The holiday season is a time for joy, gatherings, and delicious treats. A beloved favorite is the Traditional Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Bark, a delightful blend of rich chocolate and refreshing peppermint, perfect for holiday indulgence.
Why I Love This Recipe
This Peppermint Bark, folks, is the holiday joy I look forward to every year.
It’s like a delicious blast of winter wonderland in every bite!
You see, making it is a breeze, and it turns into this fantastic treat that instantly makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.
Plus, sharing it with family and friends, watching their eyes light up when they taste it – well, that’s what the holidays are all about, isn’t it?
So, if you ask me, this recipe is a magical way to spread happiness during the season.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
▪️ Quick and Easy: You’ll adore this recipe for its simplicity. No need to be a pastry chef; anyone can whip this up!
▪️ Impressive Presentation: It looks stunning with its contrasting layers, making it an eye-catching addition to your holiday dessert spread.
▪️ Irresistible Flavor: The combination of velvety chocolate and cool peppermint is simply divine.
Helpful Kitchen Tools
Ingredients
▪️ 12 ounces of semi-sweet chocolate chips: This is the rich, dark chocolate that forms the base of your peppermint bark.
▪️ 12 ounces of white chocolate chips: These creamy white chips go on top of the dark chocolate, creating a snowy layer.
▪️ 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract: Just a small amount of this extract adds that refreshing minty flavor we all love.
▪️ 1/2 cup of crushed candy canes: Crushed candy canes provide a festive crunch and a burst of peppermint goodness.
Making Of Chocolate Peppermint Bark
STEP 1: Find a baking sheet and line it with parchment paper. This will make cleanup a breeze!
STEP 2: Take your semi-sweet chocolate chips and pop them in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave them in short bursts (like 30 seconds at a time), stirring each time. Keep doing this until your chocolate turns all smooth and velvety. If you don’t have a microwave, you can use a double boiler. It’s fancy, but it’s just a pot with simmering water and another bowl on top to melt your chocolate.
STEP 3: Pour that melted chocolate onto your parchment-lined pan. Use a spatula, like the one you use for pancakes, to spread it out nice and even. Now, slide that pan into your fridge. Why? Because we want it to firm up and get ready for the next layer. That’s about 15-20 minutes.
STEP 4: While the first layer is cooling in the fridge, it’s white chocolate time. Melt your white chocolate chips just like you did before. This time, add a drop or two of peppermint extract. It’s like a holiday hug for your taste buds!
STEP 5: Pour the white chocolate over the chilled semi-sweet layer. Don’t worry about being too fancy – just get it on there. Now, use your spatula again to spread it out evenly.
STEP 6: Remember those candy canes? Crush them up – you can use a bag and a rolling pin or just get creative with whatever you have. Sprinkle those sweet, crushed pieces all over the white chocolate. Gently press them down with your spatula so they stick.
STEP 7: Back into the fridge it goes! Let it chill for another 15-20 minutes. This step is all about making it solid and easy to break into pieces later.
STEP 8: Now comes the fun part. Take your bark out of the fridge. It’s hardened up nicely. Use your hands or a knife to break it into cool, irregular pieces. No need to be perfect – it’s more fun when it’s a bit messy!
STEP 9: And there you have it! Your Traditional Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Bark is ready to be devoured. Share it with your family and friends, and savor every tasty bite.
Tips and Techniques
▪️ Make sure your utensils are completely dry when working with chocolate to prevent any seizing.
▪️ Experiment with different toppings like chopped nuts or holiday-themed sprinkles for extra flair.
▪️ Store in an airtight container in the fridge to keep your bark fresh and delicious.
Serving Size
This recipe will give you enough Traditional Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Bark for about 12 to 16 good-sized pieces, perfect for sharing with your loved ones.
Serving Suggestions
▪️ Wrap individual pieces in festive bags or boxes for charming holiday gifts.
▪️ Serve alongside a cup of hot cocoa for the ultimate winter treat.
Variations
▪️ Swap the semi-sweet chocolate for dark chocolate for a more intense cocoa flavor.
▪️ Add chopped nuts like almonds or pecans for a delightful crunch.
Storage Tips
After making this delightful Traditional Holiday Chocolate Peppermint Bark, it’s essential to keep it fresh for as long as possible. To do that, pop it in an airtight container and store it in the refrigerator. This helps it stay nice and firm, so it won’t melt or get too soft. Plus, it’ll taste just as yummy even after a couple of weeks in the fridge. So, when you’re ready for another sweet holiday treat, it’ll be right there waiting for you!
FAQs
Q. Can I use peppermint oil instead of peppermint extract?
Yes, you can! Just be very cautious, as peppermint oil is potent. Start with a drop or two and adjust to taste.
Q. Can I make this in advance?
Absolutely! This Peppermint Bark stores well, making it a perfect make-ahead treat for the holidays.
Q. Can I use pre-crushed candy canes?
Of course! Using pre-crushed candy canes can save you time, but if you have whole candy canes, place them in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin or mallet.
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 12 ounces semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces white chocolate chips
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- In a microwave-safe bowl, melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips in 30-second increments, stirring in between until smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler. Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared baking sheet and spread it evenly.
- Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes, or until the chocolate sets.
- Melt the white chocolate chips in the same way, adding the peppermint extract. Stir well.
- Pour the melted white chocolate over the chilled semi-sweet layer. Quickly spread it evenly.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes evenly over the white chocolate. Press them down gently.
- Return the bark to the fridge for another 15-20 minutes, or until fully set.
- Once firm, break the peppermint bark into pieces. Serve and enjoy!
Notes
- Ensure your utensils are completely dry when working with chocolate to prevent any seizing.
- Get creative with toppings like nuts or holiday-themed sprinkles.
- Store your Peppermint Bark in an airtight container in the fridge to keep it fresh for up to two weeks.