Red, White and Blue Bark

This delicious red, white & blue bark is perfect for game days, holidays and patriotic occasions like the Olympics or the 4th of July!

Made from a combination of candy melts and chocolate and topped with sprinkles and M&Ms, this bark is seriously tasty and super simple to make.

Candy melts are a great option for making bark as they come in a huge array of great colours, whereas chocolate can be hard to colour at home without specialist chocolate food colouring.

Candy melts also have the benefit of setting with a nice shine without the need to temper them as you would with chocolate, so they're very handy for recipes like this.

All that said, I don’t think candy melts taste all that great on their own! That's why I recommend using a combination of half candy melts, and half chocolate for the white part of the bark, which makes it taste great without giving up any of the benefits! 

To make this bark, you'll melt white chocolate and white candy melts together and spread them onto a lined tray. You'll then drizzle the white base with red and blue candy melts before swirling together.

To decorate, you'll scatter red, white and blue sprinkles on top, followed by a handful of red and blue M&Ms. Then it's into the refrigerator to set before cutting into pieces and serving.

It's a sweet, creamy, cool treat the whole family will love. Here's the full recipe for my red, white & blue bark.

Instructions

Put the white chocolate and white candy melts in a heatproof bowl.

Melt gently together. This is best done over a bain marie (also known as a double boiler). Place an inch of water in pan on the stove and bring to a gentle simmer. Sit the bowl on top so that it is not touching the water. Let the water simmer gently and stir the melts and chocolate as they are slowly melted by the heat from the steam. 

Melt the blue and red candy melts in two separate bowls using the same method. 

I have a little electric chocolate melting pot from Amazon that is handy for jobs like this but it is very much not essential!

Spoon the white candy melts on a metal tray lined with baking paper.

Spread gently to the edges of the paper.

Drizzle the red and blue candy melts on top.

You can drizzle the melts off the end of a spoon, or put them into piping bags with the ends snipped off.

Swirl with a cocktail stick (or a skewer or the handle of a teaspoon).

Scatter the sprinkles over the top.

Dot the M&Ms on top. 

Place in the refrigerator to set, then break or cut into pieces to serve.

Enjoy!

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect Red, White & Blue Bark

Is Red, White and Blue bark easy to make?

Making Red, White and Blue Bark is super easy. It's mainly based around melting chocolate or candy, then styling however you like at the end.

Using a double boiler or bain-marie, you'll melt chocolate and candy melts in different bowls, then mix together as pictured above to create a super special 4th July centrepiece!

The whole recipe takes less than 15 minutes to put together. The hardest part is waiting for it to be ready!

If you have any questions or tips for an even better version, let me know in the comments below! I check them regularly so you'll hear back from me ASAP.

Will I need any special equipment to make Red, White & Blue Bark?

No, you don't need any special equipment. Just a metal tray, some baking paper, a few bowls and something to stir with.

As long as you have all the ingredients, you shouldn't need to buy any special kit for this recipe.

There's always a complete list of suggested equipment on the recipe card below my recipes if you're in doubt. I also always include links to example products, to show exactly what I used to make each recipe.

What are candy melts?

Candy melts are coloured candy discs or balls made from sugar, vegetable oil and milk. They melt when heated and set smooth and glossy when cooled. Candy melts are ideal for coating bakes like cake pops, or for recipes like chocolate bark.

They're available in a variety of colours and you can find them online or in most large supermarkets.

Where did you get candy melts?

Larger supermarkets will have candy melts in their baking aisle.

However, you're more likely to find them in a cake decorating store or craft store. I find Amazon is the best place to look for candy melts, as you can get them in almost any colour.

Candy melts come in different shapes and colours but they're usually disc or button-shaped. So they might look like a bag of chocolate buttons on the shelf. 

How can I tell if chocolate has gone off?

You can tell if chocolate has gone off by the smell and taste

Off chocolate usually smells sour or sharp. It might also have a whitish bloom on the surface. This is caused by fat from the cocoa butter separating from the rest of the chocolate

If your chocolate smells fine but doesn't taste quite right, it might be because it's stale. Chocolate can go stale relatively quickly, especially if it's not stored in an airtight container

If you're not sure whether your chocolate is still good to eat, err on the side of caution and throw it away.

Do I have to use candy melts?

No, you don't have to use candy melts. You could use chocolate instead but it will be more difficult to get a smooth, glossy finish.

I would recommend using candy melts if you can as they're designed to be easy to melt and set smoothly.

What is the best way to melt candy melts?

The best way to melt candy melts is in a bowl over a pan of simmering water. This is called a bain-marie (pronounced "bane-mar-ee"). You can also melt them in the microwave, but I find the bain-marie method gives a much smoother result.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark suitable for vegetarians?

