There’s something magically festive about a treat that’s as colorful as it is delicious. This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe combines creamy milk chocolate, iconic red velvet cookies, and crunchy mint M&Ms for a holiday snack that’s both fun to make and perfect for gifting (or sneaking bites!). It’s a festive twist on the classic bark that’s sure to delight your family and friends.

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 Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Top Tip
How to Serve Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe
Make Ahead and Storage
Frequently Asked Questions:
Final Thoughts
Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

I have to admit, the first time I made this Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe, I couldn’t believe how easy and festive it turned out. It looks fancy but honestly, it’s all about simple steps and ingredients that come together to make something special. Plus, the combo of textures — creamy chocolate, soft red velvet pieces, and crunchy M&Ms — is just so satisfying.

Super Easy to Make: You only need a few ingredients and under 10 minutes of prep time, making it perfect for busy holiday days.
Fun, Festive Flavor Combo: The minty crunch of M&Ms paired with red velvet cookies creates a unique holiday taste you won’t find everywhere.
Perfect for Gifting: Break it into pieces, wrap it up, and you have an adorable, homemade present that’s sure to impress.
No Baking Required: You just melt, mix, and chill; easy cleanup and no oven stress during the hectic season.

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

The magic of this Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe lies in balancing creamy chocolate with the festive crunch and soft cake flavor from the cookies. Each ingredient plays its part in making this snack simple and show-stopping.

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: Using milk chocolate (instead of dark) keeps the bark sweeter and creamier, which pairs beautifully with the mint and red velvet.
Butter or Margarine: A little fat helps the chocolate melt smoothly and gives the bark a subtle richness with a glossy finish.
Mint M&Ms: The festive colors and mint flavor add a fun crunch and holiday vibe. You can find these seasonal treats easily during winter.
Red Velvet Sandwich Cookies: These add that classic red velvet flavor and a tender crumbly texture that contrasts perfectly with the bark’s smoothness.

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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 love mixing things up depending on my mood or the crowd. This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe is super versatile, so don’t hesitate to swap or add your favorite festive candy or cookie bits.

Variation: I once tried adding crushed peppermint candy canes for an extra pop of minty crunch, and they gave a lovely snowy texture.
Dietary Swap: For a dairy-free option, swap the milk chocolate chips for your favorite vegan chocolate chips — just be sure to melt carefully!
Seasonal Flavor Twist: Using white chocolate instead of milk chocolate brightens up the color and adds a creamy tang that pairs well with the red velvet.

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

Step 1: Break Up Those Red Velvet Cookies

Start by placing your red velvet sandwich cookies in a sturdy zip-top bag and breaking them into medium chunks. I usually use a heavy pan or rolling pin for this. Aim for pieces about the size of a quarter so they’re easy to bite but still give you that soft velvet surprise in each bark piece.

Step 2: Melt the Chocolate and Butter Together

Pop your milk chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and heat at high for 60 seconds. Stir well, then continue microwaving in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until the chocolate is silky smooth with no lumps. Melt your butter separately and then stir it into the chocolate — this helps with a nice sheen and easier spreading.

Step 3: Spread and Add the Festive Toppings

Line a cookie sheet with foil or parchment paper. Pour the melted chocolate mixture onto the sheet and press it out evenly with your hands or an offset spatula — cover the hands part if you’re squeamish about the heat, but trust me, it’s fun! Scatter your broken red velvet cookie pieces and mint M&Ms on top, then gently press them down so they stick well.

Step 4: Chill Until Firm, Then Break into Pieces

Pop the pan into your fridge and let the bark chill for at least an hour, or until completely firm. Once set, break it into rustic pieces with your hands or a knife. This part always feels like unwrapping little gifts just for you!

Top Tip

Throughout making this Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe, I’ve learned that patience makes all the difference. Waiting for the bark to fully chill means cleaner breaks and no sticky mess. Plus, careful chocolate melting avoids burnt bits that ruin the taste.

Gentle Melting: Use short bursts in the microwave and stir often to prevent scorching your chocolate — I can’t stress this enough!
Even Spread: Press your chocolate mixture evenly and fairly thinly — too thick can make it hard to bite, and too thin might break too easily.
Topping Press: Lightly pressing your cookies and M&Ms into the chocolate ensures they stick nicely and won’t fall off when you break the bark.
Chill Time: Don’t rush the fridge step. One hour minimum is key for a firm bark that’s easy to handle and store.

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

Red Velvet Christmas Bark - Serving Suggestion

Garnishes

I often add a light dusting of powdered sugar right before serving, which adds a “snowy” holiday feel that’s visually delightful. Sometimes, I'll sprinkle some edible glitter or crushed candy canes on top for extra sparkle and crunch.

Side Dishes

This bark makes a perfect dessert alongside holiday cocktails, hot cocoa, or even a cheese board with mild cheeses and fresh fruit. The sweetness balances savory bites and warm drinks wonderfully.

Creative Ways to Present

I’ve gifted this bark wrapped in clear cellophane tied with festive ribbons or arranged in decorative tins with holiday-themed tissue paper. For parties, stacking the bark pieces in cute jars with a tag always gets smiles and requests for seconds.

Make Ahead and Storage

Storing Leftovers

Leftover Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe stores best in an airtight container in the fridge. I always place parchment paper between layers to keep pieces from sticking. It lasts about 1-2 weeks chilled, so you can enjoy it well into the holiday season.

Freezing

If you want to stash some for later, you can freeze the bark in a sealed bag or container. It holds up for up to 3 months and thaws at room temperature in about 20 minutes. I like to slice it into gift-size portions before freezing to make unwrapping simple.

Reheating

Since this is a no-bake treat, reheating isn’t necessary — but if the bark softens while out, just pop it in the fridge briefly to firm back up. Avoid leaving it in warm spots to prevent melting or stickiness.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Can I use regular M&Ms instead of mint M&Ms?

Absolutely! Regular M&Ms work wonderfully if you don’t want a mint flavor. The festive colors add charm, but you’ll miss that subtle mint crunch which is a holiday favorite in my book.

Do I have to chill the bark for an hour?

Chilling is key for this recipe. It allows the chocolate to set properly and makes the bark easier to break into neat pieces. If you skip this, the bark will be sticky and messy.

Can I store this bark at room temperature?

Since this bark contains butter and chocolate, I recommend storing it in the refrigerator to keep it firm and fresh, especially during warmer months. Room temperature risks melting or softening.

What’s the best way to break the bark into pieces?

I find it easiest to gently lift the chilled bark from the pan and break it into rustic chunks using my hands. If it’s too hard, let it sit a few minutes at room temperature. Avoid using a knife on very hard bark to prevent cracks.

Final Thoughts

This Red Velvet Christmas Bark with M&Ms Recipe has become one of my favorite holiday treats. It’s quick, playful, and absolutely delicious — perfect for sharing cozy moments and continuing festive traditions. I hope you give it a try and find as much joy in making (and eating!) it as I do. Trust me, your kitchen will smell amazing and your guests will be asking for the recipe.