Besides the creepy decorations, crisp Fall nights spent curled up on the couch watching a suspenseful slasher flick, and watching The Nightmare Before Christmas on repeat, one of my favorite parts about the upcoming spooky time of year is trying out new Halloween treat recipes. While some recipes may be more complex, others like this Halloween Surprise Bark are super simple and quick to make. Not only is it easy to make, but I have had many people enjoy not only the flavor, but the popping surprise in the middle. Unflavored “Culinary Crystals” provide the delightful, popping surprise that anyone, from 5 to 95, will enjoy!

*Disclosure: This post contains two affiliate links. I receive compensation if you click on these links and make a purchase; however, that is not the reason I promote this product. I personally use this product and wanted to provide you the opportunity to quickly find and purchase it yourself, if you wish to do so. The decision is completely up to you if you would like to purchase this product through these links.

First Layer:

Line a sheet pan with a piece of parchment paper. Add 2.5-3 cups of either light or dark chocolate candy melts to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir the candy melts. Microwave the candy melts for another 15-20 seconds and stir once again. Repeat this process until the candy melts are completely melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate into the middle of the parchment paper and spread into a thin layer using either an offset spatula or the back of a spoon. Immediately add a generous amount of the culinary crystals onto the layer of chocolate (I used almost a half-cup of the crystals to fully coat the chocolate). Use either a piece of parchment paper or wax paper to cover the layer of crystals and gently press down to ensure that the crystals adhere to the top of the chocolate layer. Leave the paper on top while the chocolate sets to ensure that any crystals that may pop are confined to your sheet pan. Note: You can skip the addition of culinary crystals if you wish, but I highly recommend them because I have gotten fantastic reactions from many family members and friends who absolutely love this part of the bark!

Let this sit at room temperature for approximately 5-10 minutes, or until the chocolate layer is completely hardened. You could speed this process up by placing the sheet pan in the refrigerator, but leaving it at room temperature is recommended.

Please note: Whatever you do, do NOT put the sheet pan in the freezer! There can be quite a bit of moisture in the freezer and once the sheet pan is out of the freezer for a few minutes, all of that moisture activates the culinary crystals and they start to pop and it sounds like tiny fireworks are being set off in your kitchen. This would be fun for a 4^th of July celebration outside, but not in your kitchen where the crystals pop, fly everywhere, and become sticky.

You can find the same culinary crystals I used in the links below. The first link is for the larger bag and the second link is for the smaller bag:

Second Layer:

While the chocolate layer sets, begin melting your candy melts for the second layer. Add approximately ½-3/4 cup of each of the black, orange, purple, and green candy melts to separate microwave safe bowls. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir the candy melts. Microwave the candy melts for another 15-20 seconds and stir once again. Repeat this process until the candy melts are completely melted and smooth. Once the first layer is completely set, remove the parchment or wax paper and set it aside for later. Add the colored candy melts in random swirls and blobs. Once all the colored candy melts are added, lightly swirl them together with an offset spatula (or the back of a spoon). Make sure to not press too hard because you may puncture the culinary crystals, as well as try to not mix the colors together because it will result in a strange color. Place the sheet pan into the refrigerator for approximately 5-10 minutes, or until it is completely set.

Third Layer:

Once the second payer is fully set, remove the sheet pan from the refrigerator. Add 2.5-3 cups of either light or dark chocolate candy melts to a microwave safe bowl. Microwave for 30 seconds and then stir the candy melts. Microwave the candy melts for another 15-20 seconds and stir once again. Repeat this process until the candy melts are completely melted and smooth. Pour the chocolate on the bark and use the offset spatula (or the back of a spoon) to spread the chocolate into a thin, smooth layer that fully covers the bark. Immediately add sprinkles to the top of the last chocolate layer. I added some black sugar sprinkles, an orange sprinkle mix, and some little eye-ball sprinkles. The top of the chocolate sets quickly, so you may need to gently press some of the larger sprinkles into the chocolate. Place the sheet pan into the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes to allow the bark to fully set.

Break It and Enjoy!

Remove the sheet pan from the refrigerator and cover it with the parchment or wax paper that you used earlier. You want to cover the bark with this because as you break the chocolate into pieces, some of the culinary crystals will pop. Break the bark into a mixture of large and small pieces, place them in an adorable serving dish (or an air-tight container for later), and your Halloween surprise bark is ready to enjoy!

You can also find all these steps in this printable recipe:

Thank you so much for checking out this post! Give this recipe a try, I promise that they will be a scary good treat at this year’s Halloween party! Comment below with your questions, comments, and/or pictures of your very own Halloween Surprise Bark!