This easy peppermint bark recipe will have you and your guests indulging in all the Christmas feels this holiday season! This is the perfect holiday treat for any candy or cookie box, party, or just because! (moms, I’m talking to you ;))
To me, there is nothing better than homemade treats during the holidays. My boys can definitely vouch for that too. So what better than homemade peppermint bark. This peppermint bark will melt in your mouth and have you coming back for more! It is definitely a delicious treat for the holiday season.
If this is your first time melting chocolate, don’t be afraid! As long as you keep the temp low and keep mixing, you will be fine.
What Ingredients do I need to make Peppermint Bark?
This peppermint bark recipe is so delicious and the chocolate will just melt in your mouth! Yah, it’s that good.
There are only 4 ingredients you will need to make this easy peppermint bark recipe.. Hence the word “easy”.
Milk chocolate bar- You can also use chocolate chips, dark chocolate, or semisweet chocolate. For this recipe I use milk chocolate for a creamier texture. Be sure to use high quality chocolate for this recipe. High quality chocolate does not burn as easily and it tastes a lot better in chocolate recipes. So don’t be around to splurge a little. I use Ghirardelli milk chocolate for this recipe.
White chocolate bar- Similar to the milk chocolate bar, use a high quality chocolate for the white chocolate as well. You can also use real white chocolate chips.
Peppermint extract- You will need one teaspoon of the peppermint extract for this recipe.
Peppermint candy- For this recipe I use crushed mini candy canes, but you can also use the round peppermint candy or large candy canes. You will need about 1-1.5 cups of crushed candy canes.
Some other items you will need for this recipe:
- square baking pan
- parchment paper
- double boiler (homemade is fine)
- rubber spatula
- angled cake spatula (optional)
- patience
How to Make a DIY Double Boiler
Before we begin making the peppermint bark, let’s talk about how to set up a homemade or diy double boiler. It’s really very simple.
First, gather a medium sized pot and a large glass or metal mixing bowl. Avoid using plastic.
Next, put about 1 inch of water in the pot. Place it on the stove and let it come to a boil.
Once it is boiling, turn down the heat so it is a simmer. Simmering will usually stay consistent on low heat. Then, place the metal or glass mixing bowl on top. It is very important that the water does not touch the bottom of the bowl. This will cause the chocolate to melt too fast and could potentially burn it.
BOOM! There you have it, a homemade double boiler. It’s really that simple.
How to Make Peppermint Bark
Let’s dive into making this decadent holiday peppermint bark.
Before we begin, I like to melt one chocolate at a time; however, you are welcome to set up two melting stations and melt them at the same time. The caveat in doing this, though is that the white chocolate will be sitting in the boiler for a longer period of time. You run the risk of the chocolate seizing and burning.
So let’s first gather and set up our items and ingredients.
First, set up your double boiler and line a square pan with parchment paper. Be sure the parchment paper covers the bottom and the sides of the pan. NOTE: You can also use a baking sheet for this recipe, if you do not have a square pan. If you are making a double batch, use a baking sheet.
Next, chop the chocolate bar into similar sized pieces. You want them to be similar in size so they melt at relatively the same time. The longer the chocolate is in the pan, the greater the risk of it burning.
Get your peppermint extract ready as well.
Once the pot of water is simmering, pale the mixing bowl on top of the simmering water. Add the chopped chocolate bar and 1tsp peppermint extract. The peppermint will give the peppermint bark that beautiful Christmas peppermint taste your desiring! Continually mix the chocolate and peppermint with a rubber spatula until the all the chunks are melted and the chocolate is silky smooth.
Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared pan or prepared cookie sheet. Use the angled cake spatula (offset spatula) or the rubber spatula to spread the chocolate around until there is an even chocolate layer. Use your best judgement on this. This will be the bottom layer to the peppermint bark.
Then place the pan in the fridge to chill for at least 20-30 minutes.
You will know the chocolate is hardened enough for the next layer when you touch it and it does not leave any finger marks and chocolate doesn’t pull up.
This is where a bit of patience is needed.
Next, prepare the white chocolate layer. Clean the equipment and boil more water in the pan.
Next, chop the white chocolate bar into similar sized pieces and set aside.
Then, gather your peppermint candy and chop them into smaller pieces. You can do this in one of 2 ways.
You can place the candy canes or peppermint candy in a large ziplock bag and use a rolling pin to bang on the bag and crush the candies. OR you can add the candy canes to a food processor and pulse until the candy canes are crushed.
Now, melt the white chocolate in the double boiler until all the chunks are gone and the chocolate is silky smooth. Keep a close eye on the white chocolate as it is melting as white chocolate has a tendency to burn easier than darker chocolates.
Once melted add the white chocolate mixture on top of the milk chocolate layer. Spread the white chocolate around until you have an even layer.
Before placing in the fridge to cool again, sprinkle the candy cane bits on top of the white chocolate layer. This is a personal preference. Use as much as you like or as little as you like.
Place in the fridge for another 20-30 minutes to chill.
Check for doneness before cutting.
Once the bark is ready to cut into pieces, use a sharp knife to cut pieces of bark. You can cut into uniformed squares or you can cut at angles to create more of a jagged and fun look. You can create small pieces or large pieces of peppermint bark. The choice is yours!
Enjoy your peppermint bark on Christmas, add them to your candy boxes for others, and Merry Christmas!
How to store Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to one week. If left at room temperature for too long, the chocolate will melt. Freeze in a sealed container for up to 6 months.
How to freeze peppermint bark
Wrap peppermint bark in plastic wrap then add to a ziplock bag. Freeze for up to 6 months.
Have a lot of crushed peppermint candies left over?
Use them in these delicious chocolate recipes!
- peppermint brownies
- chocolate cupcakes or cake with chocolate frosting
Make sure to tag me @raesbakeryblog on Instagram and comment below if you make this easy peppermint bark recipe.
This post contains affiliate links which means if you purchase something off one of those links I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for supporting my blog!
Coffee and Brownies,
Ashley Rae
Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe
This peppermint bark will melt in your mouth and have you coming back for more! It is definitely a delicious treat for the holiday season.
Ingredients
- Two 4oz milk chocolate bars
- Two 4oz white chocolate bars
- 1 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
- Set up a double boiler (see above for how to DIY one)
- Line a square pan or baking sheet with parchment paper
- Chop the milk chocolate bar into smaller chunks/pieces.
- Melt chocolate in a double boiler with1 tsp peppermint extract.
- Stir continuously until chocolate has no more chunks and is silky smooth.
- Add to the prepared pan.
- Spread out in an even layer using the rubber spatula or angled cake spatula.
- Chill for 20-30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop the white chocolate bar into pieces.
- Crush the peppermint candies into smaller pieces.
- Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler.
- Once melted, pour on top of the milk chocolate layer.
- Spread out evenly.
- Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top. This is personal preference. Sprinkle as many as you would like or as little as you would like.
- Place peppermint bark in the fridge and Chill for about 20-30 minutes.
- Once chilled and hardened, using a sharp knife, cut peppermint bark into desired pieces.
- Keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 1 week.
Notes
Cut bark in squares or at an angle. The choice is yours!
Be sure to keep in the fridge until serving or the chocolate will melt.
See details in the blog post for making a double boiler and making the bark.
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