It's not the holidays if you aren't indulging in a few sweets, and this peppermint bark will definitely be a temptation. This recipe quickly became a holiday favorite and a little treat for friends and family. Get the recipe, and a gift idea, below.
Peppermint Bark Recipe
First, prep your parchment paper by drawing out a 9 x 13 rectangle.
Then flip the parchment paper over and set on a baking sheet. This is a trick I learned from Ina Garten, and it makes spreading the chocolate so much easier.
Then in a ziplock bag, crush candy canes or peppermint candies.
Begin with melting semi-sweet chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments. Make sure to only microwave for 30 seconds at a time...this is VERY IMPORTANT so your chocolate does not burn.
Once the chocolate is melted, pour and spread creating the shape of your rectangle.
Place your semisweet chocolate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. While the chocolate is hardening, you can melt the white chocolate. Be careful NOT TO USE white chocolate with palm oil. Palm oil will cause your chocolates to not stick together. I learned this lesson the hard way! Once the white chocolate is melted, add in peppermint extract to give it a delicious minty flavor. You can add more or less depending on your personal taste.
After 15 minutes, take out the semisweet chocolate and pour on the white chocolate.
Finally add your crushed candy canes to the melted white chocolate, and place in the refrigerator for at least 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes let your bark come to room temperature, then break, and enjoy!
Gift Idea:
If you need a small gift idea, you can put the bark into small bags for friends or neighbors.
Or add it as a treat in a hot chocolate/apple cider gift box or a mix drink box to surprise your friends.
I found this recipe from Dinner at the Zoo. Click the link for more details and variations of bark.
From my sweet tooth to yours...Merry Christmas!
Blessings,
amber :)
@amber_schluens on Instagram