If Christmas had a confetti cannon made of chocolate, this would be it. Holiday Trail Mix Candy Bark is everything we love about sweet-and-salty snacking—bright red and green M&Ms, chewy cranberries, crunchy peanuts, mini pretzels, and fluffy marshmallows—all swirled into melted chocolate. The end result is a bark that looks like edible stained glass, colorful and completely irresistible.
The first time I made this, I was trying to clean out half-empty bags of snacks before winter break. It turned out so pretty and delicious that everyone thought I’d planned it that way. The salty crunch from pretzels paired with bursts of sweet chocolate and chewy fruit makes every bite a little different. It’s messy, fun, and festive—the perfect kind of holiday treat that doesn’t take itself too seriously.
You Do It All. And Nobody Even Notices.
You’re exhausted but you can’t explain why. This free kit finally gives you the answer.
A Bark That Doubles as Snack Mix
This candy bark feels like trail mix got dressed up for Christmas. Every shard is packed with a different combo of flavors—sometimes crunchy, sometimes chewy, always delicious.
Festive and Colorful for the Holidays
The pops of red and green from the M&Ms make this bark instantly feel seasonal. Add a sprinkle of sea salt before it sets, and the colors shine even more against the glossy chocolate.
Kid-Friendly Fun to Break and Share
One of the best parts? Snapping the bark into big shards. Kids love the messy fun of cracking it apart, and the uneven pieces make it perfect for piling onto a platter or stuffing into gift bags.
No Waste, Just Sweet Creativity
This recipe is a genius way to use up leftovers. Pretzels from snack packs, a handful of marshmallows, or even stray Halloween candy can all find a new life in this bark. Nobody will ever guess—it just looks intentional and festive.
Great for Gifting or Party Platters
Pack chunks into tins or clear bags tied with ribbon, and you’ve got a quick, budget-friendly holiday gift. Or break it into shards for a party platter—it’s colorful enough to be the centerpiece of the dessert table.
Ingredients
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1 cup holiday M&Ms (red and green)
- ½ cup dried cranberries
- ½ cup peanuts
- 1 cup mini pretzels (broken into smaller pieces)
- ½ cup mini marshmallows
- Optional: sprinkle of flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Add chocolate chips to the crockpot and melt on low, stirring every 15 minutes until smooth.
- Stir in peanuts, cranberries, and pretzels. Mix until evenly coated.
- Spread mixture onto the parchment-lined sheet.
- Sprinkle with M&Ms, marshmallows, and sea salt. Press gently to help them stick.
- Let bark set at room temperature or place in the fridge to speed it up. Break into shards once firm.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour (hands-off in crockpot)
- Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
- Servings: ~20 shards
- Calories: ~180 per shard
- Fat: 9g
- Protein: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 22g