Salted Caramel Cashew Bark

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Salted Caramel Cashew Bark

This time of year can be hectic, even for those of us that try to eliminate some of the craziness of the season. Last year, Eric and I took a back to basics kind of approach to the holidays, and what a relief it was to eliminate some of the things I thought were obligations. Fighting insane crowds at the mall was one of them. I’ve always loved giving Christmas gifts, and making them is so much more enjoyable than driving around for 20 minutes trying to find parking and then standing in long lines at the mall. Am I right? Plus, a homemade gift means so much more to me, like someone made it with just me in mind.

You guys know I love giving people food. A gift of food, even something simple, lets someone know you’re thinking of them. Since this season is all about spreading cheer, why not do it with something sweet? I mean, dessert always makes me feel cheerful, and this one is especially drool-worthy. Chocolate, caramel, cashews and flaky salt? Count me in.

Chocolate bark is as easy as it gets when it comes to homemade desserts. Melt chocolate. Add whatever ingredients you want. Chill. Eat. This version is definitely the best one I’ve ever made. Caramel, roasted cashews and flaky sea salt give chocolate bark a fancy makeover. I’ve been sneaking a small bite practically every time I open the refrigerator because it’s just that irresistible. It would be great for sharing, especially packaged up in a cute box or tin, if you can manage to part with it. I meant to share this with neighbors, but it started disappearing before I had the chance. Oops!

This particular combination was inspired by a box of chocolate bark I bought at World Market a few years ago. It was so good that I never forgot about it, and I knew I had to make my own. I didn’t know how caramel would hold up in chocolate bark, but it turns out that it mixes in just fine. The sweetness of the caramel is balanced by the dark chocolate and flaky salt. The cashews give this bark the perfect amount of crunch, and it all combines to create a sweet/salty treat that’s good enough to share…though I won’t tell if you decide to eat it all yourself.

And because I’m always looking for ideas on what to make and give – what’s your favorite holiday treat?

Salted Caramel Cashew Bark

Ingredients
  • 12 ounces dark chocolate, coarsely chopped

  • ½ cup whole or halved cashews

  • ½ cup caramel sauce, at room temperature

  • 1½ – 2 teaspoons flaky salt

Directions
  • 1

    Line an 8 or 9-inch pan with parchment paper, making sure to crease it in the corners. You can use a baking sheet if you prefer your bark thinner, but I like my bark to be thick and decadent.

    Place the chocolate in a medium heatproof bowl. Set atop a small saucepan of simmering water. Cook, stirring frequently with a rubber spatula, until the chocolate is melted and smooth.

  • 2

    While the chocolate is melting, toast the cashews in a small skillet set over medium heat for 3-5 minutes, or until fragrant.

    Once the chocolate is melted, pour it into the prepared pan. Drop spoonfuls of the caramel all over, swirling with a skewer to mix it in. Sprinkle the cashews over the top, then sprinkle on the salt. Chill until set, then cut or break into pieces.

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COMMENTS: ( 82 )

82 responses to “Salted Caramel Cashew Bark”

  1. Stacy Wickham says:

    My favorite thing to make for the holidays is homemade cookies.

  2. Melissa @ Kids in the Sink says:

    I love making knock you naked brownies! and gingerbread cookies with my babies.

  3. Warm Vanilla Sugar says:

    I like making cookies during the holidays. Also, this bark is fabulous!

  4. I like making cookies during the holidays. Also, this bark is fabulous!

  5. If you can believe it, I have zero experience in bark-making. Tragic. But I’m loving the fact that this has salted caramel in it. Way to jump on the bandwagon with a bang!

    I love making rainbow cookies during the holidays!

  6. If you can believe it, I have zero experience in bark-making. Tragic. But I’m loving the fact that this has salted caramel in it. Way to jump on the bandwagon with a bang!

    I love making rainbow cookies during the holidays!

  7. evabakes says:

    I love making peppermint bark!

  8. evabakes says:

    I love making peppermint bark!

  9. Laura Leigh Daniel Cross says:

    Peanut butter and chocolate no bake bars and sugar cookies.

