Homemade Treat: Snowman Chocolate Bark

Materials Needed

1 package (1 lb.) chocolate almond bark
12 ounces white vanilla meltable round candy wafers
1 tablespoon white nonpareils
10 pretzel sticks
black nonpareils or mini chocolate chips
10 orange candy-coated chocolate-covered sunflower seeds
10 paper CD sleeves with cellophane windows (can be found at office supply stores or purchased online.)
parchment paper
silicone spatula

Yield: about 10 gifts

Create Chocolate Sheet

Cover a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Melt the chocolate bark in the microwave at 30 second intervals until completely melted and smooth, about 1 minute 30 seconds. Spread the candy onto the prepared baking sheet in a rectangular shape to 1/4-inch thickness using a spatula.

Assemble Snowmen

Quickly press white candy wafers into the chocolate, well-spaced in groups of three to mimic the body of a snowman (Image 1). Break pretzel sticks to desired size for the snowman’s arms and press them into the chocolate (Image 2). Sprinkle nonpareils over the entire sheet of chocolate for a snowy appearance (Image 3).   

Complete Snowmen

Melt 2 ounces of the white wafers in the microwave at 100 percent power at 30 second intervals until melted, about 30-45 seconds. Transfer to a disposable piping bag or zip-top bag with the tip snipped. Pipe a dot of candy onto the center of the candy wafer designated as the snowman ‘head’ and add an orange candy sunflower seed for the nose (Image 1). Add two dots of candy above the nose and attach black nonpareils for eyes (Image 2). Add two dots of candy on the wafer below the head and add black nonpareils for buttons (Image 3). Repeat process with remaining snowmen. Let the candy stand until set, about 30 minutes. You may transfer the sheet of bark to the refrigerator to speed setting time.

Creatively Package

Score the bark around each snowman using a knife and break into appropriately-sized pieces to fit inside each CD sleeve (Image 1). Seal each sleeve with cellophane tape or a self-adhesive sticker, then add a festive gift tag or bow (Image 2).