This Chocolate Caramel Bark with M&M's and Peanuts is the ultimate sweet and salty treat! Layers of rich chocolate, gooey caramel, and crunchy peanuts create a deliciously addictive bite. Topped with colorful M&M's, it's perfect for parties, gift-giving, or whenever you’re craving a simple but indulgent snack.
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Why You'll Love Chocolate Caramel Bark
- Decadent Treat: This Chocolate Caramel Bark recipe is a luxurious blend of sweet and salty flavors.
- Easy to Follow Recipe: Even beginners can whip up this delightful dessert with ease.
- Ideal for Gifting: Its indulgent taste and beautiful presentation make it a perfect gift option.
Recipe Ingredients
- Semi-Sweet Chocolate: Forms the rich, decadent base of your bark, providing a deep chocolate flavor that's not overly sweet, allowing the other ingredients to shine.
- Mini Salted Pretzels: Add a delightful crunch and a hint of saltiness to the bark, creating a perfect sweet-salty balance with the chocolate and caramel in chocolate pretzel bark.
- M&M’s: Add a pop of color to the salted caramel bark and their candy-coated shells provide an extra burst of sweetness and texture.
- Peanuts, Chopped: Add a satisfying crunch and nutty flavor that complements the sweet chocolate and caramel, creating a deliciously complex bark.
How To Make Chocolate Caramel Bark?
Step One: Begin with a parchment-lined baking sheet (parchment paper prevent mixture from sticking) and place your pretzels in an even layer.
Step Two: Melting Chocolate in the Microwave. If you choose to melt the chocolate in the microwave, start off with a microwave-safe bowl. Place the chocolate and cook in 30-second increments, stirring well after each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
Step Three: Pour the melted chocolate over the pretzels, and place M&M’s and peanuts in an even layer on top of the chocolate.
Step Four: In a medium saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will begin to form clumps and will eventually melt into a light amber color. Continue stirring as the sugar can easily burn.
Step Five: Once the sugar is completely melted, add the butter. The butter will bubble, so be careful. Stir the butter into the sugar until it is completely melted. Use a whisk to stir the sugar and butter together. Drizzle the heavy cream into the mixture and stir.
Step Six: Allow it to boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt, allowing the caramel to set up. Once the caramel is done (you can also use candy thermometer to know if it is done), pour it over the pretzels. You may not use all of the caramel. Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for several hours. For a quicker set, it can be placed in the freezer.
Tips For Making Great Chocolate Caramel Bark
- Chocolate Tempering: For an extra shiny and smooth chocolate layer, try tempering your chocolate before pouring it over the pretzels.
- Topping Variation: Experiment with different toppings like coconut flakes or dried fruit for a unique twist on your bark.
- Caramel Thickness: Adjust the amount of heavy cream for thicker or thinner caramel sauce depending on your preference.
- Perfect Chocolate Melting Technique: To ensure a smooth and rich texture for your chocolate caramel bark, it's essential to gently melt chocolate using a double boiler method or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring frequently to avoid overheating.
Optional Additions
- Crushed Candy Canes: Add a festive peppermint flavor and colorful crunch. Sprinkle them over the melted chocolate layer before it sets for a holiday twist.
Substitutions
- Chocolate Chips: Can substitute the semi-sweet chocolate for melting as the base layer, providing a smooth texture and rich flavor. They can also be added as an optional topping for extra chocolatey bursts in your caramel chocolate bark.
- Brown Sugar: Can be used as an optional substitute for white sugar in the homemade salted caramel, adding a richer flavor and deeper color.
How To Store Caramel Bark
- Room Temperature Storage: Chocolate bark can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
- Refrigerator Storage: If you want to store it for longer, you can keep it in the fridge for up to 4 weeks.
- Alternative Wrapping Methods: A container is always best but you can also wrap the bark in cling film or aluminum foil.
What To Serve With Chocolate Caramel Bark
- As Part of a Dessert Platter: When entertaining or for special occasions, chocolate caramel barks can be included in a dessert platter alongside other items such as Fruits, nuts, cheeses, and different Sweets.
- With Ice Cream: For a decadent dessert, your salted caramel pretzel bark can be broken into smaller pieces and served over Ice Cream. The contrast of the cold ice cream with the sweet and slightly salty crunch of the bark makes for an irresistible combination.
FAQ'S
Why Is It Called Chocolate Bark?
How Do You Keep Chocolate Bark From Melting?
What Is the Best Chocolate for Bark?
Chocolate Caramel Bark
Ingredients
- 2 Cups Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 1 ½ Cups Mini Salted Pretzels
- ½ Cup M&M’s
- ½ Cup Peanuts chopped
- Homemade Salted Caramel:
- 1 Cup Sugar
- ½ Cup Butter
- ½ Cup Heavy Cream
- ¼-½ teaspoon Sea Salt
Instructions
- Begin with a parchment-lined baking sheet (parchment paper prevents the mixture from sticking) and place your pretzels in an even layer.
- Double-Boiler Method: Melting Chocolate in the Microwave. If you choose to melt the chocolate in the microwave, start off with a microwave-safe bowl. Place the chocolate and cook in 30-second increments, stirring well after each increment, until completely melted and smooth.
- Pour the melted chocolate over the pretzels, and place M&M’s and peanuts in an even layer on top of the chocolate.
- In a medium saucepan, heat sugar over medium heat, stirring constantly. The sugar will begin to form clumps and will eventually melt into a light amber color. Continue stirring as the sugar can easily burn. Once the sugar is completely melted, add the butter. The butter will bubble, so be careful. Stir the butter into the sugar until it is completely melted. Use a whisk to stir the sugar and butter together.
- Drizzle the heavy cream into the mixture and stir. Allow it to boil for 1-2 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in sea salt, allowing the caramel to set up.
- Once the caramel is done (you can also use candy thermometer to know if it is done), pour it over the pretzels. You may not use all of the caramel.
- Cover and place in the refrigerator to chill for several hours. For a quicker set, it can be placed in the freezer.
- Cut your chocolate caramel pretzel bark into squares and serve your chocolate bark!
Notes
Nutrition
