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White chocolate peppermint bark with crushed candy canes is a staple during the Holiday season!
When we assemble cookie tins, we always include homemade peppermint bark because it’s easy to make and it’s a traditional Christmas treat that so many enjoy this time of year!
This holiday treat is made with melted white almond bark and crushed candy canes, that’s it, very simple ingredients!
The peppermint candy canes help to balance the sweetness of the white chocolate.
Why You’ll Love It
- It’s an easy recipe with 2 ingredients
- No baking is required
- Prepped in less than 10 minutes
- Can easily be doubled for a larger batch
This festive treat is the perfect thing to add to gift baskets or cookie plates. If you’re looking for more edible holiday gifts, try turtle bark, sticky paws, and tiger butter.
Ingredients
- 24 oz vanilla almond bark
- one 10 oz package candy canes, equal to 20 candy canes
How to melt almond bark
For the most part, follow the directions on the package. I like to chop the almond bark into smaller pieces for quicker melting. Then place the chocolate in a microwave safe glass bowl and microwave for 3 minutes on 50% power, stirring and then continuing to microwave on 50% power until mostly melted. Stir the chocolate with a rubber spatula until fully melted.
How to crush candy canes
There are a few ways you can crush candy canes for peppermint bark.
If you want smaller pieces, that aren’t super crunchy, I would suggest using a blender or food processor.
If you’re okay with larger candy cane pieces, you can break them up by using my favorite method – the rolling pin or meat mallet!
Place the unwrapped candy canes into a ziplock bag, zip it closed, cover the bag with a towel (to help contain any flying pieces) and whack the candy canes with the rolling pin or mallet. Magic. And a great way to get some of that holiday stress out!
How long does peppermint bark take to set
At room temperature, the white chocolate peppermint bark will take 2-3 hours to set. To speed up the process, you can put the bark in the fridge and it will set within an hour.
If you live in a cold climate, you can place the peppermint bark inside your garage if you’re running out of fridge space!
You know you’re from the midwest when you use the garage as a second fridge during the winter.
How to break peppermint bark
Once the white peppermint bark is set and hard, you can break the bark into pieces with your hands or you can use a sharp knife to cut the bark into pieces.
Variations
Chocolate chips. Use white chocolate chips, dark chocolate chips, milk chocolate chips or semi-sweet chocolate chips in place of the vanilla almond bark.
Peppermint oil. Up the peppermint flavor by adding a little peppermint extract to the melted chocolate. I recommend 1/4 teaspoon.
Sprinkles. Add holiday sprinkles to the melted white chocolate.
Add a chocolate layer. Melt chocolate chips and pour that over the sheet pan before adding the white chocolate layer.
If you make this peppermint bark with chocolate chips instead of almond bark, I recommend using a high quality brand. Be sure to add a small amount of oil or coconut oil to help melt the chocolate chips.
Tips for Success
Line the cookie sheet with a silicone mat, parchment paper or wax paper.
Use a blender or the rolling pin method to crush the candy canes.
Sprinkle the top of the bark with additional candy cane pieces for a pretty presentation.
FAQS
This easy peppermint bark recipe can be stored in an airtight container on the counter for up to 2 weeks.
Yes, you can freeze white chocolate peppermint bark for up to 3 months. Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Thaw in the fridge overnight.
More Christmas Treats
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White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 24 oz vanilla almond bark
- 10 oz package candy canes, equal to 20 candy canes
Instructions
- Crush the candy canes. 2 methods: blend in food processor or blender. Or place the unwrapped candy canes into a ziplock bag, zip it closed, cover the bag with the towel (to help contain any flying pieces) and whack the candy canes with the rolling pin.
- Cover a 10 x 15 inch baking sheet (or any size) with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Chop the almond bark into smaller pieces for quicker melting. Place the chocolate in a glass bowl and microwave for 3 minutes on 50% power, stirring and then continuing to microwave on 50% power until mostly melted. Stir the chocolate until fully melted.
- Save 1/3 cup of the crushed candy canes for garnishing the bark. Stir the rest of the candy canes into the melted chocolate. Pour the chocolate onto the lined baking sheet, spread into an even layer. Sprinkle the remaining candy canes on top.
- Allow the bark to set. At room temperature, the bark will take 2-3 hours to set. To speed up the process, you can put the bark in the fridge and it will set within an hour.
- Once the bark is set and hard, you can break the bark into pieces with your hands or you can use a sharp knife to cut the bark into pieces.
Made this bark today for the December Instagram challenge! It’s delicious but how can it not be Easy recipe the hard part is waiting for it to harden to enjoy !
Can you use white baking chips? And can you do on the stove?
Yes! You can substitute the same amount of white chocolate chips and melt them over low heat on the stove!
This was so easy and so pretty. Setting up in my chilly Buffalo garage right now!
This is such an easy and delicious recipe. I have made it several times and will make it again. Thank you for this great recipe.