Homemade Peppermint Bark is one of the best and most enjoyable holiday treats you can't get enough of this holiday season. Smooth, decadent chocolate combines with cool peppermint to create a delightful homemade candy filled with a flavor your taste buds will love.
"Never worry about the size of your Christmas tree. In the eyes of children, they are all 30 feet tall." -Larry Wilde
Homemade Peppermint Bark Candy
I have been addicted to Williams Sonoma peppermint bark most of my life. November and December are the most challenging months for me to go into that store. I could leave with hundreds of dollars in peppermint bark just for me. So to deal with this pricey addiction, I thought I should try and make the bark myself. This is what I did, and I love it just as much!
When the holidays come, before I tie on my apron and get out the first bowl, I usually take time to plan out my upcoming cookie trays. Big, small, how much, too much, too little, what will be on it, how should it look? And then it goes something like this: Homemade peppermint bark...must have peppermint bark. How much peppermint bark should I put on the tray?
I'm convinced everyone loves peppermint bark as much as I do. I wouldn't need anything else if I had an entire tray of just homemade classic peppermint bark. Instead, I take the approach that anything else on the tray is just a bonus! I have come to realize that anything else on the tray is just a bonus in my recipient's eyes also. They are excited to get the gift, no matter what is on the tray. It doesn't matter how big or small it is. Nor does it matter what it looks like. They are like the excited child that doesn't care how big the tree is. In their eyes, all Christmas trees are 30 feet tall. It doesn't matter if there is one cookie or 100 cookies in my recipient's eager eyes, which is what I love and probably why I keep giving food gifts.
Ingredients
- Semi-sweet Chocolate
- White Chocolate
- Peppermint extract
- Peppermint candies or candy cane bits
Chocolate for Peppermint Bark
For this recipe, you can pretty much use your favorite chocolate and still have an outstanding product. Spending so much time with chocolate, I went a little fancy with my development this year and used high-quality chocolate. For the dark chocolate, I used Valrhona Manjari 64% , and for the white chocolate, I stayed with Valrhona. Go with your favorite, and you will end up with a fantastic bark!
How To Make The Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe
First, line a jelly roll-sized pan with waxed or parchment paper. In a double boiler melt semisweet chocolate. Stir in a quarter teaspoon of peppermint extract. Spread chocolate over the paper in an even layer to about a quarter-inch thickness. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator and allow the chocolate to set for 30 minutes.
Next, melt white chocolate in a double boiler. Stir in a quarter teaspoon of peppermint extract. Spread the white chocolate over the dark chocolate layer. Crush peppermint candies and sprinkle them over the white chocolate layer. Lightly press the crushed candy canes into the chocolate. Allow the chocolate to set fully. Once it sets, break the bark into pieces or use a sharp knife and cut pieces. Then store it in an airtight container.
This recipe is super easy to make! This recipe makes a jelly roll pan size of bark. This big batch can easily fill up quite a few tins or cookie trays. You could also individually wrap some bark in cellophane bags and give those as holiday gifts. I usually double the recipe to keep a tray for myself for whenever I need a holiday treat. What can I say? I'm a fan of good chocolate candy.
Peppermint Bark Tips
You have two options for this.
1. The best way is to melt it in a double boiler. It's simple. You place a glass heatproof bowl on top of a small pot of simmering water and let the heat slowly melt the chocolate. Be careful and don't get any water in the bowl.
2. Microwave. Place your chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and cook on low heat for 30 second increments. Stir between each one. When you are stirring, make sure to get everything from the bottom of the bowl.
You can leave it on the counter to set and depending on room temperature you are probably looking at 30-45 minutes. If you would like to speed up the process, you can place your pan of bark in the refrigerator for 20 minutes. However, I prefer to leave it on the counter and avoid any condensation that may accumulate from the refrigerator.
This ingredient is an essential piece of the recipe. It's what gives you that great peppermint flavor. So don't skip this ingredient.
It will keep in an airtight container for about 2 weeks on the counter.
Place peppermint candies in a large resealable plastic bag. Use your rolling pin or kitchen mallet and pound until crushed coarsely. You could also process it in your food processor.
I hope you enjoy the homemade peppermint bark recipe as much as I do and don't forget to save some for yourself.
And if you have missed days 1 through 3 on our 12 days of Christmas baking, here is where you can find the recipes for Special K Bars, Rocky Road Bark, and Mexican Wedding Cookies.
