How To Melt Almond Bark Without Burning It

Almond bark is a simple but satisfyingly sweet treat. It's easy to make, stores well for weeks, and is perfect for keeping on the counter as a quick snack. That is, so long as you don't scorch your bark. The key to melting almond bark without burning it is microwaving the chocolate chunks in 20- to 30-second intervals, mixing each time until it's fully melted.

Unlike baking chocolate, store-bought almond bark needs no tempering, as it's designed for easy melting. You can purchase a premade brand like Dreidel Company's Almond Bark Coating or make it yourself with butter, white or milk chocolate bars, wafers, or squares. Simply place the butter and chocolate in a heat-safe bowl and microwave on medium-high for 45 seconds. If your chocolate hasn't fully melted, continue microwaving in small increments, stirring at each break.

Once your bark base is completely melted, you can boost the almond flavor of your almond bark (which doesn't necessarily have nuts in it) by adding toasted almonds and almond extract. After folding in your mix-ins, spread your concoction on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, and freeze for at least one hour before breaking up the bark into snack-sized pieces. Store it in the fridge or at room temperature, away from sunlight.

Almond bark makes the perfect canvas for your most imaginative culinary creations. For the winter holidays, combine crushed candy canes and peppermint oil for white peppermint bark; roasted, sliced pistachios and rose petals on white chocolate for spring; candy corn, sprinkles, and candy eyeballs for Halloween; or even candy hearts and swirled rose chocolate melts for Valentine's Day. Keep it minimal, or go maximal with marshmallows and graham cracker cereal on milk chocolate for summertime s'mores. 

While you have the edible decorations out, you can also incorporate rainbow-colored sprinkles into a birthday bark blend that's inspired by sprinkle-topped fairy bread. (You can even use your favorite chocolate bars to make your bark.) But if you really want to go for broke, try topping almond bark with rich, indulgent toffee for extra sweet and buttery flavor.