Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (2024)

Have you tried Cowboy Bark?

If you haven’t, don’t even start. It’s so addictively good.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (1)

Which is why I’m not sure why I made my own bark that’s every bit as good as the real deal.

Having the ability to make bulk quantities is dangerous since I can down a bag of the Trader Joe’s version in a day if I let myself. Six servings in one little 9-ounce bag? No way.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (2)

Now I have an endless supply in my cupboard, and I stashed some in the freezer, and I gave plenty away.

The bark only takes about 5 minutes to make, making it the perfect fast, easy, and extremely satisfying treat.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (3)

It’s just melted chocolate, topped with a mixture of toffee bits, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, Oreos, and a sprinkling of sea salt.

Sounds simple enough, but there’s something about the combination that’s just irresistible. Salty-and-sweet treats can do no wrong.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (4)

And the bark is a texture lover’s dream. The smooth, rich chocolate that melts in your mouth is in contrast with crunchy and salty peanuts and almonds and crispy pretzels. The sweet buttery toffee bits and crunchy Oreos provides so many flavor combinations in every bite.The more you eat, the more you want.

For the chocolate, I used a mixture of Trader Joe’s chocolate bars. I used equal parts of the 72% Pound Plus, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate bars. I have a well-stocked pantry of chocolate and can manifest bulk quantities of chocolate in any percentage from 60 to 90% at the drop of a hat.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (5)

For authenticity, if you’re only using one chocolate, I’d use TJ’s Dark Chocolate bar or your favorite dark chocolate. Definitely not milk, and don’t go too dark so that it’s bitter. A nice, middle of the road dark chocolate is best.

For the toppings, if you don’t have all of them on hand, mix and match based on what you do have.

I went a little heavier-handed than the Trader doeswith the quantity of nuts, pretzels, and toffee bits.The more, the merrier.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (6)

For the cookies, use Chocolate Jo-Jo’s or chocolate-filled Oreos for maximum authenticity, but traditional Oreos are fine.It’s cookies for candy-making. There are no wrong choices.

The batch makes about 4 times what you’d get in one $3.69 9-ounce bag. For me, it’s definitely cheaper to make than to buy because I already have all those things on hand.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (7)

You’ve been warned. This stuff is crazy good.

Best use of 5 minutes ever.

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (8)

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (9)

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (10)

Pin This Recipe

Pin it

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (11)

Save Review Print

4.38 from 16 votes

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe

By Averie Sunshine

The bark only takes about 5 minutes, making it the perfect fast, easy, and extremely satisfying treat. It’s just melted chocolate, topped with a mixture of toffee bits, peanuts, almonds, pretzels, Oreos, and a sprinkling of sea salt. Sounds simple enough, but there’s something about the combination that’s just irresistible. Salty-and-sweet treats can do no wrong. The bark is a texture lover’s dream full of smooth richness along with crispy and crunchy in every bite. Use your favorite dark Chocolate bar, definitely not milk, and don’t go too dark so that it’s bitter. For the toppings, if you don’t have all of them on hand, mix and match based on what you do have. The batch makes about 4 times what you’d get in one $3.69 9-ounce bag, enough to share with friends and they’ll love you for it. Before beginning to melt the chocolate, have everything else chopped, prepped and ready to go.

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Additional Time: 25 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 16 ounces dark chocolate, 1 pound; I used equal parts TJ’s 72% Pound Plus, Dark Chocolate, and Milk Chocolate Bars; if only using one, select a favorite dark chocolate
  • about 1 1/2 cups mini pretzels
  • 8 chocolate-stuffed Oreos, roughly chopped (or use TJ’s Chocolate Jo-Jo’s; regular Oreos may be substituted)
  • cup toffee bits
  • cup coarsely chopped peanuts, I used roasted lightly salted
  • cup coarsely chopped almonds, I used roasted lightly salted
  • sea salt for sprinkling, to taste

Instructions

  • Line a baking tray with parchment paper; set aside. Before beginning to melt the chocolate, have all the ingredients chopped, prepped, and ready to go so that they’re ready to be added while the chocolate is hot and melty. I use my Mini-Prep Plus Food Processorto grind the nuts in seconds rather than hand-chopping, but I hand-chop the cookies.

