Festive & Fun Peppermint Bark Recipe for Holiday Magic

Cool winter nights call for magical peppermint bark that sparkles with festive charm.

Sweet chocolate layers melt together effortlessly in this simple treat.

My grandmother shared her secret technique decades ago, turning a basic recipe into something extraordinary.

Crisp peppermint pieces crunch against smooth chocolate surfaces, creating delightful sensations.

Minimal ingredients combine quickly, making this dessert perfect for busy home cooks.

Everyone will adore these elegant, homemade candies that look professionally crafted.

Whip up this delectable confection and watch smiles spread across happy faces.

Peppermint Bark That Brings the Holiday Spirit

• Quick and simple dessert that takes less than an hour to prepare from start to finish.
• Requires only a few basic ingredients like chocolate and peppermint candies, making it super accessible for home cooks.
• Perfect for holiday gatherings, gift-giving, or adding a festive touch to your dessert table with its classic peppermint flavor and elegant look.
• Costs significantly less to make at home compared to store-bought versions, allowing you to create a gourmet-style treat without breaking the bank.

Must-Have Ingredients for Homemade Peppermint Bark

• Dark Chocolate: Rich and smooth base for the bark, providing a deep flavor contrast to the white chocolate and peppermint.
• Peppermint Extract: Enhances the minty flavor, adding a refreshing note to the chocolate layers.

• White Chocolate: Creamy topping that creates a beautiful color contrast and adds sweetness to the bark.

• Peppermint Candies: Crushed candies add festive color, crunchy texture, and intense peppermint flavor to the bark.

• Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat: Non-stick surface for easy removal and clean chocolate layering.
• Baking Sheet or Shallow Baking Dish: Flat surface for creating an even chocolate layer.
• Spatula: Helps in spreading chocolate smoothly and evenly.

Make Your Own Peppermint Bark with Layers

Step 1: Prepare Baking Surface

Cover a baking sheet with parchment paper, ensuring complete surface coverage. Smooth out any wrinkles to create a flat workspace.

Step 2: Craft Dark Chocolate Layer

• Microwave: Heat in short 20-second bursts
• Double boiler: Gently melt over simmering water

Stir chocolate until perfectly smooth and glossy. Optional: Add peppermint extract for extra flavor. Spread chocolate evenly across prepared surface. Chill in refrigerator for 20 minutes until completely set.

Step 3: Create White Chocolate Topping

• Use gentle heating
• Stir consistently
• Avoid overheating

Add remaining peppermint extract if desired. Chocolate should look silky and luxurious.

Step 4: Layer and Decorate

Pour white chocolate over dark chocolate layer. Use spatula to spread evenly. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies across surface. Gently press candies to ensure they stick.

Step 5: Chill and Solidify

Place bark in refrigerator for minimum 30 minutes. Chocolate should become completely firm and crisp.

Step 6: Break Into Pieces

Remove bark from refrigerator. Break into rustic, uneven chunks using hands or knife. Irregular shapes create beautiful, homemade appearance.

Step 7: Store and Enjoy

Transfer bark pieces to airtight container. Keep at room temperature or refrigerate. Bark remains fresh for two weeks. Perfect for holiday gifts or personal indulgence.

Tips That Keep Peppermint Bark Crisp and Clean

• Optimize Chocolate Melting: Use low, steady heat to prevent chocolate from seizing or burning, stirring frequently and removing from heat just before fully melted for smooth, glossy texture.
• Customize Candy Crush: Vary peppermint candy size by using a food processor or placing candies in a sealed bag and crushing with a rolling pin for different texture and visual appeal.
• Control Sweetness Level: Adjust peppermint extract amount based on personal preference, starting with less and adding gradually to maintain balanced flavor without overwhelming mint taste.
• Perfect Chocolate Layer Technique: Spread each chocolate layer thinly and evenly, using an offset spatula or the back of a spoon to create smooth, uniform surfaces for professional-looking bark.
• Make Dietary Adaptations: Substitute dairy-free chocolate for vegan version, or use sugar-free peppermint candies for low-sugar alternative, ensuring recipe remains delicious for different dietary needs.

