Almond bark, unlike what the name suggests, does not have any almonds, nor is it bark. It's used as a substitute for chocolate coating on candy, where vegetable fat is used instead of cocoa butter. Other ingredients include sugar, partially hydrogenated vegetable oil, whey (milk), soy lecithin, artificial color and artificial flavor. Almond bark is for the most part used for dipping and coating. Some recipes are also available to make candy treats by mixing dried fruit and/or nuts in the almond bark.
Dipping
Fruits, pretzels and potato chips are some of the most popular recipes with almond bark for dipping.
After breaking the store-bought almond bark into smaller pieces so that it is easier to melt, microwave it in a microwavable bowl for about three to four minutes. With a fondue fork to guide your treat of choice in the almond bark, dip and ensure the treat is entirely covered in the melted bark. Then, before setting the almond bark to dry on wax paper, dress your treat with sprinkles or dribble some chocolate on it. Set the treat to dry for about 30 minutes before indulging.
Almond Bark Candy
Melt the almond bark the same as you would for dipping, and add dried fruit, nuts, chocolate or cinnamon and mix vigorously until everything is blended in. One popular recipe for almond bark candy is apricot and almonds. Simply add dried apricots, almonds, and chocolate chips in the melted almond bark. The almond bark in this recipe is used more as a sticking agent for the apricots and almonds than for the actual taste of the bark so pack in enough fruit, nuts and/or chocolate to overwhelm the melted bark. Finally, place the candy mixture in a rectangular container so that once melted, you can cut the pieces into square, hand-held size candy pieces. Keep in mind that the deeper the depth of the container will determine how long it will take the bark to dry. It should not take any more than 30 minutes.
Sticking Agent
Since melted almond bark is very sticky and is easily melted and quick to dry, it be used as a sticking agent for more sturdy ginger bread people or houses for the holidays, or even to stick hard materials onto a cookie such as almonds or M&M's candy. Once the almond bark is melted, take a toothpick or knife to spread the almond bark on the treat of your choice. Then stick your candy together with it.
Tags: almond bark, almond bark, fruit nuts, almond bark, apricots almonds, dried fruit, dried fruit nuts