I’m thrilled to share a dessert idea that’s as delightful to look at as it is to devour: my easy 3-ingredient white chocolate bark. Inspired by the changing colors of fall leaves, this chocolate fall bark recipe transforms simple ingredients into a stunning rendition of autumn trees, making it a showstopper at any fall gathering — or even your Thanksgiving dessert table!
Easy Fall Bark Recipe – White Chocolate Autumn Trees
Chocolate bark recipes are incredibly easy to make but make a stunning statement. If you’ve never tried homemade bark using a chocolate bar or chocolate chips, today is the day, my friend!
This time of year, I love putting an autumn spin on it by adding cute fall sprinkles!
When my kids came home from school to this tasty treat, they thought it was the coolest thing! Little did they know it was super easy to make (my kind of recipe!).
Why you’ll love this white chocolate bark recipe
If you love adorably whimsical desserts but you don’t have the kitchen skills to compete with all those pretty Pinterest pictures you see, this fall bark recipe is for YOU. Aside from looking like a treat you’d get at a high-end chocolate shop, this easy no-bake dessert is also:
Made With Only 3 Ingredients – It doesn’t get much simpler than that! Of course, you’re welcome to jazz up this fall candy bark with whatever add-ins you like.
Adorably Autumnal – Everyone knows peppermint bark with crushed candy canes is for the winter holiday season, but my tree bark recipe is a great way to celebrate the harvest season. If you’ve been hoping for a recipe for Thanksgiving chocolate bark, consider this your lucky day!
Completely Customizable – Depending on your artistic skills, you can also make turkeys or full-on cornucopias instead of trees. Or, turn it into a Halloween bark recipe by making sugar skulls or jack-o-lanterns instead for your next Halloween party. But the design isn’t the only place you get to customize this easy bark recipe — you can also use your favorite brands and varieties of chocolate, swap out the sprinkles for other crunchy bits or dried fruits, or make it vegan or keto depending on your sweet tooth desires!
What you need for these fall treats
Scroll down to view the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, nutrition facts, and step-by-step instructions.
How to make this autumn bark recipe
- Over a double boiler, melt the white chocolate and spread it smoothly and in an even layer over a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add some leaf sprinkles and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, until mostly set, or if you have the time allow it to harden at room temperature.
- The next step is to melt the dark chocolate and add it to a piping bag or ziploc bag. Snip off the end and draw tree shapes over the mostly hardened white chocolate. Add leaf sprinkles to the trees and chill until fully set!
- Using your hands or a knife, break into smaller pieces and enjoy!
Watch me make this white chocolate bark recipe
The full how to video can be watched below, or on my YouTube channel!
Optional Variations & Dietary Adjustments
While I love this simple white chocolate recipe just the way it’s written, there are a ton of different ways to make it your own! Honestly, there’s no wrong way to do it. Here are just a few ideas to get your creative juices flowing:
- Dairy-Free/Vegan Chocolate Bark – Simply ensure your bar chocolate and sprinkles are vegan-friendly.
- Different Designs – Try making a turkey shape with dark chocolate, then use candy eyes sprinkles, candy corn as the waddle, and sliced almonds or pumpkin seeds as feathers to make them come to life. Or, make chocolate cornucopias, then use different candies to “fill” them with. Alternatively, invert the dark and white chocolate to make dark chocolate bark, and use the white chocolate to make a spider web pattern by drawing concentric circles and using a toothpick to drag through it. Mini salty pretzels can be broken to make spider legs!
- Flavored Chocolates – Not only are dark or milk chocolate bark lovely options, but you can also use flavored chocolate bars. Try a Mayan-inspired chili cinnamon dark chocolate to make the tree a little spicy, or swap in sea salt dark chocolate bars for a salty flavor twist on this simple recipe.
- Mix-In Magic – You can add warming spices like cinnamon or pumpkin pie spice, flaky sea salt, a sprinkle of citrus zest, or a dribble of your favorite flavor extracts to customize your chocolate layers.
Serving Suggestions
If you’re looking for more festive fall dessert ideas to pair with your homemade chocolate bark, there’s no shortage. Here are some of my favorites:
- Use the bark to make fall s’mores. Bonus points if you use fall-flavored cookies instead of traditional graham crackers.
