Quick Answer
Chocolate bars and chocolate bark are both delicious chocolate treats, but they have some key differences:
- Form – Chocolate bars are solid, rectangular blocks while chocolate bark has a brittle, jagged shape.
- Ingredients – Chocolate bars typically contain chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, and emulsifiers. Bark is made from chocolate, nuts, fruits, spices, etc.
- Texture – Bars have a smooth, uniform texture. Bark has a crisp, crunchy texture from nuts/fruits.
- Creation – Bars are precisely molded and cut. Bark is handmade by pouring and spreading chocolate.
- Serving – Bars are eaten as is or broken into segments. Bark is broken into shards.
In summary, chocolate bars have a standardized commercial appearance and smooth texture, while chocolate bark has a rustic, homemade look with crunchy bits throughout. But both make for delicious chocolatey treats!
What is a Chocolate Bar?
A chocolate bar is a molded solid block of chocolate that has been tempered, allowing the cocoa butter to crystallize and giving the bar a glossy appearance and snap when broken. Chocolate bars come in a variety of shapes and sizes, but the traditional form is a rectangular bar divided into smaller rectangular segments.
Popular mass-produced chocolate bar brands like Hershey’s, Mars, Cadbury and Lindt have used the chocolate bar format to create beloved candy classics over the years. The basic ingredients in a chocolate bar are chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, emulsifiers like soy lecithin, and flavorings like vanilla. Higher quality dark chocolate bars may contain a higher percentage of cocoa solids and less sugar. Most chocolate bars contain milk chocolate, but dark chocolate and even white chocolate bars are also available.
The history of the chocolate bar stretches back to the 19th century, when innovations in chocolate processing allowed for chocolate to be produced on a larger scale. The chocolate bar as we know it today was popularized early in the 20th century. Milton S. Hershey’s revolutionary mass production techniques allowed the Hershey Company to mass produce milk chocolate bars and market them across the United States. Other iconic chocolate bars like Nestle’s Milk Chocolate Bar, Mars Bar, Twix, Kit Kat and Snickers would emerge over the next several decades, cementing the chocolate bar as a beloved treat around the world.
Today chocolate bars come in countless varieties, featuring different chocolate types, fillings, flavors, textures, and more. But the classic chocolate bar remains popular for its convenience, portability, and nostalgic taste. A simple breakable snack, chocolate bars require no utensils or preparation and can be tucked away in a pocket or bag for whenever a chocolate craving strikes.
Common Characteristics of Chocolate Bars
– Rectangular slab shape
– Divided into smaller rectangular segments
– Smooth, uniform texture
– Glossy appearance from tempering
– Made from chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar and milk solids
– Often contains emulsifiers like soy lecithin
– Usually contains milk chocolate
– Makes a snapping sound when broken
What is Chocolate Bark?
Chocolate bark is a type of chocolate confection made by pouring tempered chocolate onto a flat surface and adding various toppings before the chocolate hardens. The result is a brittle, irregularly-shaped sheet of chocolate studded with nuts, fruits, spices, candies and other mix-ins.
Unlike a uniform chocolate bar, chocolate bark has a handmade, artisanal look, with each piece having a unique shape. The outer chocolate layer is thin and crisp, giving way to crunchy add-ins like nuts, coconut, pretzels or dried fruit. Chocolate bark makes a great homemade gift or party treat because of its rustic appearance and customizable flavor options.
Making chocolate bark simply involves melting high-quality chocolate, spreading it onto a lined pan or sheet of parchment paper, sprinkling on desired toppings, and letting it set until hardened. Dark, milk or white chocolate can be used as the base. Popular add-ins for chocolate bark include nuts like almonds, peanuts or hazelnuts, dried fruits like cranberries or cherries, crunchy items like pretzels or granola, and spices like sea salt, cinnamon and chili powder. The combinations are endless!
Chocolate bark likely originated as a thrifty way for chocolate makers to use scrap pieces of chocolate. Breaking chocolate into irregular shards or “bark” was an easy way to serve or sell these chocolate bits. Adding nuts, fruits and spices helped improve the flavor and texture. Today chocolate bark is viewed as a fun, creative way to enjoy high-quality chocolate in an improvised, rustic form. It’s often made during the holiday season and given as edible gifts.
Common Characteristics of Chocolate Bark
– Irregular, jagged shape
– Thin, brittle texture
– Contains nuts, fruits, candies, spices as mix-ins
– Rough, handmade appearance
– Made by pouring tempered chocolate over a flat surface
– Can use dark, milk or white chocolate as base
Detailed Comparison of Chocolate Bars and Bark
Appearance and Texture
Chocolate bars have a standardized, uniform look with straight edges and segmented squares, while chocolate bark has a rough, irregular appearance with jagged edges. This reflects their different production methods. Bars are precisely molded and cut, resulting in an evenly textured and evenly shaped product. Bark is freeform, with chocolate hand-poured and topped with assorted mix-ins. This gives each piece a one-of-a-kind shape.
In terms of texture, chocolate bars are smooth and solid with a consistent mouthfeel. Chocolate bark has a crisp, delicate texture from the thin chocolate layer, along with crunchy bits from the embedded nuts, fruits or other add-ins. Bars snap cleanly when broken apart thanks to tempering. Bark shards break apart easily due to the brittle chocolate.
