Cookie Dough Bark Recipe
If you adore edible cookie dough and have a serious love for chocolate, Cookie Dough Bark is the treat you didn’t know you absolutely needed in your life! Imagine buttery, sweet cookie dough nestled atop a thick layer of creamy chocolate, all broken into rustic shards that are destined to disappear as soon as you set them out. This no-bake goodie is the perfect blend of playful nostalgia and grown-up dessert magic, making it as much fun to make as it is to eat. Whether you’re prepping for a celebration, a cozy movie night, or a super special snack, Cookie Dough Bark is about to become your new favorite indulgence.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of Cookie Dough Bark lies in its simplicity—every ingredient serves a starring role. From the richness of real butter to the crunch of mini chocolate chips, each element packs a punch, creating the ultimate sweet-and-salty bite that’s impossible to resist.
- Unsalted butter, softened: Provides that signature creamy, rich base for your cookie dough and ensures a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
- Brown sugar: Adds warmth and a hint of caramel flavor that makes the cookie dough taste just like your childhood favorite.
- Granulated sugar: Balances the sweetness and gives the dough a slightly crisp bite.
- Vanilla extract: Brings depth and that inviting bakery aroma we all love in classic cookie dough.
- Salt: A pinch of salt enhances all the sweet notes and keeps every bite balanced.
- Milk: Loosens up the dough just enough for perfect texture, making it smooth and scoopable.
- All-purpose flour, heat-treated: The structure of the dough—make sure it’s heat-treated for safe snacking!
- Mini chocolate chips, divided: Tiny bits of chocolate tucked throughout and sprinkled on top make every shard visually irresistible and super chocolatey.
- Semisweet or milk chocolate, chopped: Provides the glossy, decadent base for your bark, holding everything together and adding that snap and shine.
How to Make Cookie Dough Bark
Step 1: Heat-Treat the Flour
This little step is key for safe, edible cookie dough! Simply spread your flour on a baking sheet and bake it at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes. Let it cool completely, then you’re good to go. Skipping this step is tempting, but trust me, it’s quick, easy, and worth the peace of mind.
Step 2: Cream the Butter and Sugars
In a medium bowl, cream together your softened unsalted butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until it’s all silky and smooth. This will give your cookie dough that delightful, slightly fluffy texture that is so addictive.
Step 3: Mix in the Wet Ingredients
Stir in your vanilla extract, salt, and milk. At this stage, you’ll see the mixture transform from a thick paste to a smooth, perfectly sweet dough just waiting for that floury hug!
Step 4: Add the Flour
Gently add your heat-treated all-purpose flour, stirring just until everything is combined. You don’t want to overmix—a few turns with a spatula will do the trick for that classic cookie dough consistency.
Step 5: Fold in Chocolate Chips
Fold in half of your mini chocolate chips. These mini morsels ensure there’s a touch of chocolate in every delicious bite.
Step 6: Melt the Chocolate Base
Take your chopped chocolate and melt it in a microwave-safe bowl or over a double boiler until it’s satiny and smooth. Don’t rush this; smooth chocolate is key to that beautiful, glossy bark finish.
Step 7: Assemble the Bark
Pour the melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet, then use a spatula to spread into a rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Drop small spoonfuls of cookie dough across the melted chocolate, pressing down gently to anchor them in place.
Step 8: Finish with Toppings and Chill
Sprinkle the remaining mini chocolate chips over the top for an extra touch of chocolate crunch. Pop the whole tray into the fridge and let it set for 30–45 minutes. Once firm, simply break it into rustic pieces and prepare for serious snack joy!
How to Serve Cookie Dough Bark
Garnishes
The sky’s the limit when it comes to dressing up your Cookie Dough Bark! Try a dusting of flaky sea salt for contrast, a swirl of melted white chocolate for drama, or a handful of sprinkles for birthday party vibes. You can really let your creativity shine and match your garnishes to any occasion.
Side Dishes
This bark is sweet and rich, so a cold glass of milk or a creamy iced latte makes the perfect, no-fuss pairing. If you’re serving up a dessert platter, add a bowl of mixed berries or salty pretzels to balance out the sweetness for a fun, shareable spread.
