With the help of a set of shaped ice cube trays or candy molds, a simple recipe like chocolate bark looks so much more festive. I found these star-shaped ice cube trays at Wal-mart… for a buck! The silicone ones are even easier to work with, though they tend to be a little more expensive.
What you will need:
White Chocolate to melt – or go the really easy route, and use Candiquik. You could also use milk chocolate just as easily. If you do, make sure you are using something that’s designed to melt easily. How do you know? Check to see what the melting instructions on the package are. Avoid anything that doesn’t have melting instructions.
You will also need something salty, something crunchy, something chewy, and something with nice color for a good recipe. You don’t need to follow my recipe exactly – check your cupboards! You probably have ingredients that will work.
What I used for 2 trays of candies (28 pieces):
1/2 package of Vanilla Candiquik
2 Tbsp. chopped peanuts
2 Tbsp. Heath toffee chips
2 Tbsp. mini chocolate chips
1 oz. Craisins (sorry, I don’t know how many Tbsp. that would be, I just had the individual packages on-hand for lunches, and I used one of them)
If your peanuts are whole… chop them.
Stir all your mix-ins together.
Now, melt your chocolate. Pay close attention to the package directions. I always melt mine in the microwave because it only takes like, a minute.
Stir it often. Mine was actually done when it looked like this – because when you stir it really well, the hotter spots will melt the remaining chunks. You can overheat it, and that will just make it harder – not smoother. Don’t do that. :P
You can spoon your melted chocolate into the cube sections, but I find another method to be WAY easier and more controlled. I have a set of ketchup/mustard bottles that I found at the dollar store. Put your melted chocolate into the bottle.
And squirt it that way. No little candy strings that way, and you can put in exactly how much you want. Now, how much do you want? I found I was a little heavy on the Candiquik when I filled these nearly halfway, so I’d recommend adding about 1/2 inch, maybe less. It needs to be enough for all your toppings to stick into, but not much more than that.
If you think it’s a hassle to wash out when you’re done… for that price, you can throw it away if you want to. (I just wash mine, I don’t mind.)
Sprinkle your toppings on. Press them in just a little, to make sure that everything sticks. You may wonder why we didn’t just stir the whole mixture together… I just find that this way is easier and prettier. If you’d rather mix it and spoon it – feel free!
Now, just cool your bark until it’s solid. If you’re in a rush, you can speed this process up by putting it in the frig, though it’s not necessary – it will harden just was well on the counter.
Then, just pop them out. If your trays are pretty rigid (like mine) I found that by twisting them like you would for ice, then turning it upside-down and giving each cavity a decent press on the bottom with a spoon handle, I got all of them to pop out without too much of an issue. If you’re using silicone trays – it will be really easy. Just press up on the bottoms and your bark will pop right out.
Then, just toss them on a plate to serve!
I link up to these great parties!
I would love to try your candy bark stars but I cannot print the recipe and I don’t want to have to print 13 pages. Is there another way?
This looks so tasty!
to this comment on your recipe …
“You may wonder why we didn’t just stir the whole mixture together… I just find that this way is easier and prettier. If you’d rather mix it and spoon it – feel free!”
I would suggest not ! I mixed it for expediency, big mistake !
Although it might have been easier, the mini chocolate bits melted.
I ended up with a light chocolate colour rather than white stars with the contrast mix.
This paragraph presents clear idea designed for the new users of blogging, that genuinely
how to do blogging and site-building.
Pass those trays up all the time at yard sales! You can be sure I’ll grab them next time. This recipe is a keeper. Thanks!
Chocolate is one of the most enjoyable and effective ways to medicate.Full Melt chocolates are organic fair trade premier brand of medicated chocolate bars.
any ideas for what to put in with the cranberries & choc chips for people with nut allergies??
oops I blazed by Amanda’s earlier post :) got it!
Pretzels?
Oh yumm yumm, these are so pretty and look delicious! I’ll be looking for some fun trays. Thanks for sharing!
Pinned these weeks ago on my Christmas board. And by chance, I found silicone ice cube trays in the Target Dollar Spot just a few days ago. (only bought one, not sure why.)They worked wonderfully and they have snowflake patterns and Christmas trees.
These are awesome! Thank you for sharing!
– I did not see this question in the comments (but I raced through) … can you tell me, how far ahead can these be made? Can they store longer in the fridge… or freezer?
Thanks!
that is something i will try… where do get candyquic at ???
My grocery store carries it, but if you can’t find it then Candy Melts (like what Wilton makes) are available at most craft stores in the cake aisle, or you can always use regular melting chocolate from your store’s baking aisle. If there are melting instructions on the package, then it will work! I just use Candiquik because I do a lot of dipping and some edible crafts, so that is what I had on-hand when I was making the recipe (which I never imagined would be such a hit when I first shared it!)
Making these tomorrow! I bought mixed, salted nuts that I’ll chop up, mixed dried fruit, semi-sweet chocolate chips that I might crush (didn’t realize these were mini), and Ghiardelli white chocolate disks to melt. Here’s hoping! This is my first time making candy for Christmas instead of cakes or cookies. Totally scared!
Made these, but they didn’t really turn out. Couldn’t find Candiquik in Canada, used white chocolate instead.
The first batch was ruined. I added clear vanilla extract to the white chocolate as it was melting on the stove and something chemically happened that made the melted chocolate turn solid instantly.
The second batch was fine, but I found the taste way too sweet.
Won’t be making again.
any ideas for the peanut allergy family?
Sure! In fact, I even answered the same question just a couple comments above.
