Cherry Chocolate Bark

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Sweet, crunchy, fruity, and ready in minutes.

Hey you!

Let me introduce you to one of the easiest treats you’ll ever make: Cherry Chocolate Bark. We’re talking smooth, melted chocolate topped with chewy dried cherries and whatever crunchy goodies you like. It looks beautiful, tastes like something from a chocolate shop, and takes less than 20 minutes to make (plus chill time).

Whether you want a homemade gift, a holiday snack, or a sweet treat for movie night — this bark’s got your back.

🍫 Servings & Time

Servings: About 12 pieces (depends on how you break it)
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Chill Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes

❤️ Why I Love This Recipe

This recipe is a go-to for me when I want to feel like I made something “fancy” without turning on the oven. You just melt, spread, sprinkle, and chill. That’s it. And somehow, it always impresses. The cherries give a pop of sweet-tart flavor, and you can dress it up however you like.

Comes together in minutes
Totally customizable
Looks gorgeous with zero stress
Perfect for gifting, snacking, or topping desserts
Keeps for weeks in the fridge

🔬 Why This Recipe Works (Quick Science)

Chocolate needs gentle melting to stay smooth and shiny
Adding dried fruit gives chewy texture to balance the snap of the bark
Nuts and seeds create contrast in flavor and crunch
A pinch of flaky salt sharpens sweetness and boosts flavor

🧠 Meal Plan Ideas

Pack a piece with lunch for a little treat
Serve on a dessert board with fruit and cheese
Crumble over yogurt or ice cream
Use as a holiday gift or hostess thank-you

⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

Overheating the chocolate – it’ll seize and get grainy
Not drying your toppings – moisture makes chocolate blotchy
Pouring onto a warm surface – it won’t set right
Skipping the chill time – it needs to fully set before breaking

🍽 What You’ll Need

Ingredients:

12 oz dark chocolate (chips or chopped bar, 60–70%)
½ cup dried cherries, roughly chopped
¼ cup chopped almonds or pistachios (optional)
Flaky sea salt (optional)

🧰 Tools You’ll Need

Microwave-safe bowl or double boiler
Spatula
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Knife and cutting board

🔁 Substitutions & Variations

Dried cherries: Swap with dried cranberries, blueberries, or chopped apricots
Chocolate: Use milk or white chocolate for a sweeter version
Add-ins: Toasted coconut, puffed rice, crushed pretzels, or candied ginger
Nut-free: Just leave out the nuts and load up on fruit or seeds

⏳ Make-Ahead Tips

Make the bark up to 2 weeks ahead and store in an airtight container
Keeps best in the fridge or a cool pantry
Wrap pieces in parchment and ribbon for easy gifting

👣 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Melt the chocolate

Place chopped dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth.

hopped dark chocolate half-melted in a glass bowl, being stirred into a glossy mixture with a spatula

Step 2: Spread the chocolate

Pour the melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it into an even rectangle about ¼ inch thick.

glossy melted chocolate being spread with a spatula into a smooth rectangle on parchment paper-lined baking sheet, edges clean and chocolate shiny

Step 3: Add toppings

Sprinkle chopped dried cherries evenly over the chocolate. Add nuts and a pinch of flaky sea salt if using. Place the baking sheet in the fridge for 30 minutes until chocolate is fully set.

chopped dried cherries and chopped almonds being sprinkled over melted chocolate bark, toppings evenly distributed and sticking slightly

Step 4: Break and serve

Once set, break the bark into rustic pieces by hand or with a sharp knife.

ully set cherry chocolate bark being broken into irregular pieces on parchment, glossy surface with visible cherry and nut chunks

🧊 Leftovers & Storage Tips

Store bark in an airtight container at room temp (cool area) for 1 week
Or refrigerate for up to 2 weeks
Do not freeze — chocolate can bloom and get chalky

🔢 Exact Macros (Per piece, based on 12)

Calories: 180
Protein: 2g
Fat: 12g
Carbs: 18g
Fiber: 2g
Sugar: 13g

🍷 What to Serve With

Glass of red wine or port
Cappuccino or iced coffee
Fresh cherries on the side
Vanilla or cherry ice cream for a fancier dessert plate

❓ FAQ

Can I use chocolate chips?
Yes, just make sure they’re real chocolate and not baking morsels with wax.

Do I have to chop the cherries?
Yes — chopping helps them spread evenly and keeps the bark easier to bite.

Can I use white chocolate?
Totally! Just melt it gently, and avoid overheating (it scorches easily).

Can I use a double boiler instead of a microwave?
Absolutely. Melt the chocolate slowly over simmering water, stirring constantly.

Quick, Pretty, and Seriously Addictive 🍒🍫

This Cherry Chocolate Bark is the kind of treat that makes you feel like you did something special — with hardly any effort. It’s simple, it’s gorgeous, and it’s so, so good. Break it up, bag it up, or just snack it straight from the tray. Either way, let me know how you made it your own! 💬✨