Cinnamon-Sugar White Chocolate Bark

Why You’ll Love Cinnamon-Sugar White Chocolate Bark

Much like the Starbucks Snickerdoodle Hot Chocolate, this easy candy tastes like a cross between the white hot cocoa from everyone’s favorite coffee shop and classic Snickerdoodle Cookies. This chocolate bark starts with a layer of white chocolate infused with the rich vanilla flavor of the hot cocoa and a hint of buttery goodness like the cookie. Swirls of cinnamon caramel, a cinnamon sugar topping, and one last drizzle of more white chocolate make it look and taste so festive.

And if churros are more your thing, you might be reminded of them when you take a bite. In fact, this is a great gluten free alternative to the Disneyland Churro Toffee! No matter your preference, here’s why you are going to fall for this cinnamon-sugar white chocolate bark…

• Easy and impressive. Chocolate bark is one of the best holiday treats to make for Christmas. It has only a few ingredients, you can make it in minutes, and it looks so pretty.
• Naturally gluten free. If you don’t want to bake a batch of Gluten Free Snickerdoodles, you can still get the same flavor vibes by making this simple sweet treat.
• Makes a great gift. It looks so pretty packaged up in a box with perhaps some pretzel bark or homemade peanut butter cups.

Recipe Ingredients

Let’s start with an overview of what you’ll need to make this cinnamon-sugar bark. You’ll find the full amounts and detailed instructions in the recipe card down below in the post.

• White chocolate almond bark or melting wafers. You can use white chocolate chips, but they don’t quite melt as smoothly and when it cools you might not get that same shiny finish.
• Vanilla extract. Adds to the creamy flavor of white chocolate for hot cocoa vibes.
• Butter extract. Gives that hint of cookie flavor. You can omit it, but If you can’t find butter extract, you can add a half tablespoon of butter. The extract adds the nice buttery flavor without affecting the texture of the final cooled product.
• Cinnamon. Divided to mix with the caramel sauce and the sugar.
• Caramel sauce. You can use a jar or make homemade caramel sauce. Mixed with cinnamon, this takes the place of the Cinnamon Dolce Syrup used in the Starbucks Snickerdoodle White Hot Chocolate.
• Sugar. Mix this with some of the cinnamon for that sweet and spiced crunchy coating that is quintessential for Snickerdoodles and churros.

Tips for Success

• Prepare the pan. You’ll want to line your sheet pan with wax paper or a silicone baking mat so you can easily remove the bark once it cools and sets/
• Melt properly. To melt the chocolate, follow the directions on your package. The large cubes of almond bark or candy coating will have different microwave instructions than the melting wafers as far as time and power level.
• Use good quality vanilla extract. With an imitation or lower quality product,the chocolate will seize up. Even with good vanilla, when you add it, the white chocolate will thicken up. It will still be spreadable, but not completely pourable as it was before you added the extract. Do not try to remelt it. You will burn the chocolate.
• Proper storage. You can keep the white chocolate bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a month. Just keep it away from any heat sources including sunny windows. If you want to make it even further in advance, you can keep it in the freezer for several months.

Make it a Gift

Since this cinnamon-sugar white chocolate bark is based on a Starbucks drink, I think it would be lovely to package up with some of my other Starbucks-inspired chocolate bark recipes, and maybe even a Gluten Free Lemon Loaf or some Gluten Free Chai Cookies along with a gift card or a Starbucks mug. Here are those bark recipes…

• Cranberry Bliss White Chocolate Bark tastes just like the topping on those seasonal bars everyone loves.
• Peppermint Mocha Chocolate Bark has the festive flavors of the favorite holiday drink.
• Salted Caramel Mocha Chocolate Bark is rich and sweet and salty and indulgent, like its namesake drink.