Halloween Candy Bark Recipe – An Easy No-Bake Halloween Treat

With Halloween just around the corner, it is the perfect time to share one of my favorite, and one of the easiest sweet treats to make, Halloween Candy Bark.

Graham crackers are covered in candy bark in the traditional Halloween colors of orange, yellow and white. Then chocolate covered candies and non pareils are placed on top for a beautiful and tasty treat.

It is an easy, no bake recipe that requires only 6 ingredients. And with the help of a microwave, it can be ready in under 10 minutes!

However, there is a little planning involved. Some of the ingredients, because they are color specific, can’t be found in every grocery store.

You will have better luck finding the yellow and orange candy melts when the stores put out their Halloween displays. Although you may have to head to a superstore or craft store that sells baking supplies rather than your typical grocery store to purchase the ingredients.

I was able to find the candy melts and Halloween non pareils sprinkles in the baking aisle of my local Walmart store. However, I could not find the same ingredients at my favorite Kroger Marketplace.

Therefore, before you plan to make the Halloween Candy Bark recipe be sure that you plan ahead so you can easily purchase the ingredients required.

The Difference Between Candy Melts and Chocolate

When you look at the list of ingredients, you will notice that there are three different colors of candy melts. But what are candy melts and how do they different from chocolate?

Candy melts are a confectionary ingredient consisting of sugar and oil. You can most often find them in a bag and they are in the shape of small discs or wafers.

They are designed to be melted down to coat other items such as pretzels, cake pops, truffles and more. Although they come in various colors, most candy melts have a slight, artificial vanilla flavor.

However, sometimes there are some additives to provide other flavorings as well. If they do have a different flavor, it will be on the label of the package.

Although both candy melts and chocolate melt down there are a couple of differences between the two. Chocolate contains cocoa butter and candy bark is primarily consists of other oils, most often palm kernel and vegetable oil.

There is also a big difference when it comes to the melting properties as well. Candy melts will melt down in a more smooth consistency and will set up firmly at room temperature.

Therefore it is the preferred candy coating in many recipes, including this Halloween Candy Bark recipe.

What Does Halloween Candy Bark Mean?

You may be wondering why this Halloween treat is called candy bark. Although the origin of the term bark in reference to sheets of melted chocolate with items embedded into the surface is rather unknown, it is a term that you will hear often, especially around the holidays.

It is most likely due to the fact that the original sheet pan melted chocolate had almonds scattered throughout. And when broken into various pieces, it resembled the surface of the bark on a bumpy tree.

Ever since that time, there have been several candies that identify as bark. The most common one is Peppermint Bark that is a popular treat around the Christmas holiday.

Although you may think of Peanut Brittle in the same way because it takes on the form of a sheet pan and broken into random pieces. However it can not be called bark because it isn’t made from melted chocolate or candy melts.

No matter if you call it bark, brittle, or a candy, they all are delicious and deserve a spot at your holiday celebration.

What Are Non Pareils?

Another ingredient required in this Halloween Candy Bark are Non Pareils. Often spelled nonpareils, these are round little balls of sprinkles used to top bakery goods.

They gained their popularity as a confectionary delight that topped small, rich tasting chocolate wafer candies. The little white balls that consist of sugar and starch make a beautiful contrast to the dark chocolate layer underneath.

However, today you can find them in various colors to represent various occasions and holidays. You can most often find the non pareils in the bakery aisle, next to the glittery sprinkles.

Now that you know what you need and where to find it, let’s get to the actual recipe.

Halloween Candy Bark Recipe

*Specific measurements and complete recipe instructions are located in a printable recipe card at the bottom of this article. However, be sure to continue to read the tips and tricks to making this recipe below.

INGREDIENTS

• 13-16 whole graham crackers (approximately 2 packages)*
• 12-ounce package white candy melts
• 1 cup yellow candy melts
• 1 cup orange candy melts
• 1/2 cup candy coated chocolates
• 1 tablespoon Halloween colored non pareils sprinkles

*The amount of graham crackers required will vary on the size of your rimmed sheet pan. In general, plan of using two sleeves of whole graham crackers for this recipe.

INSTRUCTIONS

Place whole graham crackers in a single layer on a large rimmed baking sheet. Break the remaining graham crackers to fill in the entire space of the baking sheet.

You want the graham crackers to fit tightly against each other. Be sure to fill in any gaps between the crackers. Set the baking sheet aside while you melt the candy.

How To Melt Candy Wafers

Place the white, yellow and orange candy melts in separate medium size microwave safe bowls. Heat at 50% power in the microwave in 30 second increments.

Stir the chocolate and continue to cook at the above rate, stirring in between each one. The candy is ready when the candy just melts and turns smooth when stirred.

Pour the melted white candy over the entire graham cracker surface and spread it out in an even layer. Then quickly drop alternating tablespoonfuls of the yellow and orange candy melts about 2 inches apart over the entire white layer to make the Halloween Candy Bark.

*If the yellow and orange candy melts begin to harden before you get a chance to drop the spoonfuls on the white surface, place the bowls back in the microwave and allow it to melt again.

Swirl The Candy Melts

Use a toothpick or skewer to swirl the orange and yellow candy into the white candy to create a marble look. Quickly top the bark with candy coated chocolates and nonpareils while the chocolate is still soft.

Push the candy lightly into the surface of the Halloween bark. Refrigerate until the candy is hard. This will take approximately 15 minutes.

Once the candy bark is firm remove it from the refrigerator. Lift up and break the candy coated graham crackers into random size pieces.

Store in a closed container at room temperature.

Enjoy! Mary

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