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Valentine’s Day Bark
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This is the chocolate month, the time when everyone forgets their healthy resolutions, turning straight to the chocolate lava cake. It’s only human nature. We can’t be deprived for extended periods.
So if you’re gonna do the chocolate, make bark. It’s a cheap and easy gift for a loved one, or you can eat it all yourself. I have a video tutorial below plus a step-by-step recipe, so keep reading!
I’m sure you’ve heard this before, but 95% of all diets fail. America is a country ruled by diets and a thriving fitness industry, and yet we’re in a health crisis. How is that possible?
Simple, really. When you try and sustain impossible behavior, it all comes crumbling down. Dieting at its core is all about the word “no.” Diets focus on what you can’t eat: dairy, or carbs, or sugar, or anything a caveman didn’t eat, or all of the above. Who wants a voice in their head constantly telling them that what they’re doing is wrong?
Seriously, if people talked to one another the way that their inner voices talk to them sometimes, they’d get slapped. We’ve somehow been taught that self-shaming isn’t just acceptable: it’s desirable. That, my friends, is a load of garbage. When did deprivation become a virtue? When did dieting become a way of life? Because here’s the thing. You ready?
If you’re dieting all the time, it’s probably not working. Seriously. It’s one thing to live with a healthy mindset and goals and quite another to base life upon what you will not let yourself have, and to constantly go back and forth with those arbitrary rules. I’m not a fan.
Message? Stop dieting. Start eating bark. Always works for me!
Bark is easy to put together, makes a great gift, and can be customized to any holiday or occasion. It takes just a few minutes (plus a half hour of chill time) to get it going. Take a look!
When all’s said and done, wouldn’t you rather spend time engaging in self-love and acceptance? Denial is never good, in life or in food. So say yes to yourself today, and say yes to some bark!
assorted Valentine's day candy and sprinkles (I used candy corn, raspberry hearts, cinnamon lips, heart sprinkles, and pink airbrushing spray)
Instructions
Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. Set aside.
In a microwave-safe bowl, heat the chocolate chips for one minute. Stir. If not smooth and melted, heat an additional 20 seconds. Stir until smooth.
Spread out the milk chocolate to about 1/2-inch thickness. Don't go too thin, or the bark won't be as good.
In a separate bowl, heat the white chocolate chips for 40 seconds. Stir, and if not melted, heat an additional 20 seconds. Stir until smooth.
Drop the white chocolate by spoonfuls gently onto the milk chocolate. Using a knife, swirl the melted white chocolate gently into the milk chocolate. Do not overdo it, or your bark will become one uniform muddy color.
One at a time, add the Valentine's Day candies, spacing them evenly around the bark. Add the sprinkles and airbrush the bark for added color. You can buy airbrush spray at most grocery stores or cake decorating aisles (like at Michael's).
Chill the bark for 30 minutes. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container. If you're worried about melting, keep it in the refrigerator until shortly before serving.
I fulfill many roles in life: wife, mother, teacher, everlasting learner.
This site is dedicated to one role that expresses my creativity in ways that I find consistently challenging and rewarding: baker.
Inventing new ways to enhance food, especially if that food involves chocolate or peanut butter (or both!), is a passion of mine. I look forward to sharing my ideas with you.
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With Memorial Day coming, everyone’s making barbecue and picnic plans. Well, everyone except me. I tend to forget all about it until the last second or just shrug it off, figuring that if worse comes to worst, I’ll just throw some meat on a fire and be done with it.
But for you lovely people who plan ahead, think about this delightful no-bake dessert for your get-together time. These bars are made of egg-free Oreo cookie dough and topped with thick white chocolate fudge.
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Oh, come on. You knew this was coming, didn’t you?
You don’t get to my level of peanut butter and chocolate dependence easily. It takes hard work. Daily doses of Reese’s, for instance. That’s a must. So why should it surprise you that I decided to make this bark?
