DIY Project

Kitchen · Christmas · Adults

Peppermint bark

Layers of dark and white chocolate topped with crushed candy canes, a holiday gift that tastes like the expensive tins.

Peppermint bark
LevelBeginner
Time45 minutes plus 1 hour chilling
Cost$15 to $25

What you'll need

Materials

Tick them off as you find them.

Tools

How to make it

Safety

Keep water away from melting chocolate, since a single drop makes it seize into a grainy lump.

  1. Step 1: Line the pan
    1

    Line the pan

    Line the pan with parchment so it hangs over 2 sides. Those flaps are your handles later.

  2. Step 2: Crush the candy canes
    2

    Crush the candy canes

    Seal them in a zip bag and whack with a rolling pin. Aim for pea-size pieces.

  3. Step 3: Melt the dark layer
    3

    Melt the dark layer

    Microwave the dark chocolate at 50 percent power in 30 second bursts, stirring each time. Spread it in the pan.

  4. Step 4: Chill it
    4

    Chill it

    Put the pan in the fridge for 15 minutes until the top is barely set.

  5. Step 5: Add the white layer
    5

    Add the white layer

    Melt the white chocolate the same way and stir in the extract. Spread it over the dark layer.

  6. Step 6: Top and chill
    6

    Top and chill

    Sprinkle the candy cane bits on top and press them in. Chill 45 minutes.

  7. Step 7: Break it up
    7

    Break it up

    Lift it out by the flaps and snap it into pieces. Pack it in tins with parchment between layers.

Edie's tip

Pull the white layer on while the dark layer is still slightly tacky. The layers stick together instead of splitting apart.

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