This Matcha White Chocolate Bark is the perfect edible gift to impress friends and family. But it also an easy, decadent treat to enjoy at home!
Am I the only one who is obsessed with chocolate barks? I hope not! I always find them so pretty and such a good edible gift idea. Because, let's be honest: who doesn't want chocolate as a gift? And with a chocolate bark you have this more refined, posh chocolate bar which simply stands out from the crowd. I love browsing chocolate and confectionery shops and look at all the pretty bark designs and patterns. The thing is, I browse, but rarely buy them. That is because chocolate barks are veeery expensive for a glorified chocolate bar. So, when I remind myself that they are, at the end of the day, just pretty chocolate bars, I feel bad about spending so much money on one. So that's when the idea of making my own chocolate barks first started to take form in my head.
I have always liked homemade edible gifts. Not only are they so much fun to make, they are also pretty special because you took the time to actually make them for someone, rather than simply buying something at a store. I don't usually use edible gifts as the main gift for a friend or family memeber, but they are still a nice, lush addition to a goodie bag or a fun stocking filler. I feel like many people think that homemeade edible gifts are "cheap" and, sure, they are definitely cheaper than their store-bought counterparts. But that doesn't mean they are second-class gifts. So, in order to dispel this myth, I have always made elaborate and refined edible gifts, to make my friends feel special and pampered (and well posh!).
This is when I decided to make Matcha White Chocolate Bark. I feel like many people associate both matcha and white chocolate as luxury items. If you think about it, a matcha latte in london will set you back a good £4. And even buying the powder is expensive. Yet, I find buying matcha powder is such a good investment. I bought a 50 gr jar two months ago and I still have loads: this is because a little matcha goes a long way in terms of flavour and caffeine. And especially with lockdown, I have been able to enjoy matcha lattes or dalgona matcha coffees from the comfort of my own home.
White chocolate is to me quite posh and delicate too. It has a much softer taste than milk or dark chocolate and looks elegant with everything. And to elevate this combination even more, I decided to add a handful of pistachios I had left from when I made my Sicilian pistachio pesto, and a few cashews. These are, along with pine nuts, some of the most expensive nuts out there. Sure to make anyone feel special. But also, their subtle, neutral flavour goes really well with the matcha and white chocolate. All in all, this is probably the best homemade chocolate bark out there, ladies and gents!
How to make the perfect chocolate bark:
Quality over quantity: sometimes, I see barks that are overloaded with sugary add-ons: different types of chocolate, mini marshmellows, nougat, candied fruit, nuts... the list goes on. Whilst these barks might look impressive at a first glance, they often are not-so-enjoyable. Many of the flavours and textures don't go well together and the whole bark might end up tasting like a sugary, processed bar rather than having a distinct flavour coming thorugh. Instead, concentrate on four or five good-quality ingredients and deliver a bomb bark you could find in any high-end confectionery shops.
Thin layers: some of the best barks are very very thin. This makes them visually more delicate and elegant whilst also helping with flavour and consistency> as many chocolate barks are very sweet, is nice to have thinner shards rather than big, overwhelming chunks. That being said, you do you and if you want a more chocolate-bar consistency spread your chocolate a little thicker.
Have fun with the swirls: when you look at store-bought chocolate barks, they all look perfect, as if the chocolatier who made it had a clear design and pattern in min. Chances are, he didn't. All you need to do is swirl/feather your pattern with a knife, having fun with the shapes and swirls you make. It will turn out stunning and artsy just like the ones you see in stores.
But finally, the most important part is making your loved ones know that you have thought of them. So experiment with their favourite flavours, nuts and seeds to create a custom gift that they will truly enjoy and show how well you know them. Because that is what sets special gifts apart.
Ingredients:
200 gr white chocolate chips (you can also use a white chocolate bar)
1 1/2 tsp matcha tea powder
a handful of pistachios (I used 10)
a handful of cashew nuts (I used 6)
Method:
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler over simmering water.
In the meantime, roughly chop the pistachios and cashew nuts.
Once the chocolate has almost fully melted, remove from the heat and stir continuously until nice and smooth.
Transfer roughly 1/3 of the melted chocolate into another bowl.
To the bowl with 2/3 of the chocolate, add the matcha powder and mix until fully combined.
Line a large baking sheet with baking paper (aka parchment paper) and, with the help of a spoon and/or palette knife, spread the matcha white chocolate in a very thin layer (about 2 to 3 mm thick).
Using a teaspoon, place small dollops of white chocolate on top of the matcha layer, placing them about 1 or 2 inches distant from one another.
With a knife, gently swirl the white chocolate all over the matcha chocolate surface.
Sprinkle with the chopped nuts.
Leave your bark to set in the fridge for a minimum of 4 hours. Once it's firm, cut it into big shards.
The chocolate bark can be stored over the counter during cold months, but it's better kept in the fridge in the summer to prevent it from melting.
Enjoy!
Did you try this recipe? We'd love to hear from you! Tell us how it turned out by leaving a comment below! Xx
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