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Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 1 pound 64% semisweet chocolate
- 1 pound white chocolate
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- ½ cup crushed peppermint candies
Instructions
- Line a jelly roll pan with waxed paper.
- Melt semisweet chocolate in a double boiler. Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
- Spread chocolate over the waxed paper to about a ¼ inch thickness.
- Place pan in refrigerator and allow the chocolate to set for about 30 minutes.
- Melt white chocolate in double boiler and stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
- Spread the white chocolate over the semisweet chocolate.
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint candies over the white chocolate. Gently press candies into the chocolate.
- Allow the chocolate to set fully.
- Once set, break into pieces and store in an airtight container.
Notes
Nutrition
Here are a few of our favorite peppermint recipes:
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Original Post 12/15/2014, updated 12/06/2021
Sabrina says
So tasty and perfect for gifting. Thanks, great recipe!
serena says
Thanks Sabrina!
Heather says
What an awesome holiday gift! I have so many friends on my list that would appreciate this. And I think I need someone to send it to me too!
Cindy Ingalls says
I've buy peppermint bark every holiday season, yet I've never made it. Now I have the perfect excuse to make some for myself and maybe for others as gifts, if I don't eat it all.
AnnMarie John says
I love making bark recipes because they're the easiest to make and they're always a hit with the kids! This is a classic and it's definitely worth making!
Hirra Pervaiz says
I've always wanted to try chocolate bark and the peppermint and chocolate combo sounds just perfect. Gives those holiday feels. I'm definitely going try out this recipe.
serena says
It's super simple to make. Enjoy 🙂
Andrea @ Mama in the City says
I just love that quote by Larry Wilde! Creating traditions with my kids feels so extra special this time of the year. We are doing some baking this coming weekend and this recipe looks perfect.
serena says
Awe I love that! Enjoy your baking weekend 🙂
Rachel says
This is one of my favorite things to nibble on at Christmas. It looks like an easy enough recipe. Thanks for sharing.
serena says
Thanks so much!
Reesa Lewandowski says
This is one of my favorite holiday treats! And it's so easy too! I love to include it in my cookie trays!
Kayvona says
OMG yes pepperment bark is soooo amazing lol definitely one of my favorite things to eat during the holidays! I've never made it on my own but I actually think I might attempt to make some for my christmas party!
serena says
Its super easy. Give it a try!
Melissa @Primpandprimebeauty says
I have a serious obsession with peppermint. I think it's so refreshing and absolutely perfect when paired with chocolate. The perfect Holiday treat!
serena says
I'm right there with you regarding that peppermint obsession
Laura @ MommyDearest says
This is my best friends favourite treat we always make it together every year. I can't wait for next week when we get to bake together.
serena says
Sounds like a fun time! Enjoy 🙂
Keki Cannon says
I love peppermint bark. I have never made it myself so I will for sure pin this and give it a try this holiday season
serena says
Enjoy!
Amber Florek says
Homemade gifts are my favorite, and ESPECIALLY edible ones! The best recipe always seem to be the least complicated with only a few high quality ingredients. This looks like a winner!
serena says
Thanks so much!
Jen Giambalvo says
I LOVE peppermint bark! It is my favorite this time of year! I am going to have to try that chocolate you suggested. I bet it makes the bark that much yummier!!
serena says
Quality chocolate always makes the bark so much better. Enjoy 🙂
Krystal Butherus says
I love peppermint bark! It's an annual snack we have for our family holiday get together.
serena says
It's one of my favorites. So great for get togethers.
Melissa Chapman says
I know why you could be addicted to chocolate bark it looks so good. You make it seem so easy to make so I will try to make some during these holidays.
serena says
Thanks so much and enjoy 🙂
Taylor Aube says
I love making this during Christmas time! It's one of my husband's favorite treats for the holidays. Such a great recipe too!
serena says
Thanks so much!
Joanna @ Everyday Made Fresh says
Out of all the tasty Christmas goodies, I have never, ever made peppermint bark! I have no excuse why either...because it's so easy. I think I'm gonna make some this weekend. I have everything in the pantry to do it.
serena says
Enjoy!
Rebecca Bryant says
The perfect holiday treats and gift. We love making peppermint bark at Christmas and really anytime. Peppermint is a delicious flavor.
serena says
Thanks!
Jessica Joachim says
This looks so good! I am having a day of baking with my mom this weekend so this would be something fun to add to our list! I have actually never made bark so it will be fun!
serena says
It's super easy. Give it a try and enjoy 🙂