How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (2024)

How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (1)

Peppermint bark is layered with white chocolate, peppermint, semi-sweet chocolate, and crushed candy canes! The perfect homemade holiday gift for friends and family!

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Peppermint Bark is the ultimate holiday treat. This delicious candy bark is comprised of white chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate with peppermint crushed candy canes.

How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (2)

This is the Best Peppermint Bark to make your spirits bright

This yuletide sweet treat is certain to get your taste buds tingling. From the sweetness of the chocolate to the refreshing, cool peppermint, there’s nothing you won’t love about this peppermint bark recipe.

Bark recipes have long been used in all kinds of fun and whimsical holiday celebrations. I’ve made everything from Easter Bunny bark to Melted Snowman Bark, to s’mores bark and even Unicorn Poop Bark! Now it’s time to introduce you to this Christmasy peppermint bark recipe.

Why you’ll love this Easy Peppermint Bark

  • Simple to Make:Requires just a few ingredients and no fancy kitchen equipment.
  • Customizable:Easy to adapt with different types of chocolate or additional toppings.
  • Festive Treat:Perfect for holiday gifting or as a seasonal dessert.
  • Delicious Flavor Combo:The refreshing taste of peppermint mixed with rich chocolate.
  • Kid-Friendly:A fun and easy recipe for kids to help make.
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Ingredients for Chocolate Peppermint Bark

  • 1 Cup Mini Candy Canes Crushed
  • 1 teaspoon Pure Peppermint Extract
  • 2 (12 oz.) bags Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 2 (12 oz.) bags White Chocolate Chips
  • ½ tablespoon Coconut Oil

How to make Peppermint Bark

It’s super easy to make delicious peppermint bark from scratch. Most of your time is going to be spent listening to Christmas songs while you melt the chocolate to make this layered dessert. And the hardest part about making peppermint bark is waiting for it to set before you and try some for yourself!

  1. Place Mini Candy Canes in a ziplock freezer bag, seal shut and crush it.
  2. Line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Place Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds until completely melted.
    How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (4)
  4. Pour over the top of the parchment paper and place in the refrigerator.
    How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (5)
  5. Place your white chocolate chips, coconut oil, and peppermint extract in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds until completely melted.
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  6. Pour the white chocolate mixture over the semi-sweet chocolate mixture and immediately sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the top of the white chocolate. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until fully set.
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  7. Remove from the refrigerator and break into pieces.
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If you’re in need of a quick and simple DIY gift, peppermint bark is the best thing you can make. Nothing is more thoughtful and tasty than a gift you made yourself. Everyone will be blown away by the gesture and I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask for the peppermint bark recipe for themselves!

Peppermint Bark Recipe Tips

  • To crush the candy canes, put them in a zip lock bag and either use a rolling pin or mallet. This makes it very easy when breaking them into pieces! If you want finer candy cane pieces, use peppermint candy and grind it up in a food processor!
  • When microwaving the chocolate, be sure to use a heatproof bowl and stir frequently.
  • I love lining my baking pan with a silicone baking mat. (I use these for everything!)
  • If you want to really get the candy pieces pressed into the bark, try patting it down by covering it with either parchment paper or wax paper and pressing down on it!
  • Try substituting the semi-sweet chocolate with dark chocolate or milk chocolate. These are delicious too!
  • If you don’t have a microwave to melt the chocolate, you can also use a double broiler.

How to keep peppermint bark from separating?

There’s an art to making peppermint bark. If you’ve ever made layered chocolate bark before, you’ll know that it’s all too easy for the layers of different chocolate to separate from one another.

In order to avoid this, loosen the chocolate from the parchment. Before breaking the bark, allow the bark to warm to room temperature as this helps the layers to bond.

How to Store Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks and in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Peppermint Bark Recipe Easy Freezing Instructions

To freeze your peppermint bark, make sure you wrap it up well. I recommend wrapping it in parchment paper and then a second layer of plastic wrap or foil.

Once your peppermint bark is wrapped, place it into a freezer-safe container to keep out as much moisture as possible. Your peppermint bark should keep in the freezer for several months.

When the time comes to defrost your peppermint bark, leave it in the wrapping until it reaches room temperature to try and limit the condensation produced.

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Refrigerating Peppermint Bark

If you want to maximize the shelf life of your bark you can store it in an airtight container in a cold, dark place such as a refrigerator for up to 3 weeks. Just be sure to wrap it in parchment paper and plastic wrap or foil just as if you were freezing it.

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Be sure to check out ourWhite Chocolate Oreo Peppermint Bark. This takes it to a whole new level!

More Great Holiday Desserts

  • Peppermint Oreo Truffles
  • Peppermint Pie (aka Candy Cane Pie)
  • No Bake Peanut Butter Balls
  • Christmas Pinwheel Cookies
  • Chex Mix Christmas Crack
  • DIY Peppermint Candy Bowls
  • DIY Peppermint Candy Spoons
  • Christmas Sugar Cookie Blossoms
  • Hot Chocolate Cookie Cups
  • Candy Cane Fudge

5 from 3 votes

How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (11)

Easy Peppermint Bark

Author — Jennifer Fishkind

Serves — 24

Peppermint bark is layered with white chocolate, peppermint, semi-sweet chocolate, and crushed candy canes! The perfect homemade holiday gift for friends and family!

