I am a bit of a chocolate addict. In fact, I have a whole category called, All Things Chocolate, here on my website devoted to chocolate. One of my favorite holiday treats to eat and make is peppermint bark.
What is Peppermint bark? Peppermint bark is a classic candy and type of chocolate bark that is very popular here in the United States during Thanksgiving and Christmas and the holiday season. It is a dual-layered chocolate topped with crushed candy canes. It is often given as holiday gifts to family, friends, and neighbors. You can buy the famous Ghirardelli kind, or just make it at home, it is incredibly easy to make with just 4 ingredients. If I can do it, you can do it. Let’s get started!
Gather the ingredients
To make homemade peppermint bark, you need these simple ingredients:
- Chocolate – You can use semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate, or dark chocolate. Chocolate chips work great, or use the candy melts, chocolate bars, or the specific “bark” chocolate. Usually, it will say Almond bark on the package.
- White chocolate – The layer is always some sort of white chocolate. Again use white chocolate chips, candy melts, or the white almond bark chocolate.
- Candy Canes – You can’t make peppermint bark without candy canes! I usually just use the small ones for this, but you can use any size. You just need to be able to break them up. You can use other peppermint candies if you don’t want to use candy canes.
- Peppermint Extract – This is added to the white chocolate to amp up that mint flavor.
Tools
- Bowls
- Spoon
- Spatula, offset spatula works great
- Baking pan or cookie sheet
- Parchment paper or a silicone mat
How to make this easy peppermint bark at home
Begin by melting the semi-sweet, milk, or dark chocolate which will be the bottom layer for the peppermint bark. There is also a candy coating called Almond Bark which of course works well too.
Place the chocolate chips, bars, and candy melts in a bowl and melt in the microwave for bursts of 30 seconds and then stir, etc, until melted. Or use the double boiler method on the stovetop if you don’t want to use a microwave.
Pour the melted chocolate onto a baking pan that has been lined with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
Smooth out the chocolate until it is pretty thin. Use a spatula or an offset cake spatula. The thicker it is the harder it will be to break apart later.
Place the pan of chocolate in the fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or in the freezer for 10 minutes.
Take 20 to 22 mini candy canes, and place them in a bag, and then crush them up. I just slam the bag on the counter or use a meat tenderizer to break them.
Melt, Pour, and Smooth that white chocolate
When there are about 2 to 3 minutes left on the time for the bottom layer of chocolate, melt the white chips using the same technique. Once melted add the peppermint extract to get that classic peppermint flavor and stir until well combined. This will be the top layer.
Remove the pan of chocolate from the fridge or the freezer and then pour the melted white chocolate on top. Smooth it out in an even layer like you did the bottom layer.
Try and line the white chocolate layer up so it matches the bottom as best as possible. Remember to keep the chocolate layers fairly thin.
Take the crushed-up candy canes or other crushed peppermint candy and equally distribute it across the top layer of white chocolate.
Place the pan back in the fridge for 45 minutes to an hour or in the freezer for 30 to 45 minutes.
I love you peppermint bark, but it is time to break up
Once the peppermint bark has set, it is time to break it up. Depending on how thick it is, it may be a little difficult to break but just keep at it. I just tug at the corners until they break.
You can try using a chef’s knife, meat cleaver, rolling pin, or meat mallet as well.
Once broken up, it is time to serve. Enjoy!
Peppermint bark makes a great gift for friends and neighbors. I like to go to the dollar store and get these holiday tins which are perfect for holding this candy.
How long does peppermint bark last?
Store the peppermint bark in an airtight container or ziplock bag at room temperature for a few weeks. If it is warm in your house you can store it in the fridge. You can also freeze it for a few months.
Here are some other recipes you may like:
Peppermint Bark
Equipment
- Bowls
- spoon
- Spatula, offset spatula works great
- Baking pan or sheet
- parchment paper or a silicone mat
Ingredients
- 3 cups chocolate chips candy melts, bark chocolate (semi-sweet, milk, or dark) doesn’t have to be exact
- 2 1/2 cups white chocolate chips bark chocolate, candy melts, doesn’t have to be exact
- 1/4 tsp peppermint extract can use a little more if you like
- 20 to 22 mini candy canes crushed, doesn’t have to be exact
Instructions
- Place the candy canes in a bag and smash/crush them.
- Place the semi-sweet, dark, etc. chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl and melt in the microwave with bursts of 30 seconds, then stir, then 30 seconds, then stir, until melted. Or use the double-boiler method on the stovetop.
- Line a sheet pan or cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Pour the melted chocolate in the middle, then spread it out thin with a spatula. Place in fridge for 15 to 20 minutes or the freezer for 10 minutes.
- Melt the white chocolate chips the same way as the other chocolate. Then mix in the peppermint extract.
- Remove the pan from the fridge or freezer and pour the white chocolate on top. Spread it out thin.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top evenly. Then place the pan back in the fridge for 45 to 60 minutes for the freezer for 30 to 45 mins.
- Remove the pan and break that peppermint bark into pieces. Enjoy!
Video
Notes
Do you like this easy homemade peppermint bark recipe? Please give it a rating and comment down below, I really appreciate it.  If you make it tag me on Instagram @inthekitchenwithmatt. Also, sign up for the newsletter so you won’t miss out on any of my new posts and recipes.
Everyone is loving this recipe!! I’m going to have to make another batch!!
Happy to hear that everyone loves this peppermint bark recipe!
Thanks Matt you make it easy. The peppermint bark is a smash…😎
You are welcome Bob!! Glad it was easy to follow and that you made it and liked it!!
I love peppermint bark! When I make it, though, I omit the peppermint extract and just fold some crushed candy cane directly into the white chocolate right before pouring it out (stir it too long and the white chocolate turns a lovely pink), then top it with more crushed candy cane. Delicious!
Nice! Yeah, peppermint bark is awesome.
My absolute favorite! A must make for the holidays!
Agreed! 🙂 🙂
My kids had so much fun making and eating this!! So delicious!
Awesome!! 🙂
I had not attempted to make peppermint bark before making this recipe. It was so much easier than I thought it would be, and it was soooo good!
So glad you tried it and liked it!