It’s just…lovely. Sigh. So much lovelier than any bark ever. Have I mentioned that I like to exaggerate from time to time? But really, look at those peanut buttery swirls, all dotted with little peanut butter cups. It’s just pretty. A very attractive dessert, which dessert should be if it possibly can. Yes, I’m paraphrasing Jane Austen. I’m an English teacher.
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Anyone been neglecting the Kit Kats lately? Except me, that is?
Well, let’s get that fixed right away. Anything that involves a wafer and chocolate should never be ignored. That goes double for these bars, which exceed the already super addictive quotient of my usual baking fare.
Seriously, I couldn’t stop eating these. I tried, too. But no matter how many I gave away or shared, I still had enough to make a dent in the batch. And that is an accomplishment worth savoring, my friends.
This bark is SO pretty, Mir! I would gladly reach for this over the chocolate lava cake. Love how festive it is. And your video is great, too! Such a fun and easy treat for Valentine’s Day! Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Banana Kiwi Green Smoothie Bowl
As always, I love how you look at things, and I’m 100% positive that I would love this bark!! Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Chicken Butternut Soup
Mir, oh my gawd girl .. yes . . I always say don’t deny yourself because then one day, you’ll go crazy and eat all the chocolate. . almost everything in moderation and don’t go overboard. . but treat yourself and LOVE yourself! and EAT this bark! Happy early Valentine’s Day!
That is why I don’t diet, as I don’t have anything to fail at when I indulge in something like this. This looks so pretty and what a lovely gift to give to people too. Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Win This Health and Fitness Bundle by Joy B
I’m all about Valentine’s Day. The colors and hearts are so fun! I’m a sucker for celebrations, even when it’s just with myself … what can I say. Love this bark! Also, lol, heck yea, February (chocolate month) is after January (salad month) for a reason! Mary Frances recently posted…The Best Fruit Salsa
Oh, I don’t even like the word “diet” any more! I love chocolate! This bark looks beautiful, perfect for chocolate month! mira recently posted…Avocado And Shrimp Crostini Recipe
Lol, I don’t do diets either, Mir! I think life is about living! Plus I am not a fan of hearing the word no. 😉 LOVE this festively fun bark, chicka! I have a bark recipe coming up, but of course it’s not as beautiful as yours AND I don’t have a fantastic video, so now I’m feeling all sorts of inadequate! Boy would devour this bark, girlfriend… 2 seconds flat! Cheers, to banning diets and enjoying life! Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Blood Orange Bars {with Bourbon Vanilla Bean}
I think we’re all doing bark, and I’m sure yours will be gorgeous. Come on over and I’ll show you how to make a video. Anytime, girl! Feel like journeying a few states north?
I guess are always co-ordinate when it comes to posting bark recipes 😉 haha I posted a Valentines Day bark too! Your is way prettier, love all the pretty candies! Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
Your videos are the best, Mir! Just sayin’. Now let’s turn our attention to diets. I couldn’t agree with you more! We try to follow a generally balanced lifestyle around here. We’re not into fad diets and completely eliminating sugars, breads, etc. from our lineup. Just take everything in moderation! Except when it comes to this bark. I refuse to take this in moderation because I want it all. Every last crumble. Thanks! 🙂 David @ Spiced recently posted…Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Say it loud! Say it loud! Say it proud! Sorry, my inner cheerleader decided to join the party! I am with you – “Everything in moderation…including moderation.” (Thank you for that, Julia!) Which means…no moderation where this bark is concerned! Bring it!! annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Italian Tater Tots
This bark looks incredible. I swear I’ve been meaning to try to make bark. I just haven’t decided what I want to put in my bark. I love all the candies you put into this one! So cute for Valentine’s Day! Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Valentine Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies
Haha that works for me too. 🙂 LOVE this, it’s so pretty!
Dorothy @ Crazy for Crust recently posted…Oreo Truffle Dipped Strawberries
I’m a big fan of the pretty!
This bark is SO pretty, Mir! I would gladly reach for this over the chocolate lava cake. Love how festive it is. And your video is great, too! Such a fun and easy treat for Valentine’s Day!
