Sweet and salty, crunchy and soft, this bark has all the yin-and-yang attributes of a scrumptious dessert. The peanut brittle in this recipe is also great as a stand-alone or dipped in dark chocolate. With its salty sweetness, this bark makes the perfect snack for a World Series or Super Bowl party.

　　

Ingredients

makes about 3 cups

　　

For the peanut brittle

8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, at room temperature

　　1/2 cup sugar

　　Pinch of salt

　　1 cup salted peanuts

　　

For the bark

3 cups (about 18 ounces) finely chopped milk chocolate

　　3/4 cup broken or roughly chopped pretzel bits

　　3/4 cup mini marshmallows

　　

Step 1

Lightly grease a sheet pan with nonstick cooking spray.

　　

Step 2

Combine the butter, sugar, and salt in a medium saucepan over high heat and bring to a boil. Continue cooking until a candy thermometer reads 300˚F. Remove the saucepan from the heat and immediately add the peanuts, stirring to coat them.

　　

Step 3

Pour the peanut mixture onto the prepared sheet pan and spread it as thinly as possible.

　　

Step 4

Allow the brittle to cool to room temperature, about 1 hour.

　　

Step 5

Once the brittle is fully cooled, cut it into 1-inch pieces. Measure 3/4 cup of brittle and set it aside, reserving the remaining brittle for another use. (The peanut brittle can be kept in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.)

　　

Step 6

Temper the milk chocolate as directed in Basic Tempered Chocolate (page 163).

　　

Step 7

Once the chocolate is tempered, add the 3/4 cup brittle, the pretzels, and the marshmallows and stir to coat as much as possible.

　　

Step 8

Pour the chocolate mixture onto a sheet pan lined with parchment or waxed paper. Spread it as thinly as possible.

　　

Step 9

Allow the bark to set at room temperature for 1 hour (or 30 minutes in the refrigerator).

　　

Step 10

Using a chef’s knife, cut the bark into bite-size pieces, about 1 inch.

　　

Step 11

Serve the bark immediately, or keep it in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 4 weeks.

　　Sweet Chic