If you need a sweet treat to set out at your next holiday gathering, or want a festive homemade candy to gift, this peppermint bark is your answer. It’s very simple to make (hint, hint, I’m talking to the last-minute planners here), tastes delicious and is aesthetically very festive looking. Plus, a little goes a long way.
There are many bark recipes out there, but the one I’m sharing is one my aunt has been making during Christmastime for over two decades.
Yield: 9 x 13 cookie sheet of peppermint bark
Ingredients
- 16 ounces white chocolate with real cocoa butter
- 12 ounces semisweet chocolate
- 1/2 tsp. peppermint extract
- 1 cup organic candy canes (skip the corn syrup ones), crushed
Instructions
Microwave the semisweet chocolate in a medium microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds. Stir and heat another 30 seconds, until the chocolate is smooth and completely melted.
Line a 9×13 cookie sheet with parchment paper, and spread the melted semisweet chocolate out evenly with a spatula. Transfer to the refrigerator until set (15 mins or more).
While the first chocolate layer sets, crush the candy canes. This method can be done multiple ways, but it’s easiest to unwrap the candies and transfer them to a large Ziploc storage bag.
My aunt recommends using 2-gallon sized Ziploc bags, doubled up. She then recommends slapping the bag on the countertop and using a wooden rolling pin to break up the remaining larger pieces of candy.
Next, repeat the melting process with the white chocolate. Once melted, stir in the peppermint extract.
Take the set semisweet chocolate out of the refrigerator and evenly spread out the white chocolate over it. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the pan.
Transfer the pan to the refrigerator once again and allow it to set completely. This will take 20 minutes or more.
Once set, take the peppermint bark out of the fridge and bring it close to room temperature. Use a large sharp knife to cut it apart into serving size chunks and serve. If packaging candy to gift, allow it to completely reach room temperature before packaging.
Read more: Check out this recipe for scrumptious sugar cookies!
Notes
Want a different flavor? Try a different flavor of candy canes!
Consider adding in cookie sprinkles or other yummy holiday candies that would pair well with peppermint.
You can sometimes find crushed peppermint candies. This would skip the pulverizing step of the recipe.
