Jelly Bean Easter Bark

This is quite possibly the easiest Chocolate Bark recipe I have ever come across.  It came from Very Best Baking.  A trusty site for all things Nestle, yummy and sweet.  If you have about five minutes you can make this treat to add to your Easter buffet for guests to graze on or tuck some in your kids Easter basket for a special surprise in the early morning.  However you serve it, your taste buds will be hopping around happily and you may even one up the Easter Bunny this year.   BAM!!!

First start with Nestle Premier White Morsels.   Aka...white chocolate chips and Brach's Jelly Beans.  I used the mini size because I thought the regular beans would be too big for a delicate bark. I was right.  This is a really sweet treat, so the mini's proved to be just the right bite.

In a heatproof bowl, microwave 2 cups white chocolate chips and two tablespoons of vegetable shortening. Start at one minute, stir and microwave again for 30 second intervals being careful not to burn the chocolate.

STIR STIR STIR!!!

Next, add 1/4 cup of the jelly beans into the melted chocolate and stir

I omitted the black ones because licorice and white chocolate just don't go well together.  But if you dig it...add it.  It's totally up to you. Add food coloring, sprinkles, nuts or just about anything you fancy at this stage before the chocolate sets.

Poor mixture on a cookie sheet lined with parchment paper.  Add another 1/4 cup of Jelly Beans in bare areas creating an even blend of chocolate covered and non chocolate covered jelly beans.  Spread evenly about 1/4 of an inch.

(But who is measuring?  I'm not. Just eyeball it)

Refrigerate for 15 minutes or until hard as a rock.

Jelly Bean Easter Bark

(Adapted from Very Best Baking)

Ingredients

• 2 cups (12-oz. pkg.) NESTLÉ® TOLL HOUSE® Premier White Morsels
• 2 teaspoons vegetable shortening
• 1/2 cup Brach's mini jelly beans

Directions

LINE baking sheet with parchment paper

MICROWAVE morsels and vegetable shortening in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted. Stir in 1/4 cup jelly beans.

SPREAD mixture to 1/4-inch thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cupSweeTarts Jelly Beans. Refrigerate for about 15 minutes or until firm. Break into pieces. Store in airtight container at room temperature. 

Happy Easter,