Avalanche Bark
46 comments » 
Last Friday, my Chief Culinary Consultant and I decided to take a little afternoon field trip and drove to the outlets an hour north of where we live. Upon arriving, we headed straight for the food court in do-not-pass-GO style, and grabbed hot pretzels for sustenance before starting our shopping. As we left the food court, we immediately ran into the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. As soon as I saw the caramel apples in the window, I realized that it was the same chocolate shop we visited in Toronto, which was inspiration for my homemade caramel apples. Since we had just eaten pretzels, we decided to hit up the chocolate store on our way out so we’d have some goodies to enjoy on the car ride home. A few hours and many shopping bags later, we found ourselves back there, staring at the cases of chocolate treats, trying to decide what we wanted. In the end, we settled on a buckeye caramel apple (mmm peanut butter, caramel and chocolate!), a chocolate-covered graham cracker, and my Chief Culinary Consultant eyed the avalanche bark in the case, so we got two pieces of that. Turns out, avalanche bark is quite possibly the best thing, ever.
The avalanche bark from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory tasted like part fudge, part Rice Krispies treat, and part chocolate bark. By the time the second piece had vanished, my Chief Culinary Consultant asked if I could recreate them. Like, immediately. Luckily, Rice Krispies treats and chocolate bark are among the easiest and quickest chocolate goods to whip up, so this didn’t take long at all. You can play around with the ratios of white chocolate and peanut butter, based on how much you like one or the other. You can also make it more or less crispy by altering the Rice Krispies, and more or less “chewy” by increasing or decreasing the amount of marshmallows. Any way you make them, you are going to LOVE them!
These were the perfect end to a wonderful impromptu shopping trip, and my guess is they would be a fabulous addition to any day of the week, no matter what you’re doing.
One year ago: Cranberry Upside-Down Cake
Two years ago: Red Velvet Cupcakes with Cream Cheese Frosting
Three years ago: Parmesan Black Pepper Biscotti
Avalanche Bark
Yield: 9 bars
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
A recreation of the popular Avalanche Bark from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Ingredients:
12 ounces white chocolate, finely chopped
½ cup peanut butter
1½ cups Rice Krispies
1½ cups miniature marshmallows
½ cup miniature chocolate chipsDirections:
1. Line an 8-inch square pan with parchment paper; set aside. Place the miniature chocolate chips on a plate and place in the freezer until ready to use.
2. Combine the white chocolate and peanut butter in a mixing bowl and microwave on 50% power in 30-second increments, stirring after each, until completely melted.
3. Remove from microwave and stir in Rice Krispies. Let the mixture sit and cool until it reaches room temperature, stirring occasionally, about 10 to 20 minutes.
4. Gently stir in the miniature marshmallows, then the miniature chocolate chips.
5. Turn the mixture into the prepared pan and press into an even layer. Refrigerate until set, about 15 minutes.
6. Remove from the pan and cut into squares. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
(Recipe adapted from The On-Line Cookbook)
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I have made something like this before but with butterscotch chips also worked in, and it’s so rich, with the marshmallows, the chocolate – oh I want to make your version. Mine didn’t have rice krispies in it but used pretzels instead. Must try yours!
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I’ve never heard of avalanche bark, but the ingredient list looks very very promising!! Between the pretzels and this bark I’m very envious of your outlet treats
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I made something similar but no peanut butter as son allgeric to peanuts. i used marshmallows butter and cocoa powder and dark chocolate melted together and added rice cripies with added mini marshmallows and milk chocolate drops. When set I drizzled white chocolate on top. So quadruple chocolate they kids loved it. I am from UK so not sure what dark and milk chocolate is in America
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These sound so yummy!
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What would be a good substitute for the peanut butter? I don’t want to change the flavor too much by just omitting it! They look so good!
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Michelle on November 7th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
Hi Rachel, Are you asking due to a peanut allergy, or some other reason? If there is an allergy, you can substitute sun butter (a sunflower-based alternative to peanut butter), or, if there is not a tree nut issue, almond or cashew butter.
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what a great recipe! these sound divine!
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Omgggg I love Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory…I used to work by one and practically lived off Avalanche Bars and their Sea Foam!! Sooo good!! I’ve made these before too and after seeing your post will definitely be making them again soon!!
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I’ve never heard of Rocky Mountain Bark but love that it is a combination of Rice Krispie Treat, Fudge and Chocolate Bark. Your re-creation of what you purchased during your wonderful outing looks delicious!
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Part like fudge and park like rice krispies treats? I think I could handle that…. most definitely.
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I LOVE Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory!! I’ve never tried their fudge because I can never seem to buy anything other than an apple pie apple. Oh. My. Geez! But now that I can try this at home, I don’t have to make a choice!!
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This sounds fantastic! I love Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory treats!
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I’ve always wanted to go into that store but I always resist temptation. Now, I can just re-create at home…thanks!
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I think I’m in love.
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Kelly on December 11th, 2012 at 7:51 pm
I would love to hear a comment from someone that has actually made them. Want to add them to my Christmas baking.
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Lisa from the 'burgh on December 13th, 2012 at 12:44 pm
Hi Kelly – I made a batch last night and it’s so quick, easy and delicious. Much better than the original I had at the store!
