It's hard to believe that Easter is just two weeks away. This year just seems to be evaporating. I thought over these next few days I would share a few Easter Treats with you that your family will enjoy over the holidays. First up is this delicious Easter Bark!
Not only is it delicious and pretty to look at, but it's very easy to do. And . . . you only need a microwave in order to make it. You could of course also do the chocolate melting on top of the stove, but do be careful not to burn the chocolate and only melt it over either simmering water (don't let the water touch the bottom of the bowl) or a very, very low heat.
You could use jelly beans if you wished, but I like to use those little candy covered milk chocolate Easter eggs . . you know the ones I mean. They are coloured and speckled and kind of look like psychedelic robin's eggs.
I love the delicious mix of salty and sweet . . . creamy and crunchy . . .
I like to add more eggs to the top after I spread it out . . . just to add some additional scrum, and of course a few more broken pretzels.
I'm a big fan of the salty/sweet thing. I know . . . and as Dorcas Lane would say . . . it's my only weakness. ☺
*Easter Bark*
Makes about 1 pound
Printable Recipe
Sweetly scrummy. Easy and quick to make too! I like to add broken pretzels to mine. It's that sweet/salty thing!
12 ounces (weight) of white chocolate chips or candy melts (2 cups)
2 tsp white vegetable shortening
2 (100g) bags of small candy covered chocolate easter eggs such as the Cadbury's ones (about 1 heaped cupful)
a good handful of small pretzel hoops, broken (optional)
Have a baking sheet lined with parchment paper ready. Spray the paper lightly with non cooking spray. Set aside.
Place the white chocolate and vegetable shortening into a medium sized microwaveable bowl. Blitz on the 80% setting (medium high) for about 1 minute. Stir. If the chocolate still doesn't melt, blitz at 30 second intervals, stirring after each, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Give one packet of the candy eggs a good bash with the bottom of a jar or a rolling pin. You want them broken up coarsely.
Stir the broken candy and pretzels (if using) into the melted chocolate. Pour onto the prepared baking sheet, spreading it out thinly. Sprinkle with the remaining pack of chocolate eggs. Allow to set until firm. Once firm, break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Note: You don't have to use the chocolate eggs. You can also use jelly beans, or coloured smarties if you would rather.