Rum and Raisin Chocolate Bark / Christmas Chocolate Bark Recipe
Chocolate Bark with rum soaked dry fruits is one of my favorite Christmas treat!. Christmas, chocolate, and dry fruits = Yum!!
Chocolate bark is easy and quick to make, I love its cracked look studded with rum soaked dry fruits, and yes the rum soaked dry fruits gives it a Christmas feel to the bark and one of the quickest chocolate treat. Chocolate bark is actually a sheet of chocolate that is usually covered with nuts, dried fruits, candies, peppermint candy, oreos, crushed biscuits...etc are thrown over the melted chocolate. It is broken into uneven sizes to share. It is said that it resembles rough pieces of tree bark. Chocolate bark can be made with any chocolate, white or dark, or both!! The most popular one is almond bark, where slivered almonds are topped over the melted chocolate. Since I had some left over rum soaked dry fruits, I used it to sprinkle on top of the melted chocolate, and yes!! the subtle alcohol in the dry fruits makes it an awesome Christmas treat.
I like to melt chocolate with a bit of butter (it gives a shiny or glossy effect) in a heat proof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water, stirring frequently so that the chocolate will melt evenly, and then remove from heat. I also take care not to let any moisture touch my melting chocolate.
This is a quick chocolate treat which you can make it in a few minutes, to gift a friend or a colleague or for yourself....Christmas is all about chocolate and more chocolate...atleast for me!!
Author: Nisa Homey.
Preparation Time: 10 min (plus 10-15 min for chilling)
Ingredients:
Semi sweet chocolate bar: 200 gms.
Butter: 1 tsp.
Method:
Lightly butter parchment (butter paper) paper on to a cookie sheet....keep aside.
I used my potato peeler to grate the chocolate, if you have any other idea....feel free to use it :)
I used a deep bowl to melt the chocolate, the reason why I used a large bowl is that I do not want any moisture to fall on the melting chocolate, so use large bowl. Place the bowl over a saucepan with simmering water. After a few minutes the chocolate will start to melt. At this point add in a bit of butter.
Keep stirring the chocolate, so that it is melted evenly. Take off from the hot water, and allow it to cool slightly...if there are any moisture on the side of the pan, wipe it.
Plop it into the lined parchment paper.
Spread out using a spatula.....into a circle or whichever you prefer.
Once it is spread out.....sprinkle 1/2 cup of rum soaked dry fruits on top of the chocolate goodness.
Lightly press with a flat spoon or an offset spatula.
Close up!..pretty na!!
So very rustic and homely!! Place it in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or until it is slightly hardened.
Cut or break the bark into small irregular pieces. Store in airtight container in a refrigerator for up to two weeks.
Enjoy Christmas with this chocolate treat!
Other recipes I made with rum soaked dry fruits:
Christmas Fruit Cake
Rum and Raisin Brownies.