  10. Rachel Kirby says:

    For the holidays I love baking up cookies, bars and fudge to give to coworkers and friends. I think I have to add some of this bark this year! Awesome giveaway- thanks so much for the chance to win!

  11. Rachel Kirby says:

    For the holidays I love baking up cookies, bars and fudge to give to coworkers and friends. I think I have to add some of this bark this year! Awesome giveaway- thanks so much for the chance to win!

  12. I love baking pretty much anything for the holidays but royal iced sugar cookies are my favorite!

  13. I love baking pretty much anything for the holidays but royal iced sugar cookies are my favorite!

  14. Coleen L. says:

    I have a cookie party that I go to every year. I used to make the same cookies every year but for the last few years I have used it as an excuse to try out a new recipe.

  15. Coleen L. says:

    I have a cookie party that I go to every year. I used to make the same cookies every year but for the last few years I have used it as an excuse to try out a new recipe.

  16. Melissa says:

    I love to make fudge, especially chocolate peanut butter!

  17. Melissa says:

    I love to make fudge, especially chocolate peanut butter!

  18. Gaby Malakates says:

    I might make this for my vet school thanksgiving party!

  19. Gaby Malakates says:

    I might make this for my vet school thanksgiving party!

  20. Katie says:

    I love to make truffles or chocolate covered pretzels for gifts for the holidays!

  21. Katie says:

    I love to make truffles or chocolate covered pretzels for gifts for the holidays!

  22. Amy says:

    I love to bake several types of cookies and gift them to family, friends, teachers, etc.

  23. Amy says:

    I love to bake several types of cookies and gift them to family, friends, teachers, etc.

  24. Cassie says:

    I love to make rugelach for Hanukkah.

  25. Cassie says:

    I love to make rugelach for Hanukkah.

  26. Laura @ The Rookie Cook says:

    I love to make frosted molasses cookies!
    (Ps. I entered the giveaway under lcrowther09 [at] hotmail [dot] com)

  27. Laura @ The Rookie Cook says:

    I love to make frosted molasses cookies!
    (Ps. I entered the giveaway under lcrowther09 [at] hotmail [dot] com)

  28. Elisabeth says:

    Pumpkin cheesecake!

  29. Erin says:

    Thanksgiving, I love to make cranberry sauce. For Christmas, my family has a tradition of making Cinnamon Knots on Christmas Eve – sweet dough dipped in butter then cinnamon sugar and tied in a knot before baking. It’s always fun to have everyone in the kitchen.

  30. Allison Peck says:

    Overnight French toast….put everything in a pan on Christmas Eve, then bake in the morning while everyone is opening presents, and breakfast is ready.

  31. Allison Peck says:

    Overnight French toast….put everything in a pan on Christmas Eve, then bake in the morning while everyone is opening presents, and breakfast is ready.

  32. Jenna D says:

    I always make lemon tea cake cookies!

  33. Jenna D says:

    I always make lemon tea cake cookies!

  34. Melinda Z. says:

    I love making cheesecake because there are so many variations to make it holiday or season-specific!

  35. Melinda Z. says:

    I love making cheesecake because there are so many variations to make it holiday or season-specific!

  36. Christy Jackson Whigham says:

    LOOKS AMAZING

  37. Christy Jackson Whigham says:

    LOOKS AMAZING

  38. Stephanie Eckstein says:

    Spritz cookies. They’re such an oldie but a goodie. Who doesn’t love butter?

  39. Stephanie Eckstein says:

    Spritz cookies. They’re such an oldie but a goodie. Who doesn’t love butter?

  40. Christina D says:

    I love making snickerdoodles. They’re perfect for Christmas!

  41. Jamie Smith says:

    My favorite thing to make for the holidays is my glass candy! I make about 20 different flavors!

  42. Jamie Smith says:

    My favorite thing to make for the holidays is my glass candy! I make about 20 different flavors!

  43. Jaime Thurber says:

    My favorite thing to make for the Holidays is Lemon Bread! So yummy!!

