Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup Bark

Recipe courtesy of www.LoveAndOliveOil.com

By: Melissa Baker

Ingredients:

• 8 ounces good quality, dark chocolate (70-80%), very finely chopped
• 6 ounces peanut butter chips 
• 1 cup mini peanut butter cups 

Directions:

1. In a microwave, double boiler, or chocolate melter, gently melt chocolate on the lowest possible heat setting. Stir regularly, removing from heat as needed. The goal here is to keep the temperature under 90 degrees, above which the chocolate will lose its temper. Be patient, keep stirring, and even with on and off low heat the chocolate will melt eventually.

2. Meanwhile, melt peanut butter chips in a microwave safe bowl by microwaving on medium power in 20 second intervals, stirring until melted. If this mixture seems too thick, stir in a teaspoon or two of vegetable oil or shortening to thin it out.

3. Pour melted chocolate onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat. 

4. Spread into an even layer (it will not cover the entire pan, just spread it until it's as thick as you want your final bark to be). 

5. Dollop lines of melted peanut butter chips on top of chocolate. Run a toothpick or skewer through the two kinds of chocolate in a circular motion to form decorative swirls.

6. Sprinkle evenly with peanut butter cups. Let sit, uncovered at room temperature, for 1 to 2 hours or until set. Break or cut into serving size pieces.

*Note that if you melt your chocolate to a higher temperature or it somehow loses its temper, the chocolate may not set up completely. In which case, just refrigerate it until firm. While the bark is still perfectly edible, it is not as stable at room temperature and will need to be refrigerated.