I think I’ve found my sugar & sprinkles soul sister recently. I really do. The funny thing is, I had popped by Jessica’s blog from time to time when I would spot her yummy treats linked by friends on twitter, but I didn’t really get a chance to sit down and really take a good long look through her recipes until this past week. That’s when I came across the sprinkled masterpiece of epic proportion: her cake batter chocolate bark. Much like Jessica, I wasn’t what I’d really consider a “bark person” until this recipe came along, but what’s so fabulous about it, aside from the obvious delightfulness, is that it took me 5 minutes active time to make this (and about 5 to eat it–whoops). That’s the incredible thing about this, and about bark recipes in general: you take existing chocolate (of any kind, but the better the chocolate, the better it will be, since it’s really the only ingredient), melt it down, spread it out, add some bits & bites of yumminess, set it, break it and . . . ta-da!
The possibilities are endless, which is why making your first batch of bark can be a wee bit dangerous. You may find yourself rummaging frantically through cupboards, pantries, and old handbags, looking for random candy bits, nuts, dried fruit, or pretty much anything tasty to create your next batch. It’s so fun, simple, quick, and rewarding, which is why I fear I’m hooked. If you don’t believe me, you can see what else Jessica has discovered, or what Naomi, Michelle, or Maria have to say about their experiences with bark. Go on, you’ll see.
My kind of party.
Oh crumbs — it’s almost gone? How did that . . . who took my . . . where did the . . .
Who me?
I hope you love this recipe as much as I do. There’s something seriously therapeutic about tossing handfuls of sprinkles onto shiny, gorgeous, silky melted quality chocolate. There may be something even more therapeutic about snapping off a rainbow-coloured piece of that same chocolate and tasting rich chocolate and crunchy bits of sprinkles all at once. I’m not sure life gets any better than that.
Why not make a batch of this, wrap it in a fun crystal clear cello bag and tie it with some fun polka dot ribbon for birthday party favours?
I’m off to whip up a collection of birthday cakes for a special friend this weekend, but I’ll be back very soon with that vanilla cake post I mentioned on Wednesday and then next week I’ll be celebrating my very 1st blogiversary!
If you haven’t had the joy of browsing Jessica’s heartfelt, humorous, and incredibly delicious blog how sweet it is before, I definitely recommend it. You will likely come across several other cake batter recipes–this girl can concoct some seriously decadent creations. Come to think of it, she and I could create some serious mischief together. We should get on that.
Have a wonderful weekend, friends!
- 6 ounces 180 grams high quality dark or extra dark chocolate, chopped
- 12 ounces 360 grams high quality white chocolate, chopped
- 1 tablespoon 15 g white cake mix
- sprinkles of choice jimmies, non-pareils, Wilton gold edible star sprinkles, etc.
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
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Chop chocolate. Melt dark chocolate either in the microwave or a double boiler. If using microwave, place chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe container (I use a Pyrex glass measuring cup), and heat for 20 second intervals, stirring each time with a silicone spatula. Be careful not to burn the chocolate--when there are just a few small bits left un-melted, you can simply continue to stir until it is completely smooth.
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Pour melted dark chocolate onto your parchment/mat and spread (with a small offset spatula for ease) until desired thickness is achieved. Freeze for 20 minutes to set.
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Melt your white chocolate. Whisk in cake mix slowly, stirring well until smooth. Let it sit for approximately 3 minutes (or at least until it slightly thickens).
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Remove pan with set chocolate from the freezer and pour white chocolate on top, repeating the same spreading technique as you did with the dark chocolate. Toss sprinkles on right away. Freeze for 20 more minutes.
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Once set, break or cut into pieces. Store in the refrigerator.
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Try not to beat yourself up when you repeatedly sneak and snack on pieces every time you open the refrigerator for something else.
*slightly adapted from how sweet it is “cake batter chocolate bark”
Good luck & enjoy!
Oh so pretty! I am SUCH a sucker for sprinkles!
I really like peppermint bark during the holiday season. Chocolate bark is just a great treat to have, and making a cake batter version is probably very dangerous to my waist line, oh well :P
This is so cute! Love it.
What a great idea, Rosie! I love making bark, too but making a cake batter version is inspired.
This sounds ah-mazing! I’ve gotta try it … Please explain white cake mix – as in dry (boxed or homemade) cake mix -or- as in ready-to-pour-in-a-pan-and-bake-a-cake white cake mix? ;) Thanks!!
Thanks, Jenn! The cake mix is dry cake mix you would buy in a box, such as Duncan Hines, etc. When you add it, it’s dry like flour. Good luck!
