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An original practice recipe, not independently kitchen-tested. Times and yields are estimates. The artwork illustrates the idea and does not document a tested batch. Follow package and appliance directions.
This is an excellent project for anyone whose decorating ambition exceeds their patience. The snowmen have already melted. Straight lines, equal sizes and perfect circles have politely left the room.
We use white candy melting wafers for this version. They are a confectionery coating, not necessarily white chocolate; the label will tell you what you are buying. If you prefer white baking chocolate, use its own melting instructions and expect different setting and storage behavior. That substitution is not included in the planner.
Ingredients
- 12 ounces (340 g) white candy melting wafers
- 24 mini semisweet chocolate chips, for eyes
- 12 small orange rod-shaped sprinkles, for noses
- 12 thin pretzel sticks, each broken in half to make 24 arms
Give your snowmen a little space
Line a tray with parchment. Plan a roughly 8-by-10-inch area for the coating. You will place 12 faces with space between them, so the bark can later break into individual characters. Count the decorations first; melting is the short part.
Make the bark
- Melt the white wafers in a completely dry microwave-safe bowl, following their package instructions. Use the specified heat setting and stir between intervals. Keep water away from the coating.
- Pour onto the parchment. Spread into an uneven rectangle roughly 8 by 10 inches with a spoon or silicone spatula. Avoid spreading so thinly that you can see the parchment through it.
- While soft, add 12 pairs of mini chocolate-chip eyes, with the points facing down. Think of three loose rows of four faces, with room to break between them.
- Add one orange sprinkle nose to each face and two pretzel halves nearby for arms. Press gently so decorations make contact without disappearing.
- Allow to set according to the coating package; about 30 minutes is a planning estimate. Chill only if the manufacturer recommends it or permits it for the room conditions.
- Once completely firm, lift from the parchment and break carefully between the faces. If a face ends up on two pieces, arrange the pieces together on the plate or enjoy the accidental abstract snowman.
Too late for a perfect face?
If the coating has already set, attach an eye or arm with a tiny dab of freshly melted coating. If everything is sliding, pause briefly and let the surface thicken. Work calmly on a few faces at a time.
Make less when less sounds better
For a small practice run, halve every ingredient and make about six pieces. The site planner uses whole batches, so use the written half quantities yourself: 170 g wafers, 12 mini chips, six orange sprinkles and six pretzel sticks. Keep the bark thickness similar by using a smaller area of parchment.
Storage and gifting
Pack only when fully set. Separate layers with parchment and keep in a covered food-safe container under the wafer package’s storage conditions. Make close to sharing for crisp pretzel arms. No shelf-life or mailing test has been performed; avoid warm delivery conditions and follow the shortest ingredient guidance.
Check wafers, chocolate chips, pretzels and decorations for milk, wheat, soy and other allergens. Hard decorations and pretzel pieces can be unsuitable for young children. For a gift, include the full ingredient information and storage instructions.
Make a contrasting platter with dark-and-white peppermint bark, or bring the funny faces to a small decorating afternoon. The wonky ones belong on the plate too.