Dark chocolate bark is the perfect make-ahead dessert that’s ideal for snacking on all week or for gifting to friends and family! To make this bark, a thin layer of dark chocolate is topped with freeze-dried strawberries and crushed pretzels for a treat that’s equal parts rich, salty, tangy, and sweet.
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This recipe is…
This dark chocolate bark is SO good. Honestly, it’s way better than these three simple ingredients have any business being. The crunchy, salty pretzels and sweet, tangy freeze-dried strawberries are the perfect pair for the rich, slightly bitter dark chocolate. Even better, it only takes a few minutes to make and it’ll keep all week!
When I think about meal prep-friendly desserts I usually aim to keep them as simple as possible and on the healthier side. Something with just a few ingredients that I can whip up quickly and satisfy my sweet tooth with guilt-food. That’s why dark chocolate is usually my dessert go-to. Since it’s rich, I don’t need too much of it, and whether I’m eating it on its own, dipping dried fruit in it, or making a bark like this one, it always satisfies.
If you’re looking for more delicious no-bake desserts, we’ve got you! These no bake peanut butter oatmeal cookies, graham cracker bark, and chocolate strawberry truffle recipes are top notch.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- It’s easy – this recipe is about as easy as it gets! All you’ll have to do is melt the chocolate (the microwave makes quick work out of this), spread it out onto a sheet pan, and then top with freeze-dried strawberries and pretzels.
- It’s versatile – use a different freeze dried fruit, add nuts or crushed cookies – this recipe is as versatile as it gets.
- It’s delicious – this salty sweet combo here is unbelievably delicious!
Dark Chocolate Bark Ingredients
You’ll only need 3 ingredients to make this simple chocolate bark! Find ingredient notes (including substitutions and swaps) below.
- Dark chocolate chips – of course, the most important ingredient here is chocolate! I like to use dark chocolate chips for the base of this recipe. If you want to get fancy, you can use a higher-quality dark chocolate bar and chop it up before melting, but I find that chocolate chips work fine for this recipe, are easier to use, and are more economical than buying multiple chocolate bars. I love these Guittard 62% extra dark chips and these 69% dark chocolate morsels from Enjoy Life.
- Freeze-dried strawberries – I love freeze-dried strawberries. They are the perfect combination of sweet and tangy and I love the crunch that they add to recipes. When looking for freeze-dried strawberries, make sure you look for a brand without extra sugars, like this one.
- Pretzels – I am always in favor of salty-sweet flavor combinations, which is where the pretzels come in in this recipe! We used these gluten-free pretzels for this bark – I find that they are the crunchiest gluten-free pretzel out there and don’t go stale easily. If gluten-free isn’t a concern for you, feel free to use regular pretzels instead!
An ingredient list with exact amounts can be found in the recipe card below.
Recipe Variations and Modifications
- Add nuts – sprinkle pistachios or crushed almonds onto the bark before it sets for another delicious crunch!
- Use a different fruit – use freeze-dried bananas or blueberries in place of the strawberries. Or, swap the freeze-dried fruit altogether and use dried cranberries instead.
How to Make Dark Chocolate Bark
The hardest part of the entire process is melting the chocolate, but even that is super easy if you follow our tips (see below). Follow along for the full how-to.
Step 1: Using either a double-boiler or 3-5, 20-second spells in the microwave, slowly melt the chocolate. It’s important that you stir constantly with a rubber spatula and remove from heat as soon as all of the solid pieces are gone.
Step 2: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the chocolate onto the sheet in an even rectangle.
Step 3: Top the chocolate with the strawberries and pretzels, then transfer to the refrigerator to set for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until fully hardened.
Step 4: Break up the chocolate bark, then either store in an airtight container in the fridge/freezer or serve and enjoy!
Recipe Tips
The key to smooth, perfectly-melted chocolate is to make sure you go slow and steady. Below are our best tips for melting your chocolate in the microwave (my preferred method).
- Microwave in short intervals. Set the microwave to cook for about 2 minutes, but remove the chocolate from the microwave to stir every 15 to 20 seconds. This will help ensure that your chocolate doesn’t overcook and that the heat is evenly distributed.
- Stop microwaving before the chocolate is completely melted. When your chocolate is about 95% smooth and there are just a few lumps remaining, remove it from the microwave. The lumps will dissolve as the chocolate sits and continues to melt.
- Reduce the power. If you know your microwave cooks more quickly than most or can be a little bit erratic, either reduce the power to 80% or microwave the chocolate on defrost mode. This is a good insurance policy against burned chocolate!
How to Store
We prefer to refrigerate this dark chocolate bark to set it. It gets the job done more quickly and produces a sturdier bark than letting it sit at room temperature does. It will only need 30-60 minutes in the refrigerator until it is set, then you can break it up and store it for later!
At room temperature, this dark chocolate bark will keep for about a week in an airtight container – after that, it is still fine to eat, but the strawberries and pretzels will start to get a bit stale. To extend the life of the bark, you can keep it in the refrigerator for up to a month and in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Frequently Asked Questions
Be sure to grab gluten-free pretzels (this is our favorite brand) to make this recipe gluten-free!
Your chocolate may get grainy if it’s overheated. Be sure to pull it off the heat as soon as it’s about 95% smooth and melted and there are just a few lumps remaining. The lumps will dissolve as the chocolate sits and continues to melt.
More Simple Dark Chocolate Desserts
If you tried this Dark Chocolate Bark or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
Dark Chocolate Bark with Strawberries and Pretzels
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce bag dark chocolate chips (at least 60% cacao)
- 1 cup freeze-dried strawberries, crushed
- 1 cup pretzels, crushed
Instructions
Melt the chocolate using one of the methods below:
- Microwave method: Place the chocolate in a medium-sized glass bowl and microwave it in 20-second increments, stirring well between each spell, until it's melted and smooth.
- Double-boiler method: Place the chocolate in a medium-sized glass bowl that can rest on top of a pot without falling in. Fill the pot with a couple inches of water, place the bowl of chocolate over top, and bring the water to a boil. Use a spatula to constantly stir the chocolate until it's melted and smooth.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper, then spread the chocolate onto the sheet in an even rectangle.
- Top the chocolate with the strawberries and pretzels, then transfer to the refrigerator to set for 30 minutes to 1 hour, until fully hardened.
- Break up the chocolate bark, then store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week. To extend the life of the bark, you can also store it in the refrigerator or freezer for up to one month or in the freezer for up to 3.
Recipe Notes
- Microwave in short intervals. Set the microwave to cook for about 2 minutes, but remove the chocolate from the microwave to stir every 15 to 20 seconds. This will help ensure that your chocolate doesn’t overcook and that the heat is evenly distributed.
- Stop microwaving before the chocolate is completely melted. When your chocolate is about 95% smooth and there are just a few lumps remaining, remove it from the microwave. The lumps will dissolve as the chocolate sits and continues to melt.
- Reduce the power. If you know your microwave cooks more quickly than most or can be a little bit erratic, either reduce the power to 80% or microwave the chocolate on defrost mode. This is a good insurance policy against burned chocolate!
Nutrition
This showed up in a list of nightshade free options, but it is NOT nightshade free. The pretzels have potato starch
Hi Paul! I am so sorry for that oversight. We will be sure to update. Thank you! ~Melissa
Have you tried this, or would it work, with other dried fruit? For example, blueberries, pomegranate, etc?
Any dried or freeze-dried fruit would work great!