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Peppermint Bark

Featured in Desserts.

These chocolate-peppermint squares are festive! About 3 hours including chill time. Each chocolate layer is ideal thickness, and crushed candy adds crisp texture. Don't skip good-quality chocolate – it’s worth it. Allow near-set layers before stacking! Made for holiday gifts and got rave reviews. Looks pro and tasty.
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Updated on Sun, 13 Apr 2025 04:42:18 GMT
Square pieces of peppermint bark in a red dish, featuring a white chocolate top over dark chocolate, dotted with peppermint candy bits. Pin it
Square pieces of peppermint bark in a red dish, featuring a white chocolate top over dark chocolate, dotted with peppermint candy bits. | tasteofmoms.com

Whipping up peppermint bark brings holiday cheer straight to your kitchen. This treat turns ordinary chocolate and candy canes into a gorgeous layered delight that seems store-bought. Your home fills with minty scents as you work, creating that Christmas feeling any time of year.

Easy Festive Wonder

The beauty of peppermint bark lies in how deceptively easy yet stunning it is. You'll love the mix of silky chocolate with crunchy candy bits in every bite. I always make large batches for gifts - you should see how people smile when they get their personal stack of this holiday treat.

Ingredients List

  • White Chocolate: 12 ounces, pick quality stuff, it really counts.
  • Semi-Sweet Chocolate: 6 ounces, go for something rich.
  • Oil: 1 ½ teaspoons to make chocolate flow better.
  • Peppermint Extract: ½ teaspoon, get real stuff not fake.
  • Candy Canes: 2-3 smashed into pretty bits.

Bark Creation Steps

Prep Your Base
Get your pan lined flat for that fancy finish.
Bottom Layer Joy
Get white chocolate all melty and smooth, mix in peppermint and spread it out even.
Chocolate Middle
Add that semi-sweet layer on top, watching the pretty color difference form.
Finish The Top
Pour more white chocolate and sprinkle candy cane pieces all over.
Break It Up
Snap into random chunks, each piece looking special.

Pro Tips

Great peppermint bark needs waiting time between layers. Don't rush melting your chocolate. I've learned slightly warm layers stick together better than fully cold ones. Always grab fresh candy canes too - they break up prettier than old ones.

Custom Touches

The standard peppermint bark tastes great, but try switching up chocolates or designs. Sometimes I mix the layers for cool swirls or throw in some crushed nuts for extra texture. Just keep it in a sealed container if you can stop yourself from eating it all right away.

A stack of chocolate peppermint bark is displayed on a red plate, garnished with crushed candy canes and surrounded by additional peppermint candies. Pin it
A stack of chocolate peppermint bark is displayed on a red plate, garnished with crushed candy canes and surrounded by additional peppermint candies. | tasteofmoms.com

Frequently Asked Questions

→ Why avoid using chocolate chips or candy melts?
Better flavor and texture come from high-quality chocolate bars like Ghirardelli or Guittard. Chips and melts don’t melt cleanly for bark.
→ What’s the purpose of adding oil?
Oil softens chocolate for smoother spreading and prevents brittle, crumbly results once it sets.
→ Can I skip one layer and only make two?
Yes! Use 8 ounces for each layer, letting one cool and almost firm up before adding the next with candy canes.
→ What’s the best way to store it?
Refrigerate for up to 3 weeks. In cooler environments, a few days outside the fridge is fine, but warmth softens it.
→ Why shouldn't layers fully harden before adding more?
If layers are completely firm, they might split apart. They need to be just set enough to keep the next mild grip.

Peppermint Bark

A holiday treat featuring stacked white and dark chocolate layers, all brightened with peppermint flavor and finished with candy cane bits.

Prep Time
30 Minutes
Cook Time
~
Total Time
30 Minutes
By: Ashley

Category: Desserts

Difficulty: Intermediate

Cuisine: American

Yield: 16 Servings (1 pound of bark)

Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

Ingredients

01 2-3 full-size candy canes (about 24-36 grams), crumbled.
02 1/2 teaspoon mint extract, split into two parts.
03 1 1/2 teaspoons of coconut or vegetable oil, used in sections.
04 6 ounces (170g) bittersweet or semi-sweet chocolate, chopped into chunks.
05 12 ounces (339g) white chocolate, chopped into pieces and divided.

Instructions

Step 01

Take an 8- or 9-inch square dish, cover it with foil or parchment paper, and keep it nearby.

Step 02

Microwave 6 ounces of white chocolate with 1/2 teaspoon of oil for 20 seconds at a time. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of mint extract and smear over the pan. Chill it for 10 to 15 minutes so it firms up but isn't fully set.

Step 03

Warm up the semi-sweet chocolate with 1/2 teaspoon of oil until smooth. Mix in 1/4 teaspoon of mint extract, pour over the white chocolate layer, and refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes.

Step 04

Melt the rest of the white chocolate with the last 1/2 teaspoon of oil. Spread it over everything, then sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top.

Step 05

Chill for an hour in the fridge until everything hardens completely. Take it out of the dish and break into small pieces.

Notes

  1. Stick with top-quality chocolate bars; avoid using chips.
  2. Keeps fresh in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.
  3. Make sure layers don't fully harden to avoid breaking apart.

Tools You'll Need

  • Square pan, 8 or 9 inches.
  • Foil or parchment for lining.
  • Microwave-safe bowl.

Allergy Information

Please check ingredients for potential allergens and consult a health professional if in doubt.
  • Contains milk.

Nutrition Facts (Per Serving)

It is important to consider this information as approximate and not to use it as definitive health advice.
  • Calories: 165
  • Total Fat: 9 g
  • Total Carbohydrate: 18 g
  • Protein: 2 g