‘Make Your Own Adventure’ Chocolate Bark – Just in Time for Christmas.

‘Festive Favourites’, the theme for this months – and may I add the CHRISTMAS (yay) – Sweet Adventures Blog Hop got me thinking. I love anything Christmas and anything sweet, which made picking something to write about rather difficult.

Christmas can often be stressful and busy and can creep up on even the most organized people. While I often take month’s dog earring and post-it marking Christmas themed books, some people don’t have the time or energy.

FEAR NOT!! There are a million ways to put festive flavours into a recipe that are easier than goggling ‘Last minute Christmas sweets’.

I love chocolate just as much as I love Chocolate and that is why I chose to post about a ‘make your own adventure’ type chocolate bark recipe. The idea is simple. Choose your favourite flavours and mix them together with some chocolate and BAM…you have a delicious and easy treat to bring to a Christmas party or give away as a gift.

The two that I chose for this occasion where obviously Christmas inspired and are a White Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Bark, and a Dark Chocolate, Cherry and Coconut Bark. These flavours are classic, simple and delicious.

White Chocolate, Cranberry and Macadamia Bark

Ingredients (all can be varied according to taste)

250g Good quality white chocolate
Handful of dried cranberries
Handful of roasted macadamias

Method

1. Dice up the dried cranberries and set aside.
2. Crush the roasted macadamias, make sure to leave some larger pieces as well as having some smaller dust like pieces
3. Line a tray (I used a loaf tin to make thick bark) with greased backing paper
4. Melt the white chocolate over a double boiler until smooth.
5. Pour the melted chocolate into the lined tin.
6. Scatter the chopped nuts and fruit over the chocolate evenly. It will sink in nicely.
7. Cool in the fridge until set
8. To serve break the bark up revealing the multicolored deliciousness inside!

Dark Chocolate, Cherry and Coconut Bark

Ingredients (again all can be varied according to taste)

250g Dark Chocolate
1/3 – ½ a can of black cherries in syrup
Handful of shredded coconut

Method

1. Pre-heat oven to 180 degrees.
2. Line a baking tray with baking paper and spread the coconut evenly.
3. Toast in the oven for 5 minutes or until slightly browned (set aside)
4. Drain the cherries and remove excess syrup, then dice the cherries into small pieces
5. Line a tray (I used a loaf tin to make thick bark) with greased backing paper
6. Melt the dark chocolate over a double boiler until smooth.
7. Pour the melted chocolate into the lined tin.
8. Scatter the chopped cherries evenly over the chocolate then the coconut
9. Cool in the fridge until set
10. To serve break the bark up and enjoy the juicy, crunchy, roasty sweetness.

Not very complicated, huh? I think they are a perfect addition to any Christmas party.

When you’ve eaten way too much ham, roast veggies, prawns and christmas pudding, you’ll always be able to squeeze in a little chocolate. So instead of store bought truffles or something of that kind, make something a little special this year.

Merry Christmas all – I wish good food and drink for you all

Hop over to 84th & 3rd who is hosting this months Sweet Adventures Blog Hop to have a look at what everyone else put together!