Cookie Dough Bark Recipe
If you’ve ever dreamed of combining the childhood joy of sneaking a spoonful of cookie dough with the grown-up pleasure of decadent chocolate, Cookie Dough Bark is the impossibly fun dessert you need in your life. This playful treat layers velvety melted chocolate with dollops of safe-to-eat cookie dough, all dressed up with sprinkles, extra chips, or anything your sweet tooth desires. It’s easy enough for a spontaneous afternoon kitchen adventure, yet impressive enough to steal the show at parties—or just to satisfy weeknight cravings for something a little bit magical.
Ingredients You’ll Need
These classic, uncomplicated ingredients are exactly what makes Cookie Dough Bark shine. Each one plays a starring role, from flavor to texture to that perfect snap and chew in every bite. Gather your favorites and let’s break down why they belong in this creation:
- Unsalted butter: Brings the dough together with a creamy, rich base; make sure it’s softened for easy mixing.
- Brown sugar: Offers deep, caramel-like notes and helps give the dough its cookie-forward flavor and soft texture.
- Granulated sugar: Adds sweetness and balances out the brown sugar for classic cookie dough taste.
- Milk: Just a splash keeps the dough moist, binding everything for that scoopable, tender finish.
- Vanilla extract: Rounds out the flavor with a warm, bakery-style aroma.
- All-purpose flour (heat-treated): Gives structure—be sure to heat-treat to keep it safe to eat uncooked!
- Mini chocolate chips: Provide bursts of chocolatey goodness in every bite without overpowering the bark.
- Salt: Just a pinch highlights all the flavors and tames the sweetness.
- Semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (for melting): The glossy base that holds everything together and gives that satisfying snap.
- Optional toppings (extra mini chips, sprinkles, crushed cookies): For even more color, crunch, and fun—decorate to your heart’s content!
How to Make Cookie Dough Bark
Step 1: Heat-Treat Your Flour
Let’s make sure our edible cookie dough is perfectly safe! Simply spread your all-purpose flour on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F for five minutes. This quick step wipes out any potential nasties, keeping the Cookie Dough Bark worry-free for everyone. Let it cool completely before adding it to your dough.
Step 2: Mix Up That Dreamy Cookie Dough
Grab a medium bowl and start by beating together your softened butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar. You want a creamy, fluffy mixture that smells heavenly. Next, add in the milk and the vanilla extract, mixing until smooth. Stir in the cooled, heat-treated flour and a pinch of salt until everything turns into a soft dough. The grand finale? Fold in those mini chocolate chips and resist eating it straight from the bowl (well, maybe a taste!).
Step 3: Create the Chocolate Bark Base
Line a baking sheet with parchment paper so nothing sticks. Pour your chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and gently heat them in 20-second intervals, stirring between bursts. The key is to stop heating as soon as everything is smooth and glossy. Pour the melted chocolate onto your lined tray and spread into a rectangle, aiming for about a 1/4-inch thickness. This is the sturdy, delicious stage for your cookie dough clouds.
Step 4: Dot With Cookie Dough and Decorate
Next comes the fun part: Drop spoonfuls of your cookie dough all over the melted chocolate. Press each mound down just a bit with your fingers or a spatula—it helps everything stick and gives a neat marbled effect. Now’s your chance to get creative with sprinkles, extra mini chips, or even some crushed cookies for texture and color. The more, the merrier!
Step 5: Chill Until Set
Pop your pan into the fridge and let the Cookie Dough Bark rest for 30 to 45 minutes, or until the chocolate has completely set and the dough is firmly nestled in place. This brief chill is what transforms everything into irresistibly breakable, snackable shards.
Step 6: Break and Enjoy!
Once firm, lift your bark from the tray and break it into pieces by hand. No precision required—the rustic shapes are part of the charm! Now all that’s left is to serve, share, and savor bites of luscious chocolate and creamy cookie dough together.
How to Serve Cookie Dough Bark
Garnishes
For the finishing touch, scatter extra mini chocolate chips or jazzy sprinkles over the freshly assembled bark before it chills. Want crunch? Add a sprinkling of crushed cookies or even a little flaky sea salt to push the flavor to new heights. Each garnish not only adds eye candy, but a wonderful mix of textures in each bite.
