I've been making chocolate bark as gifts for ages. I just love that it's quick and easy, impressive-looking and so simple to customise in many different ways. This tasty chocolate bark is sprinkled with dried apples and honeycomb. Just perfect for Autumn!
Pre-heat the oven to 90C/190F, and line two baking trays with baking paper.
After washing the apple(s) and twisting off the stalk(s), slice them as thinly as you can (so the slices are ideally about 2 or 3mm thick) and lay them on the baking trays in one layer.
Bake the apples for an hour, then turn and bake for another hour. Remove from the baking trays and set aside to cool.
Melt the milk chocolate in a medium bowl in the microwave in 30-second bursts (3 times was about right in my microwave).
Pour the chocolate onto one of the baking trays, spreading out a bit with a knife if necessary.
Now melt the white chocolate in the same way (if using) and drizzle all over the milk chocolate. Drag a knife through it a few times to create a swirl/ripple effect.
Now scatter the dried apple (either whole or torn into smaller pieces – your choice) and the crushed honeycomb over the chocolate, pressing it in lightly.
Let set in the fridge for at least half an hour (or until properly set), then break into pieces (see note below).
Notes
If you can’t buy Crunchie bars where you live, any kind of honeycomb bar will do. In Australia, a Violet Crumble is perfect. If you can’t find any honeycomb, melt a few caramels (the sort you get wrapped up separately in a big bag) and drizzle that over at the end instead. Or there’s a recipe for honeycomb here if you’re feeling ambitious!If you don’t have a microwave, melt the chocolate in a glass bowl over a pan of simmering water (don’t let the bowl touch the water).You won’t need all of the apple for your chocolate bark. Store the remainder in a plastic container and eat as a snack or scattered over oatmeal later. It will keep in the fridge for at least a week and for at least a few days out of the fridge.I like to pack the chocolate bark into a cellophane bag and tie with a nice ribbon before presenting as a gift. It looks great and people always think I’ve bought it!