Holiday Bark Shard Display

Featured in: Simple Sweet Treats

This holiday chocolate bark features a rich dark chocolate base marbled with white chocolate. It's adorned with crushed peppermint candies, roasted pistachios, dried cranberries, toasted coconut flakes, and festive sprinkles. After setting in the refrigerator for about 40 minutes, the bark is broken into elegant shards perfect for sharing or gifting. The combination of textures and flavors offers a colorful, easy-to-prepare dessert centerpiece for any holiday celebration.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:54:00 GMT
Festive Holiday Bark shards display colorful candy and nuts on a chocolate canvas, ready to enjoy. Save to Pinterest
Festive Holiday Bark shards display colorful candy and nuts on a chocolate canvas, ready to enjoy. | amberkettle.com

A festive and eye-catching chocolate bark, loaded with colorful toppings and broken into elegant shards—perfect for gifting or as a centerpiece for your holiday dessert table.

This recipe brings back cherished family moments gathered around the holidays, creating sweet memories with every shard broken.

Ingredients

  • Chocolate Base: 400 g high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa) chopped, 200 g white chocolate chopped
  • Toppings: 60 g crushed peppermint candies, 60 g roasted salted pistachios roughly chopped, 60 g dried cranberries, 40 g toasted coconut flakes, 2 tbsp festive sprinkles (optional)

Instructions

Step 1:
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Step 2:
Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water (double boiler) or microwave in 30-second increments, stirring until smooth.
Step 3:
Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer about 0.5 cm thick using a spatula.
Step 4:
Melt the white chocolate in a separate bowl using the same method.
Step 5:
Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer, then use a skewer or knife to swirl for a marbled effect.
Step 6:
Immediately sprinkle the peppermint candies, pistachios, cranberries, coconut flakes, and sprinkles evenly over the chocolate.
Step 7:
Gently press toppings into the chocolate so they adhere.
Step 8:
Refrigerate for at least 40 minutes or until fully set.
Step 9:
Once set, break the bark into irregular shards and arrange on a platter for serving or packaging.
A close-up of delicious Holiday Bark, with vibrant red cranberries and bright green pistachios. Save to Pinterest
A close-up of delicious Holiday Bark, with vibrant red cranberries and bright green pistachios. | amberkettle.com

This recipe always brings joy when shared with loved ones during the holiday season, making every celebration sweeter.

Required Tools

Large baking sheet, parchment paper, heatproof bowls, spatula, knife or skewer

Allergen Information

Contains milk (chocolate), tree nuts (pistachios), and coconut. May contain soy (in chocolate). Double-check all toppings for gluten and nut contamination if needed.

Nutritional Information

Calories: 230, Total Fat: 14 g, Carbohydrates: 23 g, Protein: 3 g (per serving)

Irregular pieces of tempting Holiday Bark, a sweet treat perfect for your holiday dessert table. Save to Pinterest
Irregular pieces of tempting Holiday Bark, a sweet treat perfect for your holiday dessert table. | amberkettle.com

Enjoy this festive treat that’s as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Recipe FAQs

What type of chocolate is best for the bark?

Use high-quality dark chocolate with at least 60% cocoa for a rich base and good melting properties. White chocolate adds a creamy swirl effect.

Can I substitute the toppings?

Yes, nuts like almonds or pecans can replace pistachios, and gluten-free candies can be used to suit dietary needs.

How do I achieve the marbled white chocolate effect?

Drizzle melted white chocolate over the dark layer and swirl gently with a skewer or knife to create natural patterns.

What is the best method to melt chocolate?

Melt chocolate using a double boiler for gentle heat or microwave in short bursts, stirring frequently to avoid burning.

How should the bark be stored?

Keep the set bark in an airtight container in a cool place to maintain freshness for up to two weeks.

Holiday Bark Shard Display

Festive chocolate bark topped with peppermint, pistachios, cranberries, and coconut, chilled and broken into shards.

Prep duration
15 min
Time to cook
5 min
Total duration
20 min
Created by Molly Easton


Skill level Easy

Cuisine American

Makes 12 Portions

Dietary details Meat-free, Wheat-free

What You'll Need

Chocolate Base

01 14 oz high-quality dark chocolate (at least 60% cocoa), chopped
02 7 oz white chocolate, chopped

Toppings

01 2.1 oz crushed peppermint candies
02 2.1 oz roasted, salted pistachios, roughly chopped
03 2.1 oz dried cranberries
04 1.4 oz toasted coconut flakes
05 2 tbsp festive sprinkles (optional)

Directions

Step 01

Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.

Step 02

Melt Dark Chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water (double boiler) or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Step 03

Spread Dark Chocolate: Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the lined baking sheet and spread evenly to approximately 0.2 inches thickness using a spatula.

Step 04

Melt White Chocolate: Melt the white chocolate in a separate heatproof bowl using the same method.

Step 05

Marble White Chocolate: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer, then swirl with a skewer or knife to create a marbled pattern.

Step 06

Add Toppings: Evenly sprinkle crushed peppermint candies, pistachios, dried cranberries, toasted coconut flakes, and optional sprinkles over the chocolate surface.

Step 07

Press Toppings: Gently press the toppings into the chocolate to ensure adhesion.

Step 08

Chill: Refrigerate the assembly for at least 40 minutes until fully set.

Step 09

Serve: Break the chilled bark into irregular shards and arrange on a platter for presentation or packaging.

Equipment needed

  • Large baking sheet
  • Parchment paper
  • Heatproof bowls
  • Spatula
  • Knife or skewer

Allergy details

Be sure to look at every ingredient. If you have concerns, ask your healthcare provider.
  • Contains milk, tree nuts, and coconut. Possible soy presence. Verify toppings for gluten and nut contamination if required.

Nutrition Info (one portion)

Information shown is for general reference. Please speak to your doctor for nutrition advice.
  • Energy: 230
  • Lipids: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 3 g