Monday, December 8, 2008

White Chocolate Cranberry Coconut Bark

White Chocolate Cranberry Coconut BarkI've made this white chocolate bark many times. Sometimes I'll use pistachios or almonds instead of the pecans. The trick is to use the best quality white chocolate you can since cheaper white chocolate doesn't melt as well.

To form little nests of bark, I used a plastic mold that my granny smith apples came in when I bought them at Costco. Instead of throwing the plastic into the garbage, I thought it would make a great mold for Christmas bark. I was inspired by Holly from Phemomenon who used a plastic mold to make a peanut butter bar earlier this year.

Recipe

Makes 9 large clusters

Ingredients for White Chocolate Cranberry Coconut Bark6 ounces white chocolate, chopped
½ cup dried sweetened dried cranberries
1/3 cup pecans, toasted and chopped (or other nuts)
2 tablespoons coconut, toasted
½ teaspoon almond extract (optional)

Melt the 3 ounces white chocolate over a double-boiler of simmering water or slowly in the microwave. Stir until the chocolate is smooth. Add the cranberries, pecans, coconut, and almond extract.

Drop onto waxed paper or use a mold.

Melt the remaining 3 ounces white chocolate and drizzle in a crisscross pattern using a piping bag.

Refrigerate or freeze until firm.

Store in an airtight container. Can be stored in the refrigerator for several months.

White Chocolate Cranberry Coconut BarkOther Christmas treat ideas:
Linzer Sablés
Brown Sugar-Pecan Shortbread Cookies
Lenox Almond Biscotti
Rugelach

Check out these barks from other food bloggers:
Sea Salted Smoked Almond Bark
30+ Creative takes on Chocolate Bark Recipes

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18 comments:

Anonymous said...

Ohh, I could eat way, way too much of this. And it's beautiful to boot. Thanks for the recipe!

Elle said...

it's so pretty! I love the way you shaped it!

The Food Librarian said...

While I try to cram those plastic containers into my recycling bin, here you go making something so amazing! Awesome!

CB said...

That's what I am talking about! White chocolate. Holy Yum!
/Clara

thecelticcookinshanghai said...

Wow Shari this looks so good. Christmas is so full of excesses, I love it.

Anonymous said...

I like the way you gave your bark a unique shape - great idea!

Anonymous said...

Those are very elegant and simple Shari!

PheMom said...

That looks great Shari! And here I just used my apple container to hold some cupcakes. :)

Anonymous said...

Wowie, I love the idea of using all that wasteful plastic for something as cool as this. I made this bark, or something quite similar and just cut it in chunks, next time, I am using the left over plastic. Brilliant, absolutely brilliant!

Manggy said...

It's amazing how the crumbly, craggy mess that is white chocolate can be transformed into something so smooth and luxurious, isn't it? Good job with the recycling too! :)

Meeta K. Wolff said...

oh these are dangerous!i could overeat on these!

Anonymous said...

Coconut at Christmas time is not something you see at all enough of.

Great post.

Megan said...

Great idea to use those apple holder to mold your bark. Very creative!

grace said...

greatest combination of dessert ingredients EVER. seriously, i could probably eat my weight in these. seriously. :)

Anonymous said...

So pretty, they look like little leaves!

Anonymous said...

That bark looks so pretty, the first one definitely looks like a beautiful leaf covered in sweet white chocolate snow! :)

test it comm said...

That bark looks great!

Kare said...

Just came across this post. 1) Love the name of your food blog, it's perfect! 2) LOVE the idea of using the Costco apple containers as a mold! I just threw one in recycling this morning. Next time!