Holiday Bark Shard Display

Featured in: Sweet & Toasty Treats

This festive chocolate bark combines smooth dark and white chocolate layers with vibrant peppermint candies, crunchy pistachios, tart cranberries, toasted coconut flakes, and sprinkles. Melted chocolate is spread evenly, marbled with white chocolate, and topped with colorful ingredients before chilling until firm. Once set, the bark is broken into elegant shards ideal for gifting or display during holiday gatherings. It’s vegetarian, gluten-free if toppings are selected accordingly, and quick to prepare for a seasonal treat.

Updated on Wed, 10 Dec 2025 12:15:00 GMT
Beautiful shards of Holiday Bark, a colorful chocolate dessert, ready for gifting or enjoying. Save
Beautiful shards of Holiday Bark, a colorful chocolate dessert, ready for gifting or enjoying. | toastytongs.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 holiday bark has become a tradition in our family gatherings — its vibrant colors and textures always impress guests and kids alike love helping to break the shards.

Ingredients

  • High-quality dark chocolate: 400 g, chopped, at least 60% cocoa
  • White chocolate: 200 g, chopped
  • Crushed peppermint candies: 60 g
  • Roasted salted pistachios: 60 g, roughly chopped
  • Dried cranberries: 60 g
  • Toasted coconut flakes: 40 g
  • Festive sprinkles (optional): 2 tbsp

Instructions

Prepare baking sheet:
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
Melt dark chocolate:
Heat the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over simmering water or microwave in increments, stirring until smooth.
Spread dark chocolate:
Pour melted dark chocolate onto the sheet and spread evenly about 0.5 cm thick using a spatula.
Melt white chocolate:
Melt white chocolate separately using the same method.
Drizzle and swirl:
Drizzle the white chocolate over the dark chocolate and swirl with a skewer or knife for a marbled effect.
Add toppings:
Sprinkle peppermint candies, pistachios, cranberries, coconut flakes, and sprinkles evenly over the chocolate.
Press toppings:
Gently press toppings into the chocolate to adhere.
Refrigerate:
Chill for at least 40 minutes or until fully set.
Break and serve:
Break bark into shards and arrange for serving or packaging.
This Holiday Bark boasts a stunning marbled effect, sprinkled with peppermint and pistachios for a treat. Save
This Holiday Bark boasts a stunning marbled effect, sprinkled with peppermint and pistachios for a treat. | toastytongs.com

Every holiday, breaking the bark with family brings moments of laughter and joy as everyone picks their favorite shard and topping combination.

Storage Tips

Store the bark in an airtight container in a cool place for up to 2 weeks to keep it fresh and crunchy.

Allergen Info

This recipe contains milk from chocolate, tree nuts from pistachios, and coconut. May contain soy. Always check toppings for gluten and nut contamination.

Variations

Try adding orange zest or a pinch of flaky sea salt for extra flavor or substitute toppings as preferred for creativity.

Sweet and salty Holiday Bark: dark chocolate base adorned with vibrant toppings, broken into perfect pieces to share. Save
Sweet and salty Holiday Bark: dark chocolate base adorned with vibrant toppings, broken into perfect pieces to share. | toastytongs.com

This chocolate bark is both delicious and visually stunning, perfect for sharing the holiday spirit with friends and family.

Recipe FAQ

How do I create the marbled chocolate effect?

Melt dark and white chocolates separately. Pour the dark chocolate first and spread evenly, then drizzle white chocolate on top and swirl gently using a skewer or knife for a marbled appearance.

Can I substitute pistachios with other nuts?

Yes, almonds or pecans can be used as a tasty alternative to pistachios while maintaining a crunchy texture.

What is the best way to ensure toppings stick to the bark?

Sprinkle toppings immediately after spreading chocolate, then gently press them into the surface before chilling to set firmly.

How long should the bark chill before breaking into shards?

Refrigerate the chocolate bark for at least 40 minutes or until fully set to ensure clean breaks into shards.

Are there gluten-free options for the sprinkles and candies?

Yes, using certified gluten-free sprinkles and candies helps keep the bark gluten-free and suitable for sensitive diets.

How should this chocolate bark be stored?

Store in an airtight container in a cool place to keep freshness, ideally consuming within two weeks.

Holiday Bark Shard Display

Festive chocolate bark layered with peppermint, pistachios, cranberries, coconut, and sprinkles for a holiday centerpiece.

Prep duration
15 min
Cook duration
5 min
Complete duration
20 min
Created By Daniel Brooks


Skill Level Easy

Heritage American

Output 12 Portions

Dietary considerations Meat-Free, No Gluten

Components

Chocolate Base

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

Toppings

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

Directions

Phase 01

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

Phase 02

Melt dark chocolate: Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over simmering water or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.

Phase 03

Spread dark chocolate: Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer about 1/5 inch thick using a spatula.

Phase 04

Melt white chocolate: Melt the white chocolate in a separate bowl using the same method as the dark chocolate.

Phase 05

Create marbled effect: Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer and swirl gently with a skewer or knife to create a marbled pattern.

Phase 06

Add toppings: Immediately sprinkle the peppermint candies, pistachios, cranberries, coconut flakes, and sprinkles evenly over the chocolate surface.

Phase 07

Press toppings: Gently press the toppings into the chocolate to ensure they adhere.

Phase 08

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

Phase 09

Break into shards: Once set, break the chocolate into irregular shards and arrange for serving or packaging.

Tools needed

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

Allergy details

Review each ingredient for potential allergens and consult with a healthcare professional if you're uncertain.
  • Contains milk (chocolate), tree nuts (pistachios), and coconut. May contain soy. Verify gluten and nut contamination in toppings.

Nutritional information (per portion)

These values are approximate guidelines only and shouldn't replace professional medical guidance.
  • Energy: 230
  • Fats: 14 g
  • Carbohydrates: 23 g
  • Proteins: 3 g