America's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated LogoAmerica's Test Kitchen LogoCook's Country LogoCook's Illustrated Logo

Salty Snack Bark

By Jessica Rudolph

Published on December 21, 2022

Time

15 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling

Yield

Serves 16

Salty Snack Bark

Ingredients

1 pound (454 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine, divided⅔ cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips ⅔ cup crushed thin pretzels

Before You Begin

We developed this recipe using Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate.

Instructions

  1. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Microwave 12 ounces (340 grams) chocolate in medium bowl at 50 percent power, stirring often with rubber spatula, until about two-thirds melted, 1½ to 2½ minutes (chocolate should be fluid but still lumpy). Remove bowl from microwave and add remaining 4 ounces (113 grams) chocolate. Stir and mash until chocolate is just melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. (If lumps remain, you may return chocolate to microwave at 50 percent power for no more than 5 seconds at a time, stirring at each interval, until fully melted.)
  3. Working quickly, use offset spatula to spread chocolate evenly over prepared sheet. Sprinkle with chips and pretzels and gently press into chocolate. Let sit until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes (if your kitchen is warm, you can let bark set up briefly in refrigerator).
  4. Transfer to cutting board; discard parchment. Cut or break into pieces. Serve.
Salty Snack Bark
Photography by Steve Klise. Styling by Steve Klise.

Salty Snack Bark

Save

Time

15 minutes, plus 30 minutes cooling

Yield

Serves 16

Ingredients

1 pound (454 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine, divided
⅔ cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips
⅔ cup crushed thin pretzels

Ingredients

1 pound (454 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine, divided
⅔ cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips
⅔ cup crushed thin pretzels

Ingredients

1 pound (454 grams) bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine, divided
⅔ cup crushed kettle-cooked potato chips
⅔ cup crushed thin pretzels

Why This Recipe Works

Our microwave tempering method was faster and easier than traditional tempering over a water bath and still created a snappy, shiny result. Crunchy, salty potato chips and pretzels made a fun and unexpected chocolate bark topping.

Before You Begin

We developed this recipe using Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate.

Instructions

  1. Line rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Microwave 12 ounces (340 grams) chocolate in medium bowl at 50 percent power, stirring often with rubber spatula, until about two-thirds melted, 1½ to 2½ minutes (chocolate should be fluid but still lumpy). Remove bowl from microwave and add remaining 4 ounces (113 grams) chocolate. Stir and mash until chocolate is just melted and smooth, about 3 minutes. (If lumps remain, you may return chocolate to microwave at 50 percent power for no more than 5 seconds at a time, stirring at each interval, until fully melted.)
  3. Working quickly, use offset spatula to spread chocolate evenly over prepared sheet. Sprinkle with chips and pretzels and gently press into chocolate. Let sit until chocolate is set, about 30 minutes (if your kitchen is warm, you can let bark set up briefly in refrigerator).
  4. Transfer to cutting board; discard parchment. Cut or break into pieces. Serve.

Gift This Recipe

Enjoyed this dish? Let others know by sharing it as a gift recipe.

This is a members' feature.