I Heart Chocolate Crunch Bars

Crunchy, chocolatey, and set with a colorful candy topping— these Chocolate Crunch Bars could be the perfect Valentine’s Day treat! In this fun heart-themed recipe, kids will learn how to melt chocolate, mix in other ingredients for texture, and then set their bars in the fridge. These easy, no-bake bars also allow plenty of room for artistic creativity. Drizzle chocolate to decorate your pretzel hearts, and top with the colorful candy of your choice!

Makes:

20 bars

Hands-on time:

15 minutes

Start-to-eat time:

35 minutes

Ingredients

2 cups chocolate chips
1 teaspoon coconut oil
1 cup crispy rice cereal
20 heart candies (or other candy)
sprinkles (optional)

Kids kitchen skills:

measuring & mixing
melting chocolate
decorating
setting in the fridge

Tools:

8-inch square pan & parchment paper
measuring cups & spoons
2 microwave safe bowls & spoons
spatula
plastic wrap & knife

Step-by-step

Grown-up steps: Younger kids may need support at the microwave. Try not to overheat the chocolate, and if it seems almost melted except for a few chunks, keep stirring until they melt in rather than microwave again. Help out once the chocolate mold has set by cutting it into bars.

Line the square pan with parchment, and set aside.
Add the chocolate chips and coconut oil to a medium-size, microwave safe bowl. Melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments stirring in between until melted and smooth.
Add cereal to melted chocolate. Using a rubber spatula, stir and fold until well combined. Pour the chocolate mixture into the baking pan.
Using the spatula smooth and even out the melted chocolate. Tap the pan a couple of times to help remove any air bubbles.
Chill in the refrigerator until set, about 20 minutes.
Remove the set chocolate from the mold onto a flat surface, and let it come to room temperature.
Use a knife or cookie cutter to cut the bars into desired shapes.