- Or use it to decorate your layer cakes and cupcakes. Cut the bark into pretty shapes and use frosting to hold the pieces on your favorite showstoppers.
- Serve it alongside other Thanksgiving classics like my grain-free apple crisp or my pumpkin einkorn bread.
- Go full quirky and serve it alongside my turkey shaped veggie tray, Rice Krispie turkey legs or mummy brownies.
Recipe Success Tips
- Shiny Chocolate, Made Simple: Try tempering your white chocolate for that professional sheen. Just melt two-thirds of it gently over a double boiler until it hits 110-115°F (43-46°C). Take it off the heat, stir in the rest, and cool it down to about 80°F (27°C). A quick warm-up to 84-86°F (29-30°C), and voilà – glossy perfection. It might seem a bit meticulous, but the results are straight out of a gourmet magazine. For a quicker method, mix in a teaspoon of coconut oil with your melted chocolate – it’s my go-to for a hassle-free sparkle.
- Homemade Piping Bag: Want to drizzle chocolate with ease or get artsy? Just cut a small corner off a zip-top bag for an instant piping tool. Prefer something a bit more sustainable? A rolled-up piece of parchment paper works wonders too.
- Ideal Chocolate Setting Conditions: Let your bark firm up at a comfortably cool room temperature, around 65-70°F. This prevents those odd white spots, known as blooming, that happen when chocolate cools unevenly. Living somewhere warm? The fridge is fine!
- Unleash Your Creativity with Toppings: This white chocolate bark is your canvas, so sprinkle away! Go for chopped nuts, dried fruit, peppermint candies, or even a dash of sea salt. Feeling artistic? Colored chocolates can turn your bark into an edible piece of art.
- Serving Your Bark: For that effortless, homemade vibe, break the bark with your hands. Or, for neater pieces, a knife warmed under hot water does a clean job.
How to store
If you can resist eating it all at once, your homemade white chocolate bark will sit pretty at room temperature for about two weeks. Just make sure it’s placed in an airtight container, away from heat and humidity so that it does not melt.
You absolutely can freeze it, too! Wrap it up well or place it in a freezer-safe container, and it’ll keep well for up to two months. Just note that it may bloom a bit, and remember to thaw it in the fridge or at room temperature before diving in. It’s like finding a little treasure in your freezer when you need a chocolate fix!
What’s the best way to add color to white chocolate bark?
Wondering how to jazz up your white chocolate bark with a splash of color? Here are some fun and easy ways to do it:
Natural Powders: For a touch of all-natural color, try stirring in some natural powders like matcha for a lovely green hue, butterfly pea powder for a purplish blue, or beet powder for pink or red. Each of these options adds a unique flavor too!
Gel Food Coloring: A tiny bit of gel food coloring goes a long way and can give you those vibrant colors without changing the texture of your chocolate. Just remember to add it to your melted chocolate and stir well for an even color.
Brushing on Color: After your bark has set, you can brush on some edible luster dust or a little food coloring mixed with alcohol (like vodka) for a shimmery or painted effect. It’s like being a food artist!
More delicious recipes you’ll love
- Dark chocolate trail mix bark
- 3 ingredient no bake brownies
- Chocolate covered dried fig bites
- Turkey shaped fruit platter
Easy Fall Bark Recipe – White Chocolate Autumn Trees
Ingredients
Instructions
- Over a double boiler, melt the white chocolate and spread it smoothly and in an even layer over a parchment paper-lined baking sheet.
- Add some leaf sprinkles and chill in the fridge for 30 minutes, until mostly set, or if you have the time allow it to harden at room temperature.
- The next step is to melt the dark chocolate and add it to a piping bagor ziploc bag. Snip off the end and draw tree shapes over the mostly hardened white chocolate. Add leaf sprinkles to the trees and chill until fully set!
- Using your hands or a knife, break into smaller pieces and enjoy!
Nutrition
If you try this fall white chocolate bark recipe, I’d love it if you left a star rating and comment below letting me know how it turned out!
XO
Heather
2 comments
I made this white chocolate bark last week for Thanksgiving! Everyone loved and it really added a holiday splash to the dessert table! I can’t wait to try it again with some of the spices you recommend adding. So good — thank you for the recipe.
Yay, glad you and everyone loved it! I appreacite you coming here and sharing your success!