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I walk by the Rocky Mountain Chocolate factory next to the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto every morning, and it’s definitely hard not to just walk right in! I love how you’re inspired from all different places! These look amazing and I can’t wait to make them!
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This looks absolutlely DELICIOUS!!
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Prior to his passing, this was one of my Daddy’s very favorites! I didn’t use chocolate chips though. As the chocolate and peanut butter were fairly warm the marshmallows got very nicely melty! Also I double large batches in a 9X11 (I think) Pyrex dish. I found that it was very easy to remove the candy for cutting if I lined the dish with heavy duty buttered tin foil with the edges overhanging the pan in all directions. I make smaller batches now, but the foil overhand makes so simple to just lift out, and I’ve never had a problem peeling the foil off as long as I butter it!
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Oh my word…this looks amazing. Definitely trying this one out!
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Oh my goodness…these look INCREDIBLE! I love when I can make a loved treat at home! Can’t wait to take this for a spin! XO
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This is one of my favorites from pinterest! It is so easy to whip up! Yours look perfect, of course!
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Who- these look so delicious!
http://therealfoodrunner.blogspot.com/
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I have never heard of avalanche bark, but I am totally intrigued now. White chocolate, peanut butter, rice krispies….where could you go wrong?!
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the peanut butter, the white chocolate, the marshmallows – I am pretty sure you made this bark for me Michelle. It looks SO rich. I love all the texture and “stuff” going on – I need texture and chunks in my fudge/bark recipes.
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I have never tried Avalanche anything. This looks incredible! So easy too, love it!
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It’s a keeper Michelle!
Have a Joyful Day :~D
Charlie
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Never heard of these befote but I bet thry are addicting. It’s always dangerous when something so good is so easy to make.
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Happened to have all of these ingredients, so I made some. Good thing I only made a half batch, because it is all gone!
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white chocolate and peanut butter sound amazing together
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This looks so good I’m definitely bookmarking it for later.
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I’ve never had Avalanch bark, and I’d never even heard of it until just now. I’ll either have to try your recipe, or if I ever get back to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, I’ll probably try it from there.
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Wow, this sounds incredibly rich but incredibly tasty! Love all the flavours combined into one gorgeous bar.
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Yum! I made this this weekend and took it to a birthday party. Luckily, I left the container there (although it was quite by accident) otherwise I would need to go shopping for larger pants!
So yummy. Thanks for sharing!
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This sounds absolutely incredible!
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This is the only item I ever get at Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, thanks for the recipe! I’m wanting a bit more of a peanut butter flavor so was going to up it from 1/2 cup to maybe 2/3 or 3/4 cup, should I change the amount of white chocolate or rice krispies so the consistency stays the same?
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Michelle on November 15th, 2012 at 5:53 pm
Hi Tanya, I think you could increase the peanut butter to 2/3 or 3/4 cup without changing the other quantities. Let me know how they turn out!
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Tanya Barca on December 8th, 2012 at 6:57 pm
Finally made this again and I used 2/3 cup of peanut butter – tasted fantastic and had more peanut butter flavor but without being overwhelming.
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I picked up a slab of the bark at the Grove City outlets a few weeks ago. After tasting it, I wasn’t sure that I wanted to try your recipe. But…I’m glad I did. It tasted so much better than the one I purchased (it was pretty dry). I’m making this to give out as treats on Christmas Eve. OMG–did you get a look at their giant buckeyes?
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Michelle on December 13th, 2012 at 11:02 pm
Hi Lisa, I did see those giant buckeyes, LOVE! So thrilled to hear that you loved my take on the avalanche bars!
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OMG!! Thank you thank you thank you! I have made several of your recipes but this one by far is one of the best! Everyone that tries this loves it and asks for the recipe. I had some white chocolate chips left from Christmas baking and used them..so simple and delicious. This is a keeper for my cookie platter presents. Thank you!
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I just made a Christmas variation of this recipe today. Instead of peanut butter and chocolate chips I used almond butter, chopped pistachios and chopped candied cherries. I also added a 1/4 tsp almond extract and 1/4 tsp salt since the almond butter has none. Can’t wait to taste how they turned out!!
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I just finished making these and I can’t recommend them highly enough. It was love at first bite for me & my six-year-old (who also helped me make them). The only tip I’d offer is to make sure you really do wait 15 minutes (or even more) before you add the marshmallows & chocolate chips if you want the pristine look in the picture. Even prepping them in the freezer, my chips melted into the bars a little bit. Of course, if you’re like us & are just going to hoover the whole batch, it doesn’t matter at all. Lol… But if I ever make them for a gift or an event, I’ll wait longer before adding the chips, just for best presentation.
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Super easy and super delicious! A little different than the real version but definitely satisfied my craving!
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Hi everyone! I was just wondering if anyone knew how far in advance this could be prepared and how to store it (air tight container I’m guessing?)?! Let me know when you can. It would be greatly appreciated! Thanks in advance
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Nvm! I just read the instructions again and seen it lasts for a week in an air tight container! Can’t wait to make the recipe. I’ll report back once it has been made
. Cheers!
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