Hi Rosie! :)
Just got home from my 2nd half marathon and checked my email to see this post! I REALLYYYY want to make it now but don’t actually HAVE boxed cake mix :/ Silly question but did you actually use boxed cake mix that you get from the supermarket or a homemade mix? If homemade, any chance you could share that as I think I deserve to try some of this after my run! Ok… maybe not, but hey, any reason will do :)
I know this is old, but for anyone reading the comments who might be in the same pickle, 2 tsp flour, 1 tsp sugar will pretty much do the trick.
It’s getting close to midnight, and I have a feeling I’m going to be thinking about this all night!! Yum!
Yum! This looks so good!
This is SO pretty!! I love your photos. These are way too perfect to have around the house to snack on!
So very pretty! I don’t think I’d be able to stop myself eating all of it in one go…
So cute!! Love it!!
http://www.mipatisserie.blogspot.com
Sweet jesus, I think my thighs are going to start hating you soon. This looks pretty and delicious. What a neat idea. (I also know a bunch of people with upcoming birthdays, so I may be able to pawn some of this off on them.)
I love this, I’m definitely going to try this. I love that it has cake batter in it! I love your site and I love Jessica’s too!
rosie! i gotta stop looking at your blog before i’ve eaten breakfast!! love the look of this bark – ! i have the same three tiered stand thingie as you! i love it. that bark would look crazy cute as shards coming out of a cake… ^__^
lovely as usual! xo
I totally agree, Lyndsay! Shards on a cake would be so cute! xo
Wow, this is so creative and looks easy to make! Thanks!
Perfect for a kids party, must do next party. Hmm… my mind is spinning, bark is easy and so many pairings will work, mmmm ginger snap and ginger chews with something???
So pretty. I’ve made peppermint bark in the past and while it makes great gifts, I never really liked peppermint that much. Vanilla sounds much better. Definitely will try this!
so pretty!! i am so glad you liked this my love! :) you are the best.
Thanks, Jessica! xo
So cute, I love it! Love the cake stand too :)
You just made this non-bark person crave some bark!
So glad you love it too!
I will try that for a next party! Seems easy and so sweet and good to do! (and eat of course! ^^)
Thanks so much!
Hi! I always check up on your blog to see what you’ve made and was thinking, have you thought about making a “button” on your blog? So people can put the button on their blogs which links back to yours. I would stick it on my blog. Just a thought :)
I honestly love your blog! Like I’m getting all these dessert and party ideas from here :)
i love rainbow sprinkles, they make everything so much more festive!
I make peppermint bark almost every Christmas as gifts for friends; I tend to forget that it doesn’t have to be a seasonal treat. The sprinkles make this absolutely adorable…oh man, *love* those stars. ^_^
Oh gosh…totally wouldn’t last any length of time around here.
Barkalicious fun! This would be very popular at my house!!
Rosie, this is gorgeous! And now you have me wanting the little Gold Wilton stars =)
Thanks, Callye! I’m currently hooked on those stars. They’re so simple and possibly silly, but I love’em.
I love this bark! It is so pretty and fun! Thanks for the bark shout out too:) Such an easy and fun treat!
Oh my word!!! This looks amazing! It immediately made made me think of the cake batter ice cream I had in Aus. in the summer. Must try! Xo
oh how I love this!
oh…my…gosh… cannot WAIT to try this!!!!
Wow, this is such a super cute idea!! I can’t wait to give it a go xxx
Just gorgeous, Rosie!!!! I already know it’s tasty-everything you make is. The photo are also just stunning as usual!
That looks beautiful and delicious!!! I can’t wait to make some!
OOOOh- I can see Halloween Bat and Ghost Sprinkle Bark, wrapped up in a cute package! #eatmymistakes :)
I so agree! I’ve got a Halloween version in the works! The possiblities are endless. :)
Looks delicious! love the sprinkles on top!
You have inspired me to go bark crazy! Amazing. Would it totally be obnoxious of me to ask about your dessert stand? Where are your favorite places to get them (and this one)? I need to start my collection!
Thanks, Karissa! I don’t mind you asking at all! It’s made by Koziol, and I bought it at a gift shop in Toronto (Dana Jordan), I found it online, but only in other colours. Here’s the link: http://gretelhome.com/koziol/540-babell-tiered-serving-tray-in-aqua.html Hope that helps!
Thanks so much! I think I’ll get it in white…oh decisions! haha. Hope you’re having a great weekend!
OMG–just stumbled on this. How cute! Such a brilliant idea–I wonder if you could dye the white chocolate with some orange food dye and use bat shaped sprinkles for a Halloween treat.
This would be perfect to take on the plane to Spain! The cake stand is awesome!!
