Have you tried Cowboy Bark?
If you haven’t, don’t even start. It’s so addictively good.
Which is why I’m not sure why I made my own bark that’s every bit as good as the real deal.
Having the ability to make bulk quantities is dangerous since I can down a bag of the Trader Joe’s version in a day if I let myself. Six servings in one little 9-ounce bag? No way.
Now I have an endless supply in my cupboard, and I stashed some in the freezer, and I gave plenty away.
The bark only takes about 5 minutes to make, making it the perfect fast, easy, and extremely satisfying treat.
It’s just melted chocolate, topped with a mixture of toffee bits, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, Oreos, and a sprinkling of sea salt.
Sounds simple enough, but there’s something about the combination that’s just irresistible. Salty-and-sweet treats can do no wrong.
And the bark is a texture lover’s dream. The smooth, rich chocolate that melts in your mouth is in contrast with crunchy and salty peanuts and almonds and crispy pretzels. The sweet buttery toffee bits and crunchy Oreos provides so many flavor combinations in every bite. The more you eat, the more you want.
For the chocolate, I used a mixture of Trader Joe’s chocolate bars. I used equal parts of the 72% Pound Plus, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate bars. I have a well-stocked pantry of chocolate and can manifest bulk quantities of chocolate in any percentage from 60 to 90% at the drop of a hat.
For authenticity, if you’re only using one chocolate, I’d use TJ’s Dark Chocolate bar or your favorite dark chocolate. Definitely not milk, and don’t go too dark so that it’s bitter. A nice, middle of the road dark chocolate is best.
For the toppings, if you don’t have all of them on hand, mix and match based on what you do have.
I went a little heavier-handed than the Trader does with the quantity of nuts, pretzels, and toffee bits. The more, the merrier.
For the cookies, use Chocolate Jo-Jo’s or chocolate-filled Oreos for maximum authenticity, but traditional Oreos are fine. It’s cookies for candy-making. There are no wrong choices.
The batch makes about 4 times what you’d get in one $3.69 9-ounce bag. For me, it’s definitely cheaper to make than to buy because I already have all those things on hand.
You’ve been warned. This stuff is crazy good.
Best use of 5 minutes ever.
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Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe
Ingredients
- 16 ounces dark chocolate, 1 pound; I used equal parts TJ’s 72% Pound Plus, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate Bars; if only using one, select a favorite dark chocolate
- about 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels
- 8 chocolate-stuffed Oreos, roughly chopped (or use TJ’s Chocolate Jo-Jo’s; regular Oreos may be substituted)
- ⅓ cup toffee bits
- ⅓ cup coarsely chopped peanuts, I used roasted lightly salted
- ⅓ cup coarsely chopped almonds, I used roasted lightly salted
- sea salt for sprinkling, to taste
Instructions
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper; set aside. Before beginning to melt the chocolate, have all the ingredients chopped, prepped, and ready to go so that they’re ready to be added while the chocolate is hot and melty. I use my Mini-Prep Plus Food Processor to grind the nuts in seconds rather than hand-chopping, but I hand-chop the cookies.
- Coarsely chop the chocolate or break into chunks to encourage smooth melting.
- Place chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high power to melt, about 2 to 3 minutes, stopping every 15 seconds to check and stir until mixture can be stirred smooth. Be careful not to scorch it; or use a double boiler.
- Pour melted chocolate onto parchment and with a spatula or offset knife, smooth into a large rectangle, about 10×15-inches, and about 1/8-inch thick; just eyeball.
- Evenly sprinkle with pretzels, Oreos, toffee bits, peanuts, almonds, and sea salt to taste.
- Allow chocolate to set up for at least 1 hour at room temp, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes.
- After chocolate has set, break into pieces or chop with a knife. Bark will keep airtight at room temp for many weeks and in the fridge or freezer for many months.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
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How have I missed this at Trader Joe’s? Not that it matters now. I will making this soon. Looks so good!
Yeah just make your own but it’s easy to miss! I told another reader earlier up in the comments about it’s weird location in the store!
Oh my god, oh my god! Pinned! You have touched upon my ultimate weakness, Averie, It’s why I love kettle popcorn and Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups. Sweet and salty! :) Your photography is fantastic, as well. I love all the different angles you captured!
Thanks for pinning & the photography compliments!
Now that’s some serious chocolate bark, loaded up with so many delicious ingredients! I’ve been craving chocolate bark for the past few days and looking at this is almost more than I can stand. :)
A bark craving? Well this is the one to make! :)
Remember when I said I wished I had a TJs nearby? I take it back. That would be SO dangerous. I mean, this looks about as easy as you can get (and hella delicious), but i’m way less inclined to make it than to buy it.
Which is a GOOD thing. ;)
This is one of those crazy good products you cannot buy OR you have to have a ridic degree of self-control. In a house full, and I do mean HOUSE FULL of treats and snacks, even I have a hard time forgetting that this stuff is in my pantry!
That looks absolutely amazing! I love all the toppings
Beautiful colours and it has got to be delicious!!
I’ve never had it. BUT OMG I WANT IT. This is so dangerous. And you’re right. 6 servings? pfffft. Chocolate, pretzels, Oreos…this is the best!
I know, who are they kidding, with the servings! LOL
Trader Joe’s are no longer convenient to where I live, but people keep telling me about Cowboy Bark. So glad I can now make my own!
That’s too bad it’s not convenient anymore – I would be in serious withdrawals!
Yes, I have tried it. Ate the entire bag myself! I do have to say, your’s is a lot prettier. And I bet it tastes better, too!
The bag is 9 oz which is pretty small as you know and it’s VERY easy to eat the whole bag yourself. I do not see how they get 6 servings out of that. At all! ha!
And thanks for saying mine is a lot prettier. I gave it to 3 taste testers who all said they like mine better which is ironic since I used TJs chocolate to make a copycat of their…chocolate bark. But I was much more generous with the toppings/add-ons.
This bark looks addictive! It’s probably a good thing we don’t have TJ’s in Canada! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning!
Wow–I was just at TJ’s 2 weeks ago–how did I miss that stuff?!? No worries–I can make it now. Loaded bark with all sorts of good crunchy things. Just my style. It can’t really be that addictive….can it? :)
It’s a fairly new item for them, maybe 2-3 months old…and it’s SO GOOD. It’s easy to miss b/c in my store, they keep it above the frozen fruit on a small shelf in a little bag. It’s a very oddball place to keep it IMO. It’s not like with chips, or other chocolate bars. It is near other snacky stuff but it’s easy to miss even when you know what you want. They used to sample it and that’s what sold me on it!
Wow I think I would become addicted to this stuff! What a great salty and sweet snack! Pinned!
Thanks for pinning!
This bark has got my name written all over it. Seret salty, chocolate goodness. Man I need this in my life now!
I never heard of it but it looks like something I’d quickly become addicted to. Thanks for expanding my foodie world. :)
Happy Thursday Averie! Pinning.
Thanks for pinning!
I’m getting the feeling that this bark is crazy-addicting. And the fact that it comes together so quickly is even scarier, especially if you didn’t have a lot of people in the house to help you eat it. I could easily see myself eating an entire batch of this sweet n’ salty bark it looks so good. Gorgeous photos as always and pinned!
Thanks for pinning & for the photo compliments!
I have never even heard of cowboy bark! It looks amazing and I love any kind of dessert bark! It’s actually my little sister’s favorite kind of dessert. Love the sweet and salty mix Averie :) Pinned!
Thanks for pinning & your lil sis will LOVE this stuff then if she’s a bark fan!