Almond bark is a popular candy coating used in confections, desserts, and candy making. It has a sweet flavor and creamy texture similar to chocolate. Many people wonder if almond bark contains milk or dairy ingredients that would make it unsuitable for people with milk allergies or who follow dairy-free diets like veganism. This article will examine the ingredients and production process of almond bark to determine if it is dairy free. We will also look at some substitutes for almond bark that are guaranteed to be vegan and dairy free.
What is Almond Bark?
Almond bark, sometimes called candy coating, is a product made from sugar, cocoa butter, and almond pieces that can be used for dipping, enrobing, molding, and decorating candies and confections. It has a flavor and texture similar to chocolate but lacks cocoa solids. Almond bark contains no chocolate liquor or cocoa powder. Instead, it is made by combining sugar, cocoa butter, almonds, and emulsifying agents like soy lecithin. The ingredients are mixed together and heated to form a smooth, pourable coating that sets up firm and snaps when cool.
The consistency of almond bark can range from soft and creamy to thick and rigid. Softer almond barks are good for dipping while firmer barks work well for decorations. Almond bark comes in white, milk chocolate, and dark chocolate varieties. The brown color in the chocolate almond barks comes from added cocoa butter, chocolate extract, or browning agents rather than actual cocoa solids.
Common Ingredients in Almond Bark
Here are some of the most common ingredients found in almond bark products:
- Sugar – Usually white granulated sugar which contributes sweetness.
- Cocoa butter – Provides chocolate flavor and creamy texture.
- Almonds – Chopped or slivered almonds which provide flavor and crunch.
- Soy lecithin – An emulsifying agent made from soybeans to help blend the ingredients smoothly.
- Flavorings – Vanilla or chocolate extracts are often added for extra flavor.
- Colorings – Browning agents provide chocolate brown color in the absence of cocoa powder.
- Palm kernel oil – Adds smoothness and improves consistency.
- Salt – A pinch of salt balances flavor and reduces sweetness.
As you can see from the list, typical almond bark contains no milk-derived ingredients like milk fat, milk solids, whey, or casein. The fat content comes solely from non-dairy cocoa butter and/or palm kernel oil. Soy lecithin provides emulsification instead of dairy-based emulsifiers. The almonds add nutty flavor and texture. With no traces of dairy in sight, almond bark would seem to be dairy free. However, we need to take a closer look at how cocoa butter is produced to get a definitive answer.
Is Cocoa Butter Dairy Free?
Cocoa butter provides the signature creamy texture and mouthfeel of almond bark. But is cocoa butter itself non-dairy? Cocoa butter is the natural edible fat extracted from cocoa beans during the chocolate making process. Once the fat is separated from the cocoa solids, it becomes pure food-grade cocoa butter.
Cocoa butter contains no traces of milk proteins or lactose sugars. It is dairy free in its pure form. However, some food manufacturers use a process called deodorization to remove unpleasant odors and flavors from poorer grades of cocoa butter. The deodorization process involves steam distillation of the cocoa butter while sometimes adding dairy ingredients like milk fats or butterfat. This introduces small amounts of dairy elements into the finished cocoa butter, making it unsuitable for people with milk allergies.
Responsible almond bark makers take steps to ensure the cocoa butter they source is 100% dairy free and made through physical pressing only with no chemical deodorization. As long as the almond bark uses high quality food-grade cocoa butter, it will be free of dairy. Check the manufacturer’s information to confirm the purity of the cocoa butter before consuming almond bark if you have a milk allergy.
Other Possible Sources of Dairy
Besides cocoa butter, we also need to consider the possibility of dairy ingredients being added directly to almond bark recipes. Some manufacturers include milk powders, milk fats, or whey powders in their almond bark to boost creaminess and texture. Always check the ingredients list carefully and avoid any almond barks listing milk solids, milk fat, whey, lactose, or casein. Responsible brands will clearly label almond bark as “dairy free” or “vegan” if they exclude all milk-derived ingredients.
Cross-contact with dairy during manufacturing can also introduce small amounts of milk residues into batches of almond bark, even if dairy is not directly added. Shared equipment, processing areas, and packaging lines may transfer milk proteins between products. Look for almond bark made in dedicated dairy-free facilities if you have a severe milk allergy. When in doubt, contact the manufacturer directly to inquire about potential cross-contact with dairy-containing products.
Are All Almond Barks Dairy Free?
Given the potential dairy additions and cross-contact risks outlined above, we cannot claim that all almond barks are guaranteed dairy free. However, the vast majority of mainstream commercial almond barks avoid milk-derived ingredients and are intended to be dairy free. Leading brands of almond bark like Wilton, Merckens, and Girard’s have no dairy in their ingredient lists. Their almond barks rely on non-dairy ingredients like cocoa butter, soy lecithin, and vegetable oils to provide richness and texture instead of milk solids or butterfat.
As always, carefully read the ingredient statement on any almond bark product before consuming to confirm it does not contain milk, butterfat, whey, casein, or other dairy derivatives. Responsible manufacturers will clearly label any almond bark intended to be dairy free or vegan. When prepared without milk ingredients or cross-contact, almond bark can be safely enjoyed by people avoiding dairy for health or ethical reasons.
Is White Almond Bark Dairy Free?
White almond bark lacks the cocoa butter present in chocolate almond barks. Therefore, it has greater potential for direct addition of dairy-based ingredients to provide taste, texture, and creaminess. You are more likely to find milk powders or fats in white almond bark recipes.