Side Dishes
Cookie Dough Bark pairs beautifully with a chilled glass of milk for classic cookie shop nostalgia, or alongside fresh strawberries and raspberries to cut through the sweetness. Serve with coffee, hot cocoa, or even a scoop of ice cream for an ultra-decadent dessert platter that’s perfect for entertaining or movie nights.
Creative Ways to Present
Break the bark into chunky shards and mound it onto a colorful platter, tuck pieces into gift boxes lined with tissue for birthdays or holidays, or slip a few in cellophane bags as thoughtful take-home treats. You can even serve Cookie Dough Bark in mini cupcake wrappers for a playful, party-ready twist—everyone will love reaching for their own piece!
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Store your leftover Cookie Dough Bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator to keep both the chocolate and cookie dough fresh and firm. Layer parchment between pieces to prevent sticking. Properly stored, it will stay delicious for up to a week (although it rarely lasts that long in my house!).
Freezing
Want to make Cookie Dough Bark ahead or save some for later? Wrap pieces tightly in parchment or wax paper, then place in a freezer-safe container or zip-top bag. It keeps perfectly in the freezer for up to 2 months. Thaw in the fridge for best texture when ready to enjoy.
Reheating
No reheating necessary for Cookie Dough Bark! Simply eat it straight from the fridge or let it sit out at room temperature for a few minutes if you prefer a slightly softer bite. Just avoid leaving it out too long, especially on warm days, as the chocolate can lose its shape.
FAQs
Can I use regular flour instead of heat-treated for the cookie dough?
Never skip the heat-treating step! Raw flour can contain harmful bacteria, but a quick bake in the oven renders it perfectly safe so you can enjoy the cookie dough in your bark without worry.
What other chocolates work for the bark base?
Feel free to get creative! White chocolate, dark chocolate, or even flavored melting wafers work beautifully as the base for Cookie Dough Bark. Just be sure to use high-quality chocolate for the best melting and snap.
Can I add nuts or dried fruit to the Cookie Dough Bark?
Absolutely! Chopped toasted pecans, walnuts, or even almonds can add a pleasant crunch, while dried cranberries or cherries offer sweet-tart pops—just fold them into the dough or sprinkle on top before chilling.
Can I make this recipe dairy-free?
Yes! Substitute the butter for a vegan butter alternative and use plant-based milk. Pick dairy-free chocolate chips and you’ll have a dairy-free version of Cookie Dough Bark everyone can enjoy.
Is this safe for kids to make?
It’s a wonderful recipe for little helpers—just supervise the heat-treating of flour and melting chocolate. Once those steps are done, kids will love mixing, dolloping, and decorating their own edible Cookie Dough Bark masterpieces.
Final Thoughts
This Cookie Dough Bark is everything a fun dessert should be—playful, easy, and completely irresistible. Whether you’re making it for a special occasion or just satisfying your sweet tooth, it’s sure to become a new favorite. Don’t wait for an excuse—gather your ingredients and treat yourself to a batch soon!
Print
Cookie Dough Bark Recipe
- Total Time: 45 minutes (including chill time)
- Yield: 16 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in the delightful combination of edible cookie dough and rich chocolate with this easy-to-make Cookie Dough Bark. Perfect for satisfying your sweet tooth cravings!
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/3 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated)
- 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
Chocolate Layer:
- 12 ounces semi-sweet or milk chocolate chips (for melting)
- Optional toppings: extra mini chocolate chips, sprinkles, or crushed cookies
Instructions
- Prepare Cookie Dough: Heat-treat flour by baking it at 350°F for 5 minutes. Let cool. In a bowl, cream butter and sugars. Add milk, vanilla, flour, and salt. Mix in mini chips.
- Make Chocolate Layer: Melt chocolate chips in the microwave. Spread onto parchment paper.
- Assemble Bark: Drop spoonfuls of cookie dough on chocolate. Chill until set.
- Serve: Break into pieces and enjoy!
Notes
- Use pasteurized flour and avoid raw eggs for safety.
- Try white chocolate or peanut butter chips for flavor variations.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: No-Bake
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 210
- Sugar: 18g
- Sodium: 55mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 24g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
