The holiday season brings a special kind of joy, often made sweeter with homemade treats. Dive into the festive spirit with this incredibly simple M&M’s Christmas Bark, a perfect christmas candy recipe. It’s quick, easy, and undeniably festive, bringing vibrant colors and delicious chocolate to your holiday table. This versatile bark is perfect for gifting, holiday parties, or simply enjoying with your loved ones.
Why You’ll Love This Easy Christmas Candy Recipe
You’ll adore this simple christmas candy recipe for many wonderful reasons. It makes holiday baking effortless and fun!
- Simple Ingredients: You only need a few readily available items to create this festive treat.
- Quick Preparation Time: Whip up a batch in minutes, leaving you more time for holiday festivities.
- No-Bake Convenience: Avoid oven use during busy holidays with this easy, no-bake delight.
- Visually Stunning: Bright M&M’s and sprinkles make this bark a beautiful addition to any festive spread.
- Customizable: Easily adapt toppings and colors to suit your taste or theme.
- Ideal for Gifts: Package pieces of this bark for charming homemade holiday presents.
- Perfect for Parties: Serve this candy at gatherings; it’s always a crowd-pleaser.
- Family Tradition: Start a new tradition of making this joyful bark together each year.
Ingredients
Gather these simple ingredients to create your vibrant M&M’s Christmas Bark, a delightful christmas candy recipe:
- 1 10 oz bag Dark Chocolate Melting Wafers (Ghirardelli recommended)
- 1 10 oz bag White Melting Wafers (Ghirardelli recommended)
- 1/2 cup Christmas Colored M&M’s
- Christmas Colored Sprinkles and Nonpareils
Notes & Substitutions
High-quality melting wafers ensure the best texture for this christmas candy recipe. Ghirardelli offers excellent melting properties and flavor. You can substitute with other types of chocolate, such as milk chocolate or semi-sweet chocolate chips, but they may require tempering for a crisp snap. Experiment with different festive toppings like crushed peppermints, chopped nuts, dried cranberries, or other small candies. For other holidays, simply change the M&M and sprinkle colors to match your theme.
Equipment
You only need a few basic items to make this easy M&M’s Christmas Bark.
- 8×8 square cake pan
- Parchment paper
Recommended for Candy Making
While not essential for this specific bark recipe, these tools are helpful for more advanced candy making. Consider a candy thermometer for precise temperature control, a heavy-bottomed saucepan for even heating, and a silicone spatula for scraping bowls. Baking sheets lined with wax paper are great for cooling various candies. Finally, gift tins or boxes are perfect for packaging your homemade creations.
Instructions
Making this M&M’s Christmas Bark, a truly simple christmas candy recipe, is a breeze with these steps.
Step 1: Prepare your pan. Line an 8×8 square cake pan completely with parchment paper, allowing some overhang on the sides for easy lifting. This prevents sticking and makes removal simple.
Step 2: Melt the dark chocolate wafers. Follow the package directions for melting; typically, this involves a microwave or double boiler. Once smooth and fully melted, pour the dark chocolate into the parchment-lined cake pan. This is a crucial part of this christmas candy recipe.
Step 3: Spread the dark chocolate evenly. Use a spoon or an offset spatula to gently smooth the melted dark chocolate across the bottom of the pan. Ensure you create an even layer.
Step 4: Allow dark chocolate to set slightly. Let the dark chocolate cool at room temperature until it has just begun to firm up. It should no longer appear shiny, but still feel soft enough to adhere to the next layer. This usually takes about 10-15 minutes.
Step 5: Melt the white chocolate wafers. Following package instructions, melt the white chocolate until it’s smooth and fluid. Pour this melted white chocolate evenly over the slightly set dark chocolate layer.
Step 6: Gently smooth the white chocolate. Use a spoon or offset spatula to carefully spread the white chocolate. Be cautious not to dig too deep, preventing the layers from mixing together. Your goal is a distinct top layer.
Step 7: Immediately add festive toppings. While the white chocolate is still wet, generously sprinkle the Christmas M&M’s, Christmas sprinkles, and nonpareils over the entire surface. Press them lightly into the chocolate to ensure they stick.
Step 8: Refrigerate and cut. Place the pan in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, or until the entire bark is completely firm. Once solid, remove the bark from the pan using the parchment paper overhang. Break or cut the bark into your preferred sizes.
Pro Tips for Perfect Christmas Candy
Achieve delicious results with your homemade christmas candy recipe by keeping these tips in mind.
- Temperature Control: For more complex candies, a candy thermometer ensures precise temperatures, preventing sugar crystallization or burning.
