Reindeer Bark Recipe (2024)

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Reindeer Bark is an easy no-bake Christmas treat made by decorating pieces of melted chocolate with pretzels, M&Ms, candy eyes, and sprinkles.

I mean come on, how adorable are the little reindeer faces on this chocolate bark? I fall in love with them more and more each time I make them, just like these reindeer cupcakes, reindeer brownies, and reindeer celery sticks.

Melted snowman bark is another one of my favorites to make during the holiday season and the two would look so cute together in a Christmas treat box!

Reindeer Bark Recipe (1)

This reindeer Christmas bark recipe is super simple and fun to make, so get the kids in the kitchen and have them help you make and decorate this fun holiday treat.

Reindeer Bark Recipe (2)

For more homemade Christmas candy, try our Crockpot Christmas Candy, Peanut Butter Rice Krispies Balls, and 3-Ingredient Pretzel Hugs.

Ingredients

This section includes ingredient notes and substitution options. Get all measurements, ingredients, and instructions in the printable recipe card at the end of this post.

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  • Chocolate – melting chocolate, brown chocolate melts, chocolate almond bark, or chocolate chips will all work for this recipe. If using chocolate chips see the note below (in section on melting chocolate chips).
  • Mini pretzel twists – they tend to break when you are trying to break them into antlers so grab more than you think you will need
  • Candy eyes
  • red M&Ms
  • sprinkles – optional, to fill in the empty spots on the bark. These or these would be perfect.

Hot to Make Reindeer Bark

Step 1: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Break pretzels in half to form about 20 “antlers”. Set aside.

Step 2: In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the chocolate in 30-second intervals, stirring after each, until smooth and melted.Pour the chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer about 1/8 inch thick.

Note: it will not cover the entire baking sheet.

Step 3: Place pretzel pieces, candy eyeballs, and red M&Ms on the chocolate to make reindeer faces. Press them down gently to help them stick. Add sprinkles, if desired, to decorate the other areas.

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Step 4: Refrigerate for 30-45 minsto set. The bark is ready when it easily peels off the parchment paper.

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Step 5: Remove the chocolate from the parchment paper and carefully cut or break it into pieces to separate each reindeer piece.

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Don’t stress if a reindeer doesn’t break off correctly. After all, it will still taste yummy and that is what matters, right?

Tips for Melting Chocolate Chips

If you are using chocolate chips, I recommend adding 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to the melted chocolate. While not 100% necessary, doing so helps to smooth out the melted chocolate and make it easier to work with.

You could also use paramount crystals which are used professionally in the chocolate and candy-making process.

Storage

Store Christmas reindeer bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator or at room temperature in a cool place for up to one week.

More Christmas Favorites

  • Christmas Crack
  • Christmas Tree Cone Cupcakes
  • Santa Hat Treats
  • Grandma’s Nut Brittle
  • Sugar Cookie Cake
  • Grinch Bark
  • Gumdrop Fudge

Recipe

Reindeer Bark Recipe (7)

Recipe

4.80 from 5 votes

Reindeer Bark

Author: Jaclyn

Prep: 15 minutes mins

Set Time 30 minutes mins

Total: 45 minutes mins

Reindeer Bark is an easy no-bake Christmas treat made with melted milk chocolate topped with pretzels, M&Ms, candy eyes, and sprinkles.

Ingredients

  • 2 cups melting chocolate almond bark, or chocolate chips
  • 20 candy eyeballs
  • 10 red M&Ms
  • 20 mini pretzel twists*
  • holiday sprinkles optional

Instructions

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • Break pretzels in half to form about 20 "antlers." Set aside.

  • Add chocolate to a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each increment, until completely melted and smooth.

  • Pour the chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. Use a spatula to spread it into an even layer about 1/8 inch thick.

  • Place pretzel pieces, candy eyeballs, and red M&Ms on the chocolate to make reindeer faces. Press them down gently to help them stick. Add sprinkles, if desired, to decorate the other areas.

  • Refrigerate for 30-45 minsto set. The bark is ready when it easily peels off the parchment paper.

  • Remove the chocolate from the parchment paper and carefully cut or break it into pieces to separate each reindeer's face.

Notes

*Although you will only need about 10 pretzels, I included extra in the ingredient list to make up for the fact that they tend to break apart wonky when you are trying to break them into antlers.

If using chocolate chips, I recommend adding 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening (or 1 Tablespoon of paramount crystals) to the melted chocolate to help make it easier to work with.

Store in an airtight container in a cool place at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week.

Nutrition

Calories: 286kcal | Carbohydrates: 37g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 14g | Saturated Fat: 14g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.02g | Trans Fat: 0.002g | Cholesterol: 0.1mg | Sodium: 18mg | Potassium: 9mg | Fiber: 0.2g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 2IU | Vitamin C: 0.03mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 0.1mg

Reindeer Bark Recipe (8)

Did You Make This Recipe?

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Reindeer Bark Recipe (9)
Reindeer Bark Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What is Christmas bark made of? ›

Christmas Bark is a white chocolate bark recipe loaded with m&ms, sprinkles, and pretzels. It's a delicious and super easy holiday dessert recipe.

How long does chocolate bark last? ›

If you store your chocolate bark in an airtight container in the pantry, it will keep well for up to 2 weeks. During the summer (or if you live in a warm climate), place chocolate bark in the fridge to prevent it from melting. What other toppings could be used on chocolate bark? The possibilities are endless!

What are the ingredients in tree bark? ›

Chemical composition

Bark tissues make up by weight between 10 and 20% of woody vascular plants and consists of various biopolymers, tannins, lignin, suberin and polysaccharides.

What is decorative bark made from? ›

Bark chippings are usually made from the bark or white wood of a spruce or pine tree, shredded and chopped up into small pieces; it is then graded into various qualities such as a British Standard Play Fall Material (BSEN1177) and standard garden bark.

What brand of chocolate is best for bark? ›

Use quality chocolate.

For bark-making, use the best chocolate within your budget, either in bars or discs meant for melting and baking. Valrhona, Callebaut, Scharffen Berger, Guittard, and Ghirardelli are all good options.

Why is my chocolate bark not hardening? ›

That's because your chocolate wasn't tempered. Tempered chocolate sets at room temperature and has a snap just like a chocolate bar you buy from the store.

Why did my chocolate bark turn white? ›

The white appearance is due to a process known as 'blooming' - either 'fat bloom'. This occurs when the cocoa butter in the chocolate separates and rises to the surface due to temperature fluctuations, or 'sugar bloom', which happens when the sugar in the chocolate absorbs moisture and then crystallises on the surface.

What is candy bark made of? ›

what is bark? Bark is simply melted chocolate that's poured into a sheet pan and broken into pieces once it's set. You can use literally any kind of chocolate – chocolate chips, melting wafers, fancy “feves” – and it will always come out great (see: cobweb bark, red white and blue bark, and almond butter bark!).

What is Christmas crack made of? ›

Christmas Crack is a sweet and salty treat made with saltine crackers covered with toffee, baked, and then topped with semi-sweet chocolate. Sometimes called saltine cracker toffee, it is as easy to make as it is addicting, so watch out! I love to serve it with other Christmas cookies on a Dessert Charcuterie Board.

Where did Christmas bark come from? ›

Peppermint bark is a variation on chocolate bark, which is thought to be derived from traditional French mendiants, though the true origins of this connection have been lost.

What is the difference between candy coating and bark? ›

Almond bark has a sweet flavor with a crunchy texture from the almonds, making it distinct from other types of candy coatings. The oil and sugar provide a smooth, creamy base, while the toasted almonds give each piece a delightful crunch.

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