This chocolate reindeer bark is the perfect fun holiday treat to make! It’s quick and easy, fun for kids and adults, and easily customizable to make it dietary friendly as needed.
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It’s time to get festive and make some cute reindeer bark! Chocolate bark is so easy to make and this one just so happens to be fun, too.
Get the kids involved and let their creativity shine.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Dietary friendly (vegan, gluten-free and nut-free) using your choice of chocolate, candies and pretzels.
- Enjoyed by both kids and adults alike
- A great homemade food gift for the holiday season.
- An easy recipe and fun treat to make using just a handful of ingredients
Ingredients You Will Need
- dark chocolate morsels – I used a mix of semi-sweet chocolate chips and dark chocolate morsels, but feel free to use your favorite brand and mix of chocolate types like milk chocolate and dark chocolate. Try to use a good quality chocolate if you can, as it often has better taste and melting ability.
- pretzel twists – I used large thin pretzel twists here and created various sized “antlers”, depending on where the pretzels were cut. You can also use mini pretzel twists – see more notes on this below.
- red chocolate candies – I used red m&m candies for the reindeer noses but feel free to use another color or a mix if you’d like. This brand makes a no artificial color red option as well.
- mini candy eyes – these edible candy eyes are so easy to use, versus making your own with melted white chocolate.
Recommended Tools
Find the full detailed instructions with measurements in the recipe card below, at the end of this post.
Step-by-Step Process
Here is a step-by-step overview of how to make this reindeer chocolate bark recipe including photo visuals and instructions.
For the full recipe including ingredients, amounts and directions, check out the recipe card below.
Cut Pretzels
Place pretzels on cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into the center of the twist to get looped antlers (see photos in post). If using larger twists, you can cut and make different sized antlers. If using mini pretzel twists (or sometimes called “tiny twists”), you can stick with just using the cut loops.
NOTE: you may end up with some different sized pretzel pieces. You can determine if you want different sized antlers, snack on the extra pieces or throw them into some chex mix for later.
Melt Chocolate
In a large skillet over low heat, melt chocolate chips and stir frequently until smooth. Watch closely as to not burn them. You can also use the double boiler method. Remove from heat and set aside.
Make Reindeer Faces
Pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread out in an even layer, using silicone spatula to smooth. Begin adding your set of reindeer antlers towards the top of the chocolate, then add candy reindeer eyes and finish with the red candy nose to create the reindeer face.
Continue creating reindeer faces, allowing some room between the faces. Then you can add on sprinkles once you’ve completed the reindeer faces.
Note: How many reindeer you get will depend on the size of your antlers you’ve made.
Cool to Set
Transfer pan to fridge to set chocolate for 15-20 minutes, or cool at room temperature up to one hour.
How to Cut Chocolate Bark
Lift parchment paper from sheet pan and place on cutting board. Use sharp knife to cut out reindeer faces and enjoy!
Tip: Make sure chocolate isn’t rock hard before cutting into, or it may break in pieces you don’t want it to.
Recipe Tips & Notes
Pretzel Twists: I used thin pretzel twists and cut down the center to use the loops, but I also cut various shapes of antlers. If using only mini pretzels, you can get away with using just the loops. Once you start cutting into the pretzels, you’ll find where they break and what kind of shapes you’ll get.
Types of Chocolate: I used a mix of semi-sweet and dark chocolate morsels, as it was what I had on hand. Feel free to use a mix of your favorite and your favorite brand, but try to stick with high quality chocolate for better melting and taste. You need 10 ounces.
Melting chocolate: Whether you’re melting chocolate on the stovetop, in the microwave using a large glass bowl or using a double boiler, just be sure to watch carefully a to not burn the chocolate.
Gifting: If giving as gifts or making with more than one child, feel free to double the batch and work on two quarter sheet pans or one large sheet pan.
Making this with kids: If letting your little ones in on the fun, make sure all of the ingredients are gathered and put in separate bowls. You might even want to give each child their own station. You can easily double the recipe or let them make individual little reindeer faces by adding a tablespoon of melted chocolate on some parchment paper in front of them, then add their own toppings.
Serving Suggestions
One doesn’t need an excuse to make chocolate reindeer bark for the holidays, but if you’re looking for ways to put this recipe to good use, here are some ideas:
- Homemade food gifts
- Family christmas party dessert
- Cookie exchange recipe
How to Store Chocolate Bark
Fully cooled and cut reindeer bark can be stored in an airtight container on parchment paper in layers. Store in fridge for 2 weeks, or on the counter at room temperature (below 70ºF) up to one week.
If gifting chocolate bark, place a few different sized pieces in cellophane bags and secure with a tied red ribbon.
More Holiday No Bake Treats
Let me know if you make this recipe by leaving a comment and star rating below! It helps others learn more about the recipe too! Xx Ashley
Chocolate Reindeer Bark
Ingredients
- 1 (10 ounce) bag dark chocolate morsels
- pretzel twists, see notes
- red chocolate candies
- candy eyes
- white sprinkles
Instructions
- Line a medium sheet pan (quarter sheet) with parchment paper and gather all of your ingredients and toppings to make the reindeer faces so you're ready to go once the chocolate is melted; set aside.
- Cut pretzels: Place pretzels on cutting board and use a sharp knife to cut into the center of the twist to get looped antlers (see photos in post). If using large twists, you can cut and make different sized antlers. If using regular sized twists, you can stick with just using the cut loops.
- Melt chocolate: In a large skillet over low heat, melt chocolate chips and stir frequently until smooth. Watch closely as to not burn them. You can also use the double boiler method. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Make reindeer bark: Pour melted chocolate onto parchment paper lined baking sheet and spread out in an even layer, using silicone spatula to smooth. I used a quarter sheet pan, which was the perfect size for this recipe. Begin adding antlers towards the top of the chocolate, then add candy eyes and red nose. Continue creating reindeer faces, allowing some room between the faces. Add on sprinkles once you've completed the reindeer – how many reindeer you get will depend on the size of your antlers you've made. Transfer pan to fridge to set chocolate for 15-20 minutes, or cool at room temperature up to one hour.
- Cut bark: Lift parchment paper from sheet pan and place on cutting board. Use sharp knife to cut out reindeer faces and enjoy! Tip: Make sure chocolate isn't rock hard before cutting into, or it may break in pieces you don't want it to.
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