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