Easy Recipe for Peppermint Bark
When I make peppermint bark at home, not only is it less expensive, but I can combine my favorite things about my two favorite brands. I can use my favorite high-quality chocolate, and I can mix some of my crushed candy cane pieces into the white chocolate, just like Ghiradelli peppermint bark. But I can also make it as thick or thin as I like, break it up into rustic-looking shards, and bedeck the top of the peppermint bark with even MORE candy cane bits for extra sparkle and crunch like Williams-Sonoma peppermint bark. Best of both worlds. We CAN have it all, I tell you! Looking for more easy Christmas candy recipes that are perfect for gifting to friends, neighbors, and co-workers? Be sure to check out my easy Peppermint Bark Caramel Corn (made in the microwave!), Puppy Chow (aka Chex Mix Muddy Buddies), and Grandpa Johnson’s Easy Homemade Rocky Road Fudge. And if peppermint is your jam, be sure not to miss my Peppermint Macarons!
Homemade Peppermint Bark Ingredients & Supplies
It only takes FOUR ingredients to make this homemade peppermint bark recipe.
Dark (or semisweet) chocolate White chocolate (I recommend REAL white chocolate made with cocoa butter, not candy melts) Peppermint Extract (make sure it’s peppermint!) Candy canes
NOTE: The quality of your chocolate really does matter for this recipe. I almost always use Ghiradelli white chocolate and Trader Joe’s dark chocolate (semisweet works too), but Lindt, Baker’s, and Guittard also make good chocolate. Just please don’t use chocolate chips. They don’t melt as well and they don’t set up the same, so you won’t get good results with this recipe.
You will also need the following tools:
Baking sheet Parchment paper Cutting board & knife (for chopping chocolate) Mallet or rolling pin (affiliate link) (for crushing candy canes) Glass bowls (for melting chocolate) Spatulas or spoons
How do you make Peppermint Bark?
First, if you are going to make homemade peppermint bark, you’ve got to know how to melt chocolate.
1. How to Melt Chocolate
I find melting chocolate in the microwave easier and faster than using the double boiler approach. If your microwave has a “melt chocolate” function, use it! Or just microwave at 50% power for 1 minute, followed by 20 second bursts at 50%, stirring between each interval just until the chocolate is melted. But if you prefer to use a double boiler, bring a small to medium saucepan filled about ⅓ of the way with water to a simmer. Then nestle a heat-safe glass bowl filled with your chopped chocolate into the pan so that it is not touching the water. The chocolate will melt over the gentle heat as you stir, then you can remove the bowl from over the simmering water and use it in this peppermint bark recipe.
2. Assembling the Peppermint Bark
Once you know how to melt chocolate, it’s really just a matter of assembling your peppermint bark to have this holiday treat. Start by melting the dark chocolate first and spreading it onto a parchment-lined baking sheet. It’s super important to have a piece of parchment paper under there because otherwise you are going to lose all of your chocolate to the pan. Then melt the white chocolate and stir in about half of your crushed candy canes along with the peppermint extract. Drizzle the melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer and nudge it around with the back of a knife or spatula to evenly cover the dark chocolate on the bottom. If the dark chocolate isn’t set up, this can be tricky and you might prefer to swirl the two chocolates together for a marble look. But you don’t have to wait for the dark chocolate to set up completely before adding the white chocolate either. I did this batch while the bottom layer was still completely melted. Let the chocolate set up completely at room temperature, which usually takes anywhere from 30 minutes to an hour. Then cut with a sharp knife or stick your hand in a plastic bag and snap pieces apart. The plastic bag keeps your hand from melting the chocolate and leaving fingerprints all over it. I do a combination of both cutting and snapping so my pieces have a nice rustic, homemade look to them while still being evenly sized.
Tips for Making Peppermint Bark
Use high-quality chocolate: Start with good-quality chocolate, both for the dark chocolate base and the white chocolate layer. High cocoa content chocolate (around 70% for dark chocolate) will result in a richer and more flavorful bark. Crush the peppermint candies finely: Use a food processor (affiliate link) or place the candies in a sealed plastic bag and crush them with a rolling pin (affiliate link). The smaller the pieces, the easier it will be to bite into the bark without large, hard chunks of candy. Line your baking sheet: Line your baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat before pouring the melted chocolate. This will make it easier to remove the bark once it’s set and also prevent it from sticking to the pan. Layer the chocolate: Pour the dark chocolate onto the prepared sheet and spread it evenly with a spatula. Allow it to set for a short time before adding the white chocolate layer. This will help the layers stay separate and give the bark its characteristic appearance. Add peppermint candy: Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candy over the white chocolate layer immediately after spreading it. This will help the candy pieces adhere to the chocolate before it sets. Break into pieces: Once the bark is fully set, use a knife to gently break it into irregular pieces or shards. The beauty of peppermint bark is its rustic appearance, so don’t worry about making perfect shapes. Store properly: Store your peppermint bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator to prevent it from melting or getting too soft. It can also be frozen for longer storage.
Easy Peppermint Bark Variations
Swirled Peppermint Bark: Add the white chocolate to the dark chocolate before the bottom layer has a chance to set and swirl them together for a pretty marbled peppermint bark look. Upside Down Peppermint Bark: Flip the script by making white chocolate your bottom layer and sprinkling the crushed candy canes on a dark chocolate layer on top. Ultimate Peppermint Bark: Sprinkle some of your favorite peppermint candies like peppermint M&M’s, peppermint Hershey’s Hugs, or chopped red holiday Oreo’s on top. You might need to press them into the chocolate just a bit.
How to Store this White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe
How long can you store peppermint bark?
Homemade peppermint bark will last about 2 weeks in an airtight container on the counter. In the fridge, it will last up to 3 weeks, although the candy cane pieces on top can become a bit sticky. You can even freeze it for up to 2 months. Just wrap it in foil first.
More Homemade Candy Recipes
Old-Fashioned Homemade Peanut Brittle Old-Fashioned Divinity Candy Recipe Grandpa Johnson’s Easy Homemade Rocky Road Fudge Grandma Nash’s Best Butter Almond English Toffee Chocolate Covered Pretzel Rods Southern Pecan Pralines Christmas Pretzel Hugs Twix Caramel Popcorn Homemade Butter Mints
Buckeyes Recipe
Chocolate Caramel Pretzel Bark
Oreo Balls (aka Oreo Truffles)
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