This peppermint bark is easy to make with delicious layers of peppermint infused white chocolate, dark chocolate and crushed candy canes. A classic holiday treat for gifting!
Easy Peppermint Bark
Peppermint is a classic holiday flavor! This easy peppermint bark is one of my favorite easy treats to make, as well as chocolate peppermint cookies, peppermint graham cracker toffee and this peppermint milkshake!
Homemade peppermint bark is one of my favorite holiday desserts. It adds the perfect touch to any Christmas cookie platter or package it up for a homemade Christmas food gift! With only 4 simple ingredients and ready in 30 minutes, it will be devoured quickly.
Other minty desserts I make include peppermint brownies and peppermint Oreo balls.
Ingredient Notes
This peppermint bark recipe is so easy to make! You just need 4 simple ingredients to get started.
- Dark chocolate: Using high quality chocolate makes all the difference. I prefer Ghirardelli melting wafers or bars, Lindt or Bakers brand. You don’t want to use chocolate chips for this recipe. Milk chocolate can be used for something sweeter.
- White chocolate: As mentioned above, high quality chocolate is key. Use melting wafers or bars and not white chocolate chips.
- Peppermint extract: Not mint extract, which tastes like spearmint. This gets mixed in with the melted white chocolate to add an extra boost of peppermint flavor.
- Candy canes: Sprinkle crushed candy canes on top for a decorative touch, crunch and more peppermint flavor.
How to Make Peppermint Bark
Start by crushing the candy canes (with a food processor, blender or in a bag with a rolling pin).
Melt the dark chocolate first until smooth, then pour in a foil-lined 9×9″ baking pan. Tap the pan against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Then let sit for about 5-10 minutes (you want it to set but not harden). While it sets, melt the white chocolate until smooth. Then mix in the peppermint extract.
Pour the melted white chocolate layer on top of the dark chocolate and tap against the counter again. Then immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top of the wet white chocolate.
Set aside until the chocolate has firmed, about 30 minutes to an hour. Then lift out of the pan and break into pieces.
Tips and Variations
- Line your pan. Line your pan with foil for easy removal and clean up. I like to leave some foil hanging over the edges (like in the picture above) so that it’s easy to lift the bark up out of the pan.
- Melting the chocolate. If you are using the Ghirardelli melting wafers, you can melt them in a microwave safe bowl. I always microwave the bowl for one minute at 50% power. Then stir and microwave (at 50% power) in 15 second increments, stirring until smooth. A double boiler will also work.
- Prevent separation. Although you want the 1st layer of dark chocolate to set and firm up a bit, you definitely don’t want it to harden. If it hardens, the second layer of white chocolate won’t stick to the dark chocolate and will separate.
- One type of chocolate. For a snow bark, use only white chocolate! You can also use only dark chocolate for something decadent.
- More peppermint flavor. For even more peppermint flavor and texture, try mixing some crushed candy canes into the melted white chocolate when you add the peppermint extract. Then sprinkle more crushed candy canes on top, too.
- Use in cookies. I love to use pieces of this bark into my Swig peppermint cookies!
Storage
This peppermint bark will last up to 2 weeks if stored in an airtight container at room temperature. If you store it in the refrigerator, it should keep for about 3 weeks. It’s the perfect treat to make a few weeks ahead of time and then pull out right around Christmas!
Do you love holiday treats? Try Christmas sugar cookies, Grinch cookies, a hard candy recipe or these classic chocolate crinkle cookies, too.
More Peppermint Dessert Recipes
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Peppermint Bark Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 5 candy canes (or 12 hard peppermint candies)
- 10 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers (or high quality bakers chocolate)
- 10 ounces white melting wafers (or high quality bakers chocolate)
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Prep. Line a 9×9" baking sheet with foil. Press smooth. Place 5 candy canes in a zip top bag and crush with a rolling pin, or place in a food processor or blender to crush.
- Melt 10 ounces dark chocolate in a microwave safe bowl or over a double broiler. Stir until smooth and then pour into pan. Tap dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to set (not harden).
