The following “CHEW THIS!” column originally appeared in “The Courier-Times” and / or “The Shelbyville News”. Check their websites for further information.
Rocky Road Bark
Blaise Doubman
I love the flavor combinations of rocky road and I love chocolate bark – so what could be better than combinding them together? The fabulous part about this recipe – aside from the fabulous results – is that the recipe can literally be transformed into millions of different flavor combinations! I use semi-sweet chocolate for the base but feel free to use bittersweet chocolate, milk chocolate, white chocolate or even a combination of chocolates all swirled together. Also top with anything your heart desires. Crushed up potato chips, crushed peppermint candies, dried fruit, candy sprinkles – anything!
You can fold and stir all of the ingredients together but I think it looks so much better to sprinkle the ingredients on top, much like the way England makes their bark. The way you can not only see what is on top of each “piece” but it really makes the entire thing more visually appealing. This would be perfect for the Holiday table or as something unique in a candy gift basket!
Rocky Road Bark
1 1/2 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening
2 cups chopped walnuts, lightly toasted
2 cups mini marshmallows
1 1/2 cups mini semi-sweet chocolate chips
1 cup white chocolate chips
1 tablespoon solid vegetable shortening
Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil and place on top a sheet of parchment paper.
In a large bowl combine the semi-sweet chocolate chips with the solid vegetable shortening. Microwave on high power 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until the chocolate is melted and smooth and glossy.
Carefully pour the melted chocolate directly in the center of the parchment paper. Using the back side of a spoon spread the melted chocolate out into a rectangle about the size of 12 inches by 18 inches. You want the chocolate thin enough to snap when cooled but not too thin as to break when loading on the topping. Be careful not to make the chocolate too thick either or it will not form traditional bark.
Once the chocolate is formed sprinkle on the lightly toasted walnuts, mini marshmallows and the mini semi-sweet chocolate chips.
In a microwave safe bowl combine the white chocolate chips with the solid vegetable shortening. Microwave on high power 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds until the white chocolate is melted and smooth and glossy.
Take a spoon and drizzle the melted white chocolate over the entire surface of the bark. Use whatever pattern you desire but I think that a single line back and forth across horizontally looks the best.
You may not use all of the white chocolate.
Place into the refrigerator for 2 hours.
Remove and carefully break the bark up into pieces. Store at room temperature.
Enjoy!
Ask and Answer: Julia S. from New Castle would like to know if it makes a difference using all-purpose flour versus self-rising flour. Yes! Self-rising flour contains other ingredients, such as baking powder, that will throw off a recipe that does not call for that particular flour. I would suggest always going with regular white, all-purpose flour, which is what most all recipes use.