When it comes to treats that everyone loves, my Trash Bark recipe stands out as a tried-and-true favorite. This delightful combination of sweet and salty will have you craving more with every bite. It’s quick to make, fun to eat, and perfect for sharing or enjoying all by yourself. What makes this recipe special is that it brings together unique flavors and textures, making it a crowd-pleaser at parties and gatherings.
I remember making this with Dad James and my sister Jennifer. We would gather in the kitchen, melting chocolate, and laughing as we tried to sneak a few M&M’s before they made it into the mix. Those moments created memories that last, and now I want to share this magic with you.
What You’ll Need
- 24 oz. semisweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, warmed
- 1 cup crushed potato chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 2/3 cup M&M’s
My Trusted Kitchen Tools
- Microwave-safe bowl
- Spatula
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper
- Toothpick or skewer
Bringing It All Together
- In a small heatproof bowl, microwave chocolate in 15-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 minute total.
- Pour melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it with a spatula to fully cover the bottom.
- Drizzle warmed peanut butter over the melted chocolate.
- Drag a toothpick in the opposite direction of the peanut butter drizzle to create a swirl.
- Top the chocolate mixture with crushed potato chips, pretzels, and M&M’s.
- Refrigerate the bark to set for about 1 hour.
- Once set, break into pieces to serve.
Making It Your Own (Swaps & Ideas)
Feel free to mix and match the toppings in your Trash Bark. You can swap out potato chips for crushed Graham crackers or add in your favorite nuts. For a fun twist, try using white chocolate instead of semisweet chocolate. You can also switch the M&M’s with your favorite type of candy, like Reese’s Pieces or Skittles, to give it a new flavor.
How We Love to Serve It
We love to serve Trash Bark in bite-sized pieces, perfect for sharing at gatherings or parties. It looks beautiful on a platter, mixed in with other snacks, or packaged in cute gift bags for friends and family. You can also enjoy a piece (or two) yourself with a warm cup of coffee or milk.
A Few Tips For Success
Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl and watch the chocolate closely while it melts. Stirring between increments is essential to prevent burning. Also, don’t skip lining your baking sheet with parchment paper; it makes peeling off the finished bark so much easier. If you’re after that perfect swirl with the peanut butter, don’t hesitate to practice a little!
Saving Some For Later
Trash Bark can be made ahead of time, lasting up to 5 days if stored correctly. Just keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. This makes it easy to prepare for a party or as a sweet treat to have on hand throughout the week.
From My Kitchen to Yours
Sharing the love of cooking and baking has always been a joy for me. I hope this Trash Bark brings smiles to your face and warmth to your heart, just like it does for me. Enjoy making this recipe and feel free to share your experiences!
Your Questions, Answered
What is Trash Bark?
Trash Bark is a delicious treat made of melted chocolate combined with a variety of crunchy toppings like potato chips, pretzels, and M&M’s. It offers a fantastic mix of sweet and salty flavors and is super easy to make.
How can I customize Trash Bark?
You can customize Trash Bark by changing the toppings or even the base chocolate. Instead of semisweet chocolate, you can use dark chocolate or white chocolate. For toppings, try nuts, dried fruit, or different types of candy, like gummy bears or coconut shavings.
Can I make Trash Bark ahead of time?
Yes! Trash Bark can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 5 days. This makes it a great option for parties or to have on hand for snacking.
For more delicious bark recipes, check out my Healthy Cookie Dough Bark or Salted Caramel Pretzel Bark. I’m sure you will love those as well!
Print
Trash Bark
- Total Time: 75 minutes
- Yield: 12 servings 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A delightful combination of sweet and salty, this Trash Bark is quick to make and perfect for sharing.
Ingredients
- 24 oz. semisweet chocolate
- 1/2 cup creamy peanut butter, warmed
- 1 cup crushed potato chips
- 1 cup crushed pretzels
- 2/3 cup M&M’s
Instructions
- Microwave chocolate in a small heatproof bowl in 15-second increments, stirring between each, until melted and smooth, about 1 minute total.
- Pour melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, spreading it with a spatula to fully cover the bottom.
- Drizzle warmed peanut butter over the melted chocolate.
- Drag a toothpick in the opposite direction of the peanut butter drizzle to create a swirl.
- Top the chocolate mixture with crushed potato chips, pretzels, and M&M’s.
- Refrigerate the bark to set for about 60 minutes.
- Once set, break into pieces to serve.
Notes
Make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl and watch the chocolate closely while it melts. Stirring between increments is essential to prevent burning.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 20g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Trash Bark, chocolate bark, sweet and salty, dessert recipe, party snack