Name: Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 1 h 10 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 4 cups milk chocolate chips; 2 tablespoons butter or margarine; 1 7 oz package mint M&Ms; 8 red velvet sandwich cookies

There's something magically festive about that first bite of sweet, crunchy holiday treats, and this Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe delivers exactly that. The rich milk chocolate melts in your mouth, while colorful mint M&Ms and crunchy red velvet cookie bits add a playful holiday twist that’s sure to brighten any gathering.

A white square plate holds several stacked pieces of chocolate bark. Each piece is dark brown and topped with bright red crumbs and scattered round candies in red, white, and green colors, creating a festive look. The bark pieces have rough edges and some holes in the chocolate. The plate sits on a white marbled surface with a red and green striped cloth partially visible beneath. photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Jump to:

Why You'll Love This Recipe
Ingredients & Why They Work
Make It Your Way
Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I can't tell you how many times this Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe has saved me when I needed a last-minute treat or a colorful centerpiece for holiday parties. It’s effortless, festive, and tastes like a dream with that cookie crunch and minty sweetness. Bonus: even kids love helping to make it!

Super Easy and Quick: You’ll have it ready in no time — perfect when the holiday rush hits.
Festive Flavor Combo: The red velvet cookie bits and mint M&Ms add a perfectly festive crunch that complements creamy milk chocolate.
Customizable Fun: You can swap in different candies or cookies to suit your taste or theme.
Great for Gifting: Package it in cute tins or cellophane bags for easy, adorable homemade gifts.

The image shows a stack of broken chocolate bark pieces on a white plate. The chocolate bark has a smooth, rich brown base layer topped with crumbled red cake pieces giving a rough, crumbly texture. Scattered on top are round candy-coated chocolates in red, white, and green colors adding bright, glossy spots. The bark pieces are unevenly layered with some pieces resting on others, showing depth and a mix of textures from smooth chocolate to crumbly cake and shiny candies. The plate rests on a white marbled textured surface. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 2:3 --v 7

Ingredients & Why They Work

Each ingredient plays a specific role in bringing this Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe to life. The milk chocolate creates a creamy canvas, the red velvet sandwich cookies add that unique richness and texture, and the mint M&Ms give that pop of cool, colorful holiday cheer.

Flat lay of a small white ceramic bowl filled with smooth milk chocolate chips, a few fresh whole red velvet sandwich cookies stacked beside it, a small white bowl containing colorful mint M&Ms, a small white bowl holding a few cubes of pale yellow butter, and a handful of roughly broken red velvet cookie pieces scattered neatly, all arranged with perfect symmetry on a clean white marble surface, soft natural light, photo taken with an iPhone, professional food photography style, fresh ingredients, white ceramic bowls, no bottles, no duplicates, no utensils, no packaging --ar 2:3 --v 7 --p m7354615311229779997

Milk chocolate chips: Smooth and sweet, they melt easily for the perfect bark base—choose good quality for best results.
Butter or margarine: Adding this softens the chocolate slightly, giving it a nice sheen and smooth texture once set.
Mint M&Ms: Their crunch and peppermint flavor make the bark festive and fun; I’ve found the mint variety really elevates the treat.
Red velvet sandwich cookies: These give both color and flavor contrast; breaking them into chunks creates that satisfying cookie crunch with each bite.

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Note: You'll find the complete list of ingredients, along with their exact measurements, in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.

Make It Your Way

I’ve played around with this recipe quite a bit. Once, I swapped out the mint M&Ms for plain red ones to make a “classic” red-and-green look, and it was still a hit. Feel free to get creative—whether with different cookie flavors, candy types, or even drizzle white chocolate on top for extra flair.

Variation: Using crushed peppermint candy canes alongside the M&Ms adds a delightful extra peppermint crunch—my family loved this twist last year.

Step-by-Step: How I Make Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Step 1: Crush the Red Velvet Cookies

Start by placing the red velvet sandwich cookies in a sturdy ziplock bag. Grab a heavy pot or rolling pin and gently tap until you have chunky cookie pieces. Don’t pulverize them too finely; you want nice bits that stand out in the bark.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate

Pour your milk chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl. Heat at high power for 1 minute, then stir well. Continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring each time, until all the chocolate is silky smooth without any lumps. Patience here is key to avoid burning!

