Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (2024)

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This easy peppermint bark recipe makes a great no bake Christmas treat! Perfect for gifting, this peppermint bark has rich dark chocolate, creamy white chocolate, fresh peppermint and crushed candy canes on top. Nothing beats that classic combination of chocolate and peppermint!
Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (1)

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We are in the thick of the holiday season, how are you all doing? I still have so much baking to do. If you plan on giving food gifts this holiday season, consider adding this Easy Peppermint Bark to your list.

It only has four ingredients and is super quick and easy to make. Trust me, I made it during nap time, and my baby is a short napper.

What are the ingredients for peppermint bark?

Classic peppermint bark has dark chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract and crushed candy canes or peppermint candies. Here is a little shortcut to make this easy recipe even easier – buy crushed peppermint candies. It saves a few minutes and means you don’t have to worry about washing your blender or food processor. Can’t find crushed candy canes? No big deal, here is how to make it yourself.

How to Crush Candy Canes:

Add candy canes to a food processor or blender. Pulse until crushed. Can you crush candy canes without a food processor? Yes, place candy canes in a gallon ziptop bag and seal. Crush with a rolling pin until crushed.

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (2)
How do you make peppermint bark in the microwave?

This recipe for Peppermint Bark is so easy it can be made using the microwave. To make peppermint bark in the microwave, first melt the dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl (I like to use my pyrex glass measuing cup for easy pouring). It is important to slowly melt the chocolate and not overheat it. So it is best to microwave on 50% power for 12-20 seconds at a time, stirring in between. Stop heating when just melted.

Pour the dark chocolate onto a sheet of parchment paper, spread it into a 11×8 rectangle. Allow to set but not harden, about 10 minutes. Repeat the process with the white chocolate. Once melted, stir in the peppermint extract.

Pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate. If the dark chocolate is still wet, it will mix with the white chocolate. But if it is completely hardened, the white chocolate will not adhere to the dark chocolate and they will separate. That is why it is best to do this when the dark chocolate is set but not hardened.

As soon as you spread out the white chocolate, sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top. Allow to completely harden before cutting or breaking the peppermint bark.

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (3)
How long does peppermint bark keep for?

Peppermint Bark will keep for 1-2 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (4)

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (5)

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe

By Meghan McMorrow | Fox and Briar

5 from 1 vote

Prep 20 minutes mins

Cooling time 1 hour hr 15 minutes mins

Total 1 hour hr 35 minutes mins

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (6)

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This easy peppermint bark recipe makes a great no bake Christmas treat! Perfect for gifting, this peppermint bark has rich dark chocolate, creamy white chocolate, fresh peppermint and crushed candy canes on top. Nothing beats that classic combination of chocolate and peppermint!

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces dark chocolate, high quality I used Ghirardelli melting wafers. DO NOT use chocolate chips.
  • 10 ounces white chocolate, high quality I used Ghirardelli melting wafers. DO NOT use chocolate chips.
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

  • Prepare a sheet of parchment paper at least 14 inches long, set aside.

  • Melt the dark chocolate. You can either melt it over a double broiler or in the microwave. If using the microwave, melt it in 15 second increments, stirring each time in between. It is important not to overheat the chocolate. Stop heating when it is just melted.

  • Pour the dark chocolate onto the parchment paper. Using a spatula, quickly spread into a 8 x 11 rectangle. Allow to set for about 10 minutes, but do not let it completely harden.

  • Repeat the same melting process with the white chocolate. When melted, stir in the peppermint extract. Pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate, spread into a 8x11 rectangle over the dark chocolate rectangle. Immediately sprinkle crushed candy canes on top.

  • Allow cool until completely hardened, at least one hour. Cut or break into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week.

Notes

Use high quality chocolate - I use Ghirardelli melting wafers. You can also use high quality chocolate bars or bakers chocolate. Do not use chocolate chips.

If the dark chocolate is too wet, it will blend with the white chocolate, but if it is completely hardened it will not adhere to the white chocolate and they will separate.

If you try to cut or break the peppermint bark before it is completely hardened, it will rip or bend instead of breaking.

Nutrition

Serving: 2Ounces | Calories: 3447kcal | Carbohydrates: 354g | Protein: 39g | Fat: 212g | Saturated Fat: 124g | Cholesterol: 68mg | Sodium: 312mg | Potassium: 2838mg | Fiber: 31g | Sugar: 278g | Vitamin A: 195IU | Vitamin C: 1.4mg | Calcium: 771mg | Iron: 34.4mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: American

Did you like this recipe?Please comment, rate and share! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram @foxandbriar AND #foxandbriar so I can see what you made!

Christmas Desserts Easy Recipes Featured Posts Food Gluten Free Quick Recipes Vegetarian Winter

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (7)

Hello! I’m Meghan.

