Easy Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe

What You’ll Need to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark

One of the things I love most about this recipe is its simplicity.

You only need a handful of ingredients to create something that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet chocolate shop.

I always keep these items stocked in my pantry because, let’s be honest, chocolate peanut butter cravings wait for no one!

A Note About Chocolate Quality

I’ve learned through many batches of this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe that the quality of chocolate makes a huge difference.

Standard chocolate chips contain stabilizers that can affect how the bark sets up.

Therefore, I strongly recommend using a good quality baking chocolate bar instead.

My personal favorite is Ghirardelli 60% cacao bittersweet chocolate, but Lindt, Trader Joe’s Pound Plus, or Baker’s chocolate bars all work beautifully as well.

Equipment Need To Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark

Don’t worry, you don’t need any fancy equipment to make this chocolate peanut butter bark.

I’ve made this countless times with just the basics, and it always turns out great. However, there are a few tools that make the process easier:

• Baking sheet or cookie tray
• Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
• Microwave-safe bowls (2)
• Spatula or offset spatula
• Toothpick or skewer (for creating swirls)

How to Make Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark

Now for the fun part!

Making this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe is surprisingly simple, but there are a few key techniques that will ensure your bark turns out perfectly every time.

I’ve made this recipe dozens of times, and I’m excited to share all my tips with you.

Step 1: Prepare Your Workspace

First things first, I always line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. This makes removal super easy once the bark has set. Make sure your surface is completely flat in the refrigerator or on your countertop where the bark will set.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

This is where a little patience goes a long way. The key to perfect chocolate bark is properly tempered chocolate, which gives it that professional snap and shine. Here’s my foolproof method:

1. Finely chop the chocolate – smaller pieces melt more evenly.
2. Place about 2/3 of the chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl.
3. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring thoroughly between each interval.
4. Once mostly melted, add the remaining 1/3 of chocolate and stir until completely smooth. This “seeding” method helps maintain the chocolate’s temper.
5. The chocolate should be smooth and glossy, around 88-90°F if you have a thermometer.

Patience is key when melting chocolate. If you rush and overheat it, the chocolate can seize or lose its temper, resulting in dull, soft bark that doesn’t snap cleanly. Low and slow is the way to go!

My grandmother’s wisdom that applies to so many things in baking

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark 

Step 3: Melt the Peanut Butter Chips

While your chocolate is still warm but already spread on the parchment paper, it’s time to prepare the peanut butter chips:

1. Place peanut butter chips in a separate microwave-safe bowl.
2. Microwave at 50% power in 30-second intervals, stirring between each.
3. If the melted chips seem too thick, add 1 tablespoon of vegetable shortening or coconut oil and stir until smooth.
4. The consistency should be fluid enough to drizzle but not runny.

Step 4: Create Your Bark

Now comes the creative part that I absolutely love about making this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe:

1. Pour the melted chocolate onto your prepared baking sheet and spread it into an even layer, about 1/4 inch thick.
2. Drizzle the melted peanut butter chips over the chocolate in lines, zigzags, or any pattern you like.
3. Use a toothpick or skewer to create beautiful swirls by dragging it through both chocolates in a circular motion.
4. While everything is still soft, sprinkle your toppings – the mini peanut butter cups, pretzel pieces, and a light sprinkle of sea salt if using.
5. Gently press the toppings into the chocolate so they adhere well.

Step 5: Let It Set

Patience is required one more time! Let your bark set completely before breaking it into pieces:

• For properly tempered chocolate: Let it set at room temperature for 1-2 hours.
• For a quicker option: Refrigerate for 30 minutes until completely firm.
• Once set, break into irregular pieces – the random shapes are part of bark’s rustic charm!

Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe

Tips for Perfect Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark

After making this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe countless times, I’ve picked up some tricks that make a big difference in the final result.

Here are my top tips for bark success:

• Temperature matters: Keep chocolate below 90°F to maintain its temper for that professional snap and shine.
• Quality ingredients: Use the best chocolate you can afford – it really does make a difference!
• Even thickness: Aim for about 1/4 inch thickness for the perfect bite that’s not too thick or thin.
• Creative toppings: Feel free to customize with your favorite add-ins like crushed cookies, nuts, or dried fruit.
• Clean breaks: Score the bark with a knife while it’s still slightly soft for cleaner pieces, or embrace the rustic broken look.

Delicious Variations to Try

One of the reasons I love this Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe so much is how versatile it is. Once you master the basic technique, you can create endless variations. Here are some of my favorites that I’ve developed over the years:

Gifting Your Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark

This Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe makes a wonderful homemade gift that’s both impressive and economical.

I’ve given it as holiday presents, hostess gifts, and thank-you tokens with great success.

People are always amazed that something so beautiful is homemade!

Packaging Ideas:

• Layer pieces in a decorative tin between sheets of parchment paper
• Fill cellophane bags and tie with a pretty ribbon
• Stack in a mason jar with a fabric top and twine
• Create a gift basket with the bark, coffee, and a mug

For an extra special touch, I like to include a handwritten copy of the recipe so recipients can make their own batch when they inevitably run out!

Ready to Make Your Own Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark?

There you have it, my favorite Chocolate Peanut Butter Bark Recipe that never fails to impress!

It’s the perfect balance of rich chocolate and creamy peanut butter, with delightful toppings that add texture and flavor.

The best part is how simple it is to make, even if you’re not an experienced baker.

I hope you’ll give this recipe a try and experience the joy of creating something so delicious with such minimal effort.

It’s become one of my signature treats, and I’m confident it will become one of yours too.

If you make it, I’d love to hear how it turned out in the comments below!