Gayle @ Pumpkin ‘N Spice recently posted…Banana Kiwi Green Smoothie Bowl
Yeah, I can do chocolate lava at a restaurant. This is good home eating!
As always, I love how you look at things, and I’m 100% positive that I would love this bark!!
Kate @ Framed Cooks recently posted…Chicken Butternut Soup
Thanks, Kate! I’ve been eating this bark a lot. It’s pretty addictive!
Mir, oh my gawd girl .. yes . . I always say don’t deny yourself because then one day, you’ll go crazy and eat all the chocolate. . almost everything in moderation and don’t go overboard. . but treat yourself and LOVE yourself! and EAT this bark! Happy early Valentine’s Day!
Agreed. All people who diet think about is what they can’t have. It’s a totally unhealthy approach! Happy early Valentine’s to you too!
That is why I don’t diet, as I don’t have anything to fail at when I indulge in something like this. This looks so pretty and what a lovely gift to give to people too.
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy recently posted…Comment on Win This Health and Fitness Bundle by Joy B
Yeah, setting yourself up for failure is just not the way to live!
I’m all about Valentine’s Day. The colors and hearts are so fun! I’m a sucker for celebrations, even when it’s just with myself … what can I say. Love this bark! Also, lol, heck yea, February (chocolate month) is after January (salad month) for a reason!
Mary Frances recently posted…The Best Fruit Salsa
Oh, I don’t even like the word “diet” any more! I love chocolate! This bark looks beautiful, perfect for chocolate month!
mira recently posted…Avocado And Shrimp Crostini Recipe
It’s a bad word, Mira!
Lol, I don’t do diets either, Mir! I think life is about living! Plus I am not a fan of hearing the word no. 😉 LOVE this festively fun bark, chicka! I have a bark recipe coming up, but of course it’s not as beautiful as yours AND I don’t have a fantastic video, so now I’m feeling all sorts of inadequate! Boy would devour this bark, girlfriend… 2 seconds flat! Cheers, to banning diets and enjoying life!
Cheyanne @ No Spoon Necessary recently posted…Blood Orange Bars {with Bourbon Vanilla Bean}
I think we’re all doing bark, and I’m sure yours will be gorgeous. Come on over and I’ll show you how to make a video. Anytime, girl! Feel like journeying a few states north?
I guess are always co-ordinate when it comes to posting bark recipes 😉 haha I posted a Valentines Day bark too! Your is way prettier, love all the pretty candies!
Manali @ CookWithManali recently posted…Valentine’s Day Chocolate Bark
Thanks, Manali. We should definitely talk more before we post. But great minds think alike and all that!
Pingback: 35+ Valentine's Day Recipes - Cook With Manali
Love the colours! Looks really good ♥
summerdaisy.net
Thanks, Summer! I do love pink. 🙂
Your videos are the best, Mir! Just sayin’. Now let’s turn our attention to diets. I couldn’t agree with you more! We try to follow a generally balanced lifestyle around here. We’re not into fad diets and completely eliminating sugars, breads, etc. from our lineup. Just take everything in moderation! Except when it comes to this bark. I refuse to take this in moderation because I want it all. Every last crumble. Thanks! 🙂
David @ Spiced recently posted…Cinnamon Sugar Soft Pretzels
Aww, thanks! I kind of like doing videos better than pics. They’re fun!
Say it loud! Say it loud! Say it proud! Sorry, my inner cheerleader decided to join the party! I am with you – “Everything in moderation…including moderation.” (Thank you for that, Julia!) Which means…no moderation where this bark is concerned! Bring it!!
annie@ciaochowbambina recently posted…Italian Tater Tots
That’s the best Julia quote!
This bark looks incredible. I swear I’ve been meaning to try to make bark. I just haven’t decided what I want to put in my bark. I love all the candies you put into this one! So cute for Valentine’s Day!
Michele @ Alwayzbakin recently posted…Valentine Slice and Bake Sugar Cookies
It’s easy, Michele! Give it a shot!