Sure would! :)
I have seen this before and came across it on your blog again and I am definitely going to make it this weekend! I was wondering though if you could substitute the dark chocolate for regular milk chocolate? I am not a huge fan of dark chocolate and was wondering if milk chocolate would be to sweet. Just wanted to get your take on it! Thanks and keep up the awesome blog!
I’ve been needing a treat to give to my new co-workers, as a “thank you” token, and I think this is it! Question though, it looks like a cooking supply store here has Callebaut chocolate, but its in bar form (60% and 51%). Is this acceptable, or must it be the disks? Thank you, in advance, for entertaining my novice question! :)
Hi Claire Marie! You know what, that’s what’s so great about making bark–you can pretty much melt any quality chocolate down and it will taste amazing combined with other chocolate and sprinkles, etc. You can even buy Lindt chocolate bars, the Callebaut bar, for certain, or any quality chocolate on sale. You can’t go wrong with European quality chocolate of any kind. The key is keeping the finished treat in the fridge to keep that “snap.” One reader even added the sprinkles in betwee the white and dark chocolate and then again on top, for that extra crunch. I hope that helps, and thanks so much for your sweet comments!
Hi, I tried this today and it was fun- but my dark and white chocolate did not stick together, they separated when I cut it. What happened? :(
Hi Rebecca,
That did happen to me on a different batch when I tried to cut the first few pieces right out of the freezer, but I waited a few minutes and the chocolate softened a wee bit, and that helped. For some reason it only happened on one batch, so it could be that it was in the freezer too long? Just a thought! I hope this helps!
Oooooohhhh! Pretty! I’ll be making this – I love the idea of a peppermint version!
This is cute…and I’m sure we would devour it quickly too. My daughter and I have missed getting together for her birthday…this would be a great treat that she could take to work and share. And with just enough ‘kid’ in it to make it work for me to do it for her. :)
So cute! Where is that cake stand from? I love it! And the plates!!
Wow, great pics! All except the empty plate of course!
Awww, so cute! I’d make this just to be able to look at it :)
That looks absolutely delicious and it has to taste delicious. I will make the attempt to recreate this delcious masterpiece!
Yummmm!!! I love this stuff!!
Here, check out this recipe, its great for holidays, or just anytime!
http://vancitybookgirl.blogspot.com/2011/07/delicious-healthy-cookies.html
This sounds really good. I love the taste of cake batter. Do the 3 teaspoons of cake mix, actually give you that wonderful flavor?
i found that 3 teaspoons was not enough… neither was 2 tablespoons
Ladies, I did taste the cake batter, but you can definitely play around until you find the amount you like. You just want to keep that white chocolate smooth as can be, so adding too much of the cake batter could throw off that amazing texture and taste of high quality white chocolate. Good luck!
okay! thanks i will not put as much in next time, cause it did get lumpy
I read this and couldn’t stop thinking about it, so yesterday I made some, but added a little food coloring and “spooky” sprinkles so that it was Halloween themed and it tastes great. I think that I didn’t wait long enough though because the dark chocolate started melting when I put the white chocolate on and they swirled together. Oh well, it gave it a cool effect.
You are genius! This is an amazing recipe!!!! I used milk/semisweet chocolate instead of dark for the base layer, and it still turned out perfect! I’d like to try dome different vareities… maybe a spice cake mix and white chocolate base?
Such colourful fun! You are right, one could have a blast coming up with decorative ideas for this bark!
This looks so yummy and PERFECT for my daughter’s first birthday party next month! Can I make it in advance and freeze it until the party??
Oh this looks amazing! It is just too cute with all those colorful sprinkles and I bet it does taste amazing too. Thanks for the recipe!
I am excited to try this recipe and was wondering what size baking sheet I need to use and if I need to spray the parchment paper? Thanks again!!
Hi Kristi!
No need to spray the parchment as the chocolate will pop right off. I used a standard baker’s half sheet 13″ x 18″, which is really just to keep everything in place, so as long as it’s approximately that size you should be okay. Good luck!
Rosie this is perfect way to make something Christmasy fun and easy by just adding Christmas Sprinkles, wrapping as gifts.
I totally agree! :)
Can’t wait to try this! Found you via a Pinterest post. I’m making this awesome-looking bark for a quilt guild sewing event tomorrow. So excited!
I’d love for you to add this idea (or any others you like) to my weekly link party, Thrifty Thursdays. Here’s the link:
http://quiltedcupcake.blogspot.com/2011/11/thrifty-thursdays-5.html
Thanks for the yummy idea.
SO PRETTY!! I love it. Bark is so simple, but yet beautiful! Thanks for sharing!
