Valentine’s Chocolate Bark
This Valentine’s Day, give the gift of homemade love, chocolate bark that’s as beautiful as it is delicious! Made with silky chocolate and topped with an irresistible mix of goodies, this Valentine’s chocolate bark is the perfect balance of sweetness and crunch. It’s easy, customizable, and guaranteed to impress.
I absolutely love this Valentine’s chocolate bark because it’s the perfect combination of indulgence and creativity. The rich, smooth chocolate serves as a delicious base, and the endless options for toppings allow me to get as creative as I want, whether it’s crunchy nuts, vibrant sprinkles, or a touch of sea salt. It’s so simple to make but always looks impressive, making it the perfect homemade gift for loved ones (or a sweet treat for myself!). Plus, it’s customizable, so I can add all my favorite flavors and share a little piece of love with everyone around me.
Tips and Tricks for Valentine’s Chocolate Bark
1. Use Any Chocolate You Like
- Chocolate Chips or Blocks: You can use standard chocolate chips, bar chocolate, or even candy melts. Just make sure to choose one that melts easily.
- Affordable Options: Store brands of chocolate, like those found at your local grocery store, work just fine for bark. You can use milk, dark, or white chocolate depending on your preference.
- Mix Chocolate Types: For a beautiful contrast in flavor and appearance, you can swirl two types of chocolate (dark and white) together for a marbled effect.
2. Prepare the Toppings
- Go Festive: For Valentine’s Day, use romantic toppings like heart-shaped sprinkles, edible glitter, or pink and red M&Ms. Freeze-dried strawberries, crushed up candy hearts, or red velvet cake crumbs also work great.
- Texture Balance: Include a variety of textures, think crunchy (crushed nuts, pretzels, or brittle), chewy (dried fruit), and sweet (marshmallows or caramels).
- Chop Evenly: Chop larger toppings like nuts, dried fruit, or candies into small, bite-sized pieces so they distribute evenly on the bark.
3. Experiment with Flavors
- Infused Chocolate: Experiment with infusions like vanilla bean, cinnamon, or orange zest in your chocolate for extra flavor depth.
- Add Salt: A pinch of flaky sea salt over the top of your bark can balance out the sweetness and give it a more sophisticated flavor.
4. Gift Packaging Ideas
- Wrap and Gift: Valentine’s chocolate bark makes a great gift! Pack it in cute cellophane bags, mason jars, or small gift boxes for a thoughtful and delicious treat.
- Personalized Labels: Add personalized labels or tags with sweet messages like “Made with Love” to add an extra touch of sentiment.
Valentine’s Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 12 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate chips or chocolate baking bars (chopped into small even pieces), (I like guittard 64% cacao)
- 1 teaspoon melted coconut oil
- heart shape candies and sprinkles
Instructions
- Cover a 9 x 13 rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper or a silpat baking mat. Set aside.
- Melt the chocolate using your preferred method, a double boiler or the microwave.
- Double Boiler Method:
- Add chocolate and coconut oil to a heat-proof bowl and set over a pan of simmering water. As the water begins to simmer and release steam, the steam will heat the chocolate and it will begin to melt. Keep stirring with a heat-safe rubber spatula or wooden spoon until all of the chocolate has melted.
- Microwave Method:
- Melt the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second increments, stirring after each one. Don’t overdo it. The chocolate is done when it’s about 90% melted, keep stirring off the heat and the pieces should completely dissolve.
- Immediately pour the melted chocolate over your prepared pan and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle your topping of choice all over and place the pan in the refrigerator to harden, for about 15 minutes, or cool at room temperature for 2 to 4 hours.
- Once the chocolate is completely hardened, use your hands to break it into pieces. Cover and store at room temperature for up to 1 week. Enjoy!