4th of July Bark Recipe turns classic s’mores flavors into a fun and festive no-bake dessert. Make a batch for your summer celebrations!
Author’s notes
Red, White, and S’more!
This is the perfect 4th of July treat! It is red, white, and blue, comes together easily, and requires no baking. Because who wants to turn on the oven in the middle of summer, haha!
Even better, it has all the flavors of s’mores. Nothing says summer quite like chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers, so combining them with a fun patriotic treat is truly the best of both worlds!
Ingredients In My 4th of July Bark Recipe
| Ingredient | Let’s Chat About It |
|---|---|
| Graham cracker sheets | Arrange them in a snug, even layer and save the last two sheets to crush over the top. |
| Chocolate chips and coconut oil | Milk, semi-sweet, or dark chocolate all work. Melt slowly and stir often to prevent the chocolate from overheating. |
| Marshmallow creme | Use a spoon warmed under hot water to make it easier to scoop and dollop over the chocolate. |
| M&M’s and dehydrated marshmallows | Use red, white, and blue M&M’s to give this 4th of July Bark Recipe its festive look. Add them before the chocolate begins to set. |
| Patriotic sprinkles and flaky sea salt | Both are optional. Add them immediately after the other toppings so they stick to the chocolate. |
Quick Tip
Use the leftover red, white, and blue M&M’s and sprinkles to make this easy, no-bake 4th of July Snack Mix or July Popcorn!
Chelsea’s Notes
4th of July Bark Tips
- Keep it chilled: Store the bark in the fridge until serving. It melts quickly in warm weather, so it’s not ideal for outdoor parties or potlucks.
- Line the pan: Use parchment paper, wax paper, or foil for easy bark removal.
- Use good chocolate: High-quality chocolate chips will give the bark the best flavor and appearance.
- Choose the right bowl: Melt the chocolate in a sturdy, microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl, not plastic or melamine.
- Melt slowly: Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring well after each one. Stop heating when the chocolate is mostly melted, then stir until smooth.
Quick Tip
Once firm, break the bark apart by hand or cut it into random pieces with a sharp chef’s knife. For easier cutting, transfer it to a cutting board and press down firmly to make clean, decisive cuts.
More Fun Summer Treats
Appetizers
Cream Cheese Fruit Dip Recipe
Desserts
Oreo Truffles
Desserts
Muddy Buddies Recipe
Snacks
Monster Energy Balls
4th of July Bark Recipe
4th of July Bark Recipe turns chocolate, marshmallows, and graham crackers into an easy patriotic treat.
Video
Equipment
- Sheet pan (15" x 10")
Ingredients
- 14 whole graham cracker sheets divided
- 1-1/2 cups milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet, see note 1
- 1 tablespoon coconut oil
- 1/2 of a 7-ounce container marshmallow creme
- 1/2 cup M&Ms I use red, white, & blue
- 1/4 cup dehydrated marshmallows optional
- 2 tablespoons patriotic sprinkles optional
- Flaky sea salt optional
Instructions
- Prepare the pan: Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Arrange 12 whole graham crackers side by side in a single layer.
- Melt the chocolate: Combine the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 20-second bursts, stirring for about 15 seconds between each burst. Melt slowly and stir often. Stop microwaving when the chocolate is mostly melted, then continue stirring until completely smooth. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate.
- Cover the graham crackers: Carefully pour the melted chocolate over the graham crackers. Use the back of a spoon, butter knife, or offset spatula to gently spread the chocolate into an even layer. Work carefully and hold the graham crackers in place as needed so they do not slide around.
- Add the marshmallow creme: Run a spoon under very hot water, dry it off, and use it to scoop out the marshmallow creme. Dollop small spoonfuls of marshmallow creme evenly over the chocolate.
- Swirl: Use a butter knife or toothpick to gently swirl the marshmallow creme into the chocolate. This part can be a little tricky, and it may initially seem like the marshmallow creme will not swirl, but be patient and work gently. It is helpful to have someone hold the graham crackers in place while you swirl.
- Add the toppings: Sprinkle the M&M’s and dehydrated marshmallows evenly over the bark. Gently press the toppings into the chocolate so they adhere. Crush the remaining 2 graham crackers with your fingers and sprinkle the pieces over the top. Add patriotic sprinkles and a small pinch of flaky sea salt, if desired.
- Chill: Refrigerate for about 3 hours or freeze for at least 1 hour, until the chocolate is completely firm.
- Break into pieces: Once set, use a sharp knife to cut the bark into large sections, then break those sections into smaller, irregular pieces.
- Serve: This bark is best enjoyed the same day it is made. Serve it chilled for the best crisp, snappy texture.
Final step! Please let us know how it was by leaving a review.
Recipe Notes
Note 1: Any type of chocolate works! For a less-sweet bark, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate. You can also combine two varieties for more depth of flavor. I love Ghirardelli® and Guittard® chocolate chips.
Storage: Store in the fridge, especially during hot weather. Keep it chilled until serving, or enjoy it straight from the fridge for the best snappy texture. It is best the day it is made but will keep for up to 3 days; the graham crackers will soften over time.
Nutrition
Serving: 1serving | Calories: 297kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 10g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 10mg | Sodium: 46mg | Potassium: 113mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 35g | Vitamin A: 45IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 96mg | Iron: 1mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
This was a hit! I loved the smore flavor it had and how easy it was to make! Perfect 4th of July dessert and will definitely be added to our food list for the weekend!
I’m so thrilled to hear this! Thanks Maddie!
I’ve made this for different holidays. Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Memorial Day, Halloween & Christmas. People never get tired of eating it.
I’ve added broken pretzels sometimes to change it up.
These are amazing!!!
So happy to hear you enjoyed this recipe! Thanks Neta! 🙂
What do you use for the chocolate? You mentioned high quality, wondering what you use!
I love Guittard or Ghirardelli 🙂
So fun! This will be a hit at every 4th of July bash. Perfect for the kids. 🙂
Thank you so much Melanie! 🙂