Step 3: Add Butter and Mix

Melt the butter or margarine separately—about 20 seconds in the microwave works—and stir it into the melted chocolate. This little addition makes the chocolate set with a glossy finish and a lovely, smooth texture.

Step 4: Spread and Decorate

Line a cookie sheet with foil for easy cleanup. Pour your chocolate mixture onto the foil, then use clean hands or an offset spatula to spread it out evenly—about ¼ inch thick works well. Now sprinkle your crushed red velvet cookies and mint M&Ms evenly over the top, gently pressing them into the warm chocolate so they stick as it cools.

Step 5: Chill and Break

Pop the whole tray into the fridge and chill for at least an hour to let the bark harden fully. When it’s set, simply break it into pieces—rough chunks look festive and rustic. Store in the fridge until you’re ready to indulge.

Top Tip

Making this Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe perfectly has its little tricks. Here’s what I’ve learned from a few batches in my kitchen:

Don’t Overheat the Chocolate: Chocolate can seize easily if overheated. Stirring between short bursts in the microwave is your best friend to keep it smooth.
Press the Toppings: When you sprinkle the cookies and M&Ms, pressing them just slightly into the chocolate helps them stay put once the bark sets.
Use Foil for Easy Release: Lining your cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper makes lifting the bark out a breeze, so avoid sticking and breakage.
Store in a Cool Place: Keeping the bark chilled maintains the perfect texture and prevents melting, especially if your home is warm.

How to Serve Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Garnishes

I usually add a little extra fun by tossing on a few whole mint M&Ms just before serving for that shiny, colorful pop. Sometimes I also sprinkle a tiny bit of edible glitter or holiday-themed sprinkles to really jazz it up for guests.

Side Dishes

This bark is a sweeter snack, so I like pairing it with more neutral or savory sides at parties—think cheese platters, salted nuts, or even warm mulled cider to balance the sweetness.

Creative Ways to Present

For holiday gatherings, I break the bark into bite-sized shards and arrange them in festive tins lined with tissue paper. I’ve even layered bark shards with peppermint sticks and holiday cookies in clear jars for thoughtful gifts that look gorgeous on any shelf or table.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

After making this bark, I keep leftovers stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator to maintain that perfect crispness. It stays fresh for about a week, so you can enjoy it well past the holiday rush.

Freezing

I’ve frozen bark pieces wrapped tightly in plastic wrap and placed in freezer bags. When I thaw them in the fridge, they retain their texture beautifully without any moisture issues. Freezing extends their life for quite a bit—ideal if you want to make a batch early.

Reheating

No need to reheat this treat—Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe is best enjoyed chilled or at room temperature. Just take it out of the fridge about 10 minutes before serving for optimal flavor and texture.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use white or dark chocolate instead of milk chocolate?

Absolutely! White or dark chocolate work beautifully for this bark if you prefer a different flavor profile. Just adjust melting times carefully since different chocolates melt at different rates.

How do I prevent the bark from sticking to the foil?

Lining the baking sheet with foil and then lightly greasing it or using parchment paper helps a lot. Also, letting the bark chill completely before breaking reduces sticking. Removing the bark carefully by lifting the foil or paper is the easiest method.

Can I make this bark dairy-free or vegan?

You can try using dairy-free or vegan chocolate chips and a non-dairy butter substitute. Just be sure to check your M&Ms or substitute candy for vegan-friendly options, as not all candies fit these diets.

How far in advance can I make this Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe?

You can make the bark about 3 to 5 days ahead and keep it refrigerated until serving. It maintains freshness well in airtight containers, making it a great prep-ahead treat during busy holidays.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Holiday Bark with M&Ms Recipe captures all the magic of the season in one easy, delicious treat. Whether it’s for sharing with loved ones or sneaking a few pieces yourself, it brings joy with every bite. Trust me, once you try it, you’ll keep coming back to this simple, colorful delight that makes holidays just a little sweeter.