I am very fond of making my own chocolate treats. I think doing so was one of the first foodie projects I attempted as a kid so when I saw Taste of Home’s Batty Bark I just had to try making them. So cute!
I melted 12 ounces of chocolate chips in the microwave. Melting chocolate always makes me nervous. I started melting it on high for just 30 seconds to start getting it going. Then I reduced the power to 50% for around 25 second increments, stirring each time and eventually it started to melt.
You want to stop once the melting really gets going. Keep stirring even if you see chocolate chips like in the photo above. Chocolate takes a while to melt and you do not want to rush it and over-nuke it. They will eventually melt and if they don’t, put them in for 20 more seconds on 50% power.
I added 1 cup of Rice Crispies, 1/4 cup of unsalted sunflower seeds and 1/4 cup of dried cranberries.
I spread everything out with a large spatula over a parchment-lined baking tray. I refrigerated everything until firm.
Then I took out the baking tray and let sit at room temperature for 10 minutes. Then I got my bat cookie cutter and got to work.
Oh… my… God this was hard to do! I have sensitive weak hands I know but holy cow, ouch! And I wasn’t the only one who felt that way. Not only that, once it started to warm up you would think it got easier but everything got so sticky and messy, they fell apart.
These little chocolatey bats are adorable though and I have to say, absolutely delicious! Mini Crunch chocolate bars filled with seeds and cranberries. Yum! They do make for fabulous decorative touches. I froze this ice cream dish to get it all frosty, added some chocolate ice cream and topped with one of these “bat boys” and voila! A Halloween treat in no time at all.
Simple and delicious but if you have sensitive hands, stay away! If you are strong and don’t mind fighting with some chocolate using cookie cutters, go for it.
I ended up cutting out seven of them and leaving the rest to just snack on. Me, Reg and Jen all enjoyed the flavours and ended up not missing out on the bat shapes at all. A healthy-er chocolatey snack but keep the cookie cutters out of reach for this one.
I give this recipe three out of five wooden spoons to those with weak hands, five out of five for those who have strong hands and lots of patience.
I think my solution to making the bats would be: cookie cutter, small piece of plywood, hammer.
I love the spooky photo at the top of your post! The bats are absolutely adorable, but I don’t think my poor hands could handle this either. I’d definitely need some protection, perhaps dish gloves might help?
hey suzie, left hrm end june for niagara area, after nearly 15 years, though my kids remain there… thx for the goodies 🙂
btw, tried to get on your mailing list, not sure it worked, since i got error messages, likely cuz i despise most things microshaft, and it wanted some bully gates crap i don’t use 🙁
i’m: sinner1man@gmail.com
Debra, I seriously considered that as an option!
Ava, for me it was the pressure of pushing down but you’re right, gloves would help prevent the metal from biting the skin.
Laughingwolf, not to worry, I checked and you are on the list so the form worked! I’ll be sending one out next Monday night so if you don’t get it, let me know.