There’s something delightfully festive about mixing red velvet’s tender crumb with the refreshing zing of mint candy. The Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe brings all those flavors together in a crunchy, colorful treat that’s as fun to make as it is to eat. If you love a sweet, minty chocolate fix with a bit of holiday cheer, this bark is absolutely worth the effort.
Jump to:
- Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Ingredients & Why They Work
- Make It Your Way
- Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
- Top Tip
- How to Serve Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
- Make Ahead and Storage
- Frequently Asked Questions:
- Final Thoughts
- Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
Why You'll Love This Recipe
This Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe is hands down one of my favorite holiday treats. It’s that perfect mix of smooth chocolate, soft but crunchy cookie bits, and that fresh, bright pop from the mint candies—super easy to whip up and guaranteed to impress everyone who tries it.
- Simple prep: You just melt, mix, and chill—no baking stress here.
- Unique combo: Red velvet cookies add richness while mint M&Ms bring a playful freshness.
- Perfect gift idea: It slices up nicely into bite-sized pieces, great for gifting.
- Customizable: Swap in different candies or cookie types to match your taste.
Ingredients & Why They Work
Every ingredient here plays a role—from the creamy milk chocolate base that melts beautifully, to the bright mint M&Ms that add crunch and color, and the crumble of red velvet sandwich cookies that lend a soft yet sturdy texture. These flavors and textures come together perfectly, and I’ve learned to stick with good-quality chocolate and fresh candies for the best outcome.
- Milk chocolate chips: Melts smoothly and has the sweetest, creamiest base to hold everything together.
- Butter or margarine: Adds silkiness to the melted chocolate, helping with spreadability and texture.
- Mint M&Ms: Minty candy shells add crunch and a refreshing burst of flavor that cuts through the richness.
- Red velvet sandwich cookies: Crushed for that unique red velvet flavor and moist crumb texture, balancing the chocolate and mint.
Make It Your Way
I love making this Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe just as written, but feel free to play around. Personalizing it not only lets you add your favorite flavors but also makes it feel more fun and creative.
- Variation: I once swapped out the mint M&Ms for crushed peppermint candy canes—totally festive and extra minty!
- Dietary tweak: Use dairy-free chocolate chips and butter alternatives to make it vegan-friendly, still delicious.
- Seasonal twist: Swap the red velvet cookies for ginger snap pieces during fall or winter for a spicy note.
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
Step 1: Break Up the Red Velvet Cookies
Start by placing your red velvet sandwich cookies into a sturdy ziplock bag. Then, gently but firmly use a heavy pot or rolling pin to break them up into chunks. You want a mix of bigger and smaller pieces to get that great texture throughout your bark. Don’t pulverize them to crumbs—those bigger chunks add that sought-after chewiness.
Step 2: Melt Your Chocolate with Butter
Place the milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave on high for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue heating in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until silky smooth. Melt your butter or margarine separately and add it to the melted chocolate, stirring it thoroughly for that luxurious shine and smooth pour.
Step 3: Spread and Decorate
Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper—this makes cleanup a breeze and helps you lift out your bark easily. Pour your chocolate mixture onto the sheet, spreading it evenly with your hands or a spatula. Quickly sprinkle the cookie pieces and mint M&Ms all over, then gently press them in so they stick nicely.
Step 4: Chill and Serve
Pop your cookie sheet into the refrigerator for at least an hour. Chilling helps the bark fully set, making it easier to break into those perfect bite-sized pieces. Once ready, break it apart, store the leftovers in the fridge, and enjoy!
Top Tip
I've made this Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe dozens of times, and a few little tricks have made all the difference in my results. Here’s what I’ve learned that will help you nail it every time.
- Chocolate melting consistency: Stir frequently and don’t rush the melting process in the microwave. Smooth, lump-free chocolate means a prettier bark.
- Cookie chunk size: Keep the cookie pieces somewhat chunky to get that satisfying contrast with the smooth chocolate.
- Press gently: When sprinkling toppings, press just enough so they stick without pushing them too far into the bark, or they’ll all settle at the bottom.
- Use parchment or foil: Trust me, lining your pan saves a lot of frustration when it’s time to break the bark apart.
How to Serve Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
Garnishes
I usually keep it simple with the garnishes I already add—cookies and M&Ms—but if you want to dress it up, a light dusting of powdered sugar or a few sprigs of fresh mint on your serving platter looks stunning and complements the flavors beautifully.