Hmm, this depends on the brand of candy melts you use. Some candy-based products use animal products such as gelatin, carnauba wax or certain additives made with animal-derived products. However, most brands of candy melts are vegetarian.

So be sure to check the ingredients list on the packet or contact the manufacturer directly.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark suitable for vegans?

As with vegetarians, this depends on the brand of candy melts you use. Some candy-based products use animal products. However, there are many brands of candy melts that are vegan.

As long as you can find some vegan white chocolate it should be pretty easy to make this recipe vegan friendly. There are plenty of vegan chocolates available from vegan grocery stores like The Vegan Kind, or from Amazon.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark gluten-free?

This recipe should be gluten-free as is, but make sure you check your ingredients labels to make sure that they are gluten-free. Some products can contain trace elements or cross-contamination warnings. So err on the side of caution when cooking for someone with an allergy.

Remember to check anything extra that you intend to serve with your Red, White & Blue Bark.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark keto-friendly?

No! This recipe is definitely keto-unfriendly - sorry!

Is Red, White & Blue Bark suitable for those on a FODMAP diet?

No, Red, White & Blue Bark contains high FODMAP ingredients such as candy melts and chocolate.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark healthy?

This recipe is basically entirely sugar, so it's not very healthy. But there's nothing wrong with a treat over 4th July!

Is Red, White & Blue Bark safe to eat while pregnant?

This recipe contains sugar, which pregnant people can be sensitive to. So it's best to avoid eating more than a tiny piece of this bark if you're pregnant, just to be on the safe side.

Make sure that all of your ingredients are in good condition and that you prepare this meal safely and hygienically.

A Mummy Too does not offer medical advice. Please seek help from a medical professional if you need further information or have any concerns.

Is Red, White & Blue Bark suitable for babies and toddlers?

No, this recipe has sugar which isn't suitable for young children.

A Mummy Too does not give medical advice. If you have any questions or concerns please speak to a health professional.

The NHS has some fantastic resources on their website on what to feed babies and young children.

Can I make these Red, White & Blue Bark without food colouring?

The candy melts and M&M's/Smarties in this recipe contain food colouring, so it's pretty inescapable. The food colouring in these ingredients is what makes this bark red, white and blue.

What goes well with Red, White & Blue Bark?

This July 4th bark is a perfect gift because it looks so beautiful in its full form. But once you've broken it up, all bets are off! 

Take it to a 4th July BBQ and add it to a sundae station. Then people You could use broken pieces to top ice cream sundaes or cakes, or just eat the crumbs from the container! 

How should I store Red, White & Blue Bark?

Store your Red, White & Blue Bark in an airtight container in a cool, dry place. It should last for up 1 month. However, if you live somewhere warm you should definitely store it in the fridge.

You can also keep your bark in the freezer for at least 6 months.

Can I make Red, White & Blue Bark ahead of time?

This recipe stores really well and you can safely store it for up to 1 month. However, I would recommend making it no more than 2 weeks ahead if you need to. Simply store it in an airtight container in a cool dry place until you're ready to eat it.

How long will Red, White & Blue Bark keep?

This bark is mainly sugar and fat, so it will keep for a long time. I find most bark will keep for months, but it's safer to keep it for 1 month at most. You can also freeze chocolate bark for at least 6 months, though it will most likely be fine for much longer.

Can I leave Red, White & Blue Bark out on the counter?

No, Red, White & Blue Bark needs to be stored in a cool, dry place. The fridge is the safest option if you live somewhere warm. If it gets warm it will become sticky and difficult to eat.

Can I keep Red, White & Blue Bark in the refrigerator?

Yes, Red, White & Blue Bark can be stored in the fridge. In fact, if you live somewhere warm I would recommend storing it in the fridge to prevent it from becoming sticky.

Can I freeze Red, White & Blue Bark?

Yes, you can freeze your Red, White & Blue Bark very easily. I would recommend freezing it in an airtight container for up to 6 months. It will probably be safe to eat beyond that too, I've just never left it that long!

What is the best way to defrost Red, White & Blue Bark?

You don't really need to defrost your bark. You can simply break off a piece and eat it straight from the freezer. However, if you want it to defrost more quickly you can leave it out on the counter for an hour or so before eating it.

Can I make Red, White & Blue Bark in different quantities?

This recipe is easily scalable. Just divide the ingredients by the existing portions (12 pieces), then multiply the ingredients by how many portions you want to make.

You can sort of freestyle with this recipe as melting the chocolate and candy melts is very simple and tastes great in any quantity. So it's mainly about how it looks and sets.

Can I make Red, White & Blue Bark with a different type of chocolate?

Yes, you can! You could use milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate. Just make sure to use high-quality chocolate that you enjoy the taste of.

