Irresistible Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark: Your New Favorite Crispy & Sweet Treat Recipe
There’s something truly magical about homemade treats, especially when they bring a unique twist to classic flavors. Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark – a thin, crisp, and utterly irresistible dessert that perfectly blends the warm spice of cinnamon with the satisfying crunch of pecans. If you’ve ever found yourself with a bag of Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips (often a seasonal favorite around the holidays, though we wish they were available all year!), this recipe is the perfect excuse to put them to spectacular use.
This isn’t just any ordinary cookie; it’s a cookie transformed into a brittle-like bark, offering a wonderfully delicate texture that snaps with every bite. The combination of sweet cinnamon chips and earthy pecans creates a harmonious flavor profile that’s both comforting and exciting. Whether you’re looking for a simple yet impressive dessert for a gathering, a unique gift for friends and family, or just a special treat for yourself, this Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark is sure to become a cherished addition to your recipe collection. It’s surprisingly easy to make, making it accessible even for novice bakers, and the results are consistently spectacular.
What Makes This Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark So Special?
Cookie bark stands out from traditional cookies or even other types of candy bark because of its unique texture and versatility. Unlike a soft, chewy cookie, this bark is designed to be thin and crispy, similar to a brittle. This delightful crunch is achieved through a specific baking process and ingredient ratios, making it a truly addictive snack. The magic lies in spreading the batter incredibly thin, allowing it to bake into a delicate sheet that, once cooled, breaks into wonderfully irregular, shard-like pieces.
The star of this recipe, of course, is the cinnamon chip. While Hershey’s is the most commonly found brand, their distinct flavor profile brings a warm, sweet, and slightly spicy note that elevates the entire bark. Paired with toasted pecans, which add a complementary nuttiness and a satisfying chew, the bark achieves a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It’s a treat that feels both familiar and exciting, offering a comforting taste with every crisp bite.
The Essential Ingredients: Unpacking Cinnamon Chips & Pecans
Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips: A Seasonal Delight
Hershey’s Cinnamon Chips are truly a beloved ingredient for many bakers. Their distinctive flavor, a rich blend of sweet and spicy cinnamon, makes them perfect for holiday recipes, but they’re equally fantastic for adding a unique twist to everyday baking. While they can sometimes be elusive outside of the holiday season, their availability is a signal for many to stock up. These chips melt beautifully, dispersing their warm flavor throughout the bark, ensuring every piece is infused with that wonderful cinnamon essence. If you can’t find Hershey’s, don’t despair! Other brands occasionally offer cinnamon chips, or you can explore alternatives like a mix of white chocolate chips and a generous sprinkle of ground cinnamon for a similar effect.
Pecans: The Perfect Complement
Pecans are more than just a garnish in this recipe; they play a crucial role in enhancing the texture and balancing the sweetness. When toasted, pecans develop a deeper, more robust flavor that provides a lovely contrast to the sweetness of the bark and cinnamon chips. Their natural oils also contribute to the overall richness, and their crunch adds another layer of sensory delight. While optional, we highly recommend including them for that added depth. If pecans aren’t your preference, feel free to substitute with other nuts like walnuts, almonds, or even cashews, ensuring they are chopped and lightly toasted for the best flavor and texture.
The Secret to Ultimate Crispness: Dry Milk Powder
One of the unique ingredients in this recipe is dry milk powder, and while you can certainly make the bark without it, we believe it significantly contributes to the desired light and crispy texture. Dry milk powder, or non-fat dry milk, helps to create a more tender crumb by interfering with gluten development, resulting in a lighter, more delicate bark. It also contributes to a beautiful golden-brown color during baking and can subtly enhance the overall flavor. Think of it as a little secret weapon for achieving that perfect brittle-like snap.
If you don’t have dry milk powder on hand, don’t let that deter you from trying this recipe. The bark will still be delicious, though perhaps slightly less airy. However, if you’re aiming for that professional-level crispness and delicate melt-in-your-mouth quality, it’s definitely worth adding to your pantry for this and other baking adventures.
Baking Perfection: Tips for a Flawless Cookie Bark
Achieving the perfect thin and crispy cookie bark is all about technique. Here are some essential tips to ensure your bark turns out perfectly every time:
- Spreading It Thin: This is perhaps the most critical step. The thinner you can spread the batter, the crisper your bark will be. Use the back of a spoon or an offset spatula to spread the mixture evenly across the parchment-lined baking sheet. Aim for an almost translucent layer.
- Oven Calibration: Ovens vary significantly. While the recipe suggests a specific baking time, always keep a close eye on your bark, especially around the 17-minute mark. The edges should be golden brown, but avoid burning. If your oven runs hot, it might be done a few minutes earlier.
- Immediate Scoring: As soon as the bark comes out of the oven, use a pizza cutter or sharp knife to score it into pieces. Do not separate them yet! This step is crucial for achieving those beautiful, irregular shards once it cools. Be gentle if using a Silpat to avoid cutting the mat.
- The Second Bake (for extra crispness): This optional step is a game-changer for ensuring maximum crispiness. Covering the bark loosely with foil and returning it to the oven for another 8 minutes helps to dry it out further without over-browning. If you find some pieces are still a bit chewy after cooling, a third, lower-temperature bake (250°F for 20 minutes) can fix them right up. However, if you spread the batter thin enough the first time, you might not even need this extra step.
- Cooling is Key: Allow the bark to cool completely on the baking sheet for a few minutes before transferring to a wire rack. This allows it to set and become firm. Once fully cooled on the rack, it will achieve its ultimate crispy texture.