Willa
I absolutely love this simple recipe–even my friend who is very much a beginner cook/baker loved it and made it for her family at Christmas! Your picture of the empty trays is hilarious, and exactly the same thing happened at my house. I hope you don’t mind but I posted this recipe on my blog too, crediting you as well as How Sweet It Is. Thanks for the kitchen inspiration!
I just made this for the 1st time and it tastes lovely. The only issue i had was the 2 chocolates separated when i cut them. Why would that be? The white choc came away totally from the brown.
Was there a layer of condensation (water droplets) on the dark chocolate? Try patting the dark chocolate down with a paper towel first, because if there is condensation on the top of it, it will make the white chocolate “seize” or repel away from the dark. Good luck! Chocolate is a tricky mister!
this sounds delicious!! i may make this today :-)
i made this last night based on your recipe (which by the way i pinned and it was repinned over TWO THOUSAND times! they love you!) and it is such a hit with my kidlets! :) my 4yo told me it’s the best thing he’s ever had. thanks for the creative (and easily themed) idea – esp great to use up holiday chocolates…
been stalking your blog-must say, I have loved every recipe!
I tried making this recipe today and I found that when I poured the white chocolate/cake mix on top of the frozen dark chocolate, it melted the dark chocolate and I got a marble-y light brownish top layer. Still tastes delish though, but how do I prevent that in the future?
Joanna,
Let your dark chocolate come up to room temperature, and take the white chocolate off the stove for a minute or two (but not long enough for it to set), if it is piping hot, it will melt faster. I hope this works for you!
-Rachel
mhm, i love it.
it looks so yummy!
thanks for recipe :))
greets,
zuckerwandlerin
Oh my goodness I love this!! This will be great to make for my up coming spring tea party, I even have the 3 plate stand!! Cant wait thanks!!!! :D
I made these today! They were great, but the only thing I’m going to do different is next time I’m gona use more normal chocolate and less white chocolate! ^_____^
I just made this but tought it said 3 tablespoons in stead of 3 teaspoons so I’ll have to wait if it works out. It did get a little lumpy so..
Still were damn delicious!
This looks delish! Can’t wait to try it!
Love this, we usually only have pink sprinkles in the house so first attempt was princess sprinkle bark, yummy. Today we have made diamond jubilee bark for our street party – part of me doesn’t want to share it! Thanks
Hi Rosie! That’s absolutely lovely!!! (Just as everything you do)
But if I may ask… Will it make any difference if i just skip the cake mix bit? Is it just for the flavor?
Thanks : )
This has to be the most perfect idea for a party treat. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe with us. Planning on making this for my daughter’s 5th birthday. Great advice, everyone. Thanks!
Janine Start To Grow
I’m planning to make this, but I was wondering what size baking sheet should be suitable?
so sweet ! i. Love it!
Seriously loving this recipe. I love bark but haven’t made it for any parties or as favors because I didn’t think it would be a crowd-pleaser… until I saw this recipe. People love themselves some sprinkles. One question – do you have any suggestions for making this gluten-free? I presume I could just omit the cake mix, but do you have another suggestion or have you tried it without? Thanks!
What about a gluten free cake mix? I’ve heard the one’s from King Arthur’s Flour are good. (But I haven’t tried them.)
I’m trying this as a topping on popcorn tonight. I’ll let you know how it works.
Update: I tried it and it is cooling, but so far absolutely delicious!
I used 4 squares of bakers white chocolate and 3 tbs. of yellow cake mix. I also added a splash of water to thin it out a bit, as it doesn’t need to harden up as much as the bark. Then I drizzled it over popcorn, tossed, sprinkled a jar of jimmies, tossed again and it is currently cooling. I can’t wait to try the bark!
Oh my gosh, what a pretty birthday recipe. And I can’t say no to rainbow sprinkles. ;)
This recipe looks amazing! I have been looking for a birthday themed dessert that I can take on a flight because my husband and I are traveling with a friend to hike Mt. Fuji in Tokyo, and it will be our friend’s birthday, so I had wanted to celebrate at the top. I think this is going to be just the treat to take with me, thank you so much!
Hello, sounds delicious! I’d like to make these for a friends party but all the party goers are real dark chocolate haters (I don’t know what their problems are) so could I use milk chocolate instead? Thanks!
I Made This & Its Really Yummy! Question Though? Does It Have To Stay In The Refrigerator?
We are going to try and make it look like a melted snowman by sprinkling in a shimmering silver sprinkle, candy eyeballs, pretzel stick arms, there is an orange triangle sprinkle for the nose, and not sure about the hat yet- maybe a molded tootsie roll. I run a home childcare and each child will make one to take home. Thanks for the great idea!
This looks so good! I must do it for my son’s bithday :) I was wondering if you would know, how long in advance I can make these and keep them jn the fridge (in an air tight bag of course)? Thanks!