Crunch Bark Candy

24 servings Prep: 10 m Cook: 12 m Total: 22 m Beginner
Be the first to rate!
Crunch Bark Candy
This candy was prepared for 70 co-workers. I was glad I was one of them. This candy is quick and easy to make with chocolate or vanilla almond bark, walnuts, coconut, and Rice Krispies cereal. Where did anyone come up with the name “bark” to describe a holiday candy that comes in sheets made of chocolate or similar meltable confections with pieces of nut or hard candy embedded? Must be the thickness and irregular texture of the candy that would remind one of tree bark, maybe?

Ingredients

24 servings
  • 1 package chocolate or vanilla flavored almond bark, coarsely chopped
  • 3/4 cup walnuts, coarsely chopped
  • 1/2 cup sweetened flaked coconut
  • 2 cups Rice Krispies cereal

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
  2. Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper, allowing about 6 inches to extend over long sides of the pan.
  3. Coarsely chop nuts and coconut. Bake 10-12 minutes or until golden brown, stirring occasionally.
  4. While the nut mixture is toasting, melt bark as instructed on package (typically in microwave at 30-second intervals, stirring between each).
  5. Stir half of the toasted nut mixture and all of the cereal into the melted bark. Pour bark onto the prepared cookie sheet, spreading evenly.
  6. Immediately sprinkle with remaining nut and coconut mixture; press gently into bark.
  7. Refrigerate 30-40 minutes or until completely set. Bring edges of parchment paper up over bark and break into 2-inch pieces.

Common Problems and Solutions

Q: Why is my bark not setting up in the refrigerator?

A: Make sure you're using actual almond bark (a candy coating product), not just melted chocolate chips. Almond bark is formulated to set up firm at room temperature, while regular chocolate may stay soft. Also ensure your bark was fully melted and smooth before mixing in the cereal and nuts.

Q: Can I break the bark into pieces before it's completely set?

A: Wait until the bark is completely firm—at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator. If you try to break it too early, it will crack unevenly and may not break cleanly. The parchment paper makes it easy to lift and break once fully set.

Tips and Techniques

Toast the nuts and coconut until they’re fragrant and golden brown for the best flavor—this step makes a big difference. Work quickly once you’ve melted the bark, as it begins to set up fast. If it starts to thicken before you’re done spreading, you can warm it briefly in the microwave for 10-15 seconds.

Ingredient Substitutions

  • walnuts: pecans, almonds, or cashews
  • Rice Krispies cereal: any crispy rice cereal
  • sweetened flaked coconut: toasted coconut chips or leave it out entirely

Equipment Needed

  • cookie sheet
  • parchment paper
  • mixing bowl
  • wooden spoon