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Peppermint bark is a holiday staple in our family. It is so easy to make with layers of white chocolate, peppermint, semi-sweet chocolate and crushed candy canes! My kids love to make this easy holiday dessert to give out as a homemade holiday gift for friends and family!
Peppermint Bark Recipe
This yuletide sweet treat is certain to get your taste buds tingling. From the sweetness of the chocolate to the refreshing, cool peppermint, there’s nothing you won’t love about this peppermint bark recipe.
Bark recipes have long been used in all kinds of fun and whimsical holiday celebrations. I’ve made everything from Easter Bunny bark to Melted Snowman Bark, to s’mores bark and even Unicorn Poop Bark! Now it’s time to introduce you to this Christmasy peppermint bark recipe.
Peppermint bark will quickly become your new favorite Christmas recipe. Hide this treat somewhere safe and get ready to impress all your guests with the perfect holiday season sweet treat that everyone is guaranteed to enjoy.
Easy Holiday Dessert
I can’t think of anything that screams Christmas like the aroma of peppermint. It really wouldn’t feel like Christmas without peppermint flavored treats like candy canes. You can only imagine my reaction when I discovered there was another way to incorporate peppermint into my family’s festivities.
I don’t know who’s going to love making this peppermint bark recipe more… Me or the kids! I’m a huge fan of simple but delicious bakes that can be done with the kids.
During the festive Christmas period, there’s not much to do in the way of outdoor activities so it’s my favorite time of year to get the kids in the kitchen making lots of festive treats with me.
Peppermint bark ingredients
Peppermint bark is so easy to make that a child of any age could help out in the kitchen making this peppermint bark recipe. Just imagine the look on their faces when they’ve helped make homemade peppermint bark.
Ingredients:
- 1 Cup Mini Candy Canes (Crushed)
- ½ Tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
- 2 10-oz bags Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 10-oz bags White Chocolate Chips
- ½ Tbsp Coconut Oil
How to make Peppermint Bark
It’s super easy to make delicious peppermint bark from scratch. Most of your time is going to be spent listening to Christmas songs while you melt the chocolate to make this layered dessert. And the hardest part about making peppermint bark is waiting for it to set before you and try some for yourself!
Directions:
STEP ONE
Crush the Candy Canes
STEP TWO
Melt the chocolate chips and spread on a lined baking sheet. Refrigerate to set chocolate.
STEP THREE
Melt the white chocolate chips and combine with the coconut oil and peppermint extract. Spread over the set chocolate.
STEP FOUR
Top with crushed candy canes and refrigerate until completely set.
STEP FIVE
Break into small pieces!
If you’re in need of a quick and simple DIY gift, peppermint bark is the best thing you can make. Nothing is more thoughtful and tasty than a gift you made yourself. Everyone will be blown away by the gesture and I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask for the peppermint bark recipe for themselves!
How to keep peppermint bark from separating?
There’s an art to making peppermint bark. If you’ve ever made layered chocolate bark before, you’ll know that it’s all too easy for the layers of different chocolate to separate from one another.
In order to avoid this, loosen the chocolate from the parchment. Before breaking the bark, allow the bark to warm to room temperature as this helps the layers to bond.
Can you freeze Peppermint bark?
You shouldn’t need to freeze your bark as it will keep just fine in an airtight container on the kitchen counter. But should you wish to freeze your bark, this is how to do so…
To freeze your peppermint bark, make sure you wrap it up well. I recommend wrapping it in parchment paper and then a second layer of plastic wrap or foil.
Once your peppermint bark is wrapped, place it into a freezer-safe container to keep out as much moisture as possible. Your peppermint bark should keep in the freezer for several months.
When the time comes to defrost your peppermint bark, leave it in the wrapping until it reaches room temperature to try and limit the condensation produced.
Should Peppermint bark be refrigerated?
Peppermint bark can be stored in an airtight container on the kitchen counter or in a cupboard at room temperature for a significant amount of time. I’m sure it will have all been devoured before it has a chance to go bad.
However, if you want to maximize the shelf life of your bark you can store it in an airtight container in a cold, dark place such as a refrigerator. Just be sure to wrap it in parchment paper and plastic wrap or foil just as if you were freezing it.
However, you choose to store your peppermint bark, it’s going to taste amazing!
If you want to mix things up with your bark, why not try making it with dark and white chocolate chips or even dark, milk and white chocolate if you have an extra sweet tooth around the festive season.
Pro Tips!
- To crush the candy canes, put them in a zip lock bag and either use a rolling pin or mallet. This makes it very easy when breaking them into pieces! If you want finer candy cane pieces, use peppermint candy and grind it up in a food processor!
- When microwaving the chocolate, be sure to use a heatproof bowl and stir frequently.
- I love lining my baking pan with a silicone baking mat. (I use these for everything!)
- If you want to really get the candy pieces pressed into the bark, try patting it down by covering it with either parchment paper or wax paper and pressing down on it!
- Try substituting the semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate or milk chocolate. These are delicious too!
- If you don’t have a microwave to melt the chocolate, you can also use a double broiler.
Be sure to check out our White Chocolate Oreo Peppermint Bark. This takes it to a whole new level!
More Great Holiday Desserts
- Peppermint Oreo Truffles
- Peppermint Pie (aka Candy Cane Pie)
- Christmas Fudge (make it in the MICROWAVE!)
- No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
- Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
- Chex Mix Christmas Crack
- DIY Peppermint Candy Bowls
- DIY Peppermint Candy Spoons
- Christmas Sugar Cookie Blossoms
- Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark is a holiday staple and so easy to make! Layered with white chocolate, peppermint, semi-sweet chocolate, and crushed candy canes! The perfect homemade holiday gift for friends and family!
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Mini Candy Canes (Crushed)
- ½ Tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
- 2 10-oz bags Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 2 10- 10-oz bags White Chocolate Chips
- ½ Tbsp Coconut Oil
Instructions
- Place Mini Candy Canes in a ziplock freezer bag and seal shut. Crush candy until you have varying sizes of crushed candy canes to sprinkle on the top of your bark. Set aside.
Line a 9x13 baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone baking mat. Set aside.
Place Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.
Once the chocolate has melted pour over the top of the parchment paper or baking mat and spread evenly. Place the chocolate in the refrigerator while preparing the white chocolate mixture.
Place your white chocolate chips, coconut oil, and peppermint extract in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate mixture and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.
Pour the white chocolate mixture over the semi-sweet chocolate mixture, spread it evenly using a silicone spatula and immediately sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the top of the white chocolate. Press crushed candy canes into the white chocolate mixture and then refrigerate until fully set about 10-20 minutes.
Remove from the refrigerator and break into small pieces
Recipe Video
Nutrition per serving
Classic Ghiradelli peppermint bark might be delicious, but it doesn’t even come close to our homemade peppermint bark recipe.
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