Ingredients
Chocolate bars tend to have relatively simple, homogeneous ingredients. They contain some combination of chocolate liquor, cocoa butter, sugar, milk solids, emulsifiers and flavorings. This uniform make-up contributes to their smooth texture. The base is usually milk chocolate, but can also be dark or white chocolate.
Chocolate bark has more variable, heterogeneous ingredients. The chocolate base provides the main flavor, which can be dark, milk or white chocolate. Bark really distinguishes itself with the wide variety of mix-ins added to the chocolate. These add-ins introduce all kinds of new flavors, colors, and textures. Common mix-ins include nuts, dried fruit, candy pieces, cereal, pretzels, spices, coconut, etc. The add-ins give each piece of bark unique visual and taste characteristics.
Production
Commercial chocolate bars are produced using efficient, automated industrial techniques. The chocolate mass is mixed, conched, tempered, molded, cooled and packaged by machines. High-volume production allows chocolate bars to be an inexpensive, widely available candy item.
Chocolate bark production is much more hands-on. The chocolate is manually melted, poured onto trays, and topped with ingredients. The small batches and irregular shapes prevent mass production. Many chocolate shops produce their own signature chocolate bark recipes. But bark can also be easily made at home since it doesn’t require special equipment. The hands-on process allows for creativity and customization.
Serving and Eating
Chocolate bars are conveniently portioned out into small blocks so they can be broken off and eaten out of hand. Each block makes a ready to eat snack size. Bars lend themselves to on-the-go snacking since they travel easily and don’t require utensils or prep.
Chocolate bark is served by breaking off shards. Since the pieces are uneven, bark is best eaten from a plate. The irregular shape also makes it more challenging to eat on-the-go. Bark is often served as a dessert or party snack meant to be eaten at home. The fragmented nature means people typically take small pieces to nibble rather than large chunks.
Purpose and Occasions
Chocolate bars are an everyday candy. Their affordable price point and convenience make them a quick snack for many casual occasions. Common examples include grabbing a bar from the checkout aisle, packing one in a school lunchbox, or taking one along on a road trip.
Chocolate bark is viewed as a more gourmet, gift-worthy item. It is often produced seasonally and given as a holiday gift. The artisanal appearance and packaging make it a good presentation gift. Some occasions where you might give chocolate bark include Christmas, Valentine’s Day, Mother’s Day, housewarming gifts, etc. The unique shapes and flavors also make it a fun item to serve at dinner parties.
Comparison Chart of Chocolate Bars vs. Bark
| Characteristic | Chocolate Bar | Chocolate Bark |
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Uniform, rectangular shape with straight edges. Segmented into smaller rectangles. | Irregular, jagged shape with rough edges |
| Texture | Smooth, solid, and consistent throughout | Thin and brittle with crunchy mix-ins |
| Ingredients | Chocolate, sugar, cocoa butter, milk solids, emulsifiers | Chocolate base plus mix-ins like nuts, fruits, candies, spices, etc. |
| Production | Mass produced using automated equipment | Made in small batches by hand |
| Serving | Broken into segmented pieces and eaten out of hand | Broken into irregular shards and eaten from a plate |
| Purpose | Everyday candy for snacking and treats | Gift-giving for holidays, parties, and special occasions |
Recipes for Making Chocolate Bars and Bark
If you want to experience the difference between chocolate bars and bark firsthand, here are some recipes to try making each sweet treat at home:
Easy Homemade Chocolate Bars
Ingredients:
– 1 1⁄2 cups chocolate chips
– 1⁄4 cup cocoa powder
– 1 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
– Pinch of sea salt
Directions:
1. Line an 8×8 pan with parchment paper, leaving overhang on two sides. This will create handles for removing the finished bars.
2. Place the chocolate chips and cocoa powder in a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at 50% power for 2 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds. The chips should be mostly melted.
3. Stir in the sweetened condensed milk until fully incorporated and smooth. Pour the chocolate mixture into the prepared pan.
4. Use a spatula to smooth the top. Sprinkle lightly with sea salt if desired.
5. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours until firm. Lift the parchment handles to remove the chocolate from the pan and cut into square bars.
Easy Homemade Chocolate Bark
Ingredients:
– 10 oz good-quality dark chocolate, chopped
– 1 cup mixed nuts, coarsely chopped
– 1⁄2 cup dried cranberries, coarsely chopped
– 1 tsp coarse sea salt
Directions:
1. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Place the chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl. Melt at 50% power in 30 second intervals, stirring between each, until smooth and melted.
3. Carefully spread the melted chocolate onto the prepared sheet in an even 1⁄4 inch layer.
4. Sprinkle the nuts, cranberries and sea salt evenly over the chocolate.
5. Refrigerate for 1-2 hours until hardened. Break into irregular pieces to serve.
So try making both chocolate bars and bark to experience their different textures and enjoy the unique pleasures of each confection!
Conclusion
While chocolate bars and chocolate bark are both made from chocolate, they have distinct appearances, textures, ingredients, and uses that set them apart. Chocolate bars offer the convenience of portable segmented snacks with a uniformly smooth texture that makes them an everyday candy staple. Chocolate bark delivers a gourmet presentation with its handmade look and crunchy mix-ins making it great for gift-giving and special occasions. So whether you’re craving a quick chocolate fix or a fancy chocolate treat, there’s a chocolate bar or chocolate bark to suit your tastes!