Reindeer Chocolate Bark could be the easiest Christmas dessert recipe ever! This no-bake Christmas dessert takes 15 minutes to make simply by melting milk chocolate chips in the microwave and decorating it to resemble Rudolph with pretzel antlers, edible candy eyes, one red candy nose, and a dusting of mint snow.

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Easy No-Bake Chocolate Reindeer Bark

Making Peppermint Chocolate Reindeer Bark at home is so simple and easy, especially when no stovetop or oven is needed and only 5 ingredients are required!

You can build your chocolate Christmas bark in minutes and have fun decorating it with the kids with reindeer faces: just arrange pretzel pieces like antlers, add candy eyeballs and a red nose below, then sprinkle it with crushed peppermint and let it set in the fridge before serving.

Our Christmas bark recipe is a sweet and salty treat that’s perfect for holiday gifting or placing on party platters and trays of cookies. Grab your candy and festive topping and get the whole family involved because the best chocolate bark combinations are the ones you create yourself!

Why We Love This Reindeer Bark Recipe

  • Quick and easy to make.
  • Only uses 5 ingredients.
  • Christmas bark recipes are the best because there are no rules or requirements for decorating your Rudolph chocolate bark dessert.
  • Cute craft for kids and fun to customize their own Christmas chocolate bark.
  • Perfect sweet treat for Christmas parties, dessert platters, or packaging in bags for edible gifts.

More Christmas Treats to Make With Kids

peppermint reindeer bark ingredients

Ingredients

  • Milk chocolate chips
  • Mini pretzels: Feel free to use gluten-free pretzels to make this a GF dessert.
  • Candy eyeballs
  • Red M&M’s
  • Peppermint candy

Substitutions and Additions

  • Choose Your Chocolate: Feel free to make your reindeer peppermint bark with dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips, or semi-sweet chocolate chips. You can also swap the chocolate chips for chocolate candy melts or almond bark.
  • Other Tasty Toppings: Bark is a blank canvas for showcasing your creativity. You can make festive chocolate bark with dried cranberries, an assortment of crushed candy, marshmallows, sprinkles, or any of your favorite toppings.
  • Vegan Version: For a vegan or dairy-free option use dairy-free/vegan chocolate bars instead of milk chocolate chips.
  • Customize Your Candy: Chocolate candy bark can be made any time of year and customized with holiday colors and seasonal snacks. Some of my favorite unique bark recipes include Oreo Peppermint Bark, Easter Bunny Bark, Halloween Candy Bark, Melted Snowman Chocolate Bark, and so many more.
peppermint reindeer bark
  • Baking tray
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe bowl
  • Serrated knife
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How to Make Peppermint Reindeer Chocolate Bark

  1. Melt: Microwave the chocolate in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the chocolate is melted and smooth. Spread the melted chocolate in an even layer onto the baking tray.
  2. Assemble: Arrange the pretzel halves like antlers, place the candy eyeballs below the antlers for eyes and then add the red M&M’s for the nose. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy.
  3. Chill: Chill in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
  4. Serve: Cut into pieces and serve or store in a container for later. Enjoy!

Tips for making chocolate bark

  • Instead of a microwave, you can also use a double boiler method to melt the chocolate.
  • Make sure to leave an overhang (extra parchment paper) when preparing the baking sheet so that you can easily lift the hardened chocolate out of it.
  • Cut the mini pretzels into half exactly in the middle using a serrated knife for a smooth cut.
  • To crush the candy canes, put them in a Ziploc bag and smash them with a rolling pin or mallet until the candies are crushed into fine pieces.

How to Store Chocolate Bark

  • To Store: Store your chocolate bark in an airtight container for 10 days at room temperature or for a month in the fridge.
  • To Freeze: Candy bark can be stored in the freezer for 6-7 months in a freezer-safe container. Be aware that the M&Ms will crack and the crushed peppermint may liquify.
peppermint reindeer bark

Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DON’T ADD MY TOPPINGS TO THE MELTED CHOCOLATE SOON ENOUGH?

If you don’t get your candy or pretzels onto your melted chocolate soon enough, it’s ok! Simply put your sheet pan of chocolate into a heated oven (try around 300 degrees Fahrenheit) for 2-3 minutes. Your chocolate should melt just enough for your reindeer faces to stick. 

What is the best way to melt chocolate?

Melting chocolate can be really tricky, especially in the microwave. However, I have found that melting it in increments of 30 seconds is a pretty fool-proof method to not overheat it. Make sure you stir it every time, otherwise the chocolate will heat unevenly. And if your chocolate is nearly perfect, but it needs just a tiny bit more time, try 5 or 10 seconds instead of the full 30. You can also melt the chocolate in a double-boiler.

peppermint reindeer bark cut into pieces

Reindeer Dessert Ideas

More adorable and creative Christmas reindeer dessert ideas to accompany your chocolate bark.

5 from 2 votes
peppermint reindeer bark featured image

Peppermint Reindeer Chocolate Bark

Serves — 2
Peppermint Reindeer Chocolate Bark features our favorite red-nosed Christmas character in edible form. Easy to make homemade candy without the hassle of holiday baking.
Prep Time 15 minutes
Chill Time 30 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes

Video

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces bag of milk chocolate chips
  • 10 mini pretzels
  • 10 Wilton candy eyeballs
  • 10 small red M&M’s
  • 6-8 peppermint candy

Instructions
 

  • In a baking tray line parchment paper and set it aside.
  • In a microwave-safe bowl add the milk chocolate chips and melt the chocolate in 30-second increments for 2 minutes by stirring in between until the chocolate is completely melted and smooth.
  • Meanwhile cut the mini pretzels into half exactly in the middle using a serrated knife for a smooth cut. Set it aside.
  • Place the peppermint candy in a Ziploc bag and smash them until the candies are crushed into fine pieces. Set it aside.
  • Pour the melted chocolate on the prepared baking tray with parchment paper. Spread the chocolate evenly and smooth (approx ⅛ inch thickness).
  • Arrange the pretzel halves like antlers, place the candy eyeballs below the antlers for reindeer eyes and then place the red M&M’s for the nose.
  • Dust the crushed peppermint candy over the chocolate. Place the baking tray in the fridge for at least 30 minutes to set the chocolate.
  • Once the chocolate hardens, carefully cut the chocolate using a knife.
  • Store the chocolate bark in an airtight container and enjoy.

Jenn’s Notes

Storage:
  • To Store: Store your chocolate bark in an airtight container for 10 days at room temperature or for a month in the fridge.
  • To Freeze: Candy bark can be stored in the freezer for 6-7 months in a freezer-safe container. Be aware that the M&Ms will crack and the crushed peppermint may liquify.
Tips:
  • Instead of a microwave, you can also use a double boiler method to melt the chocolate.
  • Make sure to leave an overhang (extra parchment paper) when preparing the baking sheet so that you can easily lift the hardened chocolate out of it.
  • Cut the mini pretzels into half exactly in the middle using a serrated knife for a smooth cut.
  • To crush the candy canes, put them in a Ziploc bag and smash them with a rolling pin or mallet until the candies are crushed into fine pieces.

Nutrition Info

Calories: 981kcal | Carbohydrates: 134g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 51g | Saturated Fat: 32g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.04g | Trans Fat: 0.02g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 69mg | Potassium: 497mg | Fiber: 0.4g | Sugar: 114g | Vitamin A: 22IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 134mg | Iron: 0.4mg

Originally published 11/28/2016

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