What can we say, we love Christmas movies and we love treats. Rachel and I had a hell of a time making chocolate bark a couple of years back, and were surprised at how easy and quick it was to make. So we were ready to take on a new challenge: making chocolate bark themed to classic holiday films.
We would watch Christmas movies all year round if it was socially acceptable (fact: Alyssa one time watched Elf in June). So, what better way to celebrate our love for Christmas flicks? As soon as we came up with this idea we (ok, I) became actually obsessed with it. What films were we going to pay homage to? What toppings best captured the themes? My ideas were endless and I often woke up in the middle of the night with a new thought, taking notes on the app in my phone. When we mentioned our plans to our friends and fam, everyone had really passionate ideas. That’s how we knew this endeavour was a banger.
Only six movies made the cut, but it wasn’t for lack of ideas. So basically expect a 2019 edition – and we’re taking requests so don’t be shy, give us your piece in the comments below.
Here’s our favourites and what you’ll need to make them, but know that there are no real set proportions for bark, it just depends on how many toppings you know in your heart that you want. Maybe you prefer a mound of toppings, maybe you prefer more chocolate to be peeking out – we encourage you to be the master of your own chocolate bark destiny.
Love Actually
To me, this bark is perfect. It’s sophisticated, romantic and straight up the only treat you want to indulge in while watching this holiday classic.
- 4 cups of dark melting chocolate
- 1 cup of dried strawberries
- 1 cup of raw, shelled pistachios
- 1/4 cup of dried rose petals
Home Alone
The perfect bark when you want to eat junk and watch rubbish. Channeling an ice cream sundae, this bark calls for roasted peanuts, cherries, and tons of sprinkles.
- 4 cups of milk chocolate
- 1 cup of crushed peanuts
- 1/2 cup of rainbow sprinkles
- 1/2 cup of rainbow candy-coated chocolate chips
- 8-10 maraschino cherries
National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation
What’s better than jelly of the month club? This bark! With an eggnog base and mini M&M’s channelling Christmas lights, this bark would make any asshole jolly.
- 4 cups of white melting chocolate
- 1 tsp rum extract
- pinch of nutmeg
- 1 cup of mini M&M’s
- 1/2 cup of star sprinkles
Miracle on 34th Street
This Christmas classic is all about Santa. This bark channels the cookies and milk he deserves.
- 4 cups white melting chocolate
- 2 cups mix of cookie pieces. We used shortbread cookies, mini chocolate chip cookies and gingerbread cookies
Elf
Is there sugar in syrup? Then yes, we’re down with syrup and into this bark. Short of actual spaghetti, this bark has everything from that classic scene.
- 4 cups of white melting chocolate
- 3/4 cup of mini marshmallows
- 2 pop tarts
- 3/4 cup of smarties
- 1/2 cup of maple syrup, which you’ll simmer down until it becomes thick and drizzle it onto the bark
The Grinch
This bark is a wonderful, awful idea. It’s got a mint chocolate base, candy canes and candy hearts the size of ten Grinches, plus two.
- 4 cups of white melting chocolate
- 1 tsp of peppermint extract
- 1 tsp of green food colouring
- 8-10 mini candy canes, some whole and some crushed
- 1 tbs of green sprinkles
- 1 tbs of red heart candies
- 1 tbs of snowflake sprinkles
- Start by lining a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Then, melt chocolate over a double boiler, mixing often with a rubber spatula until it’s fully melted and the texture is really smooth.
- Once the chocolate is fully melted, carefully pour it onto the centre of your baking sheet and then use a rubber spatula to smooth it out until it’s about 1/4” thick – this way the chocolate to topping ratio will be on point.
- Sprinkle your toppings across the surface of the melted chocolate, going right to the edge and ensuring you’re not missing the corners. Do not dilly dally on this step. If you wait too long the chocolate will harden and the toppings will not be embedded at the level they need to be.
- Transfer the baking sheet to the fridge and chill for at least one hour.
- When you take it out of the fridge and can use a knife to cut the bark into rectangles.
- Pack into a cookie tin for gifting. But let’s be honest, once you get a look at your masterpiece you probably won’t want to give any of it away.
Now, you know we crushed drinks while making this bark. But what you’re about to find out is what drink did the job. Say hello to the Roasted Chestnut Old Fashioned. This bad boy was made with our homemade chestnut syrup, which we think is the perfect gift tbh. Grab the recipe here.
Making this bark got us so pumped up, we needed tunes to match. This playlist will not disappoint.