- Mise en Place: Always gather and measure all ingredients and equipment before you start. This streamlines the process and avoids last-minute rushes.
- Ingredient Quality: Using fresh, high-quality ingredients, especially your melting chocolates, significantly impacts the final taste and texture of your treats.
- Melting Technique: Melt chocolate slowly and gently. Use a microwave at 50% power in short bursts, stirring frequently, or a double boiler to prevent scorching or seizing.
- Working Quickly: When making bark, move swiftly after pouring the chocolate layers. This ensures toppings adhere properly before the chocolate sets.
- Troubleshooting: If chocolate seizes (becomes thick and grainy), it likely encountered moisture. Unfortunately, it’s often beyond saving for candy making. For chocolate that won’t set, ensure it’s pure chocolate or true melting wafers, not compound coating.
Serving, Storage, & Variations
This versatile christmas candy recipe is perfect for many occasions.
Serving Suggestions: Present your M&M’s Christmas Bark on a festive dessert board alongside cookies and other treats. You can also package individual pieces in small treat bags as charming party favors. It’s a delightful homemade addition to any holiday gathering.
Storage: Store M&M’s Christmas Bark in an airtight container at room temperature in a cool, dry place for up to two weeks. Avoid direct sunlight or warm environments, which can cause the chocolate to melt or bloom. For longer storage, you can keep it in the refrigerator.
Gifting: Homemade Christmas candy makes heartfelt gifts. Arrange pieces in decorative tins, small cellophane bags tied with festive ribbons, or clear boxes for an elegant presentation. Don’t forget a small handwritten tag!
Other Festive Christmas Candy Ideas
Expand your holiday repertoire beyond this bark with these classic christmas candy recipe options:
- Homemade Fudge: A rich, creamy stovetop recipe, often made with chocolate, nuts, or even peanut butter.
- Peanut Brittle: A classic crunchy, nutty candy featuring caramelized sugar and roasted peanuts.
- Divinity Candy: An airy, melt-in-your-mouth meringue-based candy, traditionally made with egg whites and pecans.
- Peanut Butter Balls/Buckeyes: Irresistible chocolate-dipped peanut butter treats, resembling the nut.
- Salted Caramel Candies: Chewy, sweet-and-salty caramels, often finished with a sprinkle of sea salt.
- Chocolate Covered Cherries: Luxurious confections featuring brandied or maraschino cherries enrobed in chocolate.
- Cream Cheese Mints: Soft, buttery mints that you can tint and mold into various festive shapes.
- Hard Candy: Traditional boiled candies, offering a burst of fruity or spicy flavor in various shapes.
Nutrition Information
Here is an estimated nutritional breakdown for one serving of M&M’s Christmas Bark. Please note that these values are approximate and can vary significantly based on specific brands, ingredient choices, and serving size.
| Nutrient | Amount (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Calories | 180 kcal |
| Total Fat | 12 g |
| Saturated Fat | 7 g |
| Cholesterol | 5 mg |
| Sodium | 30 mg |
| Total Carbohydrate | 18 g |
| Sugars | 16 g |
| Protein | 2 g |
FAQ
You’ve got questions about this christmas candy recipe; we have answers!
- Q: Can I use chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?
- A: While you can, chocolate chips contain stabilizers that prevent easy melting and may result in a less smooth, less firm bark. Melting wafers are formulated for easy melting and a crisp snap, which is ideal for this christmas candy recipe.
- Q: How long does homemade Christmas bark last?
- A: When stored properly in an airtight container at room temperature, Christmas bark typically lasts for up to two weeks. Keep it away from heat and direct sunlight to maintain its quality.
- Q: Can I make this Christmas candy recipe ahead of time?
- A: Absolutely! This bark is perfect for preparing in advance. Make it up to two weeks before your event and store it according to the instructions.
- Q: What are other easy Christmas candy recipes for beginners?
- A: Besides this bark, beginner-friendly options include pretzel bark, chocolate-dipped pretzels or Oreos, and easy peanut butter fudge. These require minimal cooking and simple steps.
- Q: How do I prevent my chocolate from seizing?
- A: To prevent seizing, ensure your chocolate never comes into contact with water or steam. Melt it slowly over low heat or in short bursts in the microwave, stirring often.
Conclusion
Making homemade christmas candy recipe adds a special touch to your holiday celebrations. This Easy M&M’s Christmas Bark stands out as a simple yet incredibly festive treat. It’s perfect for sharing, gifting, or simply enjoying a sweet moment with loved ones. Embrace the joy of the season by creating this vibrant and delicious chocolate bark!
