There is nothing quite as delightful or whimsical during the holidays as making Reindeer Bark. This easy no-bake treat delivers a gorgeous medley of textures and cheerful pops of color, thanks to melted milk chocolate topped with crunchy pretzels, playful candy eyes, bright red M&Ms, and sparkly holiday sprinkles. Whether you’re filling a cookie tray, looking for a fun activity with kids, or just want a festive edible gift, this Reindeer Bark truly makes the season extra sweet.
Ingredients You’ll Need
You only need a handful of simple but magical ingredients to whip up this Reindeer Bark, and every one of them plays a special part. From the silky chocolate base to the playful candy decorations, these ingredients bring loads of flavor, texture, and holiday sparkle.
- Melting chocolate almond bark or chocolate chips: The foundation of your bark; opt for chocolate that melts smoothly for easy spreading and a glossy finish.
- Candy eyeballs: These bring your reindeer faces to life and can be found in most baking aisles during the holiday season.
- Red M&Ms: The perfect shiny Rudolph noses that instantly make each piece recognizable and fun.
- Mini pretzel twists: When broken in half, these become the cutest whimsical antlers, adding crunch and salty bite.
- Holiday sprinkles (optional): Use these to add a festive touch and a little extra sparkle to any open space on your chocolate canvas.
How to Make Reindeer Bark
Step 1: Prep Your Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set it aside. This simple step makes everything nonstick and clean-up a total breeze later on. Give yourself a generous workspace—you’ll want enough room for decorating each reindeer face.
Step 2: Make the Pretzel Antlers
Take your mini pretzel twists and gently break them in half to form about 20 perfectly sized “antlers.” Don’t worry if they’re not totally uniform—in fact, the slight irregularity adds even more character to your herd!
Step 3: Melt the Chocolate
Place your chosen chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second bursts, stirring thoroughly between each go, until the chocolate is completely melted, glossy, and smooth. If you’re using chocolate chips, a couple of teaspoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening makes the chocolate easier to work with and pour.
Step 4: Spread and Shape
Pour the melted chocolate onto your prepared parchment-lined baking sheet. With a spatula, gently spread it into an even layer about 1/8 inch thick. Try to get as uniform as possible since a smooth surface helps with decorating and even setting.
Step 5: Decorate the Reindeer Bark
Now the real magic happens! Press two pretzel halves onto the chocolate as antlers, add a pair of candy eyes, and place one red M&M under the eyes as the nose—now you have an adorable reindeer face! Repeat this process, spacing out your reindeer across the chocolate. Fill in any remaining spaces with holiday sprinkles for that extra bit of holiday cheer.
Step 6: Chill and Set
Pop the tray in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes. The bark is ready once it peels easily off the parchment paper and feels totally firm to the touch. This is the moment your flat chocolate turns into breakable, shareable magic.
Step 7: Break and Serve
Lift the chocolate off the parchment and use your hands or a sharp knife to carefully break or cut around each reindeer face. Each piece should reveal a mini work of art, ready to charm family, friends, and guests.
How to Serve Reindeer Bark
Garnishes
For extra sparkle, scatter a little edible glitter or snowy coconut flakes over the finished bark just before serving. A light dusting makes each piece look like it’s frosted with the magic of winter, and kids especially love the shimmer.
Side Dishes
Reindeer Bark pairs beautifully with mugs of hot cocoa, coffee, or even spiced holiday tea. It’s also the ultimate accompaniment to a Christmas cookie platter, offering a chewy-crisp counterpoint to all those soft and buttery treats.
Creative Ways to Present
Have fun gifting or sharing your Reindeer Bark! Try tucking individual faces into cellophane bags with festive ribbons for classmates, party favors, or stocking stuffers. Or, arrange the bark on a platter lined with fresh greenery and candy canes for a truly eye-catching holiday centerpiece.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep your Reindeer Bark fresh by storing it in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator. Place wax or parchment paper between layers to keep the faces and decorations in perfect condition for up to a week.
Freezing
If you’re planning to make Reindeer Bark well ahead of the holiday hustle, freezing is a great option! Simply wrap pieces tightly in plastic wrap, then seal them in a freezer-safe bag or container. The bark will stay delicious for up to two months—just thaw at room temperature before serving.
Reheating
Reindeer Bark is best enjoyed cold or at room temperature, so there’s really no need to reheat. If your kitchen is chilly or you’ve just pulled pieces from the freezer, let them sit out for 20-30 minutes until they reach the perfect snappy bite.
FAQs
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate for Reindeer Bark?
Absolutely! Dark chocolate is a deliciously bold alternative that pairs beautifully with the salty crunch of pretzels. Just be sure to use a high-quality dark chocolate that melts smoothly, and feel free to adjust the sweetness of the decorations to balance the flavors.
What if I can’t find candy eyes for decorating?
No candy eyes? No worries! You can use small white chocolate chips with a dot of melted chocolate or black gel for the pupil, or even try mini marshmallows sliced into rounds. Creativity counts!
Can I make Reindeer Bark with kids?
This recipe is truly tailor-made for little helpers! Kids love arranging eyes, noses, and antlers. Just supervise the chocolate melting and cutting steps, and let their imaginations run wild with the decorating.
How far ahead can I prepare Reindeer Bark for a party?
You can easily make Reindeer Bark up to a week before your celebration. Just store it in an airtight container in a cool, dry spot or in the fridge to keep it fresh and snappy until you’re ready to share.
Does Reindeer Bark need to be refrigerated?
Refrigeration isn’t necessary unless your kitchen is warm or you want to speed up setting. Otherwise, storing at room temperature keeps the chocolate firm and the decorations perfectly intact.
Final Thoughts
There’s just something heartwarming and festive about a tray of Reindeer Bark waiting on the counter—or better yet, packaged up to spread holiday joy. With its cheerful faces and irresistible flavors, this recipe is a sure bet for smiles. Give it a try this year and let your holiday spirit shine, one chocolatey, crunchy reindeer at a time!
Print
Reindeer Bark Recipe
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 45 minutes
- Yield: 10 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: Christmas
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Reindeer Bark is an easy no-bake Christmas treat made with melted milk chocolate topped with pretzels, M&Ms, candy eyes, and sprinkles.
Ingredients
Milk Chocolate Bark:
- 2 cups melting chocolate almond bark or chocolate chips
Decoration:
- 20 candy eyeballs
- 10 red M&Ms
- 20 mini pretzel twists
- holiday sprinkles (optional)
Instructions
- Prepare Baking Sheet: Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Prepare Pretzels: Break pretzels in half to form about 20 ‘antlers’ and set aside.
- Melt Chocolate: Place chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat in 30-second increments, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth.
- Spread Chocolate: Pour melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly into a 1/8-inch thick layer using a spatula.
- Decorate: Place pretzel pieces, candy eyeballs, and red M&Ms on the chocolate to create reindeer faces. Press them gently to adhere. Add sprinkles for decoration.
- Set: Refrigerate for 30-45 minutes until the chocolate sets. Peel off the parchment paper and cut or break into pieces to separate each reindeer face.
Notes
- Extra pretzels are included in the ingredient list to account for breakage during preparation.
- If using chocolate chips, consider adding 2 teaspoons of coconut oil or vegetable shortening to facilitate melting.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature or in the refrigerator for up to one week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 286 kcal
- Sugar: 35g
- Sodium: 18mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 14g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0.02g
- Trans Fat: 0.002g
- Carbohydrates: 37g
- Fiber: 0.2g
- Protein: 0.3g
- Cholesterol: 0.1mg
