Day 181: Christmas Chocolate Bark

As we get into the month of December, it's time to start working on the baking/candy making/projects that will become those many teacher/neighbor/miscellaneous-person-who-deserves-a-little-something gifts.  

  

I made this last year for Christmas, and it was the easiest thing ever! There's nothing more forgiving than a chocolate bark.  As long as you use a double boiler and melt slowly, you can't go wrong! Just make sure you get actual white chocolate, not the "vanilla chips" that are more common in the baking aisle.  The page this recipe comes from is full of gorgeous pictures, so head on over here to get the step by step instructions.  Package in a pretty tin or festive box and you are ready to start giving! 

Ingredients

• 1 package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 package white chocolate chips
• 2 cups Rice Krispies
• candy canes
• red and green M&Ms

Instructions

1. Smash some candy canes. I put mine in a Ziploc bag and smashed them with a rolling pin. Super good for relieving any stress that you may have.
2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler over simmering water. You could also use the microwave, but I did it the old-fashioned way today.
3. Melt the chocolate completely and spread it out on a parchment lined baking sheet. You want it to be pretty thin. You are going to be adding some more layers so you may want to spread it as thinly as possible. It is easier to break apart later when it is thinner.
4. Sprinkle the top with Rice Krispies. Put the bark in the fridge to set up.
5. Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate. I used a double boiler again. I think that this is the easiest way to work with white chocolate. White chocolate can be a bit temperamental.
6. Pour the white chocolate over the chilled semi-sweet chocolate layer.
7. Spread the white chocolate out.
8. Sprinkle M&Ms and crushed candy canes on top. Put it back in the fridge until it sets up and hardens. About 30 to 45 minutes.