Valentine Chocolate Strawberry Bark (Print version)

No-bake chocolate bark studded with freeze-dried strawberries and festive sprinkles, ready to chill and enjoy.

# What you’ll need:

→ Chocolate Base

01 - 7 oz high-quality dark chocolate (60–70% cocoa), chopped
02 - 3.5 oz white chocolate, chopped

→ Toppings

03 - 1 oz freeze-dried strawberries, lightly crushed
04 - 2 tablespoons Valentine-themed sprinkles
05 - 1 tablespoon chopped pistachios or sliced almonds (optional)

# Steps:

01 - Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
02 - Melt the dark chocolate in a heatproof bowl over a pot of gently simmering water using the double boiler method, or in 30-second bursts in the microwave, stirring until smooth.
03 - Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into a rectangle approximately 8 by 10 inches using a spatula.
04 - Melt the white chocolate in a separate bowl using the same melting method as the dark chocolate.
05 - Drizzle the white chocolate over the dark chocolate base and use a toothpick or knife to swirl for a marbled effect.
06 - Immediately sprinkle the freeze-dried strawberries, Valentine-themed sprinkles, and nuts (if using) evenly over the chocolate. Gently press them in to adhere.
07 - Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or until fully set.
08 - Once set, break the bark into pieces and serve or package for gifting.

# Cooking tips:

01 -
  • It's genuinely foolproof, which means you can make it even on mornings when your brain hasn't fully woken up.
  • Those freeze-dried strawberries give you a tart snap that cuts through rich chocolate in the most satisfying way.
  • You can gift it without feeling like you're just buying something at the last minute, because you actually made something beautiful.
02 -
  • Don't use cheap chocolate—it tastes waxy and won't set with that satisfying snap that makes this bark feel luxurious, which defeats the whole purpose.
  • If your white chocolate seizes up (gets grainy and stiff), start over because there's no salvaging it, but this rarely happens if you keep the heat gentle and dry.
  • The freeze-dried strawberries must go on while the chocolate is still slightly warm, or they'll just slide off like uninterested guests leaving a party.
03 -
  • Keep a small bowl of hot water nearby while you're working with the white chocolate drizzle—if it starts to set before you've swirled it, dipping your knife or toothpick in hot water refreshes it just enough.
  • Temper your expectations about perfection; the most beautiful bark is the one that looks a little chaotic and handmade, not sterile or lab-tested.
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