However, many major brands formulate their white almond barks to be dairy free. They use vegetable oils, soy lecithin, salt, and natural flavors in place of milk solids or butterfats. As always, carefully check the ingredients list for any sign of dairy-derived additives. Look for assurance that the product is dairy free or vegan. Responsible manufacturers will be transparent about any potential dairy content.
Best Dairy Free Almond Bark Brands
Here are some recommended brands making dairy free almond bark:
- Wilton – Their Cocoa Butter Almond Bark contains no dairy and is labeled dairy free.
- Merckens – Merckens almond barks have no dairy in the ingredient list and are marked dairy free.
- Guittard – Guittard Choc-Au-Lait Almond Bark has a dairy free claim and vegan ingredients.
- Ghirardelli – The Semisweet Chocolate Almond Bark is dairy free with no milk-derived ingredients.
- Target – Market Pantry almond barks sold at Target are labeled dairy free and do not contain milk.
As always, double check the label and product information since recipes can change over time. But among major mainstream brands, most almond barks are formulated to be dairy free.
Dairy Free Substitutes for Almond Bark
If you need a guaranteed dairy-free almond bark alternative, consider using real chocolate or candy melts. Here are some options:
- Dark chocolate – Check the label to confirm a dairy free claim. Dark chocolate by definition contains no milk solids.
- Dairy free chocolate chips – Brands like Enjoy Life sell guaranteed allergy-friendly vegan chocolate chips.
- Candy melts – Look for kosher pareve certified candy melts with no dairy in the ingredients.
- Compound coating – These commercial products mimic almond bark for candy making and come in dairy free versions.
With these substitutes, you can achieve the same smooth coating and decorating ability as almond bark without potential dairy concerns. Just note that real chocolate and candy melts require tempering for dipping while almond bark does not.
Can You Make Homemade Dairy Free Almond Bark?
Certainly! Here is a simple recipe to make dairy free almond bark at home:
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1⁄4 cup non-dairy milk like almond or soy milk
- 1⁄4 cup coconut oil
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- Pinch of salt
- 11⁄2 cups sliced almonds
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper and lightly grease with oil.
- In a saucepan, combine the sugar, non-dairy milk, coconut oil, vanilla, and salt. Warm over medium heat while stirring constantly until melted and smooth.
- Remove from heat and stir in the sliced almonds until fully coated.
- Immediately pour the almond bark mixture onto the prepared baking sheet and spread into an even layer about 1⁄4 inch thick.
- Allow to fully set and harden at room temperature, then break into pieces as desired. Store in an airtight container.
This easy almond bark recipe uses coconut oil to mimic the texture of cocoa butter. The almond milk and soy lecithin avoid any traces of dairy. Feel free to customize the flavor with cocoa powder or swap different types of nuts. Homemade almond bark makes a thoughtful edible gift for families avoiding dairy!
Is Almond Bark Safe for Milk Allergies?
For people with severe milk allergies, homemade dairy free almond bark is the safest choice to eliminate any risk of an allergic reaction. With mainstream commercial brands, take precautions to carefully inspect the ingredients and manufacturing information. Contact the brand if you have any concerns about potential cross-contact with dairy during processing.
The amount of milk residues transferred through shared equipment is typically very small. But for those highly sensitive, even tiny amounts of dairy contamination could trigger anaphylaxis or other adverse reactions. If you have a known milk protein allergy, exercise caution and speak to your doctor before trying commercially made almond barks.
Can You Substitute Almond Bark for Chocolate?
Almond bark contains no actual cocoa solids, so it cannot perfectly replace real chocolate in recipes. However, its sweet flavor and creamy texture make almond bark a reasonable substitute in many desserts, candies, and confections.
Here are some tips for using almond bark when chocolate is called for:
- Reduce any additional sugar in the recipe since almond bark is sweeter than semisweet chocolate.
- Add a tablespoon of cocoa powder per 12 ounces of almond bark to boost the chocolate flavor.
- Almond bark does not need to be tempered, so simply melt and use as directed.
- Combine almond bark with chopped dark chocolate for a hybrid chocolate-like coating.
- Use almond bark as a topper for cakes and brownies instead of a true glaze.
Almond bark shines best as a stand-alone confection rather than a direct chocolate substitute. But in a pinch, you can adjust recipes to make almond bark work as a chocolate alternative when needed.
Key Takeaways
- Almond bark contains no cocoa solids and is made from sugar, cocoa butter, almonds, and emulsifiers.
- Pure cocoa butter is dairy free, but some is processed using dairy ingredients.
- Check ingredients since some almond barks add milk powders or fats directly.
- Look for reputable dairy free brands and vegan labels when choosing almond bark.
- Make your own homemade almond bark with coconut oil for a guaranteed dairy free option.
- Almond bark can substitute for chocolate in recipes but is not an exact match.
The Bottom Line
When sourced responsibly and produced without dairy-derived ingredients, almond bark can be enjoyed on a dairy-free diet. Most major commercial brands formulate their almond barks to be milk-free. However, always diligently read ingredient labels and check for vegan claims to confirm the absence of milk, butterfat, whey, casein, and other potential dairy additives. With so many confirmed dairy-free options, people avoiding milk for health or ethical reasons can feel confident satisfying their cravings for chewy, sweet almond bark.
