Make a Chocolate Treat With Moomoo3315

What can I use instead of parchment paper or a microwave if I don't have them?

If you don't have parchment paper, use a lightly greased baking tray or aluminum foil sprayed with cooking oil, and if you don't have a microwave, melt the chocolate safely over a double boiler as described in the melting step.

My melted chocolate isn't glossy or is grainy after melting—how can I fix it?

If the chocolate becomes dull or grainy during the adult-led melting step, stop heating, stir continuously to smooth it, make sure no water touched the bowl (to prevent seizing), or stir in a teaspoon of vegetable oil to restore a glossy texture.

How can I adapt the activity for younger children or older kids?

For younger children, let them wash and dry hands, sprinkle chosen toppings, and gently press them into the spread chocolate while an adult handles breaking, melting, and refrigeration, and for older kids let them break the chocolate, microwave with supervision, spread it with a spatula, and photograph the finished bark for DIY.org.

How can we extend or personalize the chocolate bark activity?

To personalize the bark, drizzle a second melted chocolate color over the spread chocolate before chilling, add flavor extracts or crushed cookies as toppings, use cookie cutters on partially hardened chocolate for shapes, or package pieces as gifts to photograph and share on DIY.org.