9 Fun Ways to Top Chocolate Bark Candy

Really delicious bark depends on good chocolate, so spring for the best you can afford. Use about a pound of dark, milk or white chocolate; avoid chips, which have additives.Finely chop the chocolate and melt it in a micowave or double-boiler. For best results, consider tempering, a controlled melting method that yields "snappier" bark and helps ward off bloom (a beige residue that often appears on chocolate). Spread chocolate on parchment paper or waxed paper and top as desired. Let bark set up in a cool room (or, in a pinch, in the fridge). Break or chop into bite-size pieces, stealing a few morsels for sampling, of course.

Read ahead for 9 topping ideas—and a way to package bark like a homemade candy bar.

For chocolate bark with a kick, top candy with smoked almonds and crushed dried ancho pepper.

Give your chocolate bark a sweet-salty punch with toasted shredded coconut, toasted slivered almonds and sea salt.

All your favorite munchies in one candy! Top chocolate bark with pretzel twists, ridged potato chips and peanuts.

Don't like fruitcake? You might change your mind after eating our candy version. Sprinkle walnuts plus mixed dried fruit (apricots, cherries, raisins, etc.) on chocolate bark.

Cookies, mint and chocolate: A mix everyone will love. Add chopped chocolate-mint candy (such as Andes) and sandwich cookies (such as Oreos) to your bark.

Who can resist a chocolate-caramel combo? Top your chocolate bark with caramel nibs (found in the baking aisle) and toasted pecans.

Get a double dose of ginger by topping your chocolate bark with gingerbread cookies and crystallized ginger.

Go red and green! Dried orange-flavor cranberries and pistachios give festive holiday color and flavor.

Fruit and nuts make an irresistible combo. Put freeze-dried raspberries and toasted sliced almonds on top of your bark.

For a twist on the usual bite-size pieces, cut the bark into big rectangles with a large knife and package as a homemade candy bar. (If the bark set up in the fridge, let it sit 10 minutes at room temp before cutting).