Ingredients with Measurements:
- 1 sleeve of soda crackers
- 1 cup unsalted butter
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 1/4 cup chopped pecans
- Sea salt for sprinkling
Special equipment needed:
- Parchment paper
- Baking sheet
- Saucepan
- Wooden spoon
- Measuring cups and spoons
Step-by-step instructions:
1. Preheat your oven to 350°F.
2. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
3. Arrange the soda crackers in a single layer on the parchment paper.
4. In a saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat.
5. Add the brown sugar and salt to the melted butter and stir until combined.
6. Bring the mixture to a boil and let it boil for 2 minutes.
7. Remove the saucepan from the heat and stir in the vanilla extract.
8. Pour the caramel mixture over the soda crackers, spreading it evenly with a wooden spoon.
9. Bake the soda crackers and caramel for 10 minutes.
10. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and sprinkle the chocolate chips over the top of the hot caramel.
11. Let the chocolate chips sit for a few minutes until they start to melt.
12. Use a spatula to spread the melted chocolate evenly over the top of the caramel.
13. Sprinkle the chopped pecans and sea salt over the top of the chocolate.
14. Let the bark cool completely at room temperature.
15. Once the bark is cool and the chocolate has hardened, break it into pieces.
- Time:
Preparation time: 10 minutes
- Cooking time: 10 minutes
Temperature:
- Oven temperature: 350°F
Serving size:
- Makes about 12 servings
Nutritional information:
- Calories per serving: 300
- Fat: 20g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Protein: 2g
Substitutions for ingredients:
- You can use salted butter instead of unsalted butter, but then you should omit the 1/2 tsp of salt in the recipe.
- You can use any type of chocolate chips you prefer, such as milk chocolate or dark chocolate.
- You can use any type of nuts you prefer, such as almonds or walnuts.
Variations:
- You can add a sprinkle of cinnamon to the caramel mixture for a warm and spicy flavor.
- You can use white chocolate chips instead of semisweet chocolate chips for a sweeter flavor.
- You can add a drizzle of melted peanut butter over the top of the chocolate for a nutty twist.
Tips and tricks:
- Be sure to spread the caramel mixture evenly over the soda crackers to ensure that every bite has a good amount of caramel.
- Use a good quality sea salt for sprinkling over the top of the bark to enhance the sweet and salty flavor.
- You can store the bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Storage instructions:
- Store the bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 1 week.
Reheating instructions:
- This recipe does not require reheating.
Presentation ideas:
- Serve the bark on a platter or in a decorative tin for a festive presentation.
- You can also wrap the bark in cellophane and tie it with a ribbon for a homemade gift.
Garnishes:
- Sprinkle additional chopped pecans or sea salt over the top of the bark for added texture and flavor.
Pairings:
- Serve the bark with a glass of cold milk or a hot cup of coffee for a delicious snack.
Suggested side dishes:
- This recipe does not require any side dishes.
Troubleshooting advice:
- If the caramel mixture is too thin, let it boil for an additional 1-2 minutes to thicken it up.
- If the chocolate chips are not melting, you can place the baking sheet back in the oven for a minute or two to help them melt.
Food safety advice:
- Be careful when working with hot caramel as it can cause burns.
- Be sure to let the bark cool completely before breaking it into pieces to avoid any injuries.
Food history:
- The origins of soda crackers are unclear, but they have been a popular snack in the United States since the 1800s.
Flavor profiles:
- This recipe has a sweet and salty flavor with a crunchy texture from the soda crackers and pecans.
Serving suggestions:
- Serve the bark as a dessert or a snack.
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