Creative Ways to Present
If you’re gifting Cookie Dough Bark or serving at a party, go all out! Pile shards into a pretty glass jar, box up a batch with some colorful tissue paper, or layer pieces on a cake stand for maximum wow-factor. Individual treat bags make adorable party favors too—just reimagine bark as candy for grown-ups (and kids, too!).
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Cookie Dough Bark is best stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. The chocolate base stays snappy, and the cookie dough remains soft and irresistible for up to one week. Just make sure the container is well-sealed to avoid any fridge odors swapping flavors with your precious bark.
Freezing
If you want to extend the life of your Cookie Dough Bark, freezing is a great option. Just layer the pieces between sheets of parchment in a freezer-safe container or bag. They’ll keep their lovely texture for up to two months—just thaw in the fridge before serving.
Reheating
No need to reheat Cookie Dough Bark—it’s meant to be served chilled or at room temperature for the very best texture! If the bark gets too cold or hard after freezing, let it sit on the counter for a few minutes to soften back to its signature bite-friendly form.
FAQs
Can I make Cookie Dough Bark without heat-treating the flour?
It’s always safest to heat-treat the flour to kill any potential bacteria, since raw flour can carry risks. The process is quick and easy, so don’t skip it!
Can I use dark chocolate instead of milk or semisweet?
Absolutely! If you love a more intense chocolate flavor, try using dark chocolate as your base. It creates a beautiful contrast to the sweet and creamy cookie dough and can make the bark taste a little more grown up.
Is there a dairy-free version of this recipe?
Yes, you can substitute plant-based butter and non-dairy milk for the traditional ingredients, and use your favorite dairy-free chocolate. The results will be just as delicious and perfect for those who need to avoid dairy.
What other mix-ins can I add to the cookie dough?
Treat Cookie Dough Bark like a blank canvas! Swap in chopped nuts, bits of toffee, candy-coated chocolates, or even dried fruit for your own personal twist.
How do I keep the bark from sticking to the pan?
Parchment paper is your best friend here! Line your baking sheet before pouring the melted chocolate, and your bark will lift off with no fuss or crumbling.
Final Thoughts
It’s time to treat yourself—Cookie Dough Bark is the ultimate no-fuss dessert that everyone will rave about. With its nostalgic flavors and crave-worthy crunch, this easy recipe is sure to win hearts and disappear fast. Gather your ingredients and have some delicious fun—your sweet tooth will thank you!
Print
Cookie Dough Bark Recipe
- Total Time: 25 minutes (plus cooling)
- Yield: About 20 pieces 1x
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Indulge in this delectable Cookie Dough Bark that combines the goodness of cookie dough with rich chocolate for a delightful treat. Perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings!
Ingredients
Cookie Dough:
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 cup all-purpose flour (heat-treated to kill bacteria)
- 1 cup mini chocolate chips, divided
Chocolate Layer:
- 12 ounces semisweet or milk chocolate, chopped
Instructions
- Cookie Dough: In a medium bowl, cream together butter, brown sugar, and granulated sugar until smooth. Mix in vanilla, salt, and milk. Gradually stir in heat-treated flour until combined, then fold in 1/2 cup mini chocolate chips.
- Chocolate Layer: In a microwave-safe bowl or using a double boiler, melt chopped chocolate until smooth. Pour melted chocolate onto a parchment-lined baking sheet and spread into an even rectangle about 1/4-inch thick. Drop small spoonfuls of cookie dough over the melted chocolate and gently press down. Sprinkle remaining chocolate chips on top.
- Refrigerate for 30–45 minutes until set. Break into pieces to serve.
Notes
- Heat-treat flour by spreading it on a baking sheet and baking at 350°F (175°C) for 5 minutes, then cooling completely.
- You can swap chocolate chips for chopped nuts, sprinkles, or crushed cookies for variety.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes (plus cooling)
- Cook Time: 5 minutes (heat-treating flour)
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: No-Bake (with optional oven step for flour)
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 piece
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 14 g
- Sodium: 45 mg
- Fat: 9 g
- Saturated Fat: 5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 18 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg
