Passover, holiday-wise, doesn’t seem like too much fun for those who choose to keep it. However, there are some treats that I’ve had over the years at Passover that my family and friends look forward to every April.
First off, I think the most common would have to be matzo crack. It’s made by layering homemade caramel/toffee and a smooth layer of dark chocolate over some matzo, usually topping it all off with a sprinkle of sea salt (totally worthy of the name “crack”). While I think everyone can agree that matzo crack is God’s gift to humanity, these matzo chocolate barks are just as heavenly, and even simpler to make.
Pick your chocolate, find whatever toppings you have laying around your house, and get creative with different combinations. These are a few I thought of to make for our Seder this year. Serve the matzo chocolate bark pieces on a platter and I assure you, no one will even remember what leavening is.
1. Dark chocolate, nuts, and coconut
I used slivered almonds, pecans, and coconut pieces for this chocolate bark. Add a little sea salt, substitute walnuts for pecans, or add sunflower seeds and peanuts for a trail mix matzo. Go nuts! (Bad pun definitely intended)
2. Strawberries and cream
With a combination of melt-in-your-mouth white chocolate and crunchy, tangy freeze-dried strawberries, this matzo bark has a perfectly balanced texture and flavor. This is a good option for all of the non-milk chocolate eaters at your Seder.
3. Peanut butter drizzle
A classic. I recommend heating the peanut butter in the microwave for just a few seconds to warm the oils so it’s more drippy. You could even do big dollops rather than a drizzle to make it more peanut butter-y. This bark was Reese’s inspired, but feel free to add a caramel drizzle for Twix matzo or even a drizzle of Nutella.
4. Dark chocolate, pistachios, and sea salt
I’m a huge fan of pistachios, so I decided to keep this bark pretty simple. Some cranberries would spice this one up with some extra color and sweetness. If you want to be even fancier, you can add a sprinkling of sea salt for a nice finishing touch. Easy, crunchy, salty, chocolatey… what more could you ask for?
5. Double chocolate swirl
While I admit this does look and sound quite gourmet, all you have to do is add spoonfuls of white chocolate onto a dark chocolate smeared matzo, then get swirlin’. I used a toothpick but the end of a utensil would work just fine.
Whether you choose to make one of these chocolate matzo barks or you think up a new combo, your Seder guests will devour them. Cut ’em up into triangles or squares and serve them to your soon-to-be-impressed guests. And by all means, don’t feel limited to making these matzo chocolate barks only during Passover. This unleavened slice of heaven is sold in most grocery stores all year round. Now get noshing.