I am so glad that you are here! I am the recipe developer, photographer, and writer here at my blog Fox and Briar. I am a passionate, self-taught home cook and believe that most things are better homemade and that good food doesn’t need to be complicated.

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Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How to crush candy canes for peppermint bark? ›

(This layer will not have peppermint extract.) Sprinkle evenly with crushed candy canes. To crush, place the unwrapped candy canes in a sealed zipped-top bag and roll or bang with a rolling pin or meat mallet until crushed. Refrigerate the bark until completely set, about 1 hour.

How to keep peppermint bark layers from separating? ›

Don't rush the chilling process. The longer you allow the peppermint bark to set, the less likely it will be for the layers to separate. Bring the chocolate to room temperature before breaking it. This will prevent the peppermint bark from separating when you break it into pieces.

What is peppermint bark made of? ›

Peppermint bark is a holiday treat made with two types of chocolate—either semisweet or dark and white—and chopped candy canes. Williams-Sonoma is basically famous for theirs at this point, and for good reason—it's delicious.

Why is Ghirardelli peppermint bark so good? ›

The layer of rich dark chocolate and the creamy mint layer with bits of peppermint crunch are a perfect blend of flavors and textures. They're best when kept in the refrigerator as it really helps keeps the mint and chocolate flavors crisp so they stand out more.

How do you crush peppermint candies quickly? ›

Look to this quick, mess-free tip for crushing peppermint candies. Coarsely crush the peppermint candies in a resealable plastic bag using the smooth side of a meat mallet. Since the candies are so hard, the heftiness of the mallet is the best thing for breaking them up quickly.

How do you crush candy canes without making a mess? ›

Try placing unwrapped candy canes into a ziplock freezer bag and then a plastic grocery bag. Put the bag onto a cutting board and bash with a rolling pin until they are broken into small pieces. The pieces of candy may eventually cut throught the ziplock but will still be contained by the plastic grocery bag.

Does peppermint bark go bad? ›

Does peppermint bark go bad? Yes, peppermint bark will go bad if not stored properly and/or consumed within a few weeks. It's very important that you store the peppermint bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.

Why is my peppermint bark sticky? ›

Peppermint bark can get sticky in the fridge or freezer. This happens because of condensation–basically moisture–on the peppermint candy. The ideal place to store peppermint bark is on the counter, where condensation won't be a problem.

What's the difference between peppermint and peppermint bark? ›

Peppermint bark is a chocolate confection. Generally it consists of peppermint candy pieces, such as candy canes, in white chocolate on top of dark chocolate, but peppermint bark can refer to any chocolate with peppermint candy pieces in it. It is especially popular around the Christmas season.

Who makes Costco peppermint bark? ›

Discovered by Laura Lamb at Costco Hot Finds, the Kirkland Signature Peppermint Bark has made its triumphant return to the bakery department and fans have been sounding the alarm upon its arrival. ♥️ I love this peppermint bark so much!!!

Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint extract? ›

Because of the difference in menthol concentration, they are not ideal substitutes for one another despite having similar properties. As a result, spearmint is more commonly used in sweet and savory applications, while peppermint is more often found in sweet desserts, especially around the holidays.

Is Williams Sonoma peppermint bark good? ›

It's chocolatey, crisp, crunchy, and super festive. Peppermint bark also makes for a great gift, especially if you splurge on a tin of Williams Sonoma's beloved bark. For 25 years, the kitchen supply store has sold its signature recipe in decorative tins around the holidays.

Is peppermint candy good or bad for you? ›

Like everything else we consume, it's best to consume them in moderation. Eating enough peppermint candies helps reduce bad breath and relieve indigestion and other stomach problems. However, peppermint candies have a high calorie and sugar content. Eating them in excessive amounts is not good for your overall health.

Who made the original peppermint bark? ›

After 20 rounds of recipe testing, in 1998, Williams Sonoma founder Chuck Williams and the Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen team developed the signature recipe for The Original Peppermint Bark that sparked a food trend that is celebrated by chocolate enthusiasts around the world during the holiday season.

Is Quest peppermint bark good? ›

They're delicious but here for a limited time only, with 21g of protein, less than 1g of sugar and 4g of net carbs so grab them while you can! It's way bigger than a protein bar.

Can you use candy canes to make peppermint extract? ›

Peppermint extract can also be made from hard peppermint candies. Just drop a handful in the vodka, and proceed with the directions. Make an extra batch to keep on hand for the next time you need a gift. Save the bottles from your store-bought extracts, and refill them with your own extracts.

Which liquid will dissolve a candy cane the fastest? ›

Which liquid will dissolve the candy canes first? I see some colors starting to come off the hot water. We are now at about 5 minutes. Well, sorry to burst your CO 2 bubble, but hot water still wins for fastest dissolver.

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