Easy Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios
With a layer of dark and white chocolate plus red cranberries and green pistachios dotted all over, this gorgeous double chocolate bark is the ultimate holiday candy! It’s so easy to make, and the taste is simply outstanding!
Yesterday, we met with a few friends at church for a small gathering for Christmas 2020. Since it was a potluck, everyone was assigned a dish to bring. My daughter and I offered to bring the sweets.
I often volunteer to bring the dessert because not only do I have a sweet tooth, but my 12-year-old daughter loves to bake! She is the pastry and dessert queen in our household, and yes, she is an amazing baker.
At her age, she’s already mastered making macarons and is quite adept at making any dessert that calls for meringues. When it comes to baking, she’s more of a pro than me!
She made an exquisite Yule log cake for our gathering while I settled for an equally delicious but easier NO-BAKE Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios! I was swamped with other things, so I decided on an easier yet still fabulous holiday treat!
I must say that both desserts were well-loved and well-received, as we both came home with empty platters.
People especially loved this excellent Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios because of it’s sweet yet complex flavors! Let me tell you what made this special.
Let’s start with chocolate – this candy doesn’t have just one chocolate but two —- double the chocolate goodness indeed! So I used dark (at least 50% dark) and white chocolate. To cut the richness of the chocolate, I added a little bit of salt (just a hint) to add another layer of flavor to the sweetness. The sweet-tart flavor comes from the cranberries, extra crunch and savory goodness from the roasted pistachios and yes, some cool mint taste from crushed candy canes! With all that – this chocolate bark was an explosion of flavors indeed – so complex and addictively yummy!
TIPS & TRICKS on the INGREDIENTS to use for this Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios
- Chocolate – use a good quality chocolate bar for dark or white chocolate. It is so worth it! It’s okay to use chocolate chips, but if you wish to make this gourmet candy and elevate it truly, you can’t beat a good-eating chocolate! It is just so much better!!! They don’t have to be expensive – if you are near any Aldi’s – get their chocolate bars – for only $1.99 a piece (and sometimes even cheaper!). This is not a sponsored post, but I always choose Aldi’s chocolate bars for the good quality and affordable price! Win-win!
- Add the salt and crushed candy canes because they make a difference in taste, even though the amount used is not much. They both add extra layers of flavor!
- You may use other nuts, like pecans, but for a holiday look, you can’t beat green pistachios. Please make sure they’re pre-roasted and of the unsalted variety.
So what are you waiting for? Please make sure this Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios is a part of your holiday treats, so make it soon! You won’t be disappointed!!!
Merry Christmas!
Easy Double Chocolate Bark with Cranberries and Pistachios
Ingredients
- 12 oz good quality dark chocolate, chopped
- 12 oz good quality white chocolate, chopped
- 1/2-3/4 cup dried cranberries
- 1/2-3/4 cup pistachios, unsalted and roasted (and chopped, if desired)
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 3-4 tbsp crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or wax paper or use a silpat. Set aside.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, add the chopped dark chocolate. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring each time, until the chocolate is glossy and mostly smooth, but still has a few lumps appearing. Stir until the remaining pieces melt completely (the chocolate should be hot at this point and melt any remaining lumps).
- Pour the chocolate all over the prepared pan forming a rectangular shape of about 11×15 inches. Use a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly. If air bubbles are visible, simply tap the pan a couple of times to eliminate them. Allow to cool and set in the fridge. Make sure the dark chocolate is set before you pour the white chocolate on top.
- Repeat the same procedure for the white chocolate.
- Mix the cranberries, pistachios and salt. Sprinkle the mixed nuts and crushed candy canes all over the chocolate. Chill in the fridge for about 30 minutes or until fully set and firm. Use a sharp knife to slice the bark into pieces. Now you can enjoy these bites of chocolate deliciousness or wrap in clear plastic bags and distribute as Christmas gifts!
Notes
Last updated on September 7th, 2024 at 02:19 pm
