There's something magical about the combination of creamy milk chocolate, festive red velvet cookie bits, and colorful M&Ms all mingling together in one treat. This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe is that perfect little festive indulgence that’s easy to whip up but always wows the crowd.

A white square plate holds a pile of irregular broken pieces of milk chocolate bark. The bark is topped with a layer of red crushed crumbs that add a rough texture across all pieces. Scattered on top are small round candies in red, green, and white colors, embedded into the chocolate surface. The background shows a white marbled texture, and the plate rests on red and green striped fabric. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe has quickly become my go-to holiday snack because it’s a feast for both the eyes and the taste buds. It’s the kind of recipe that feels festive, fun, and ridiculously easy, which, let’s be honest, is just what the holiday season calls for.

Quick and Simple: You can have this festive bark ready in about 10 minutes, no fancy baking skills required.
Festive Flavor Combo: The red velvet cookie pieces paired with minty M&Ms and creamy chocolate create a holiday flavor explosion.
Perfect for Gifting or Parties: Break it into chunks, throw it in a pretty bag, and you have a homemade gift everyone will appreciate.
Customizable Fun: You can easily swap out M&Ms or cookies to suit your family's favorite flavors.

The image shows several pieces of chocolate bark stacked on a white plate over a white marbled surface. Each piece has a smooth, dark brown chocolate base topped with crushed red cake crumbs and whole red, green, and white candy-coated chocolates spread unevenly across the surface. The candy pieces stand out with their bright colors contrasting with the chocolate and red crumbs, creating a festive look. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient in this Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe brings something special to the table — and understanding why helps you get the best results. Here’s a little breakdown that’ll make shopping and prepping a breeze.

Flat lay of a small mound of glossy milk chocolate chips, a few chunks of pale yellow butter, a handful of shiny red, green, and white mint candy-coated M&Ms scattered loosely, and several whole red velvet sandwich cookies with deep red color and creamy white filling, all arranged neatly in perfect symmetry on a clean white ceramic plate and small white ceramic bowls, placed on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Milk chocolate chips: These melt smoothly and sweetly, creating the perfect base for the bark to hold everything together.
Butter or margarine: Adds a subtle richness and helps to create a glossy, silky chocolate layer that’s easier to spread.
Mint M&Ms: Their cool mint flavor cuts through the sweetness and offers that classic Christmas color pop.
Red velvet sandwich cookies: Breaking these into chunks adds texture, moisture, and a signature red velvet tang that sets this bark apart.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I love how flexible this Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe is. I often switch up the cookie type or use different festive candy to suit my mood or what’s in my pantry, and honestly, it always turns out great.

Variation: Once, I swapped the mint M&Ms for peppermint bark pieces and it brought an extra layer of peppermint flavor that was irresistible.
Dietary tweak: For a dairy-free version, try using dairy-free chocolate chips and vegan cookies — just as delicious!
Extra crunch: Adding chopped nuts like pecans or pistachios can give a nice crunchy contrast.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Break Up Those Red Velvet Cookies

Start by placing your red velvet sandwich cookies in a sturdy zip-top bag. Grab a heavy pot or rolling pin and gently tap to break them into bite-sized chunks. You want pieces that are big enough to see and taste, but small enough to spread evenly on the bark.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter Together

Put the milk chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl and zap them on high for about a minute. Take it out and stir — it won’t be fully melted yet, so continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until it’s silky smooth. Melt the butter separately and then stir it into the chocolate. This little addition gives the bark that glossy finish and helps it set nicely.

Step 3: Spread the Chocolate and Add Toppings

Line a cookie sheet with foil (trust me, this step makes cleanup so much easier) and pour your melted chocolate mixture onto it. Use your hands or a spatula to press it out evenly. Then sprinkle those red velvet cookie chunks and mint M&Ms all over the top. Press them gently into the chocolate so they stick once it sets.

Step 4: Chill and Break into Pieces

Pop your bark into the fridge and let it chill for at least an hour. This patience pays off — the chocolate firms up perfectly and the toppings stay nicely embedded. When ready, break it into rustic chunks and serve!

Top Tip

From my many bark-making adventures, here are a few tips that will elevate your experience making Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe and ensure your bark comes out as beautiful as it tastes.

Even Melting Matters: Take your time melting the chocolate in intervals, stirring regularly. If it overheats, it can seize and ruin the texture.
Press Gently, Not Hard: When pressing in your toppings, do it lightly to avoid cracking the chocolate layer underneath.
Foil for Easy Lifting: Lining the cookie sheet with foil means you can pull the whole bark out easily when it’s set, making cutting or breaking a breeze.
Storage is Key: Keep your bark refrigerated to prevent the chocolate from melting and toppings from falling off. It keeps fresh for days this way.

How to Serve Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Garnishes

I usually keep it simple with this bark because it’s already colorful and festive, but if I do add garnishes, crushed candy canes or a light dusting of powdered sugar work beautifully to enhance the holiday vibe.

Side Dishes

This bark is sweet and rich, so I like pairing it with a warm cup of peppermint hot chocolate or a creamy eggnog. It really rounds out the holiday dessert table and gives your guests that comforting festive feeling.

Creative Ways to Present

One year, I arranged the bark chunks in a holiday-themed tin lined with parchment paper and tied a red ribbon around it for gifting. It’s a simple touch but instantly makes your bark feel extra special — perfect for parties or as hostess gifts.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

I recommend storing leftover bark in an airtight container in the fridge. It stays fresh and crisp for up to a week, which is handy when you make a big batch for holiday gatherings.

Freezing

Freezing is a fantastic option if you want to prep ahead. Just wrap the bark tightly in plastic wrap and place it in a freezer-safe bag. When thawed in the fridge, it maintains its taste and texture nicely.

Reheating

Generally, this bark is best enjoyed chilled, but if you prefer softer chocolate, just leave it out at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving. Avoid microwave reheating since it can melt unevenly.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use dark or white chocolate instead of milk chocolate?

Absolutely! You can swap milk chocolate chips with dark or white chocolate to suit your taste. Just be mindful that the flavor and sweetness will slightly change, so adjust your toppings accordingly.

How do I prevent the chocolate from cracking when I break the bark?

Make sure the chocolate is fully set but not rock hard before breaking it. Also, gently pressing toppings into the chocolate before chilling helps it hold together better. Using foil-lined trays makes lifting and breaking easier.

Can I make this recipe nut-free?

Yes! This recipe as is contains no nuts, but if you add nuts as a variation, just skip them to keep it nut-free. Double-check your cookie and candy ingredient labels to ensure there’s no cross-contamination.

What’s the best way to store Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe?

Store it in an airtight container in the fridge to keep the chocolate firm and the M&Ms from sweating. It stays fresh for up to a week this way, perfect for holiday snacking.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe holds a little spot in my heart because it combines simple ingredients with that unmistakable holiday magic. It’s always a hit at gatherings or for gifting, but more than that, it’s a joy to make and share. I’m confident you’ll love how easy it is to create something so festive and delicious — it might just become your new holiday tradition, too!