If you need a quick, crowd-pleasing holiday dessert that looks beautiful but takes less than 10 minutes to make, this Pistachio Cranberry Chocolate Bark is precisely what you want. It's rich, crunchy, sweet, slightly tangy, and full of festive color.
The combination of smooth melted chocolate, toasted pistachios, and tart dried cranberries creates a holiday bark that's perfect for gifting, entertaining, or keeping in the fridge for a healthier sweet treat.
Other chocolate treats you can try include Chocolate Mousse Cups, Mini Fruit Tart, and Baked Oats with Blueberries, among many.
Even better? You only need a few ingredients and absolutely no baking.
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⭐ Why You'll Love This Chocolate Bark
- ✔ Gets ready in just 10 minutes.
- ✔ It only needs 3–4 ingredients.
- ✔ No baking or special equipment needed.
- ✔ Perfect for Christmas, Diwali, Thanksgiving, and holiday gifting.
- ✔ Kid-friendly and beginner-friendly.
- ✔ Stores well for days.
- ✔ Can be made healthier with simple swaps.
🍫 Ingredients You Need
- Chocolate: Use good-quality dark, semisweet, or milk chocolate. Chocolate bars melt more smoothly than chips. You can use either chocolate chips or chocolate bars.
- Pistachios: Raw or roasted, both work. Roughly chop them for better crunch and flavor.
- Cranberry: Adds chewy texture, sweetness, and tart flavor.
- Option Add-Ins: You can also add orange zest, white chocolate, sea salt, coconut flakes, or pumkin seeds.
*See the recipe card for quantities.
🔥 How to Make Pistachio Cranberry Chocolate Bark
Check the recipe card below for the full recipe, but refer here for step-by-step photo instructions.
- Step 1 - Melt the Chocolate: Microwave in 20–30-second intervals, or melt over a double boiler until smooth.
2. Step 2 - Mix the Chocolate: Mix the melted chocolate using a spatula until evenly melted.
3. Step 3 - Spread onto Parchment: Pour onto a lined baking sheet and spread into a thin layer.
4. Step 4 - Add Topping: Sprinkle chopped pistachios and cranberries evenly across the chocolate.
Press gently so they stick.
4. Chill and break: Refrigerate for 20–25 minutes until set, then break into bark pieces.
5. Store & Gift: Keep in the fridge in an airtight container for up to a week.
🎁 Serving Ideas
This chocolate bark is perfect for:
- Holiday party platters
- Christmas cookie boxes
- Edible gift bags
- Dessert tables
- After-dinner treats
- Snack boards
Pairs beautifully with tea, coffee, or hot chocolate.
🍬 Flavor Variations
- White Chocolate Bark: Swap dark chocolate for white chocolate for a more festive look.
- Layered Chocolate: Spread dark chocolate, let it set slightly, then drizzle white chocolate for a swirl effect.
- Nut-Free Option: Replace pistachios with pumpkin seeds or sunflower seeds.
- Tropical Version: Add coconut flakes + dried pineapple.
💡 Tips for Success
- Spread the chocolate evenly for clean snapping.
- Don't skip parchment paper—it makes removal easy.
- Use high-quality chocolate for the best results.
- Add a pinch of sea salt on top to enhance flavor.
- Make sure toppings are at room temperature to avoid the chocolate setting too fast.
🥗 Healthy Portion Size (For Weight Loss & Balanced Eating)
Chocolate bark can absolutely fit into a healthy, low-calorie lifestyle — especially when portioned mindfully. Because it's rich and flavorful, even a small amount feels satisfying.
🍫 Ideal Portion Size: 1–2 small pieces (about 1 ounce total)
This gives you a balanced mix of:
- Healthy fats from pistachios
- Antioxidants from dark chocolate
- Natural sweetness from cranberries
- A satisfying treat without overeating
Why This Portion Works
- Chocolate bark is calorie-dense, so small servings keep calories in check.
- Dark chocolate satisfies cravings faster.
- Pistachios add fiber + protein, making a tiny portion filling.
- Helps maintain steady blood sugar levels.
Healthy Tips
- Store bark in pre-portioned snack bags.
- Choose 70% dark chocolate for lower sugar.
- Add more nuts and fewer cranberries for even fewer carbs.
- Enjoy bark after a meal, not on an empty stomach.
This is a perfect treat that still aligns with your healthy lifestyle goals!
FAQs
Yes! White chocolate looks beautiful with pistachios and cranberries, but keep it chilled since it softens faster.
No. Because the bark sets in the fridge, tempering is not necessary.
¼-inch thick works best for clean snapping and even topping distribution.
Up to a week in the fridge or 2 months in the freezer.
Yes—almonds, pecans, pumpkin seeds, raisins, coconut, or orange zest all taste amazing.
OTHER RECIPES
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Pistachio Cranberry Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 2 cups Dark Chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher) or whole bar
- 1 Orange zest
- 2 tablespoon Pistachios chopped
- 2 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds
- 2 tablespoon Dried Cranberries
- 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds optional
- 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds Powder optional
Equipment
Method
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark chocolate using a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring until smooth.2 cups Dark Chocolate chips (70% cacao or higher) or whole bar
- Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer.
- Sprinkle fennel seed powder, pistachios, pumpkin seeds, dried cranberries, and orange zest evenly over the chocolate.1 Orange zest, 2 tablespoon Pistachios chopped, 2 tablespoon Pumpkin Seeds, 2 tablespoon Dried Cranberries, 1 tablespoon Chia Seeds optional, 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds Powder optional
- Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, or until fully set.
- Refrigerate for about 20 minutes, or until fully set.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
- Healthy portion tip: This bark is rich and satisfying. One to two small pieces are usually enough for a balanced treat.
- Use high-quality dark chocolate for the best flavor and lower sugar content.
- Store pieces in small containers or snack bags for easy portion control.
- Add more pistachios and fewer cranberries if you prefer a lower-sugar version.
Freeze for up to 2 months and thaw briefly before serving.
Palak says
I made this bark in December. It was a hit and was gone in minutes.
SunGari says
I'm glad you like it