  44. Jaime Thurber says:

    My favorite thing to make for the Holidays is Lemon Bread! So yummy!!

  45. Kim says:

    i love to make homemade cinnamon rolls on christmas morning

  46. Kim says:

    i love to make homemade cinnamon rolls on christmas morning

  47. Jamie Tameno says:

    I love to make white tea cakes and peanut butter and chocolate balls.

  48. Jamie Tameno says:

    I love to make white tea cakes and peanut butter and chocolate balls.

  49. Anastasia says:

    One of my favorite things to make is Magic Cookie Bars 🙂 My mom always made them when we were kids, so it’s a cherished classic 🙂

  50. Anastasia says:

    One of my favorite things to make is Magic Cookie Bars 🙂 My mom always made them when we were kids, so it’s a cherished classic 🙂

  51. Holly B says:

    I love making gingerbread cookies!

  52. I love making gingerbread cookies!

  53. Miranda says:

    I always make a ton of Chex mix! I also make some really good white chocolate cherry macadamia nut cookies!! The Salted Caramel Cashew Bark will HAVE to be made and soon! It looks so good!

  54. Miranda says:

    I always make a ton of Chex mix! I also make some really good white chocolate cherry macadamia nut cookies!! The Salted Caramel Cashew Bark will HAVE to be made and soon! It looks so good!

  55. Jacqueline Burvill says:

    My favorite thing to make for the holidays is peanut butter balls! So tasty…

  56. tuesdayef says:

    pumpkin cheese cake bars- yummy

  57. tuesdayef says:

    pumpkin cheese cake bars- yummy

  58. Shawna W says:

    I love to make snickerdoodles – my family loves them 😀

  59. Barbara says:

    White chocolate peppermint bark is my favorite giftaway, but this salted caramel cashew bark will definitely be on this years list!!!!!

  60. HaleyMcLain says:

    I love to make eggnog chai lattes with snickerdoodle cookies on the side 🙂

  61. HaleyMcLain says:

    I love to make eggnog chai lattes with snickerdoodle cookies on the side 🙂

  62. Lisa P says:

    I love to make the Christmas cookies that I always made by my moms side to give to neighbors and friends. I am keeping the tradition alive with my kids.

  63. Lisa P says:

    I love to make the Christmas cookies that I always made by my moms side to give to neighbors and friends. I am keeping the tradition alive with my kids.

  64. Nicole G says:

    My favorite thing to bake for the holidays is frosted sugar cookies!! 😀

  65. Nicole Untz says:

    My favorite thing to bake for the holidays is frosted sugar cookies!! 😀

  66. Jessica says:

    my favorite thing to make is pumpkin pie, and decorated sugar and gingerbread cookies

  67. Kristelle D says:

    I like making Christmas sugar cookies!

  68. Kristelle D says:

    I like making Christmas sugar cookies!

  69. Katherine Blake says:

    I make shortbread and fudge every year but I think I need to try this recipe….how can anyone go wrong with salted caramel and chocolate!

  70. Katherine Blake says:

    I make shortbread and fudge every year but I think I need to try this recipe….how can anyone go wrong with salted caramel and chocolate!

  71. Tanya Phillips says:

    I like baking hubby’s great grandmother’s sugar cookies for the holidays 🙂

  72. Laura Miller says:

    I love making gingerbread men with the kids!!!

  73. Laura Miller says:

    I love making gingerbread men with the kids!!!

  74. angelgenius27 says:

    I love to make holiday sugar cookies with my kids! (rafflecopter name Betty B.)

  75. Betty B. says:

    I love to make holiday sugar cookies with my kids!

  76. gayh says:

    This salted caramel cashew bark sounds delicious!

  77. Esther Chanie Dushinsky says:

    I love to make hot cocoa.

  78. Esther Chanie Dushinsky says:

    I love to make hot cocoa.

  79. Esther Chanie Dushinsky says:

    I love to make hot cocoa.

  80. ji says:

    my favorite thing to make is peppermint snickerdoodles 🙂 they’re really yummy

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