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Cute Holiday Chocolate Bark

Featured in Let's Bake Something Wonderful.

Use melted chocolate as your base and quickly add candy eyes, red M&Ms, and pretzels for antlers. Chill in the fridge until firm and enjoy making these festive reindeer treats with the kids—it only takes 45 minutes!

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Hannah Author
Updated on Thu, 10 Apr 2025 12:15:09 GMT
Close-up of reindeer-shaped chocolate bark with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and bright red noses made from M&Ms. Pin it
Close-up of reindeer-shaped chocolate bark with pretzel antlers, candy eyes, and bright red noses made from M&Ms. | recipesbyhannah.com

Christmas Reindeer Bark gives you a super simple no-bake holiday sweet that combines melted chocolate with crunchy pretzels, colorful M&Ms, cute candy eyes, and fun sprinkles. The kids will go crazy for this playful treat that works great for Christmas gatherings, homemade gift packages, or as a thoughtful handmade present.

What Makes This Reindeer Bark Special

You'll fall in love with how simple yet impressive this cute chocolate creation is. Kids can jump right in and help make these silly reindeer faces. The mix of sweet chocolate and salty pretzels keeps everyone coming back for more, while the adorable designs make your holiday table look extra festive.

Key Components For Best Results

  • Melting Chocolate: 24 ounces top-quality chocolate bits or wafers (try milk, dark, or a blend), kept around 65-70°F (18-21°C). Look for shiny pieces without white spots. Go for couverture chocolate containing 32-35% cocoa butter for smooth melting.
  • Mini Pretzel Twists: 20-25 crunchy, fresh pretzels at room temp, roughly 1.5 inches across. They should break with a snap, not bend. Keep them under 70°F (21°C) so they stay crisp.
  • Red M&Ms: 15-20 candies, picked for matching size (about 0.5 inch across) and bright red color. Store under 70°F (21°C) to avoid meltdown or color running.
  • Candy Eyes: 30-40 medium (½ inch) edible eyes that look fresh with bright white centers. Don't use any that look damp or faded.
  • Holiday Sprinkles: ½ cup Christmas-themed sprinkles, stored under 75°F (24°C). Pick oil-based types that won't smear colors onto your chocolate.

How To Make It Happen

Set Up Your Area
Cover a 15x10-inch baking tray with parchment, letting it hang over 1 inch on sides. Keep your kitchen between 68-72°F (20-22°C) with less than 50% humidity. Get all decorations ready before you melt any chocolate.
Watch Your Heat
Dark chocolate should be warmed to 88-90°F (31-32°C). Milk chocolate needs 86-88°F (30-31°C). Check with a good candy thermometer. Your chocolate should look glossy and flow easily but not be too thin.
Pour The Foundation
Spread your warm chocolate on your lined tray to ¼-inch thick using a flat spatula. Make sure it's even and smooth, covering about 12x8 inches. Don't dawdle while the chocolate's still warm.
Put Faces Together
Work fast within 2-3 minutes while chocolate stays soft at 86-88°F (30-31°C), stick pretzel halves in for antlers with a gentle push. Add candy eyes ½ inch below the antlers, then stick on M&M noses. Leave 2 inches between each reindeer face.
Let It Harden
Let your bark sit at room temp 68-72°F (20-22°C) for 2 hours, or pop in the fridge at 40°F (4°C) for 30 minutes until it breaks cleanly. The top should be shiny without streaky marks.

Tricks For Perfect Melted Chocolate

When you're using chocolate chips, throw in 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or veggie shortening to make it extra smooth. Paramount crystals work wonders too if you want that professional look.

Keeping It Fresh

Pop your reindeer bark in a sealed container and stick it in the fridge or a cool spot for up to seven days. Make sure it's completely hardened before you pack it away so it stays looking and feeling just right.

A close-up of dessert pieces shaped like reindeer, decorated with chocolate, pretzels, and colorful candy eyes and buttons. Pin it
A close-up of dessert pieces shaped like reindeer, decorated with chocolate, pretzels, and colorful candy eyes and buttons. | recipesbyhannah.com

Creative Twists To Try

Don't be afraid to swap in different sprinkles, try new candy colors, or even toss in some smashed candy canes for a minty kick. You can easily change this base idea to make something totally unique for any celebration.

Frequently Asked Questions

→ What kind of chocolate melts best?

Choose almond bark, melting wafers, or even regular chocolate chips. If you’re using chips, adding a bit of coconut oil can help smooth the consistency.

→ Why does the chocolate lose its shine?

If the chocolate overheats, it can look dull. Melt it slowly in 30-second bursts and stir well after each go to avoid overdoing it.

→ Can I store the bark in the freezer?

Yes, you can freeze it for up to 3 months. Stack it between layers of wax paper in an airtight box to keep pieces crisp and separate.

→ Why won’t my decorations stick?

Add the toppings while the chocolate is still melted. Press gently, then let it fully harden before handling to keep them firmly in place.

→ What thickness works best for bark?

Spread melted chocolate about 1/8 inch thick. Too thin can make it fragile, while anything too thick might be tough to eat.

Fun Reindeer Bark

Turn melted chocolate into playful reindeer snacks with pretzels, colored candies, and candy eyes. A no-bake holiday hit for decorations, gifts, or parties.

Prep Time
15 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
15 Minutes

Category: Sweet Kitchen

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 10 Servings (10)

Dietary: Vegetarian

Ingredients

01 20 mini pretzel twists.
02 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or shortening (if melting chocolate chips).
03 Holiday-themed sprinkles (optional).
04 20 candy eyeballs.
05 2 cups of melted chocolate (like almond bark or chips).
06 10 red M&Ms for decoration.

Instructions

Step 01

Cover a baking tray with parchment paper.

Step 02

Snap pretzel twists into halves to create antlers.

Step 03

Microwave the chocolate in short 30-second bursts, stirring each time.

Step 04

Drizzle and spread melted chocolate on the parchment to form a thin layer, about 1/8 inch.

Step 05

Arrange the broken pretzels as antlers, stick candy eyes and red M&Ms for the face, and press lightly to secure.

Step 06

Sprinkle holiday decorations on top for extra flair (if you want).

Step 07

Chill in the fridge for about 30 to 45 minutes until the chocolate sets firmly.

Step 08

Break or neatly cut around the reindeer faces to serve.

Notes

  1. Grab extra pretzels because breaking them perfectly into antlers isn’t always easy.
  2. For smoother melting with chocolate chips, toss in coconut oil or shortening.
  3. Store in the fridge or a cool spot and enjoy within a week.

Tools You'll Need

  • A tray for baking.
  • Parchment sheet.
  • Bowl that’s microwave-friendly.
  • A spatula for spreading.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk (in chocolate and M&Ms).
  • Pretzels have wheat.
  • M&Ms could have traces of peanuts.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 286
  • Total Fat: 14 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 37 g
  • Protein: ~