Classic Peppermint Bark Recipes

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Cover cookie sheet with waxed paper, aluminum foil or cooking parchment paper. Place candy coating in 8-cup microwavable measure or 2-quart microwavable casserole. Microwave uncovered on High 2 to 3 minutes, stirring every 30 seconds, until almost melted. Stir until smooth.
• Place peppermint candies in heavy plastic bag; crush with rolling pin or bottom of small heavy saucepan. Pour crushed candies into wire strainer. Shake strainer over melted coating until all of the tiniest candy pieces fall into the coating; reserve the larger candy pieces. Stir coating to mix evenly. Spread coating evenly on cookie sheet. Sprinkle evenly with remaining candy pieces. Let stand about 1 hour or until cool and hardened. Break into pieces. Chocolate-Peppermint Bark: Substitute chocolate-flavored candy coating for the vanilla candy coating. Drizzled Peppermint Bark: Heat 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips or white baking chips and 1 teaspoon shortening until melted. Drizzle over Peppermint Bark before letting stand 1 hour.

CLASSIC PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Coat a 9-by-12 1/2-inch rimmed baking sheet or 6 small loaf pans (2 1/2 by 5 inches) with cooking spray, and line with parchment, leaving an overhang on long sides. Pour melted chocolate into baking sheet or divide among pans (3 tablespoons each), and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle toppings over chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Peel off parchment, and break bark into pieces.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Unwrap the candy canes and place them in a food processor. Pulse on/off several times for 5 to 10 seconds each, until the canes have been crushed into small pieces.
• Alternately, place the candy canes in a large zip-close bag and seal tightly. Use a rolling pin to roll/smash the candy canes until they are the size you desire.
• Prepare a cookie sheet by covering it with smooth aluminum foil.
• Melt or temper the dark chocolate.
• Pour the chocolate onto the prepared cookie sheet and use an offset spatula or knife to spread it to an even thickness, a little more than 1/8-inch thick. The chocolate does not have to reach all sides of the sheet, as it will be broken up later anyhow.
• Place the tray in the refrigerator to firm up while you prepare the white chocolate.
• While the dark chocolate hardens, melt or temper the white chocolate.
• Stir in most of the candy cane bits, reserving about a quarter of the mixture to put on top.
• Remove the tray from the refrigerator and spread the white chocolate in an even layer over the dark chocolate.
• While the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the remaining candy cane pieces over the entire surface evenly. Press down very lightly to ensure they stick.
• Place the tray back in the refrigerator to firm up for 30 minutes.
• Once the peppermint bark is completely set, break into small, uneven pieces by hand. Serve immediately or bring to your annual Christmas cookie swap and enjoy.