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Home » Recipes » Chocolate Caramel Bark

Chocolate Caramel Bark

Dec 22, 2015 · 2 Comments

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Chocolate Caramel Bark on the counter.

Chocolate Caramel Bark is a decadent treat that’s easy to make and great for an edible gift.  Graham crackers with rich caramel and dark chocolate make this bark hard to pass up.

Pieces of Chocolate Caramel Bark

Chocolate Caramel Bark is one of my favorite holiday treats this year, even beating out peppery peanut butter cookies.  I’ve made three batches all ready and between gifts and all of us, it has disappeared very quickly.  This Christmas chocolate bark is not as sweet as some because of the graham cracker base.

While it takes a couple of steps, I’ve given you some tips to make sure it turns out perfect. This chocolate bark recipe is very forgiving, so even if you don’t have a candy thermometer, it’ll still be fantastic.

What type of CHOCOLATE is best for chocolate caramel bark

For the first batch, I used up all the dark chocolate pieces that had been accumulating in the pantry, an ounce here and there and a few dark chocolate chips.  It was amazing, especially if you are a dark chocolate fan.

Chocolate Caramel Bark on a white surface

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However, I thought it could use a little milk chocolate.  The next batches I experimented and found my favorite combination which is 10 ounces of dark chocolate and 6 ounces of milk chocolate.

Any combination of bars of chocolate or chips will work so use what you like.  This is the time to splurge and get the best quality chocolate that will fit your budget, you can’t go wrong with Ghirardelli.

Chocolate Caramel Bark in a baking sheet

What you’ll need for this chocolate bark recipe

The ingredients for Christmas chocolate bark
  • Chocolate – any type and variety will be delicious. If you are a dark chocolate fan use all dark. You can even throw in chocolate chips. You want a total of about 16 ounces
  • Graham crackers – you’ll need 15
  • Butter and brown sugar – for the caramel
  • Pecans and salt – for the topping

How do you make Chocolate Caramel Bark

Step 1: Line up graham crackers on a rimmed baking sheet.  If, like me, you are making several batches and don’t have enough rimmed sheets, put an empty baking sheet underneath just in case it drips over.  Mine did not, but came close.  This is one of those recipes that it helps to have everything ready before you start.

Graham crackers lined up for a batch of chocolate bark

Step 2: Make the caramel by cooking brown sugar and butter and pour it over the graham crackers.

Three stages of caramel

Tips for making CARAMEL  

  • Make sure there is no moisture in the saucepan
  • Use a candy thermometer and remove when it reaches 300º
  • If no candy thermometer, look for a deep golden color
  • You don’t need to stir it, but if you just have to stir, it won’t ruin it
  • Pour this over the graham crackers immediately, if it separates, don’t worry, it will still taste awesome

Step 3: Bake for 10 minutes.

Step 4: Melt chocolate in a microwave at 50% power stirring every 30 seconds until just melted.

Step 5: Pour chocolate mixture over caramel mixture and immediately add nuts and sprinkle with flaky salt.

Step 6: Let cool completely and then refrigerate or freeze to harden before breaking into pieces.

Other TOPPING ideas for Chocolate Caramel Bark

Try topping with almonds or toasted coconut or be festive and add some sprinkles.

The end result is a heavenly combination of chocolate, salted caramel and pecans on a crunchy graham cracker base.  I just put them in a cellophane bag and add some ribbon to tie it shut and then store them in the freezer so that when I need to take a gift around the holidays, I have one ready to go.

Everyone who’s received these holiday treats have raved about how rich and delicious Christmas bark is.  It’s also great for a hostess gift or just leave a bag in the freezer and grab a piece every time you go by.

Chocolate Caramel Bark on a plate

FAQ’s and tips

Can you use chocolate chips for caramel bark

You can use chocolate chips and any combination of chocolate.

What should you do if the butter separates from the brown sugar?

No big deal, just pour it all over the graham crackers and when it bakes, you’ll never know.

Can you freeze chocolate bark?

This will save for months in the freezer. If you are going to ship it, you will want to freeze it first to keep the chocolate from melting.

Can you ship Christmas bark?

Yes, this will ship unless you live in a hot climate. Freeze first and ship so that it arrives in three days.

Christmas bark being wrapped in a gift bag

Need some other EDIBLE GIFT ideas

  • If you like white chocolate, then try White Chocolate Pretzel Bark
  • I always love to give cookies away, Peppery Peanut Butter Cookies add a little spicy
  • Or try Special K Cookies for a buttery cookie with a splash of orange
  • Your friends will love Pistachio Cranberry Shortbread
  • For a festive gift try cherry crinkle cookies
Chocolate Caramel Bark on a white surface

Chocolate Caramel Bark

Chocolate Caramel Bark is a decadent treat that's easy to make and great for an edible gift.  Graham crackers with rich caramel and dark chocolate make this treat hard to pass up.
4.88 from 8 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: caramel, chocolate, Christmas bark
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Servings: 24
Calories: 289kcal

Ingredients

  • 15 graham crackers
  • 1 cup butter
  • 1 cup brown sugar dark or light
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 ½ cups pecans chopped
  • 10 ounces dark chocolate chopped
  • 6 ounces milk chocolate chopped
  • ½ teaspoon sea salt for sprinkling

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 350º.
  • Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment. Place graham crackers on sheet touching each other.
  • In a medium saucepan, add butter, brown sugar and salt. Bring to a boil and boil for 2-3 minutes, until a candy thermometer reads 300º. Do not stir. Pour over graham crackers, spread evenly. Bake for 8-10 minutes until it is bubbly but not burnt.
  • While baking, melt chocolate in the microwave stirring every 30 seconds until just melted. Pour over baked graham cracker caramel mixture and sprinkle with pecans and flaky sea salt.
  • Chill for at least 45 minutes and then break into pieces.

Video

Notes

  • Make sure there is no moisture in the saucepan
  • Use a candy thermometer and remove when it reaches 300º
  • If no candy thermometer, look for a deep golden color
  • You don’t need to stir it, but if you just have to stir, it won’t ruin it
  • Pour this over the graham crackers immediately, if it separates, don’t worry, it will still taste awesome
  • Try adding toasted coconut to the top with the pecans

Nutrition

Calories: 289kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Cholesterol: 21mg | Sodium: 228mg | Potassium: 160mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 244IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 31mg | Iron: 2mg

If you make Chocolate Caramel Bark, be sure to leave a comment and/or give this recipe a rating! Above all, I love to hear from you guys and always do my best to respond to each and every comment. And of course, if you do make this recipe, don’t forget to also tag me on Instagram! I would love to see your creation.

Brownie & Bar Recipes, Dessert Recipes, Holiday Recipes, Recipes

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Sandra Broccoli says

    December 20, 2020 at 12:39 pm

    Hi Barbara, thank you for a very tasty recipe. This is the first bark I’ve ever made and I added crushed pieces of Werthers caramel candy on the top for extra crunch and used toasted almond slivers instead of the pecans.

    The only problem is that once it all cooled down and hardened, the chocolate detached from the caramel when I was breaking them into bark pieces. It was like two separate layers. Any idea why?

    Reply
    • Barbara Curry says

      December 22, 2020 at 1:59 pm

      It could be that the caramel cooked too long in the oven. Try taking it out a little sooner.

      Reply

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Barbara Curry is the culinary adventurer of Butter & Baggage. With a dedicated enthusiasm for real butter made from happy cows she is in constant pursuit of delicious recipes and tasty dishes. She shares her experiences, ventures, and occasional misadventures because let’s face it things can get messy in any kitchen. Read More…

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