Hazelnut Chocolate Bark To Make With Kids

There’s something genuinely irresistible about the combination of crunchy hazelnuts and rich chocolate. Our scrumptious hazelnut chocolate bark brings those two ingredients together for a one-of-a-kind treat. And it is so easy to make. Our step-by-step guide is simple enough that anyone can follow along.

It’s never too early to start fostering a passion for and appreciation of cooking in your children. Creating homemade hazelnut chocolate bark is the perfect way to do this. Not only is it simple enough for older kids to make themselves, but it’s also makes a great gift.

The great thing about this recipe it’s versatility. You can make all kinds of variations on the basic recipe. All it takes is a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time.

So let’s get down to business and walk through the process.

Step One Choose Your Ingredients

To begin with, we need the very best ingredients.

1. Hazelnuts: Look for fresh, plump hazelnuts with a slightly glossy appearance. Ensure the nuts are free from any signs of mold or damage. I would opt for hazelnuts that are still in their shells, as they retain their flavor and freshness longer. Alternatively, you can purchase pre-shelled hazelnuts but ensure they are stored in an airtight container to maintain quality.
2. Chocolate: You cannot make bark without the star ingredient. A good quality chocolate bar will make all the difference. Use a high-quality chocolate bar with at least 60-70% cocoa content for a rich, intense flavor. You can choose between dark, milk, or white chocolate, depending on your preference. We do not recommend chocolate chips (see, why below).
3. Sea Salt: This is entirely optional. I love the combination of salty and sweet, but you can omit this ingredient if you prefer.

Equipment

You only need a few pieces of equipment.

• A rimmed quarter sheet for toasting the hazelnuts and spreading the bark
• Parchment paper for lining the sheet
• A microwavable bowl or double boiler for melting the chocolate
• Heat resistant Spatula

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating Homemade Hazelnut Chocolate Bark

Prepare the Hazelnuts

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast for 10-15 minutes or until they are fragrant and golden brown.

Allow them to cool slightly before placing them with a clean towel. Shake to remove the skins. Roughly chop the roasted hazelnuts and set aside.

Melt the Chocolate

Chop the chocolate into even-sized pieces and place them in a microwave-safe bowl. To melt the chocolate in the microwave, heat it at 50% power for 30-second intervals. Stir well between intervals to ensure even heating.

Make sure the chocolate does not overheat, as it can burn quickly. Continue this process until the chocolate is smooth and glossy, with no remaining lumps.

If you don’t want to use a microwave, heat the chocolate slowly in a double boiler. Stir occasionally until smooth and glossy.

Combine and Spread

Stir in ¾ of the chopped hazelnuts into the melted chocolate, ensuring they are evenly distributed. Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out with a spatula to create an even layer, about ¼ inch thick.

Add Toppings

Sprinkle the remaining hazelnuts on top of the chocolate mixture, pressing them down gently with your fingertips. Add a light sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor combination if you wish.

Let it Set

Leave the hazelnut chocolate bark until it is fully set. Once hardened, break it into irregular pieces using your hands or a knife. Refrigerate will speed up the setting process if you are in a hurry.

This recipe is part of my Quick and Easy Family Recipes collection — your go-to hub for simple recipes for busy families.

Variations On Hazelnut Chocolate Bark To Try

Embrace your creativity by experimenting with different nuts, such as almonds, pecans, or pistachios, to add different flavors and textures to your chocolate bark.

You can also incorporate dried fruits like cranberries, cherries, or apricots for a delightful burst of natural sweetness and chewiness, making your homemade treat even more unique and enjoyable.

Presenting Your Hazelnut Chocolate Bark

Serve your hazelnut chocolate bark on a beautiful wooden board or slate platter with a hot cup of coffee or tea. It is an impressive dessert at dinner parties or a special treat to share with loved ones.

If you are gifting the bark, use custom packaging or labels. Cellophane bags or small gift boxes are perfect. Decorate them with ribbons, tags, or personalized stickers.

Hazelnut chocolate bark would make a wonderful gift for Mother’s Day. Check out our collection of other Mother’s Day gifts that kids can make.

Looking for other easy family recipes? Check out all our recipes.

Tips And Tricks For Making Chocolate Hazelnut Bark

Tips For Melting The Chocolate

Melting chocolate can be a delicate process, but with the proper techniques and patience, you can achieve perfectly smooth and glossy results. Here are some helpful hints to keep in mind when melting chocolate:

1. Break the chocolate into small, even-sized pieces to ensure it melts uniformly and quickly.
2. Avoid moisture: Water or steam can cause chocolate to seize, creating a grainy texture. Keep all utensils and bowls completely dry, and avoid using a lid when using a double boiler.
3. When it comes to melting chocolate, it is better to go slowly as it is too easy to overheat and scorch your chocolate.
4. Temperature control: Different types of chocolate have different melting points. Dark chocolate takes the longest as it melts at 115-120°F (46-49°C). Milk melt at 105-110°F (40-43°C). White chocolate melts the fastest at 99-109°F (37-43°C).

