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Stack of layered dark and white chocolate peppermint bark squares with candy canes
Aaliyah

Easy Peppermint Bark

A layer of semisweet chocolate topped with peppermint white chocolate and crushed candy canes, chilled until snappy and broken into pieces.
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Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 5 minutes
Chilling 50 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 10 minutes
Servings: 24 pieces
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 12 ounces semisweet or bittersweet chocolate chopped
  • 16 ounces good-quality white chocolate chopped (bars or melting wafers, not chips)
  • ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 6 regular candy canes crushed (about ½ cup)

Equipment

  • 9x13-inch baking pan
  • Parchment paper
  • Microwave-safe glass bowls
  • Silicone spatula
  • Offset spatula
  • Rolling pin and zip-top bag (for crushing candy canes)

Method
 

  1. Line a 9x13-inch baking pan with parchment paper, leaving some overhang on the sides.
  2. Melt the semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second bursts, stirring after each, until smooth (or melt it over a pot of barely simmering water).
  3. Spread the dark chocolate evenly in the lined pan with an offset spatula. Refrigerate 15 to 20 minutes, until set but not rock hard.
  4. Melt the white chocolate gently in 20-second bursts, stirring well each time, until just smooth. Stir in the peppermint extract.
  5. Pour the white chocolate over the dark layer and spread it evenly to the edges.
  6. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top right away and press them in lightly.
  7. Refrigerate 30 minutes to 1 hour, until firm. Lift the bark out by the parchment and break or cut it into about 24 pieces.

Notes

  • White chocolate scorches easily, so melt it slowly and stop heating while a few small pieces remain; stirring will melt the rest.
  • Don't let the dark layer set completely hard before adding the white layer, or the layers may separate when you break the bark.
  • Store in an airtight container in a cool spot or the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks, with parchment between layers.
  • Using peppermint oil instead of extract? It is much stronger, so start with a few drops.