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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This looks great!! Was wondering if I could substitute almond bark for the TJ chocolate??
As long as whatever you’re using sets up firm at room temperature after it’s been melted, you’re set!
This would be a dangerous snack in my house… I’m sure I would eat it all, and not want to share any!! ;) Pinned!
Thanks for pinning and happy mother’s day! :)
I have a friend who told me how much I need to try cowboy bark and I was sad because there are no TJ’s near me but YOU’VE SAVED THE DAY! Making these, for suuure!
If you make it, LMK! You’ve been warned…super dangerous to have around :)
I just finished a bag of this yesterday and was thinking about making my own. Can’t wait to. Thanks.
LMK if you try this version and how you think it compares!
How did I miss this? I’ve never had Cowboy Bark but no need to buy it- I’m totally going to make this!!
Thanks for saying hi, Kelley!
What a perfect sweet and salty snack!
Mercedes you have to make this stuff :)
We don’t have a Trader Joe’s in Canada and it makes me so sad! These look incredible, so perhaps I’ll try to make a variation at home.
And I just found your blog -it’s gorgeous! :)
Thanks for finding me and I hope Canada gets some TJs, soon!
I know you said you used a combo of chocolate. Did you use one bar of each? I want to make it exactly as you the first time :)
Thanks!
I have all 3 kinds of bars on hand and used equal parts of each bar: 72%, dark, milk. You’re maybe only going to need one-third of each bar and they’re 7 bucks a piece or so, so you’d need to buy $20+ worth of chocolate if you want to do it like I did. I bake for a living so I always have so much chocolate but that’s why I gave the option for others who don’t to just use their fave dark choc. Enjoy!
I’ve never had the Trader Joe’s version but now I don’t need too! I’m sure your version is 100000000x better!
I’ve never tried TJ’s version, but now I’m nervous too, considering how absolutely addicting yours looks. It looks so dangerous(ly good). Love how quickly it comes together. Pinning! :)
Thanks for pinning, Rachel!
I love that chocolate is a staple in your pantry….this bark looks so good…I haven’t seen it at Traders..heading there today.
One of the best things about having a food blog is the need to constantly create new recipes which also means having a go at recreating your favorite things! I’m an American living in England (for the last 10 years) and in the last few months, have taught myself to re-create all the lovely American foods I can’t get here! What fun it’s been! I love your blog! You have been a real inspiration to me! Thank you for that! :-)
Thanks for the great comment and good luck to you as you continue to recreate things…it’s so much fun for me to do that, actually. It’s like the thrill of the hunt, so to speak. Trying to see just how close I can get to the real thing!
Oh my goodness, now THIS looks addicting. Wow. And I love your photos! Pinned!
I LOVE TJ’s Cowboy Bark. And I totally agree that no way are there six servings in that bag – I eat one big piece and it seems like most of the bag has gone already! I’m going to make this instead and maybe it’ll last me more than a few hours ;)
I eat one big piece and it seems like most of the bag has gone already! = AGREED!
LMK if you try this and tell me what you think of it compared to the original!
I have not had the Trader Joes Cowboy Bark but now I definitely want to try it, or better yet, try your recipe!
You’re right, there is just something great about the sweet/salty combination. A gal I work with brought in some dark chocolate bark with pumpkin seeds and sea salt. I want to eat the entire bag!
Great recipe, Averie. Pinned.
thanks for pinning and dark chocolate bark with pumpkin seeds and sea salt sounds so good right now!
My sister makes the saltine-toffee bark at xmas, it’s incredibly addicting. I’ve never heard of Cowboy bark but this looks just as divine!
https://www.averiecooks.com/2011/12/chocolate-saltine-toffee.html One of my most popular recipes and that stuff is SO GOOD! If it’s similar to what your sister makes!