What is the best way to melt chocolate?

There are a few different ways that you can melt chocolate. You can do it in the microwave, in a double boiler on the stovetop, or in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water.

• If you're using the microwave, be sure to do it in short bursts and stir often so that the chocolate doesn't burn.
• If you're using a double boiler, be sure to not let any water get into the chocolate or it will seize up and become unusable.
• If you're melting chocolate in a bowl set over a pot of simmering water, be sure to not let the bottom of the bowl touch the water.

Do I need to temper the chocolate?

Tempered chocolate is super glossy and shiny chocolate. Chocolate tempers when melted between certain temperatures and then cooled to room temperature, within a range of 2-10°C.

If you don't temper your chocolate it will still taste great, it just won't have that glossy sheen.

Melting chocolate in a double boiler, or over a pan of water gives you more control of the temperature. So you can melt chocolate to a specific temperature and produce tempered chocolate.

However, the candy melts in this recipe are like a tempering hack, as they give the bark a glossy smooth finish as if it is tempered.

So don't worry about tempering the chocolate in this recipe - just focus on getting it melted without burning it.

Can I make Red, White & Blue Bark with different candy?

Yes! You can use any type of candy that you like. M&M's, Skittles, Reese's Pieces and even chopped-up candy bars would be great in this recipe. Just make sure to use candy that is a similar size to M&M's so that the bark sets evenly.

What do I do if my Red, White & Blue Bark is too sweet?

This recipe is mostly sugar, so it will definitely be very sweet. If your Red, White & Blue Bark is too sweet for your taste, try adding some chopped nuts or dried fruit to the recipe.

Salty pretzel pieces or even salted potato chips would work well sprinkled over the top to take the edge off the sweetness.

Or you could serve it with something less sweet or tangy fruit.

Can I make Red, White & Blue Bark in a blender or stand mixers such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

No, there's no stage in this recipe that would require a stand mixer or blender.

How can I make sure my Red, White & Blue Bark turn out perfectly?

The key to making perfect Red, White & Blue Bark is to melt the chocolate and candy melts slowly and carefully.

Do not overheat the chocolate or it will seize up and become unusable

If your chocolate does seize, you can try adding a little bit of vegetable oil to it and stirring until smooth. This may rescue your chocolate and allow you to continue with the recipe.

Once the chocolate is melted, mix in the candy quickly and evenly. Then pour it onto the prepared baking tray and spread it out as best you can.

When melting the chocolate, make sure you don't use a wet spoon or utensil. Water droplets in melted chocolate cause it to crystallise when it sets. This means your chocolate will be gritty or even crumbly.

If you want your Red, White & Blue Bark to have a smooth finish, you can use a spatula to even out the surface.

If you want your Red, White & Blue Bark to have a more rustic look, you can leave it as is.

Let the Red, White & Blue Bark set at room temperature for about an hour, or in the fridge for 30 minutes. Once it's set, break it into pieces and enjoy!

Why did my Red, White & Blue Bark turn out dry/crumbly?

If your Red, White & Blue Bark turns out dry or crumbly, it's likely because the chocolate was overheated when melted.

When chocolate is heated too quickly or at too high a temperature, it seizes up and becomes unusable. If this happens, you can try adding a little bit of vegetable oil to the chocolate and stirring until smooth. This may rescue your chocolate and allow you to continue with the recipe.

How can I add/change the flavours in these Red, White & Blue Bark?

If you want to add or change the flavours in Red, White & Blue Bark, feel free to experiment with different types of chocolate and candy.

You could use milk chocolate, dark chocolate or even white chocolate. Just make sure to use high-quality chocolate that you enjoy the taste of.

You can also use any type of candy that you like. M&M's, Skittles, Reese's Pieces and even chopped-up candy bars would be great in this recipe. Just make sure to use candy that is a similar size to M&M's so that the bark sets evenly.

You could even scatter broken pieces of cookies like Oreos, or more savoury snacks like salted pretzels or potato chips!

Why is it called Red, White and Blue bark?

Because it's made with red, white and blue candy melts! The red, white and blue colours represent the colours of the American flag, making this recipe perfect for patriotic holidays like Memorial Day and the 4th of July.

Why is the US flag red, white and blue? 

The colours of the US flag are red, white and blue because they were the colours of the Great Seal of the United States. The Great Seal was designed by a man named Charles Thomson in 1782. He chose these colours because they represented reportedly important things to the American people:

Red: Hardiness and Valour

White: Purity and Innocence

Blue: Vigilance, Perseverance and Justice

Why do we celebrate 4th July?

The 4th of July is Independence Day in the United States of America. It marks the day that the thirteen American colonies declared themselves independent from Britain. This Declaration of Independence was signed on 4th July 1776.

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