The Story & Intro
Bonjour my friends! 👋 It’s Lacamorea here, your French-at-heart, American-by-choice kitchen bestie. Every December, when the air gets chilly and the lights twinkle on every street corner, I start craving the sweet, festive crunch of cranberry pistachio holiday bark. I still remember the first time I made it after moving to the US the smell of melting chocolate, the bright ruby cranberries, the green pistachios… it instantly felt like Christmas in a pan. 🎅🍫💚
Growing up in Paris, my mom and I would make chocolate treats during the holidays, sneaking little pieces while they cooled on the counter. But when I landed in the U.S., I discovered cranberry pistachio holiday bark, and oh là là… it became my new December obsession. It’s colorful, gorgeous, ridiculously simple, and tastes like the holidays in every bite.
Every year, I whip up big batches of this cranberry pistachio holiday bark to share with neighbors, bring to parties, and tuck into gift bags. People always think I spent hours making it but little do they know it only takes minutes. That’s the magic of holiday bark: minimal effort, maximum joy.
If you’re looking for a festive treat that’s easy, elegant, and guaranteed to make the whole room go “Wow!”, then this cranberry pistachio holiday bark will completely steal your heart (and your taste buds!). 💕🎄
Ingredients You’ll Need 🍫🌰🍒
- 16 oz high-quality white chocolate (or dark/milk if you prefer)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup shelled pistachios (roasted & salted recommended)
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Optional: ¼ cup mini chocolate chips for drizzling
- Optional: flakey sea salt
Step-by-Step Instructions 🥣✨
Melt the Chocolate
Start by melting your chocolate. You can use a double boiler or the microwave. If microwaving, heat in 20–30 second intervals, stirring in between to keep it silky-smooth. Add the vanilla extract to give it that cozy holiday aroma.
Prepare Your Baking Sheet
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. This keeps the bark from sticking and makes lifting it later super easy.
Pour and Spread
Pour the melted chocolate over the parchment and spread it out into an even layer using a spatula. Aim for about ¼ inch thick too thin and it snaps too easily, too thick and it loses that perfect bark balance.
Sprinkle the Goodies
Now the fun part! Sprinkle the dried cranberries and pistachios over the warm chocolate. Make sure every bite gets a mix of red, green, and chocolate. Add mini chocolate chips or a chocolate drizzle if you’re feeling extra festive.
Add Optional Sea Salt
A tiny pinch of flakey sea salt makes the flavors pop beautifully. Trust me… it’s chef’s kiss. 😘✨
Chill & Break
Place the sheet in the refrigerator for 20–30 minutes, or until completely hardened. Once it’s set, break the bark into rustic pieces big or small, whatever you love.
Serve or Gift
And voilà! Your gorgeous holiday bark is ready. Add it to cookie boxes, bring it to holiday potlucks, or snack on it while wrapping gifts with your favorite holiday playlist playing in the background.
Serving Suggestions 🎁🍽️
- Package pieces in clear bags with red ribbon for the cutest edible gifts
- Serve on a dessert board with cookies, truffles, and peppermint bark
- Pair with hot cocoa or mulled wine
- Add to holiday cookie tins for extra color
- Freeze leftovers for up to 3 months
Lacamorea’s Holiday Touch – A 100-Word Story Version ✨❤️
Bonjour my friends! I’m Lacamorea, and this cranberry pistachio holiday bark brings me right back to my childhood in Paris. My mom and I would melt chocolate and sneak little tastes as it cooled on the counter. When I moved to America, I discovered pistachios and cranberries together and instantly fell in love. Now every December, I make big festive batches, gifting them to neighbors and keeping a secret stash for myself. The colors, the crunch, the sweetness it all feels magical. This bark is my favorite easy treat to spread holiday cheer, one delicious bite at a time. 🎄💕
Recipe Card 📋🎄
⏱️ Time
- Prep: 10 minutes
- Chill: 20 minutes
- Total: 30 minutes
🛒 Ingredients
- 16 oz white chocolate
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup pistachios
- 1 tsp vanilla
- Optional: chocolate drizzle
- Optional: sea salt
👩🍳 Instructions
- Melt chocolate until smooth.
- Spread onto parchment-lined sheet.
- Sprinkle with cranberries and pistachios.
- Add drizzle or sea salt if desired.
- Chill for 20–30 minutes.
- Break into pieces and enjoy!
📝 Notes
- Swap white chocolate for dark or milk.
- Add orange zest for a citrusy twist.
- Store in airtight container up to 2 weeks.
🍎 Nutrition (per piece)
Approx. 180 calories
Total Fat: 11g
Carbs: 18g
Sugar: 15g
Protein: 2g
Conclusion 🎅✨
Making cranberry pistachio holiday bark is like capturing the holidays in a single sweet bite colorful, crunchy, chocolatey, and full of cheer. Whether you’re gifting it, sharing it, or keeping it for yourself (no judgment here!), it’s the perfect festive treat that delivers big flavor with little effort. From my Parisian childhood kitchen to my American holiday table, this recipe carries memories, love, and magic in every piece. Joyeux Noël, my friends! 💖🎄✨