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Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Total Time 15 minutes mins

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Mini Candy Canes Crushed
  • ½ tsp Pure Peppermint Extract
  • 24 oz (2 12-oz bags) Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips
  • 24 oz (2 12-oz bags) White Chocolate Chips
  • ½ tbsp Coconut Oil

Instructions

  • Place Mini Candy Canes in a ziplock freezer bag and seal shut. Crush candy until you have varying sizes of crushed candy canes to sprinkle on the top of your bark. Set aside.

  • Line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.

  • Place Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.

  • Once the chocolate has melted, pour over the top of the parchment paper. Place the chocolate in the refrigerator while preparing the white chocolate mixture.

  • Place your white chocolate chips, coconut oil, and peppermint extract in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate mixture and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.

  • Pour the white chocolate mixture over the semi-sweet chocolate mixture and immediately sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the top of the white chocolate. Press crushed candy canes into the white chocolate mixture and then refrigerate for at least 1 hour or until fully set.

  • Remove from the refrigerator and break into pieces.

Jenn’s Notes

Store in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks and in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Video

Nutrition Info

Calories: 356kcal | Carbohydrates: 41g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 20g | Saturated Fat: 12g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 6g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 8mg | Sodium: 28mg | Potassium: 242mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 34g | Vitamin A: 23IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 74mg | Iron: 2mg

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Post Updated 11/29/2021 – Originally posted 10/22/2019

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How to Make Peppermint Bark! (quick & easy recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is peppermint bark made from? ›

What is peppermint bark made of? It's just three simple ingredients: white chocolate, peppermint oil, and peppermint candies! If you have extra candy canes lying around, crush 'em up and use those instead.

How do you make peppermint bark that doesn't separate? ›

How do you keep peppermint bark from separating? The trick for chocolate peppermint bark layers that stick together is to add the white chocolate layer before the semisweet layer is completely set. Refrigerate the first layer for about 20 minutes until the top is firm but not solid and cold.

How do you keep peppermint bark from splitting? ›

Don't let chocolate come in contact with water or steam, which cause it to seize. (Peppermint extract is made with alcohol so even though it's liquid, it won't seize). Let bark sit at room temperature for few minutes before slicing/breaking to prevent layers from separating.

What can I use instead of parchment paper for peppermint bark? ›

You'll need parchment paper to make the recipe work properly; don't try to replace it with aluminum foil or plastic wrap. The bark looks attractive either cut or broken into ragged pieces. I pllace in cookie boxes lined with red cellophane.

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.

What happens if my dog eats peppermint bark? ›

Can dogs eat peppermint candy? If your dog eats peppermint candy such a candy canes, peppermint bark, or peppermints, it might just cause an upset stomach. But it could also be life-threatening.

How long is peppermint bark good for? ›

Frequently Asked Questions. How long is peppermint bark good for? Peppermint bark will last at room temperature for 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for 3 weeks.

Why is peppermint bark so good? ›

The cooling, refreshing taste pairs perfectly in nearly every wintertime treat: cookies, co*cktails, and even cheesecake. Most of us can agree, however, that peppermint bark is the best minty dessert of all time. What's not to like? It's chocolatey, crisp, crunchy, and super festive.

Why is it called peppermint bark? ›

The name "bark" or "candy bark" doesn't exactly explain itself, does it? Barks like this peppermint bark are called that because of the way the chocolate candy breaks into craggy pieces that resemble the layers and borders of tree bark. Also, many barks are made with dark chocolates, so the color is similar, too.

Why is my peppermint bark sticky? ›

No, peppermint bark doesn't need to be refrigerated. In fact, keeping it in the fridge can cause it to get sticky as moisture collects on the peppermint candy. Remember, this is just candy. You don't normally keep your candy in the fridge, so no need to do it here.

Can I use Pam spray instead of parchment paper? ›

Parchment doesn't have to be washed and is more compact to store, and of course you can cut it to size and put it in your cake pan. Both work equally well as a nonstick surface. Alternatively, I think highly of both original Pam and the Pam for Baking with Flour. They work great.

Can I use parchment paper for bark? ›

In many cases, wax paper and parchment paper can be used interchangeably. They're both great for wrapping food for travelling or display. They can be used to cool chocolate-coated sweets and for making chocolate bark.

What can I use if I don't have peppermint extract? ›

Peppermint Extract Substitutes

If you can't find peppermint extract, there are a few substitutions that work just as well. For 1 teaspoon peppermint extract, substitute: 1/4 teaspoon peppermint oil (make sure it is edible) 1 tablespoon peppermint schnapps.

Why do they call it peppermint bark? ›

The name "bark" or "candy bark" doesn't exactly explain itself, does it? Barks like this peppermint bark are called that because of the way the chocolate candy breaks into craggy pieces that resemble the layers and borders of tree bark. Also, many barks are made with dark chocolates, so the color is similar, too.

What is the origin of peppermint bark? ›

The origins of peppermint bark are unclear. Williams Sonoma introduced its version and popularized it in 1998, though the confection existed as early as 1966 in the United States.

What is bark candy made of? ›

Bark is simply melted chocolate that's poured into a sheet pan and broken into pieces once it's set.

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