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Easy chocolate bark filled with roasted pumpkin seeds and topped with colorful candy covered sunflower seeds.

Originally posted in October 2015.

We took family pictures yesterday, and I finally understood why I always hear moms talk about dreading family pictures. Before this year, family pics have really been pretty fun. Emma’s always been cooperative, I usually manage to find something slimming to wear, and it’s kind of a blast.

This year… not so much. For starters (and I know this is probably TMI here, sorry about that), ever since I had CJ, I get seriously overheated so easily. Read: sweaty. Like I break a sweat just tying my shoes these days. So holding poses, chasing Emma, and just being outside in general was kind of killing me. Who wants to be gross and sweaty in their family pictures?!

Also problems: the 20 lbs. of “baby” weight I’m hanging on to (there’s no slimming that mess down by wearing black). Emma was going BONKERS the whole time. And even though the baby is still just a baby (and not moving all over the place like his big sister), it was like throwing another ball into my juggling act.

As my toes were pinching in my boots, and sweat was rolling down my nose, and CJ was spitting up, and Chris was losing his temper with Emma who was rolling around on the ground… I just thought, I totally get it. I SO get why parents hate family pictures. We have officially arrived there.

Want to know what doesn’t suck?

This pumpkin seed chocolate bark.

Have you ever eaten Bark Thins? They make a pumpkin seed chocolate bark that I adore. It’s sweet and salty and has an amazing crunchy texture. That’s what I was trying to replicate here. But with a twist:

These are optional if you’re just going for a Bark Thins copycat, since they don’t add sunflower seeds to their bark. But I thought these chocolate candy covered sunflower seeds made such a perfect addition to this bark. Not only do they add some beautiful and fun color, they also add another layer of texture. And I’m a total texture freak, so that really spoke to me.

I bought these at Trader Joe’s, but I’ve also seen them in Whole Foods. So yummy!

Chocolate bark is one of my very favorite treats to make. It’s easy and quick, and there are so many fun variations you can create. And I love how you can make lots of different seasonal bark, like this pumpkin seed version. It’s perfect for Fall!

Enjoy 🙂

Pumpkin Seed Chocolate Bark

Easy chocolate bark filled with roasted pumpkin seeds and topped with colorful candy covered sunflower seeds.

Ingredients

12 ounces Ghirardelli chocolate melting candy (usually by the chocolate chips in the store)
1 cup roasted and salted pumpkin seeds
optional: 1/2 cup candy coated sunflower seeds

Instructions

Melt the chocolate candy according to the directions on the package.

Fold in the pumpkin seeds.

Pour the mixture onto a large piece of parchment paper or silicone mat and gently spread as flat as you can. Sprinkle on the sunflower seeds over the candy before it has cooled and hardened.

Allow 20-30 minutes for candy to cool and harden before cutting into pieces to package or serve.

More Chocolate Bark:

Cookies & Cream Bark

Ritz Rolo Bark

Red Velvet Truffle Bark

See more chocolate recipes.