  • Coarsely chop the chocolate or break into chunks to encourage smooth melting.

  • Place chocolate in a large microwave-safe bowl. Heat on high power to melt, about 2 to 3 minutes, stopping every 15 seconds to check and stir until mixture can be stirred smooth. Be careful not to scorch it; or use a double boiler.

  • Pour melted chocolate onto parchment and with a spatula or offset knife, smooth into a large rectangle, about 10×15-inches, and about 1/8-inch thick; just eyeball.

  • Evenly sprinkle with pretzels,Oreos, toffee bits, peanuts, almonds, and sea salt to taste.

  • Allow chocolate to set up for at least 1 hour at room temp, or in the freezer for about 30 minutes.

  • After chocolate has set, break into pieces or chop with a knife. Bark will keep airtight at room temp for many weeks and in the fridge or freezer for many months.

Nutrition

Serving: 1, Calories: 465kcal, Carbohydrates: 52g, Protein: 6g, Fat: 26g, Saturated Fat: 13g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 11g, Cholesterol: 15mg, Sodium: 256mg, Fiber: 5g, Sugar: 35g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

©averiecooks.com. Content and photographs are copyright protected. Sharing of this recipe is both encouraged and appreciated. Copying and/or pasting full recipes to any social media is strictly prohibited.

↓ Click the Stars to Rate This Recipe ↓

Tried this recipe? Leave a review!

Consider leaving a 5 star rating if you've made and loved one of my recipes!

Related Recipes

Chocolate Saltine Toffee (aka Christmas Crack) –Lives up to it’s name and is extremely addictive! Salty, sweet, crunchy, chewy and a holiday favorite everyone loves!

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (12)

Salted Caramel Pretzel-Topped Fudgy Brownies– Salty-and-sweet, fudgy, caramely, dense, and rich with crunch factor

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (13)

Salted Caramel Pretzel Blondies– Salty-and-sweet, rich, chewy and loaded with caramel

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (14)

Cinnamon Sugar Chocolate Pretzels(no-bake, vegan, GF) – Fast, crunchy, so easy and ready in 5 minutes

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (15)

Skinny 100-Calorie Chocolate Peanut Butter Snack Mix– (vegan/GF/no butter or oil)– 5 minutes to make, satisfying and won’t derail your diet

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (16)

Parmesan Ranch Snack Mix(no-bake) –Pretzels, peanuts & popcorn tossed with ranch mix! Ready in 5 mins & so addictively good

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (17)

Vanilla Cake Batter and White Chocolate Chip Caramel Corn

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (18)

Chocolate Peanut Butter Mocha Powerballs(no-bake, vegan, gluten-free) – A snack with an energy boost

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (19)

Cinnamon Sugar Candied Cashews(GF)– Make the fancy storebought kind at home! Salty-and-sweet, ready in 30 mins and so good

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (20)

Healthy Fudgy Brownie Bites(vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, soy-free) –NO added white or brown sugar, NO butter or dairy, and NO flourused

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (21)

Cowboy Bark: Trader Joe's Copycat Recipe (2024)
Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Eusebia Nader

Last Updated:

Views: 6636

Rating: 5 / 5 (80 voted)

Reviews: 87% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Eusebia Nader

Birthday: 1994-11-11

Address: Apt. 721 977 Ebert Meadows, Jereville, GA 73618-6603

Phone: +2316203969400

Job: International Farming Consultant

Hobby: Reading, Photography, Shooting, Singing, Magic, Kayaking, Mushroom hunting

Introduction: My name is Eusebia Nader, I am a encouraging, brainy, lively, nice, famous, healthy, clever person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.