No Bake Holiday Treats

If you're anything like me you had the best of intentions to get all your gifts purchased, wrapped and under the tree weeks ago.  Unfortunately life sometimes gets in the way of our plans.  Last Sunday, the day after my daughter turned two, my grandfather passed away.  He had been ill for quite some time, but we were hopeful we would have one last Christmas with him.  Sadly, that was not the case.  Even with the sadness that comes with losing a loved one, I knew I still had to get through last week and get everything done.  But, Ella got sick.  She's been miserable for the last 5 days now.  Snotty, cranky baby + Christmas shopping = Not Happening!!  Luckily my dad helped out and I was able to get my shopping done.  But, I didn't get a chance to make treats until yesterday.  I love to give homemade treats to neighbors and friends.  It's an affordable way to tell someone how much they mean to you.  And who doesn't like chocolate, right??  If you're looking for a quick and easy homemade gift to give someone, look no further.  I've got you covered.  These fast and easy "no bake" candy recipes are easy and delicious!  And if you still don't get them made by Christmas, they'll make tasty New Year's treats too!

All three of my chocolate bark recipes start the same way.  You'll need two 12oz bags of chocolate chips for each one.

I made three different kinds, but there are so many toppings that would be delicious.

Ingredients for Peppermint White Chocolate Bark:

Two 12oz bags of white chocolate chips

6 candy canes with the wrappers removed

1 large sheet of parchment paper

Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Marshmallow Bark:

Two 12oz bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips (or whichever type of chocolate you prefer) 

6 candy canes with wrappers removed 

1 cup of small marshmallows

1 large sheet of parchment paper

Ingredients for Chocolate Turtle Bark:

Two 12oz bags of semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 cup of cashews

1 cup of small marshmallows

1/2 a bag of carmels removed from their wrappers

1/2 tsp of sea salt

1 large sheet of parchment paper

Directions:

Each of these bark recipes start out the same way.  Using a microwave safe bowl melt the chocolate chips in the microwave.  You'll want to check them every 15 seconds and stir them until they are completely melted.  Once melted pour the chocolate onto a large piece of parchment paper and spread evenly using an off set spatula.  Top the bark with the toppings for each one.  For the Turtle Bark follow the same directions for melting the carmel.  Top the bark with the melted carmel and sea salt.  You'll need to let the bark set up on the counter for a few hours, or if you want to put it in the fridge, place your parchment paper on top of a cookie sheet first, then make your bark and place in the fridge.  You can slice your bark with a knife if you want, but I like the rustic look of just breaking it into big chunks.