Peppermint bark is a layered candy with two types of chocolate, peppermint extract and peppermint candy pieces. You can make a batch start to finish in under an hour with only about 10 minutes of active time. It is a delicious blend of semisweet. milk, or dark chocolate, white chocolate, and peppermint.
Double Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe
Nothing says holidays like the flavor combination of chocolate and peppermint. Speaking of this yummy combination you may also like these recipes for
I recently saw tins of Peppermint Bark at the store which inspired me to make my own for the first time. As I am typing this I wish we still had some left. It did not last very long in our house. I really cannot say enough good things about this treat. It looks festive, smells amazing, tastes incredible and it is super easy to make.
What is peppermint bark?
Peppermint bark is a holiday treat made of two types of chocolate—either semisweet or dark and white—and peppermint pieces.
Why You Will Love this Recipe
Peppermint bark is so easy to make that once you do it, you can't totally justify paying for it. You can prepare it in 10 minutes and it will be ready in less than an hour.
Ingredients
- 1 cup of milk or dark chocolate
- 1 cup of white chocolate
- 3 candy canes
- ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract
Do I need to use the peppermint extract?
Yes, peppermint extract is what give the peppermint bark the minty flavor
Video: How to Make Peppermint Bark
How to Make Peppermint Bark
Step 1: Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
Step 2: Melt the dark or milk chocolate. I prefer to use a double boiler, but you can use the microwave as well. Once the chocolate is melted pour it onto the parchment paper and smooth it out. Set aside to harden in the refrigerator or freezer.
Step 3: While the milk/dark chocolate is hardening, crush up your candy canes or peppermints for your toppings.
Step 3: Once the chocolate is hardened, melt the white chocolate. When it has melted add in ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract. Stir and then pour the melted white chocolate on top of the other layer and spread in an even layer.
Step 4: Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top of the white chocolate layer. Set aside at room temperature until firm, which is about an hour or 20 minutes in the refrigerator or 10 minutes in your freezer.
Step 5: Break or cut the bark into pieces.
Substitutions
You can sub out the type of chocolate for the bottom layer. I like to use dark chocolate the best, but milk or semi sweet chocolate works well too. You can also use chocolate chips, chocolate disks or a bar of chocolate cut up.
For the crushed peppermint candy you can use candy canes, peppermint round candies or you can buy peppermint candy already crushed here.
Ingredient variations
- Extra Chocolate - try using chocolate peppermint candy canes.
- Chocolate Almond - Use almond extract instead of the peppermint extract. Then add chopped toasted almonds to the top instead of peppermint candy.
- Cranberry Bliss Bars - This bark has crackers, white chocolate and cranberries.
- Yogurt Bar - These strawberry vanilla yogurt bark are delicious. Or these Spooky yogurt bars.
Equipment
You need a cookie sheet with parchment paper. The other equipment needed depends on how you want to melt your chocolate. If you want to melt it in the microwave you just need a microwave safe bowl. I like to melt it in a double boiler. You will need an oven, pot and a metal or glass bowl that fits just over the pot.
Tips for Making Peppermint Bark
- Make sure the bottom layer of chocolate is totally set and firm before you add the top layer of chocolate. This will help to keep the colors from combining.
- Make sure to put the peppermints on before the white chocolate dries so that they do not fall off when you are eating them.
Crushed Peppermint Candy for Baking
The peppermint flavor comes from both the peppermint extract and the crushed peppermint candy for baking. They add a great flavor and a crunch to this peppermint bark.
What is the Best Way to Crush Peppermint Candy
Place candy canes or your peppermint candies in a large resealable plastic bag. Push the air out of the plastic bag and close it. Break the peppermint candy up with anything that is heavy. You can use a potato masher, a rolling pin, heavy skillet, or a meat mallet. Continue doing this until they are crushed.
You can also crush peppermint candy in your food processor. Just use the pulsing action setting and turn it on/off until they are crushed.
How do I melt chocolate?
You have a couple options for this:
- Microwave: Place the chocolate chips or baking pieces in a large microwave safe bowl. Microwave the chocolate on low in increments of 30 seconds. This is important because you do not want to over cook the chocolate. If you do there is no going back. Remove the bowl from the microwave and stir after each 30 seconds.
- Stovetop: After a lot of trial and error my favorite way to melt chocolate chips is using a double boiler on the stovetop. When I first learned about a double boiler I was really intimidated. Don't worry it is actually really simple to make and use. Simply find a bowl you can use glass or metal that fit just on top of your pot. The first step is to bring the pot to boil. Then place the bowl on top of the pot. The steam coming off the pot will melt the chocolate. Just make sure you do not get water into the bowl. This will also mess up your chocolate and you will have to start over.
How long does peppermint bark take to set?
Once you pour over the melted chocolates onto a parchment-lined baking sheet you can let it set three different ways.
- Harden at air temperature for about an hour
- Refrigerate the bark for 20 minutes
- Freeze the bark for about 10 minutes.
Once the bark has dried you can break it apart with your hands or for a cleaner look you can use a sharp knife. I recommend dipping the knife into hot water and drying it before cutting it.
Storing Peppermint Bark
How to Store Peppermint Bark
- Once you have broken the bark into large pieces you start to think how to store peppermint bark.
- Wrap each piece of bark in wax paper. Finally tightly wrap it in plastic wrap.
- Then place the wrapped bark in an airtight container
- Store it in the refrigerator for up to up to two weeks.
Can You Freeze Peppermint Bark
Yes you can freeze peppermint bark. It will work best when wrapped tightly and placed in an airtight container.
When you are ready to eat it, thaw the bark in the refrigerator.
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 1 cup milk or dark chocolate
- 1 cup white chocolate
- 2 candy canes
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Line a 9x13 baking pan with parchment paper.
- Melt the dark or milk chocolate. I prefer to use a double boiler, but you can use the microwave as well. Once the chocolate is melted pour it onto the parchment paper and smooth it out. Set aside to harden, until firm. Which is about an hour at room temperature. Or a refrigerator for 20 minutes or freezer for 10 minutes.
- While the milk/dark chocolate is hardening, crush up your candy canes or peppermints for your toppings.
- Once the chocolate is hardened, melt the white chocolate. When it has melted add in ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract. Stir and then pour the melted white chocolate on top of the other layer and spread in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top of the white chocolate layer. Set aside at room temperature until firm, which is about an hour.
- Break or cut the bark into pieces!
Do you have a favorite holiday treat?
Pin for Later: Peppermint Bark Recipe
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