Step into the festive world of holiday delights with this peppermint bark recipe. Peppermint bark consists of layers of melted chocolate, typically white and dark or milk chocolate, topped with crushed peppermint candies.
This recipe is easy to make, requires only four ingredients and takes 30-45 minutes.
Ingredients
Dark chocolate: The type of dark chocolate used will not impact the recipe. You can experiment with different chocolate bars, chips and melts, as well as different qualities of chocolate. You will need enough to make ¼ to ½ inch layers on the bottom of your baking dish.
White or milk chocolate: Like the dark chocolate, the type of chocolate used will not impact the recipe. You will need enough to make ¼ to ½ inch layers on the bottom of your baking dish.
Coconut oil: The type of coconut oil will not impact the recipe. You will only need a very small amount of the oil, roughly ¼ teaspoon per type of chocolate you add to the recipe.
Candy canes: You can experiment with different colors or flavors of candy canes, but we will use traditional red and white peppermint candy canes for this recipe.
Cooking materials and equipment
Microwave-safe bowl: The size of the bowl will not matter. It should be large enough to fit the chocolate you want to melt.
Baking dish: The size of the baking dish determines how large the peppermint bark will be. The walls of your baking dish must be no shorter than an inch to ensure enough room for multiple layers of peppermint bark.
Measuring spoon: Though this is not necessary, since the amount of coconut oil used does not need to be exact, using a measuring spoon will ensure a consistent amount of coconut oil is added to each batch of melted chocolate and the consistency of the chocolate layers is similar.
Resealable plastic bag: The bag size does not matter; it just needs to be large enough to fit the candy canes.
Silicone spatula: This is used to spread the chocolate layers evenly along the baking dish. This can be replaced with a spoon.
Rolling pin: This is used to crush the candy canes. It can be replaced with hands, a rolling pin or any hard object.
Cooking Directions
Step 1: Put the candy canes into the plastic bag, and then crush the candy canes into the size of your liking using a rolling pin, meat tenderizer, hands or a similar tool. Set aside for later use.
Step 2: Put dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl (enough for a ¼ to ½ inch layer of chocolate on the bottom of your baking dish). Then, put it in the microwave for one to three minutes or until it is fully melted.
- Quick tip: Consider sifting through the candy cane crushings and mixing the fine candy cane dust into the melted chocolate. This way, the peppermint can be tasted throughout the entire treat.
Step 3: Mix a ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil into the dark chocolate. This does not need to be exact; it will ensure that you can easily spread the chocolate.
- Quick tip: To make the bark easier to remove from the baking dish, spread a thin layer of coconut oil along the surface of the bowl before adding your first layer of chocolate.
Step 4: After the chocolate is melted, mix in the coconut oil and spread an even layer of the chocolate inside your baking dish. Then, wait 10 minutes for the chocolate mixture to partially set to a semi-hardened consistency.
- Quick tip: To shorten the setting time, put your baking dish in the refrigerator; just make sure to keep a close eye on the chocolate to ensure it does not fully set.
Step 5: Repeat steps 2-4 with the second kind of chocolate (white or milk).
Step 6: Before the second layer of chocolate hardens, sprinkle the candy cane crushings evenly on top.
Step 7: Let the peppermint bark sit at room temperature or in the refrigerator for a quicker setting time so that the final layer of chocolate can harden.
Have fun with the recipe! This treat is simple and easy to make, so try making multiple batches with different kinds of chocolate or toppings to see what combination you like best.