Homemade Peppermint Bark

A few years ago I was introduced to Williams-sonoma.com peppermint bark.  If you have not ever tasted it, is the most delicious treat in the world.  DISCLAIMER… It is not diet food, it is not Paleo,  it’s just good old-fashioned dark chocolate and white chocolate and peppermint candy.

Every year I like to make several batches and give them as part of my gift baskets.  Not only are they incredibly delicious and I get rave reviews over them.  Bonus,, I can make them ahead of time and not worry about it going bad before Christmas.

Here’s what you need;
One bag dark chocolate you could use milk chocolate but I like the dark chocolate
One bag of vanilla white chocolate chips
4 teaspoons coconut oil
5 candy canes, broken into tiny bits
2 teaspoons peppermint extract

Over a double boiler,  slowly melt the chocolate chips with 2 teaspoons coconut oil. When the chocolate and coconut oil is fully melted add in 1 teaspoons peppermint extract. Carefully pour the mixture onto a parchment lined 1/4 baking sheet and allow to cool for roughly 30 minutes. Here’s the kicker you have to watch it carefully because you want it solid enough that the two chocolates don’t combine to much into each other but you want them to just barely melt together or else when you try to break it your white will come off separately from your dark chocolate.

Continue the same process with your white chocolate, adding in 2 teaspoons coconut oil and 1 teaspoons peppermint extract.
Once your white chocolate is melted, carefully pour on top of the dark chocolate layering as you go. Then smooth out the chocolate with the backside of a rubber spatula, making sure to cover all the dark chocolate,  being careful to not stir up the dark chocolate underneath. Next, sprinkle on your crunched up candy canes, either lightly or heavily depending on your preferred peppermint preference.
Place the peppermint bark either off to the side in a cool spot and let it dry overnight or place in the refrigerator and let it cool down for several hours before breaking it apart.

I have found the easiest way to break it apart is to just take a fork or knife and stabbed the peppermint bark and pry it lose.  This gives you little pieces and big pieces, which people prefer.

Wrap it up in a parchment lined Candy tin and store in the refrigerator or in a cool dark spot until you’re ready to give your gift.  Or sit in the corner and eat it while the kids are at school.  Just sayin..

Check out livinlovinfarmin’s other Homemade Christmas Gifts..