I love peppermint bark. The first time I tried it was from one of those pre-packaged tins from Williams-Sonoma. I remember balking at the price tag because it was close to $20 for a small tin. After I refined my baking skills over the years, I sought to recreate this wonderful holiday treat.
I’ve worked with candy melts before and knew that I could make a version of peppermint bark using this no-fuss ingredient. In fact, my peppermint bark recipe only uses 4 total ingredients! I know that there are other recipes floating out there, but I honestly haven’t seen them and like my super simple version. If I have the time (and money) to make a more expensive version, I might try it one day. But not today.
This is a treat that I make every holiday season to give away as presents. I give them to coworkers, my skating friends, my husband’s swimming buddies and our daughter’s daycare providers. Next time you see a package or tin of peppermint bark in the store, why don’t you pass on it and try to make it at home instead?
Peppermint bark
Ingredients
- 1 package white chocolate candy melts can use white chocolate as a substitute
- 1 package dark chocolate candy melts can use regular dark chocolate or milk chocolate
- 1/2 -1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1/3 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes
Instructions
- Crush the peppermints with a rolling pin, hammer or other heavy object. Set aside.
- Over a double boiler or in a microwave, melt the dark chocolate. Using an offset spatula, spread melted chocolate on a sheet of waxed paper lined on a cookie sheet. Let it set until dry.
- Once dark chocolate is dry, melt the white chocolate using the same method. Once the white chocolate is melted, add the peppermint extract. Stir quickly or else the white chocolate will seize. Again, using an offset spatula, spread the white chocolate over the dark chocolate. Try to cover as much of the dark chocolate as you can.
- Immediately after spreading the white chocolate, sprinkle the top with the crushed peppermint or candy cane pieces.
- Let the bark dry, break into pieces, and enjoy!
You're right, this stuff is so easy to make at home, yet I have never done it myself! Looks great!
My mom just sent me a Trader Joe's goodie package, including Peppermint Bark. I ADORE peppermint and popped over here to see if you had a recipe for my future peppermint/chocolate fix. I'm so excited! This looks like something that I (NOT a baker) could do. A couple of questions: 1) what is an offset spatula? 2) about how long does it take for each chocolate layer individually to dry?
Hi TAV! You certainly don't need an offset spatula for this recipe at all. It just makes the layers easier to spread. A regular silicone spatula will work. Here is an example of one looks like: http://bakingbites.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/offsetspatula.jpg. The layers do not take long to set at all – maybe about 20 minutes, tops? I'd let the final layer (with the crushed peppermint/candy canes) set up for a few hours before breaking into chunks though. Hope that helps!
Love this!!! My white layer came detached in places from the dark, but made it today and will do it again!!