This Dark Chocolate Bark recipe is made with pretzels, caramel and fresh apple slices. It is the perfect combination of salty, sweet, tart and indulgent. The recipe is incredibly easy to make and a great treat to have on hand when you’re craving something sweet.

Pieces of chocolate bark with pretzels, apple and caramel.

Are you a chocolate lover like myself? Try this unique (and delicious) twist on a classic chocolate bark!

The pretzels and flake sea salt and the perfect amount of saltiness to contrast the rich dark chocolate.

However, the apple slices add both a tart flavor and freshness in each bite.

Main Ingredients

This chocolate bark recipe requires your typical ingredients. You may already have them in your kitchen or find them at your local grocery store.

Ingredients to make chocolate bark.

Best Chocolate for Bark

What is the best chocolate for making bark?

Technically, you can use any type of chocolate!

However, there are certain types of chocolate that will work better than others.

Milk Chocolate

In order for a chocolate to be called milk chocolate, it must contain at least twelve percent milk. 

This can be in the form of milk powder, condensed milk, regular liquid milk, or any combination of those. Milk chocolate also usually contains sugar and cocoa butter.

Milk chocolate is also required to contain at least ten percent cocoa liquor. (Info from this website.)

While Milk Chocolate is delicious, I don’t recommend it for this specific recipe.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate

Technically, semi-sweet chocolate is a form of dark chocolate. 

Both typically consist of cocoa solids, sugar, an emulsifier and vanilla. 

There is no precise amount of sugar that categorises chocolate as semi-sweet. However, the name usually refers to chocolate that contains no more than 50% sugar.

Semi-Sweet Chocolate is also a great option or this recipe as it won’t be too sweet and not bitter.

Dark Chocolate

Dark Chocolate will contain between 18 to 99 percent cocoa.

Canada only requires an 18 percent chocolate liquor content to be considered dark chocolate. However, Europe and the United States require 35 percent.

Dark Chocolate can have a more bitter taste, but it is a great choice in a sweet recipe like this!

How to Make Chocolate Bark with Pretzels, Caramel and Apple

The full-detailed instructions are written out in the recipe card below. Use these images to help guide you through the step-by-step process as needed.

Apple on a cutting board.
Slice the apple
Chocolate chips and coconut oil in a bowl.
Melt the chocolate chips and coconut oil
Melted chocolate on parchment paper.
Spread the chocolate on a baking tray covered with parchment paper
Melted chocolate on parchment paper with dollops of caramel.
Add dollops of caramel
Melted chocolate on parchment paper with swirls of caramel.
Swirl into the chocolate
Melted chocolate on parchment paper with swirls of caramel and apple slices.
Add the sliced apples
Melted chocolate on parchment paper with swirls of caramel, pretzels and apple slices.
Gently press the pretzels into the chocolate
Melted chocolate on parchment paper with swirls of caramel, pretzels, apple slices and flake sea salt.
Top with flake sea salt
Set chocolate bark before sliced.
Set in the freezer and enjoy!

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I temper chocolate?

If not using chocolate chips, break or chop the chocolate bar into small pieces.

Then place chocolate in the microwave for 30 seconds at a time on high power until most of the chocolate is melted.

Stir using a fork or whisk between each internal. 

Make sure to not overheat the chocolate. If there are only a few clumps of chocolate, whisk and melt the chocolate in the residual heat instead of putting it back in the microwave.

What brands of chocolate are best for melting?

My go-to chocolate for melting is from Trader Joe’s not only is it delicious, it is also a reasonable price. However, I also recommend Hu Kitchen Dark Chocolate Gems, Enjoy Life Semi-Sweet Mega Chunks or Guittard Semi-Sweet Baking Chips.

Can the bark chill in the fridge instead of the freezer?

Yes, however, it will take much longer to completely set.

What kind of apple should I use?

You can use any kind of apple! However, for this recipe, I use a green or golden delicious apple as they tend to be on the tarter side. It helps to contrast the sweetness of the chocolate and caramel.

How do I store the leftover pieces of chocolate bark?

Store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.

Holding a piece of chocolate pretzel caramel bark.
Pieces of chocolate bark with pretzels, apple and caramel.

Chocolate Bark with Pretzels, Caramel and Apple

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Chill Time: 45 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour
Yield: 12 servings
This Dark Chocolate Bark recipe is made with pretzels, caramel and fresh apple slices. It is the perfect combination of salty, sweet, tart and indulgent. The recipe is incredibly easy to make and a great treat to have on hand when you're craving something sweet.
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Ingredients
 

  • 1.5 cups dark chocolate chips
  • 1 tsp coconut oil
  • 2/3 cup pretzel snaps
  • 1/3 cup soft caramel
  • 1 green apple, thinly sliced
  • flake sea salt, optional, for topping

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  • Add the chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl
  • Melt the chocolate chips with the coconut oil in the microwave
  • Heat for 30 second intervals, mixing in between each until just melted
  • Mix to get rid of any remaining clumps of chocolate
  • Pour the chocolate on the parchment paper
  • Spread into an even layer
  • Add dollops of the soft caramel evenly over the chocolate
  • Use a toothpick to swirl the caramel into the chocolate
  • Add the fresh apple slices, pressing them gently into the chocolate
  • Next, press in the pretzel snaps
  • (Optional) Top with flake sea salt
  • Chill in the fridge for 45-60 minutes or until set
  • Use a knife or break the chocolate bark into pieces
  • Enjoy!

Nutrition

Serving: 1piece, Calories: 157kcal, Carbohydrates: 20g, Protein: 2g, Fat: 8g, Saturated Fat: 7g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g, Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g, Cholesterol: 1mg, Sodium: 40mg, Potassium: 173mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 14g, Vitamin A: 13IU, Vitamin C: 1mg, Calcium: 78mg, Iron: 0.3mg
Author: Jessica Selensky
Course: Dessert, Snack
Cuisine: American
Keywords: Apple Bark, Caramel Apple, Caramel Chocolate Bark, Caramel Pretzels, Chocolate Bark, desserts, fall recipes, No Bake Dessert

If you try this recipe, please consider leaving a rating and comment at the end of this blog post! It is incredibly helpful to my small business and to your fellow readers.