- Melt 10 ounces white chocolate. Then add 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract and mix together. Pour white chocolate mixture over the dark chocolate. Tap the dish against the counter to remove any bubbles.
- Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy canes over top. Gently press them into the white chocolate.
- Set aside until chocolate has firmed up (about 30 minutes – 1 hour). Then lift bark out of pan and break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.
Notes
- If you are using the Ghirardelli melting wafers, you can melt them in a microwave safe bowl. I always microwave the bowl for one minute at 50% power. Then stir and microwave (at 50% power) in 15 second increments, stirring until smooth.
- You can also melt them in a double broiler if you have one. Simply boil the water, place the double broiler over top and stir the chocolate occasionally until melted.
Nutrition
Nutrition provided is an estimate. It will vary based on specific ingredients used.
Did you make this recipe? Don’t forget to give it a star rating below!
Categorized as: 5 Ingredients Or Less, American, Candy + Fudge, Chocolate, Christmas, Desserts, Freezer-Friendly, No-Bake, Nut-Free, Vegetarian
Jamielyn Nye is the founder and recipe creator at I Heart Naptime. She is the author of the I Heart Naptime Cookbook and shares easy family-friendly recipes and desserts for every occasion.
Love this holiday recipe! One of our favorites!
One of our favorites too! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!
My daughter love peppermint, I past your recipe on to her. When I told later that day she was making it. I guess I’ll find out tomorrow if she liked it or not.
Thanks for the great recipes.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year and may God bless you and your family
I hope you enjoy! I hope you have a very Merry Christmas, Jan :)
So yummy!!! This is one of my favorite holiday treats to make.
Me too! So glad you enjoyed the recipe, Ashlee :)
Can you use a bigger cookie sheet?
The bark won’t be nearly as thick if you do. You could try doubling the recipe if you use a larger sheet.
First time making your bark recipe and I will be using it again. I didn’t have the patience to wait for layer to harden so I kind of swirled it together. I also made it in on a baking sheet as I didn’t want it so thick. Do you know if I can put in freezer to get it to harden?
Yes, you can put it in the freezer to harden!
I thanks for the tip about letting the dark chocolate set a bit. I’ve been making white peppermint bark for years, but I’ve never been able to get dark chocolate to stick to it. So here’s a tip for you – I much prefer using Lorann’s oils for flavoring candy. (Add it a few drops at a time until the desired flavor is reached. But it is STRONG – if it drips on your fingers, wash your hands. DON’T lick your fingers!!!! I was stupid enough to do that once, and it killed my ability to taste anything else for a half hour!! But, my breath was minty fresh!!) When I use extracts for candy, I always get an unpleasant alcohol aftertaste, and I don’t get that with Lorann’s oils. I don’t know if you can order from their website, but I’ve found it at WalMart. At Christmas, the peppermint oil goes FAST!!!!
Thanks for sharing Marie! :)
This is such an amazing holiday treat! My kids loved it!
This looks so delicious and yummy! I can’t wait to give this a try! My family is going to love this recipe!
Sooooo irresistibly yummy, my kids ask for this every year!
Super fun and easy to make. Rich and tasty! Good ratios of ingredients in recipe.
So glad you enjoyed them! :)
Super easy! I used Ghiradelli wafers as you suggested and it tastes so good. Will definitely make this again. Thanks for the recipe!
I’m so glad you enjoyed it! :)
This sounds so good.
I absolutely adore peppermint and my children would love me forever if I make them this at Christmas time! They love candy canes so much, I am looking forward to trying this out so I can see their happy faces.
Peppermint bark is my absolute favorite holiday candy. Will definitely be making this year.
Chocolate and peppermint are the perfect combination. This bark looks wonderful, and so easy to make. Great for holiday nibbles, and would make a lovely present.
This bark is so pretty! What a perfect holiday treat!
This is a classic for the holidays and such a nice gourmet gift too. Loving the photos and the styling you made, cannot wait to try this in my kitchen thanks for the inspiration.
I love chocolate bark and I give it to everyone for Christmas. I’ll have to make this bark for everyone and myself!
Hope you enjoy! :)