Hi.

Welcome! I'm a new Pittsburgher and mom who is untrained in both life and cooking, but that just makes them both more exciting!

Almond-Marshmallow-Craisin Bark

Almond bark is delicious.  Yes.  So what could be better than adding something more to this little creation?  Marshmallows don't just add a different flavor; they add a whole new texture.  And then there are the craisins.  Fruity, chewy, yummy.   

So, I figured I would give it a try last night because I had to make something to bring to a pot luck Yankee swap at work.  It is almost like a rocky road candy with a little bit of flair.   Jake and I loved it, and it was so easy to make that it just might ruin our weight loss attempts. 

So, here is the deal:

2 cups chocolate chips 1 cup toasted almonds 1 cup mini marshmallows 1/2 cup craisins

If your almonds are raw, toast them.  It changes the whole flavor and only takes like 7 minutes in the oven.  You can then refrigerate them or freeze them, so you might as well make a bunch at a time.   So, then you melt 1 1/2 cups of the chocolate either on the stove or in the microwave, making sure not to burn it.  I would recommend cooking it for a minute, stirring it, cooking it for 30 seconds, stirring it, and continuing with 30 second increments until it is all done.  When the chocolate is completely melted and liquid, remove from the heat and add in the last 1/2 cup of chips and stir it around.  This lowers the temperature and tempers the chocolate in the easiest way that I know how (and the chips will all melt in the hot chocolate).  

Once all of the chocolate is melted throw in the almonds and mix them in until they are all fully coated.  Then do the same with the craisins.  Lastly, you will do the marshmallows.  Make sure that they are last because we want the chocolate to be as cool as it is gonna get before pouring so that the mallows don't melt into a gooey mess.  Once you throw them in, give it a quick stir to coat and then stop mixing.  At this point you pour everything onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread it out into a somewhat even, somewhat thin, coat.   

Once everything is on the sheet, throw the whole thing in the fridge for at least an hour so that it will cool and set.  Then take it out and chop it up or break it up by hand or eat it all as one big delicious piece.

This candy makes a great holiday gift.  The craisins are wintery, and the chocolate/almond combo is comforting, and the whole thing will make people want to be your friend.

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