Last week while shopping at Trader Joe’s they were sampling some Cowboy Bark. Needless to say it was my lucky day. Have you ever tried it? It’s completely and utterly addictive!
If you’re like me and love a salty-sweet treat, then file this one in your ‘must try’ recipe box. This is a ‘no bake’ recipe, takes just a few minutes to put together and has zero calories!
Ok, so two out of three ain’t bad. If I can have a few pieces of this stuff a week before my daughter’s wedding, you can too. You have my permission.
After leaving Trader Joe’s with a sugar high, I did what any self-respecting blogger would do. I headed over to Pinterest and did a search for Cowboy Bark. There were several results, but the clear contender was a recipe on Averiecooks. Her blog is awesome, her photography superb (I even copied her styling), and her recipes are TO-DIE FOR! So here I am, copying a recipe from someone who ‘copied’ a recipe. Doesn’t get any more authentic than that ;).
This delectable concoction is simply a combo of chocolate, toffee, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, oreos and sea salt. The combination of the soft, sweet chocolate with the crunchy, salty goodness of the pretzels and nuts is heaven on earth. For the chocolate, just use your favorite dark chocolate. I used Callebaut, but any will do as long as it’s good quality. If you prefer, you can mix in some milk chocolate if you’re not a bittersweet chocolate junkie like moi. (Using a combination of chocolate would actually make it more similar to TJ’s recipe.)
I decided to put some of the bark in the ‘Welcome Baskets’ at the wedding. Now don’t you wish you were invited??
Cowboy Bark
Ingredients
- 16 ounces of dark good quality chocolate
- 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels
- 8 chocolate-stuffed oreos roughly chopped
- 1/3 cup toffee bits
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped peanuts lightly salted
- 1/3 cup coarsely chopped almonds lightly salted
- sea salt
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment or wax paper. Prepare all your ingredients BEFORE melting your chocolate. This is important. If you wait until after you pour your melted chocolate to chop your ingredients, the chocolate won't be soft enough for the ingredients to take hold. I placed the nuts in a zip lock bag and banged away with a mallet until the desired consistency was reached and just roughly chopped the oreos and toffee.
- Chop the chocolate into manageable chunks so it will melt easily.
- Place chocolate in a microwave safe bowl and heat on high for 2-3 minutes, checking and stirring every 15 secs or so. I used a double boiler for this step, but if you don't have one or prefer the microwave method, no problem.
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the paper and with an offset spatula or spatula, smooth into a large rectangle about 1/8 thick.
- Immediately sprinkle the chocolate with all of the remaining ingredients.
- If you have time and can stand waiting before tasting, let the chocolate set at room temperature for about an hour. It may take longer depending on humidity levels. I waited an hour on a muggy, humid day then placed it in the fridge for 15 minutes. Should have done that in the first place.
- Once set, break into pieces. The bark will keep if kept in an airtight containers for several weeks. If you decide to freeze or refrigerate them, you'll have several months to enjoy it. Not that they'll last that long...
Al says
Oh my gosh, that looks amazing. It’s full of ingredients I can’t eat but I sure wish I could!
Angela says
YES!!! I want some bark!! Enjoy your special day!!~~Angela
Cecilia says
Oh yes…is it too late to crash the party? That looks and sounds delicious. Thank you for sharing. I am printing this out so I have it where I can get all the ingredients! Might have to lock it up though. Lol
Deb @ Frugal Little Bungalow says
simply a combo she said. LOL I’d say a recipe ingredient match made in heaven:)
Judy says
So, if you wanted to use a mix of chocolate you would use 8 ozs of milk chocolate and 8 ozs of dark chocolate? What’s a good dark chocolate that’s not too bitter?
Doreen@househoneys says
If you happen to have a Trader Joe’s where you live Judy, for authenticity try their 72% dark chocolate and milk chocolate bars in equal parts. If you don’t, try Ghiradelli chocolate. (I used Callaubet but it might be too bitter for you.)
Amy @ StowandTellU says
Ummm, yummy! Just printed and pinned. I have traditionally made choc covered pretzels every year at Christmas time. Last year I didn’t because it can be time consuming. I think I just find a replacement recipe. Thanks, Doreen.