“Bark like this is really versatile. I find as long as you have something crunchy and salty in there with the sweet, it will turn out good. Some crushed pretzels might fit the bill… just try to think of something crunchy and salty that you already like and try it!”
I just love this idea….I just purchased these same ice trays not to long ago…can\\\’t wait to do this!! I would love to invite you to come by and share it at One More Time Events…. hope to see you there! TammyNew Follower
I think these are so cute! I was wanting a few opinions though. Because of allergies and taste preferences, do you think it’s ok to leave nuts out? I was thinking about doing chocolate chips and dried blueberries. What else should I add? Thanks for the input!
Oh for sure! Bark like this is really versatile. I find as long as you have something crunchy and salty in there with the sweet, it will turn out good. Some crushed pretzels might fit the bill… just try to think of something crunchy and salty that you already like and try it!
If you put your squeeze bottles in the freezer when done and let the chocolate freeze you can squeeze the bottles and the stuff will crumble off the plastic and you can shake it out and save it. Then wash the bottles. Lets keep everything out of the land fll we can.
OH, I remember these….mmmmmmm
I never thought to use an ice cube tray in this way….AWESOME!!
Beautiful sweets anda fantastic idea to use the bottle to file the ice cube trays!
Hello! I’m stopping by from the The Best of 2012 at 4 You with Love – these are too cute! Thanks for sharing :) Happy New Year!!
I LOVE this!!! Found it on Pinterest and it’s awesome. I might be able to do it but then I’d want to eat them all. :>
Just made these in silicone snowflake ice cube trays they are ADORABLE! I’m so excited to show everyone at the Christmas Party I’m going to. And they were so easy!!
how do you get the chocolate to come up on the sides of the mold like that? thx :)
Thanks for sharing this – pinned it and just made a batch. We have a nut allergy with our grandson so used a chopped up nut free granola bar and added raisens. They look great.
LOVE these. What a great hostess gift idea! Thank you. :)
Love the idea! I'll have to do this for my Christmas Open House. I already make bark but this looks more fuN!
super creative! I have so many silicone molds, too this would be perfect!
hugs! Kim @ Party Frosting!
Saw your feature on My Turn (for us) and had to pop over to say “Wow!”. So cool. I pinned this so I can make this later. Thanks for sharing such a great idea!
These are just adorable! Congrats on being featured at Freedom Fridays!
Hello.
Visiting from Kathe's blog hop.
I'm a die-hard chocoholic. These look so good that's I'd probably have to sample a few. LOL
Thanks for sharing.
E is for: The Eyes Of Life
Love this! Perfect way to use up leftover chocolate when done dipping things like pretzels, cookies, Donuts… Love this idea! Pinned.
Oh my! I have those ice cube trays! Can't wait to try this!
Adrianne these are so pretty! Pinning and featuring tonight! Thanks so much for sharing!
Just wanted to let you know I featured this on my blog today! Feel free to stop by, check it out, and grab a Featured button if you want: http://practicallyfunctional.net/2012/08/the-fun-in-functional-link-party-12/
Awesome idea! Pinned it.
amazing idea
Just wanted to let you know that your party bark has been featured this week at the All Star Block Party features. Stop by and grab your button.
Holly
http://fullcirclecreations.blogspot.com/2012/08/its-feature-time_14.html
So yummy and amazing looking! Thanks for sharing at the All Star Block Party.
Holly
Ah! These are absolutely adorable! And I have those same ice trays that I used in a 4th of July post… these would of been fun to make then too! I would love if you shared this at my Throwback Thursday party. I hope to see you there! Thanks for sharing :) http://www.hubbymademe.com/throwback-thursday-no-5/
Two Tablespoons should be one oz. and those look about a zillion oz's of delicious!
Yum! These look fantastic, and they'd be the perfect little holiday snack to have out when people come over. Thanks for sharing at The Fun In Functional!
Yum – these look awesome! I bet they taste better because they are shaped like stars too :)
we love making bark, but i never thought to make it in molds – so cute! i'm pinning this now! :)
I'm surprised at how easy these are. I don't think I've seen the Candiquik (maybe it's in with the freezer paper, lol), but as you mentioned the microwave makes quick work of any chocolate I've ever tried,…so this is super easy and super pretty.
OMG! Are you kidding? These look absolutely wonderful! I cannot wait to try!
Holy smokes, these look soo tasty Adrianne! Pretty too!
Wanted to stop by and thank you so much for linking up at the Creative Headquarters Blog Hop! I'm following you now on GFC! Hope to see you next week!
Barbara @ Chase the Star
http://chase-thestar.blogspot.com
What a genius idea to make these in ice cube trays! I love it!
Thanks for linking up to our CHQ Blog Hop. I'm following you back now and am excited to read more. Hope to see you again next Tuesday, or join us for our linky party Thursday evening. :)
Beautiful. I love them
Happy Little Feet
Yummy, these look amazing !
These look awesome! I like the idea of using ice cube trays as candy molds :)
They look delish! They would be perfect for a goodie plate at Christmas!! I'm totally pinning this!:)
Love this! Thanks for sharing!!
~Brittany
thedennybuzz.blogspot.com
These look so good. I like that you used that squirt bottle too…made the whole process a lot easier I bet! Thanks again for linking up to our Blog Hop! :o)
I'm going to a party this Friday and i need to bring something. This couldnt have been posted at a better time. Im so excited to try it.
That looks delicious! Thank you so much for linking up to our Blog Hop my friend! =)
I love doing this, I have like 20 silicone molds just for this, I really should do it more often. And yours look healthy they have nuts and stuff in them;p
Oh these are so pretty and look delicious! I'll be looking for some fun trays. Pinned it! Thanks for sharing!