Side Dishes
This bark pairs wonderfully with a cup of hot cocoa or your favorite holiday coffee drink. I’ve also served it alongside gingerbread or peppermint bark for a festive dessert spread that guests rave about.
Creative Ways to Present
For holiday parties, I like to break the bark into irregular shards and pile them in a decorative glass jar or a festive tin. Wrapping smaller chunks in cellophane bags tied with ribbon makes adorable homemade gifts that folks really appreciate.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
I keep leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container lined with parchment paper between layers to keep everything fresh and prevent sticking. The bark holds its texture and flavor beautifully for up to two weeks this way.
Freezing
Freezing works well if you want to stash batches ahead of time. I wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap and pop them into a freezer bag. Thaw at room temperature before serving to keep the chocolate smooth without condensation ruining the texture.
Reheating
Since this recipe is served chilled, reheating isn’t usually necessary, but if you want to soften pieces for melting into desserts, warm gently in short microwave bursts. Just be careful not to overheat and lose the bark’s texture.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Absolutely! You can swap milk chocolate for dark or white chocolate chips. Just keep in mind that darker chocolate will give a richer, less sweet flavor, while white chocolate adds creamy sweetness that complements the mint and red velvet nicely.
Make sure your melting bowl is completely dry and avoid any moisture in the chocolate. Stir frequently and melt slowly in short intervals, especially in the microwave. Adding butter helps keep the chocolate smooth and silky, which is why it’s included in this recipe.
Yes! You can substitute other candies like regular M&Ms, crushed peppermint candies, or even dried fruit and nuts. Pick additions that suit your taste and the occasion—you really can’t go wrong!
Stored properly in an airtight container in the refrigerator, this bark will stay fresh and tasty for up to two weeks. For longer storage, use the freezer method and thaw before serving.
Final Thoughts
Making this Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe always feels like a cozy holiday tradition to me. It’s fast, festive, and endlessly adaptable—plus, it’s the kind of treat that makes people smile. I’m confident you’ll enjoy how easy it is to whip up and how delightful it tastes. Give it a try, and I promise it’ll become a favorite in your holiday dessert lineup, too!
Print
Red Velvet Chocolate Bark with Mint M&Ms Recipe
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
- Yield: 1 cookie sheet
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Description
This festive Christmas Bark with Red Velvet Cookies is a delightful holiday treat that combines creamy milk chocolate, crunchy mint M&Ms, and pieces of rich red velvet sandwich cookies. Perfect for gift-giving or holiday parties, this no-bake dessert is easy to prepare and sure to impress.
Ingredients
Chocolate Base
- 4 cups milk chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
Toppings
- 1 7 oz package mint M&Ms
- 8 red velvet sandwich cookies
Instructions
- Prepare Cookies: Place the red velvet sandwich cookies into a ziplock bag and crush them into pieces using a heavy pot or rolling pin, making sure to break them into bite-sized chunks.
- Melt Chocolate: Place milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat on high for 1 minute. Stir well, then continue heating in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until the chocolate is fully melted and smooth.
- Add Butter: Melt the butter or margarine separately and then stir it into the melted chocolate until fully combined and glossy.
- Spread Chocolate: Line a cookie sheet with foil and pour the melted chocolate mixture onto it. Use your hands or the back of a spatula to spread the chocolate evenly over the sheet.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the crushed red velvet cookie pieces and mint M&Ms evenly over the chocolate surface. Gently press them into the chocolate to ensure they stick.
- Chill: Place the cookie sheet in the refrigerator and chill for at least 1 hour until the chocolate is fully set and firm.
- Serve: Break the hardened bark into pieces and store any leftovers in the refrigerator until ready to enjoy.
Notes
- For a smoother chocolate texture, temper the chocolate before pouring it onto the foil.
- You can substitute milk chocolate with dark or white chocolate based on preference.
- If you want a stronger mint flavor, add crushed peppermint candy instead of or along with the mint M&Ms.
- Use parchment paper instead of foil for easier removal of the bark from the sheet.
- Store the bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent melting and maintain freshness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece (approximate)
- Calories: 250 kcal
- Sugar: 22 g
- Sodium: 50 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 9 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 2 g
- Cholesterol: 10 mg
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