How to Make Peppermint Bark: Easy Homemade Recipe for the Holidays
Nothing says the holiday season quite like a batch of festive peppermint bark. This easy peppermint bark recipe combines layers of high-quality chocolate and crushed peppermint candies to create a delicious treat perfect for gifting or enjoying alongside classic Christmas cookies. Here’s how to make this classic holiday treat with simple ingredients and the best flavor.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
- Simple Ingredients: Made with just two simple ingredients: chocolate and peppermint candies.
- Customizable: Choose your favorite types of chocolate to create your ideal flavor combination.
- Perfect for Gifting: Packaged in a mason jar or festive tin, it makes a thoughtful homemade gift.
- Classic Holiday Treat: A must-have addition to your Christmas cookie tray.
- Quick and Easy: The easiest way to make a delicious treat without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients Needed
With its creamy chocolate layers, refreshing peppermint flavor, and festive appearance, here is what you will need to make this homemade peppermint bark:
- DARK CHOCOLATE: To create the bottom layer, opt for semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate chips or bars. My favorite is Lilly’s Chocolate, as it has clean ingredients.
- WHITE CHOCOLATE: I use Lilly’s white chocolate chips or bars.
- CRUSHED PEPPERMINT: This gives the peppermint bark its festive look. I used some crushed candy cane pieces from our hot chocolate bar, but I recommend using Yum Earth Candy Canes to avoid artificial flavors and dyes.
- PEPPERMINT EXTRACT: To give it that festive holiday flavor, divide a small amount between the chocolate and white layers.
How to Make Peppermint Bark
This easy recipe is the perfect addition to any holiday gathering. Here is how to make homemade peppermint bark recipe:
1. CRUSH THE PEPPERMINTS: Place the peppermint candies or mini candy canes into a zip-top bag. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them into smaller pieces, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, use a food processor for even finer crushed candy cane pieces.
2. LINE YOUR PAN: Cover a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil.
3. MELT THE CHOCOLATE: Melt the chocolate over the top of a double boiler. Or, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon after each interval until smooth.
4. CREATE THE BOTTOM LAYER: Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon to spread it into an even layer about ¼ inch thick. Allow this bottom layer to set in a cool place (refrigerator) while you prepare the next layer.
5. MELT THE WHITE CHOCOLATE: Repeat the melting process with the white chocolate chips or bars; however, remove them from the heat just before all the chocolate has melted. Stir the chocolate and allow it to continue to melt off the heat.
6. ADD THE WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER: Allow the white chocolate to cool slightly, and then pour the melted white chocolate over the set dark chocolate layer. This will help prevent it from smearing into the chocolate layer, creating swirls instead of layers. Spread it gently to create an even top layer.
7. ADD CRUSHED CANDY: Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies evenly across the melted white chocolate while still soft.
8. LET IT SET: Allow the bark to cool and harden completely in a cool place or refrigerator. Once the chocolate bark is fully set, transfer it to a cutting board for the cutting process.
9. BREAK INTO PIECES: Use a sharp knife or your hands to break the bark into smaller pieces. Store peppermint bark in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a couple of weeks.
Recipe Tips
- For the best peppermint bark, use high quality chocolate. Depending on your preference, you can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate.
- Avoid chocolate with palm oil or palm kernel oil, as these can affect the texture.
- Make sure the white chocolate layer has cooled slightly before layering on the chocolate layer to prevent the layers from mixing.
- If you prefer a smoother top layer, press the peppermint candy lightly into the white chocolate before it sets.
How to Make Peppermint Bark
Equipment
- 1 baking sheet 8×8 or 8×12
- 1 Double Boiler
Ingredients
- 10 ounces chocolate
- 10 ounces white chocolate
- 3 tablespoon crushed peppermint candy, more if desired
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, divided
Instructions
- Place the peppermint candies or mini candy canes into a zip-top bag. Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to crush them into smaller pieces, leaving some chunks for texture. Alternatively, use a food processor for even finer crushed candy cane pieces.
- Cover a baking sheet or cookie sheet with parchment paper, wax paper, or aluminum foil.
- Melt the chocolate over the top of a double boiler. Or, in a microwave-safe bowl, melt the dark chocolate chips in 30-second intervals, stirring with a rubber spatula or wooden spoon after each interval until smooth.
- Pour the melted dark chocolate onto the prepared pan. Use the back of a spoon to spread it into an even layer about ¼ inch thick. Allow this bottom layer to set in a cool place (refrigerator) while you prepare the next layer.
- Repeat the melting process with the white chocolate chips or bars; however, remove them from the heat just before all the chocolate has melted. Stir the chocolate and allow it to continue to melt off the heat.
- Allow the white chocolate to cool slightly, and then pour the melted white chocolate over the set dark chocolate layer. This will help prevent it from smearing into the chocolate layer, creating swirls instead of layers. Spread it gently to create an even top layer.
- Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies evenly across the melted white chocolate while still soft.
- Allow the bark to cool and harden completely in a cool place or refrigerator. Once the chocolate bark is fully set, transfer it to a cutting board for the cutting process.
- Use a sharp knife or your hands to break the bark into smaller pieces. Store peppermint bark in an airtight container in a cool place for up to a couple of weeks.
Notes
- For the best peppermint bark, use high quality chocolate. Depending on your preference, you can use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or dark chocolate.
- Avoid chocolate with palm oil or palm kernel oil, as these can affect the texture.
- Make sure the white chocolate is close to room temperature before adding to the next chocolate layer to prevent the layers from mixing.
- If you prefer a smoother top layer, press the peppermint candy lightly into the white chocolate before it sets.
About Sarah
Wife. Mother. From-Scratch Cook. Homemaker.
I’m Sarah, the creator of Rocky Hedge Farm, where I share my love for simple living, homemade meals, and creating a cozy home. As a wife and mother, I’m passionate about slowing down, cooking from scratch, and finding joy in the everyday moments of life. From DIY projects and family-friendly recipes, I hope to inspire others to embrace a life rooted in simplicity and warmth.