Half Batch Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark: Adaptable for Any Occasion
While the full recipe below yields a generous batch perfect for sharing or gifting, you can easily halve it if you’re baking for a smaller crowd or just want a taste. Simply divide all ingredient quantities by two. Keep in mind that bake times may vary slightly. A half batch might be done in as little as 17 minutes, so be sure to start checking early to prevent over-baking. The goal is always golden edges and a crisp center, whether you’re making a full or half batch.
Creative Variations & Serving Suggestions
This Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark is fantastic as is, but it also serves as a wonderful canvas for culinary creativity. Here are a few ideas to inspire you:
- Chip Swaps: Not a fan of cinnamon chips, or can’t find them? Try butterscotch chips for a rich, caramel-like flavor, or a mix of white chocolate and a touch of cinnamon. Dark chocolate chips would also provide a lovely contrast.
- Nutty Alternatives: Besides pecans, consider using toasted walnuts, slivered almonds, or even macadamia nuts for a different flavor profile and crunch.
- Spice It Up: A tiny pinch of nutmeg or cardamom could enhance the cinnamon flavor even further, adding a layer of sophisticated warmth.
- Drizzle Fun: Once cooled, you could drizzle the bark with melted white chocolate, dark chocolate, or even a simple vanilla glaze for an extra touch of decadence.
- Gifting Gold: This bark makes an exquisite homemade gift. Break it into appealing pieces, stack them in clear cello bags tied with festive ribbons, or arrange them in decorative tins. It’s perfect for holiday gift baskets, hostess gifts, or a thoughtful thank-you.
- Party Pleaser: Serve it on a dessert platter for parties or as an after-dinner treat. Its unique texture and flavor will surely be a conversation starter.
A Special Thanks: The Inspiration Behind the Recipe
We owe a special thank you to Carolyn from Canada, whose brilliant sugar cookie bark recipe served as the delightful inspiration for this cinnamon-infused version. Her original concept for a thin, crispy cookie brittle truly sparked the idea, and we’ve built upon that foundation to create this unique cinnamon chip rendition. It’s wonderful how a great idea can evolve and inspire new culinary adventures!
Explore More Delicious Barks!
If you love the concept of cookie bark, you’re in luck! There are many exciting variations to explore. Each offers a different flavor profile and texture, but all share the ease and delightful crunch that makes bark recipes so popular. Be sure to check out these other fantastic bark recipes:
- Pumpkin Cake Mix Cookie Bark
- Peanut Butter Filled Pretzel Bark
- Butterscotch Chip Cookie Bark
- Ginger Cookie Bark
- Marbled Cashew Bark Recipe
Recipe: Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark
Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark
Cookie Madness
Pin Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 large egg whites
- ½ cup granulated sugar
- 3 tablespoons of butter melted and browned if desired
- 1 tablespoon of vegetable oil
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- ¼ teaspoon of salt
- ¼ teaspoon baking powder
- 1 pinch cinnamon
- 1 tablespoon dry milk powder
- ½ cup + 2 tablespoon all-purpose flour
- ½ cup cinnamon chips more or less
- ½ cup toasted and chopped pecans
Instructions
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Set the rack to the lower center part of the oven and preheat to 325 degrees F.
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Line a heavy duty 13×18 inch baking sheet with parchment paper or a Silpat.
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In a mixing bowl, vigorously whisk the egg whites until very foamy or beat them with a handheld mixer. Gradually whisk in the sugar, then whisk in the melted butter, oil and vanilla until smooth. Whisk in the salt, baking powder and cinnamon, then whisk in the nonfat milk powder and flour. Stir until smooth.
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Empty batter onto the lined cookie sheet and spread as thinly as possible using the back of a spoon or scraper.
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Scatter cinnamon chips and pecans over the top.
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Bake in the lower center of the oven for 20 minutes, checking at 17 minutes. Edges should be brown but not burnt. Remove from oven. With a pizza cutter or knife, immediately cut into pieces without separating (careful if you’re using a Silpat!) – you want shards, similar to what you’d get if making peanut brittle. Cover loosely with a sheet of foil and return to the oven for another 8 minutes. Let cool for 5 minutes on baking sheet, then carefully lift pieces and transfer to a wire rack to cool and crisp.
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If you are left with a few thick, chewy, pieces, return them to the oven and bake at 250 for 20 minutes, then re-cool. If your batter is thin enough the first time, you should not need the second bake.
Notes
Storage Tips for Maximum Freshness
To keep your Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark wonderfully crisp and flavorful, proper storage is essential. Once completely cooled, store the bark in an airtight container at room temperature. Layer pieces between sheets of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking together. Stored this way, the bark will maintain its crispness and fresh taste for up to 1-2 weeks. While it can be stored in the refrigerator, this might soften the bark slightly due to humidity, so room temperature is generally preferred for preserving its signature snap. For longer storage, you can also freeze the bark in an airtight container or freezer bag for up to 2-3 months. Thaw at room temperature before serving to enjoy its full texture and flavor.
Why This Recipe is a Must-Try
In a world full of complex desserts, the Cinnamon Chips Cookie Bark stands out for its elegant simplicity and irresistible charm. It’s a testament to how a few key ingredients, combined with straightforward techniques, can create something truly extraordinary. The comforting warmth of cinnamon, the satisfying crunch of pecans, and the delicate crispness of the bark itself make for a treat that’s hard to resist. Whether you’re a seasoned baker or just starting your culinary journey, this recipe offers a rewarding experience with delicious results.
So, gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and prepare to be amazed by this delightful cookie bark. It’s perfect for holiday gift-giving, a special treat for family, or simply to satisfy your own sweet cravings. Don’t forget to share your creations and any variations you try in the comments below – we love hearing from our baking community!