This easy leprechaun bark is a fun and festive treat you can make in your microwave for St. Patrick’s Day! Chocolate bark is decorated with festive candies and sprinkles for the perfect sweet treat. I love it because there’s so many ways to adapt it to make it your own!
You don’t need the luck of the Irish to make some beautiful and delicious leprechaun bark! This recipe takes just minutes to put together (and some time chilling in the fridge) for an incredibly easy dessert.
It’s a great option for St. Patrick’s day for the kids (or anyone else who can’t have the alcohol that is often in desserts).
The thing I love about this recipe is that it is so easy to adjust. Use any kind of chocolate, and top it with candies, sprinkles, colored candy melts, cereal, you name it! Flavor it if you want, or just enjoy the chocolate flavor – it’s your choice.
1 cup green candy melts (such as Wilton dark green color)
¼ cup green chocolate candies (such as M&Ms)
2 Tbsp gold sprinkles or sanding sugar
1 Tbsp gold candy pearls
Ingredient Tips and Substitutions
You can use milk, dark, or semi sweet in place of the white chocolate (though it will change the overall look). I use chips because they’re easy to melt, but any type of melting chocolate is fine (wafers, chopped up bars, etc)
If you don’t want to do colored candy melt swirl on top, add some green food coloring to the white chocolate before pouring it out to set (or do both!)
The sprinkles and candies are all swappable and adjustable to taste. Use whatever you like or your local store happens to have (or you can order from online retailers too!). Other fun options include: marshmallows from Lucky Charms cereal, rainbow gummy candies, Skittles, Andes mint candies (chopped), crushed Oreos, or any other gold, green, or rainbow candies you like
I choose not to add flavoring to mine, but if you want, add ½ tsp extract to the melted chocolate before pouring. Peppermint extract is a popular choice, especially when paired with mint candies (but you can use your favorite)!
How to Make Leprechaun Bark: Step By Step Instructions
Line a baking sheet (or similar) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
Add white chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl, and the green candy melts to a second microwave safe bowl
Cook white chocolate on high for 1 minute and stir. Add additional time in 15 second increments if needed, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth (mine took about 1 minute 30 seconds total in a 1000W microwave)
Pour the white chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and smooth it out with a spatula so that it’s even (I try for about ¼” thick, but it doesn’t need to be precise)
Working quickly (so the white chocolate doesn’t set up), melt the candy melts per package directions (mine recommended 1 minute on the defrost setting or 50% power, but it took 2 minutes in total for me) and stir until smooth. Pour on top of the still-wet white chocolate
Use a butter knife, toothpick, or skewer to create a marbled design with the two chocolates
Add the candies and sprinkles, distributing them relatively evenly, and give them a gentle press to help them adhere into the chocolate
Refrigerate until completely set (generally about 1-2 hours)
Break into pieces using a rolling pin, mallet, a sharp knife, or even just your hands, and enjoy!
Leprechaun bark is a festive and colorful treat made with layers of melted chocolate, candy melts, and various toppings such as sprinkles, green candies, and gold-colored candies.
It’s typically prepared by melting the chocolate and candy melts, spreading them onto a baking sheet, adding toppings, and allowing it to set before breaking it into pieces.
Can I Customize the Ingredients in Leprechaun Bark to Suit My Preferences?
Absolutely! Leprechaun bark is highly customizable, and you can use a variety of chocolates, candy melts, and toppings to tailor it to your taste.
Consider using different flavors of chocolate, such as milk, dark, or white chocolate, and selecting toppings that align with your desired look or flavor profile.
What Are Some Good Toppings I Can Use for Decorating Leprechaun Bark?
Good topping choices for leprechaun bark include green and gold sprinkles, shamrock-shaped candies, green M&M’s, gold chocolate coins, rainbow-colored candies, edible glitter, and even Lucky Charms cereal marshmallows.
Get creative and have fun with your toppings!
How Should I Store Leprechaun Bark?
To keep Leprechaun bark fresh and maintain its crisp texture, store it in an airtight container at room temperature away from direct sunlight and moisture.
It can also be refrigerated for longer shelf life, but allow it to come to room temperature before serving to prevent condensation.
Can I Make Leprechaun Bark in Advance for St. Patrick’s Day?
Yes, Leprechaun Bark can be made in advance for St. Patrick’s Day. It’s best to prepare it only 1-2 days ahead of time to ensure freshness.
Store it properly in an airtight container until ready to serve.
Is Leprechaun Bark a Treat That Kids Can Help Make?
Leprechaun Bark is a fun and easy treat for kids to help make, and children of various ages can participate in different aspects of the preparation.
Younger children can assist with adding toppings, while older kids can help with melting the chocolate and spreading it onto the baking sheet.
