espresso bark
Espresso bark is essential for the coffee addict in your life. Two layers of chocolate sandwich a layer of chocolate wafers; chocolate covered espresso beans give each piece a caffeine kick (I used a package of multi-color espresso beans, but any will work).
Incredibly rich and indulgent, I like to think of this bark as cookies and cream meets coffee. The textural contrast of smooth chocolate against crunchy wafers and espresso beans simply can’t be topped.
Espresso Bark
- Yield: 16 pieces
Ingredients
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate, chopped
- 1 tsp instant espresso (recommended: Starbucks Via)
- 12 chocolate wafers
- 8 ounces white chocolate, chopped
- 1/2 cup chocolate covered espresso beans, halved
Instructions
- Line a 7 x 11-inch baking dish with parchment paper. Place semisweet chocolate and instant espresso in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally until glossy and smooth. Pour melted chocolate into prepared pan and spread with an offset spatula into an even layer; top with a single layer of chocolate wafers (if necessary, cut wafers in half to fit). Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 25 minutes. Remove pan from refrigerator and leave at room temperature while melting white chocolate.
- Place white chocolate in a double boiler or in a heat-proof bowl over a saucepan of gently simmering water. Slowly melt the chocolate, stirring occasionally until glossy and smooth. Pour melted white chocolate over semisweet chocolate layer; carefully spread with an offset spatula into an even layer. Sprinkle with chocolate covered espresso beans. Chill in the refrigerator until completely set, about 1 hour.
- Carefully lift parchment paper and place bark on a cutting board; trim away any ragged edges, then use a sharp knife to cut into squares. Store leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature.
Nutrition
- Calories: 180
- Carbohydrates: 20
29 comments
That would be a perfect gift…for me! I love coffee taste in desserts, apart from a good espresso 🙂 ela
Oh my! This is calling my name. Coffee and chocolate – two of my favourite things!
The contract of light and dark makes for a stunning holiday treat! A glamorous gift for the coffee lover!
Magnificent, Laura! I adore chocolate covered coffee beans and I love that you thought of adding them to a candy bark! The chocolate wafers must provide the perfect soft crunch (not too hard) to allow for the extra crunchy beans. You are a genius, m’lady! Just gorgeous. I know this will become a new holiday tradition at our house. Thanks ever so much for sharing! Pinning (of course)!
Delish! I could live, quite happily, on chocolate covered espresso beans.
This looks absolutely amazing! I love espresso and adding it to bark is such a great idea and perfect for gift-giving this holiday!
This is wonderful, Laura, so many great textures going on…
Wow, this bark is so beautiful! The coffee addict in me absolutely loves this!!
Oh, I love these. Everything you make always looks so perfect. How do you do it? 🙂
My MIL would love this! She loves her coffee to drink, and in all kinds of treats.
Stunning!!!! I am in love with your espresso barks…so yummy looking! I wish you an amazing holiday season, Laura! xo
Incredibly rich and indulgent. That’s what I want someone to say about me one day. 🙂
Until then I’ll settle for a piece of your espresso bark.
This look so good! As alway you photos amaze me! You need to send me a few tips! 🙂
Love the chocolate + espresso bean combo!
You area genius Laura!! This is just what I need while I’m up until the wee hours wrapping gifts and fighting the yawns. A perfect combo!
Laura, you are brilliant. And I’m at a loss for words. I need this in my stocking!
So pretty and surely divine! A great gift idea.
Cheers,
Rosa
You are just too clever Laura! A brilliant idea 😀
I love everything about your espresso bark. 🙂
Oh, my. You make the most amazing treats, Laura! Your espresso bark is outstanding!
Dang, gurrrrrl, that’s the most beautiful bark on Earth!! GAWDGEOUS!
Beautiful espresso bark- I always wondered what I could do with those beautiful chocolate covered espresso beans- I love the blueberry ones too!
What a stunning dessert! I love espresso so I know this would be right up my alley! Lovely photos!
Another beautiful bark, lovely for gift giving.
I was just browsing thru your blog when I saw this gorgeous bark – I’ve got to make it! Just wondered what kind of chocolate wafers do you mean – are they cookies? and do you mean instant espresso coffee or the instant espresso powder (like for baking)? I have the chocolate covered espresso beans so I can’t wait to try this! Thank you!!
Hi Janet! Yes, the chocolate wafers are thin chocolate wafer cookies. I use instant espresso powder (Starbucks Via works great). Hope that helps! 🙂
Do they have a cream in the middle of them? (The wafers). Only ones I can find here in the UK have about 4 layers with cream between them!
Hi Sue, the wafers I used are plain chocolate wafers (Nabisco brand), no cream in the middle. However, I’m sure those wafers would work as well!
Hi there,
I was thinking of making this delicious bark for my daughter’s teacher who loves coffee. just curious how you half the espresso beans? Do they come already halved?
Hi Lauren, I cut them in half (carefully!) with a sharp knife. Hope that helps :).