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Peppermint Bark is a Christmas classic! Made with layers of melted semi sweet and white chocolate and candy cane bits. This is a super simple and fun holiday giving treat! You could even throw together an ever popular Christmas Dessert Board this holiday season and add some Peppermint Bark!
But Wait, What is Peppermint Bark?
Peppermint Bark is very simple to make, but seems impressive and fancy at the same time. Made with layers of white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate, crushed candy canes and peppermint extract.
How to Make Peppermint Bark
This recipe is almost not even a recipe….it’s THAT simple to make. For the printable recipe card, see below. Here is how to make this festive pepperminty Peppermint Bark:
Prep Baking Pan
Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper, so that there is overhang on both sides (for easy lifting). The baking spray is optional, but helps the paper stick better.
Melt Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips + Add Half the Peppermint Extract
In a double boiler (bowl placed over a pot of steaming water), melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips stirring constantly. This can also be done in a microwave.
Once melted, remove from heat and slowly stir in half of the peppermint extract (¾ tsp).
Pour into Baking Pan + Refrigerate
Pour melted chocolate into baking pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula. Place pan in refrigerator for 10 minutes or until set.
Melt White Chocolate Chips + Add Remaining Peppermint Extract
In a double boiler, melt the white chocolate chips stirring constantly.
Once melted, remove from heat and slowly stir in the remainder of the peppermint extract (¾ tsp).
Pour White Chocolate Over the Semi-Sweet Chocolate
Remove pan from refrigerator. Pour melted white chocolate on top of semi-sweet chocolate and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
Add Crushed Peppermint Bits, Pressing Gently
Sprinkle Peppermint Bits all over top of white chocolate and press down gently with your hand to ensure they stick. Let sit at room temperature for about an hour. You can crush candy canes or peppermint candies in a zip bag with a rolling pin or…OR just buy these Crushed Peppermint Candy Bits and save yourself a ton of time and effort.
Break Bark into Pieces
Once set, pull bark out of pan and break into pieces with your hands or carefully cut with a very sharp knife into uniform shapes. Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
Storing Peppermint Bark
Store in a cool, dark place, in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks. This is why this is such a good neighbor gift treat. You can also freeze it for up to 3 months. Just make sure you’re using a freezer safe container or zip bag.
More Christmas Treat Ideas!
- Christmas Crack
- Puppy Chow aka Muddy Buddies
- No Bake Cookies
- Amaretti Cookies
- Brown Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies
- Christmas Shortbread Cookies
I hope you enjoy this Christmas Peppermint crack…I mean Peppermint Bark. You’re sure to be addicted and want to make it again and again! Be sure to save, print, bookmark or share this recipe!
If you make this Peppermint Bark recipe I would appreciate it so much if you would give it a star review! Happy Holidays, friends!
Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 12 oz Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
- 12 oz White Chocolate Chips
- ½ cup Crushed Peppermint Candy Bits or crushed candy canes
- 1 ½ tsp Peppermint Extract
Instructions
- Spray a 9×13 baking pan with baking spray and line with parchment paper, so that there is overhang on both sides (for easy lifting). The baking spray is optional, but helps the paper stick better.
- In a double boiler (bowl placed over a pot of steaming water), melt the semi-sweet chocolate chips stirring constantly. This can also be done in a microwave.
- Once melted, remove from heat and slowly stir in half of the peppermint extract (¾ tsp).
- Pour melted chocolate into baking pan and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
- Place pan in refrigerator for 10 minutes or until set.
- In a double boiler, melt the white chocolate chips stirring constantly.
- Once melted, remove from heat and slowly stir in the remainder of the peppermint extract (¾ tsp).
- Remove pan from refrigerator.
- Pour melted white chocolate on top of semi-sweet chocolate and spread evenly with an offset spatula.
- Sprinkle Peppermint Bits all over top of white chocolate and press down gently with your hand to ensure they stick.
- Let sit at room temperature for about an hour.
- Once set, pull bark out of pan and break into pieces with your hands or cut into uniform shapes with a knife.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature.
I was making these for a work Christmas treat. I followed the directions exactly but the layers separated when I cut them. Very disappointing as they look like a mess and I have no intention of offering them. Too late to make anything else.
We love this but prefer milk chocolate rather than semi-sweet.
I use oil based flavors because others have water and it will seize up.