How Can I Package Leprechaun Bark for Gifting?
Place leprechaun bark pieces in festive cellophane bags tied with green ribbons, arrange it in decorative tins or boxes, or stack pieces in clear jars adorned with St. Patrick’s Day-themed labels or tags.
Make sure to store it away from heat sources to prevent melting prior to gifting.
Recipe Pro Tips
If your chocolate begins to set before you add the colored melts or decorations, you can pop it in the oven at 200°F for a few minutes to heat it back up (but I generally don’t have any issues as long as you don’t get completely sidetracked during the process)
I made this recipe using a 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, your cooking times may vary slightly. Just make sure to stir the chocolate regularly and keep additional time to small increments!
Storage and Serving Tips
Store leprechaun bark in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 2-3 days. For longer term storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week
Bark gifts well, so feel free to add pieces to cello bags with St Patrick’s themed ribbon, in a festive tin, or similar container for gifting!
This easy leprechaun bark is the perfect sweet treat for St. Patrick’s Day! The microwave makes it low stress, with under 5 minutes of cooking time required. It’s easy to throw together in the morning and then it’s ready for dessert later on!
Festive green bark is the ideal alternative to all the alcoholic desserts and treats around St Paddy, making it perfect for the kids (and those avoiding alcohol). Plus, it’s something you can get the kids involved in making as well!
I also love it for company, since it keeps well (and it makes a great gift). Though, that’s pretty typical of bark style candy in general. In fact, make sure to check out my Microwave Peppermint Bark recipe for the holiday season!
Leprechaun Bark Recipe (St Patrick’s Day Bark)
Leprechaun bark is the perfect candy treat to make for St Patrick’s Day! The microwave does all the hard work for you, making this a simple dessert recipe.
1Cupgreen candy melts(such as Wilton dark green color)
¼Cupgreen chocolate candies(such as M&Ms)
2Tbspgold sprinkles or coarse sanding sugar
1Tbspgold candy pearls
Instructions
Line a baking sheet (or similar) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat
Add white chocolate chips to a microwave safe bowl, and the green candy melts to a second microwave safe bowl
1 Pound white chocolate, 1 Cup green candy melts
Cook white chocolate on high for 1 minute and stir. Add additional time in 15 second increments if needed, stirring in between, until fully melted and smooth (mine took about 1 minute 30 seconds total in a 1000W microwave)
Pour the white chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and smooth it out with a spatula so that it’s even (I try for about ¼” thick, but it doesn’t need to be precise)
Working quickly (so the white chocolate doesn’t set up), melt the candy melts per package directions (mine recommended 1 minute on the defrost setting or 50% power, but it took 2 minutes in total for me) and stir until smooth. Pour on top of the still-wet white chocolate
Use a butter knife, toothpick, or skewer to create a marbled design with the two chocolates
Add the candies and sprinkles, distributing them relatively evenly, and give them a gentle press to help them adhere into the chocolate
¼ Cup green chocolate candies, 2 Tbsp gold sprinkles or coarse sanding sugar, 1 Tbsp gold candy pearls
Refrigerate until completely set (generally about 1 hour)
Break into pieces using a rolling pin, mallet, a sharp knife, or even just your hands, and enjoy!
Notes
You can use milk, dark, or semi sweet in place of the white chocolate (though it will change the overall look). I use chips because they’re easy to melt, but any type of melting chocolate is fine (wafers, chopped up bars, etc)
If you don’t want to do colored candy melt swirl on top, add some green food coloring to the white chocolate before pouring it out to set (or do both!)
The sprinkles and candies are all swappable and adjustable to taste. Use whatever you like or your local store happens to have (or you can order from online retailers too!). Other fun options include: marshmallows from Lucky Charms cereal, rainbow gummy candies, Skittles, Andes mint candies (chopped), crushed Oreos, or any other gold, green, or rainbow candies you like
I choose not to add flavoring to mine, but if you want, add ½ tsp extract to the melted chocolate before pouring. Peppermint extract is a popular choice, especially when paired with mint candies (but you can use your favorite)!
If your chocolate begins to set before you add the colored melts or decorations, you can pop it in the oven at 200°F for a few minutes to heat it back up (but I generally don’t have any issues as long as you don’t get completely sidetracked during the process)
I made this recipe using a 1000W microwave. If you have a higher or lower wattage, your cooking times may vary slightly. Just make sure to stir the chocolate regularly and keep additional time to small increments!
Store leprechaun bark in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for 2-3 days. For longer term storage, refrigerate for up to 1 week
Bark gifts well, so feel free to add pieces to cello bags with St Patrick’s themed ribbon, in a festive tin, or similar container for gifting!
Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand and flavor of ingredients, decorations added, size of pieces, and actual quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
