learned is to never use a wooden spoon because it can trap water and release it into the chocolate. Water + Chocolate = NO GOOD! It will seize! I've done this countless times :(


Once you've stirred in the last of the chocolate chips and they melt, plop the whole thing onto the parchment paper. 


Spread evenly :) 


And then the fun part! Sprinkle the toppings all over! In the past I've used white chocolate shavings, cashews, pistachios, coconut, etc! Anything will work :) 



YUMMMMMMMM!!!!!!!!! One dry cut into pieces. If you need to pop it in the fridge to get it all the way hardened it should be fine if tempered correctly! 

Enjoy! We all did! 

11 comments:

nagrade said...

Looks Delicious!
New follower from the blog hop!
http://svenagrade.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

Oh my!! My mouth is just watering!! That looks so tasty! I just found your blog via the GFC blog hop! Nice to "meet" you!

http://faithhopeabound.blogspot.com/

Adrianne Surian said...

Oh, wow, great idea! This sure gets my wheels turning... So many possibilities.

Thanks for dropping by Happy Hour Projects - following you!

Adrianne
Happy Hour Projects

Kristen said...

HI! Just returning the follow/visit! I just have to say, what a marvelous bark & yes, it looks amazing and yummy!! (Btw, I love your tea kettle!!)

~Kristen
mamawinkle.blogspot.com

BeaumontGirl said...

Thank you so much for stopping by! Your blog is ADORABLE!!!!!!!!!!!! I am your newest follower :)

BeaumontGirl said...

Thank you!!! I hope you enjoy the bark if you end up trying it :) I love your blog!

BeaumontGirl said...

Thank you so much ! haha, Yes it is from Ross of all places! Enjoy your day! So nice to meet you!

BeaumontGirl said...

Thank you so much!!!! Nice to meet you!

Jessica Who? said...

holy moly this looks amazing!! thanks for sharing!!

xx
www.jessicawho.me

Barefoot Hippie Girl said...

Beautiful! And I love chocolate! Great tips.

vintage grey said...

This looks so tasty!! I love to make bark during the Christmas with nuts and candy canes! I'll have to give this a try!! Happy to be your newest follower! xo Heather