Store Peppermint Bark Without Losing Crunch

• Store peppermint bark in an airtight container, keeping it cool to maintain freshness for up to 2 weeks.
• Place wax paper or parchment paper between bark pieces to prevent sticking and preserve individual shapes.
• Keep bark in a sealed container away from direct sunlight and heat sources to maintain texture and flavor.
• Wrap bark tightly in plastic wrap, then place in a freezer-safe container to extend storage life up to 3 months, thawing at room temperature before serving.

Treats to Pair with Peppermint Bark

• Warm, rich hot chocolate complements the peppermint bark's cool, crisp flavor, creating a delightful winter dessert experience.
• Smooth espresso with steamed milk balances the chocolate's intensity and highlights the refreshing peppermint notes.
• Adult version featuring a chilled schnapps drink that amplifies the mint flavor and adds a playful holiday twist.
• Crisp, light champagne or prosecco cuts through the sweetness, providing a elegant and bubbly counterpoint to the rich chocolate bark.

Bark Flavor Variants to Try Beyond Peppermint

• Dairy-Free Delight: Replace dark and white chocolate with dairy-free chocolate chips, using coconut oil for smooth melting. Sprinkle crushed vegan peppermint candies on top for a plant-based version.
• Gluten-Free Option: Ensure all chocolate and peppermint candies are certified gluten-free. Check ingredient labels carefully to avoid cross-contamination.
• Sugar-Free Alternative: Use sugar-free white and dark chocolate chips with stevia-sweetened peppermint candies. This version works great for low-carb and diabetic-friendly diets.
• Nut-Free Chocolate Bark: Replace traditional peppermint candies with naturally colored sugar crystals or crushed candy canes. Verify all chocolate brands are produced in nut-free facilities for those with severe allergies.

Peppermint Bark Recipe

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4.9 from 11 reviews

• Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
• Yield: 16 1x

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Description

Homemade peppermint bark delights winter celebrations with its festive chocolate layers and crisp candy cane crunch. Chocolate lovers relish this simple yet elegant dessert that brings holiday cheer directly to sweet-craving souls.

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Ingredients

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Main Ingredients:

• 200 g (7 ounces) dark or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
• 200 g (7 ounces) white chocolate, chopped

Flavor Enhancers:

• 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)

Garnish:

• ½ cup (75 g) crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

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Instructions

1. Prepare a baking sheet with parchment paper or silicone mat, ensuring complete coverage of the surface to prevent sticking and facilitate easy removal.
2. Carefully melt dark chocolate using a double boiler or microwave, stirring frequently to maintain a smooth, glossy consistency and prevent scorching.
3. Infuse the melted dark chocolate with a hint of peppermint extract, gently incorporating the flavor throughout the chocolate.
4. Spread the dark chocolate evenly across the prepared baking sheet, creating a uniform layer that will serve as the foundation of the bark.
5. Refrigerate the dark chocolate layer for approximately 20 minutes, allowing it to set firmly and create a stable base for the white chocolate topping.
6. Repeat the melting process with white chocolate, using gentle heat and continuous stirring to achieve a silky texture.
7. Add the remaining peppermint extract to the white chocolate, blending thoroughly to distribute the flavor evenly.
8. Carefully pour the melted white chocolate over the chilled dark chocolate layer, ensuring complete and even coverage.
9. Immediately sprinkle crushed peppermint candies across the surface, pressing them lightly to ensure they adhere to the chocolate.
10. Return the bark to the refrigerator, allowing it to chill and completely solidify for at least 30 minutes.
11. Once fully set, gently break the bark into irregular, rustic pieces using your hands or a sharp knife.
12. Transfer the peppermint bark to an airtight container, storing at room temperature or in the refrigerator to maintain freshness for up to two weeks.

Notes

• Select high-quality chocolate for richer, more intense flavor profiles that elevate the bark’s taste.
• Crush peppermint candies finely to ensure even distribution and prevent large, sharp chunks that might disrupt the smooth texture.
• Control chocolate melting temperature carefully to prevent seizing or developing a grainy consistency, which can ruin the bark’s silky finish.
• Experiment with different chocolate percentages like 60% or 70% dark chocolate to customize bitterness and sweetness levels according to personal preference.

• Prep Time: 15 minutes
• Cook Time: 50 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 16
• Calories: 170
• Sugar: 15 g
• Sodium: 10 mg
• Fat: 9 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 4 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 22 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Protein: 2 g
• Cholesterol: 5 mg