Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid: Cookies and Cream Bark

This Valentine’s Day, I decided to make a special, personalized treat for my Valentine instead of giving him a heart-shaped Russell Stover box. Cookies and cream flavored ice cream, chocolate, and cake are the only type of dessert he will tolerate (which, as a dessert freak, is the most confusing preference I have ever heard of), so I attempted to make a cookies and cream bark that I had tried once at my favorite candy store, Candy Kitchen. I usually find my inspiration from experiences or other blogs, then attempt to recreate the recipes with little success. However, this bark came out exactly like the real stuff! And the best part? It only requires two ingredients and eight minutes of your time. Easy and so delicious!

It was a little deflating, however, when my Valentine responded with “Yesss!! I’ve been craving cookies and cream bark all week” …before he even opened the box. Apparently everyone knows these days that when birthdays or holidays arrive, some sort of homemade treat will be coming out of my kitchen.

Cookies and Cream Bark

Original recipe and photos by Culinary Chronicles of a College Kid.blogspot.com

Serves 4-5 (or one very hungry Valentine)

· 1 12 oz. bag of white chocolate chips

· 7-8 Oreos

Pour half of the bag of white chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Place in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring after each one. Once the chocolate is completely melted, add the rest of the chocolate chips to the melted chocolate and stir. Place in the microwave for 30 second intervals, stirring again after each until all the chocolate is melted.

Put the Oreos into a large Ziploc bag and crush them until they are fine. You can use a rolling pin for this or simply crush them with your hands.

Pour the crushed cookies into the bowl of melted chocolate and stir until all the cookies are fully incorporated.

Next, place a sheet of wax paper on a cookie sheet. Pour the melted chocolate and cookie mixture onto the wax paper and spread evenly. You can make the bark as thick or as thin as you’d like.

Place in the freezer for about twenty minutes. Once the bark is solid, take it out of the freezer and break apart into pieces as large or as small as you want. Store at room temperature…if you can resist eating it all at once!