Can I Use Chocolate Chips?

While chocolate chips might seem like a convenient option for recipes that require melted chocolate, there are several reasons why they are not recommended for making chocolate bark.

• Chocolate chips are specifically formulated to hold their shape at higher temperatures. They contain less cocoa butter and have added stabilizers, making them harder to melt.s a result, chocolate chips tend to stay lumpy when melted.
• Chocolate chips are okay for cookies but will not provide the same smooth, glossy finish as high-quality chocolate bars. They are made with lower-quality chocolate, containing less cocoa content and more sugar or artificial additives. This impacts the bark’s flavor, texture, and overall quality.
• They are not tempered. Tempering is a process that involves heating and cooling chocolate to specific temperatures. This aligns the cocoa butter molecules and ensures a shiny, smooth finish. Un-tempered chocolate tends to look dull when it sets. It can also develop “fat blooms.” This happens when cocoa butter rises to the surface, creating white or gray streaks. While it’s still safe to eat, it doesn’t look appealing.

How To Store Chocolate Hazelnut Bark

To store chocolate hazelnut bark, keep it in an airtight container, separated by layers of parchment paper, at room temperature or in a cool, dry place.

How Long Can You Keep Chocolate Hazelnut Bark?

Chocolate hazelnut bark can be stored for up to 2 weeks in a cool, dry place. However, let’s be honest here; it’s unlikely to last that long before being devoured!

Can Kids Make Chocolate Hazelnut Bark?

Making hazelnut chocolate bark is a fun and engaging activity for kids. They can help with various tasks such as roasting and chopping the hazelnuts, melting the chocolate, and mixing the ingredients. Plus, they’ll love breaking the bark into pieces once it has set.

Naturally, melting chocolate is hot and can cause burns. We recommend making bark with tweens and teens. The following precautions should be taken to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience for everyone involved:

1. Always supervise children when melting chocolate, whether using a double boiler or a microwave. Ensure they understand the potential risks and follow instructions carefully.
2. Teach your child to use oven mitts or a thick towel when handling hot bowls or pots, and instruct them to avoid touching the chocolate directly with their fingers.
3. A large measuring jug can be invaluable if melting the chocolate in the microwave. Choose one with a broad base so it will not tip over easily. Grabbing the handle of a jug with an oven glove is much easier than picking up a bowl. It also makes pouring the melted chocolate really easy.
4. Preventing spills: Encourage your child to work slowly and carefully when pouring the melted chocolate onto the parchment-lined baking sheet. This will help minimize the risk of spills, which could cause burns.

Print

Chocolate Hazelnut Bark

Our 3-ingredient chocolate hazelnut bark is wonderfully decadent and so easy to make!

Prep Time10 minutes mins

Active Time15 minutes mins

Total Time1 hour hr 25 minutes mins

Yield: 12

Calories: 182kcal

Ingredients

• 12 oz of good quality chocolate. 3 large chocolate bars
• 1/3 cup raw shelled hazelnuts
• ½ tsp Sea salt optional

Instructions

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and roast in the oven for 10 minutes.
• Once they are roasted, remove from the oven and let them cool for about 5 minutes.
• Place the hazelnuts in a kitchen towel and shake around, until all the skins fall off the hazelnuts.
• Beak up the chocolate bars into squares
• Melt the chocolate in the microwave in increments of 30 seconds, until fully melted.
• Stir in ¾ of the chopped hazelnuts into the melted chocolate, ensuring they are evenly distributed.
• Pour the mixture onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out with a spatula to create an even layer, about ¼ inch thick.
• Sprinkle the remaining hazelnuts on top of the chocolate mixture, pressing them down gently with your fingertips. Add a light sprinkle of sea salt for a sweet and salty flavor combination if you wish.
• Leave the hazelnut chocolate bark until it is fully set.
• Then break into pieces and serve.

Notes

Note: Calorie count is for recipes using 12 ounces of dark chocolate. Calorie count calculated by the food calorie counter at the USDA National Nutrient Database.

Homemade hazelnut-chocolate bark is an irresistible and versatile treat. Use high-quality ingredients and follow our step-by-step guide to create a delicious and impressive dessert perfect for indulging, gifting, or selling.

Involving older kids in the process makes it an enjoyable family activity that fosters creativity and teamwork. So, gather your ingredients, roll up your sleeves, and start creating your hazelnut chocolate bark masterpiece!

Looking for more help in the kitchen? The Kid-Friendly Recipes resource hub at Rediscovered Families has everything in one place — from recipe collections to holiday treats and fun recipes to make together.