By Becky Hardin
Published Dec 6, 2023
This homemade Peppermint Bark recipe is a delicious mix of semi-sweet and white chocolate, with a kick of minty flavor and crushed candy canes on top. It’s so easy to make with just 5 ingredients and quick prep. Make a batch of this peppermint chocolate bark for Christmas gifts, parties, and holiday celebrations!
Why We Love This Peppermint Bark Recipe
Peppermint-flavored chocolate and white chocolate are layered together and sprinkled with crushed candy canes to create a visually stunning and oh-so-delicious holiday treat.
- Easy. With just 5 ingredients– all pantry staples!– this recipe is super easy to throw together.
- Flavorful. The creamy, sweet white chocolate contrasts beautifully with the slightly bitter semisweet chocolate and the refreshing peppermint extract.
- Impressive. The layered chocolate and chopped candy canes make a beautiful presentation.
Variations on Chocolate Peppermint Bark
This peppermint and chocolate bark recipe has a semisweet chocolate layer sandwiched between two layers of creamy, crunchy white chocolate. You can switch it up by reversing the layers, or go for a simple two-layer bark.
Feel free to add some colorful sprinkles or festive candies to your bark to make it even more delightful!
How to Store
Store leftover peppermint bark in an airtight container in a cool, dry place for up to 2 weeks or in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
How to Freeze
Freeze white chocolate peppermint bark in an airtight container or Ziplock bag with wax paper between the layers for up to 6 months. Let thaw at room temperature before enjoying.
Serving Suggestions
Serve this delicious candy bark as part of a holiday treat spread with other classics, such as Christmas crack , caramel pretzels , fantasy fudge , reindeer food , buckeye candies , cream cheese mints , or Oreo balls .
More Chocolate Bark Recipes We Love
- Christmas Bark
- Gingerbread House Bark
- Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Cookie Bark
Ingredients1x2x3x
- ▢ 12 ounces white chocolate 340 grams
- ▢ ¾ teaspoon coconut oil 4 grams, divided
- ▢ ½ teaspoon peppermint extract 2 grams, divided
- ▢ 6 ounces semisweet chocolate 170 grams
- ▢ 3 candy canes 84 grams
Video
Instructions
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the white chocolate and ½ teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract. 12 ounces white chocolate, ¾ teaspoon coconut oil, ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pour ½ of the white chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish, and smooth into an even layer with a spatula.
- Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or until almost completely set.
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate and remaining ¼ teaspoon coconut oil in a heat-proof bowl, and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract. 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
- Pour the semi-sweet chocolate over the white chocolate and smooth into an even thin layer.
- Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes or until almost set.
- While the chocolate is setting up, crush the candy canes by placing them in a Ziplock bag and using a rolling pin to break them up. 3 candy canes
- Re-melt the remaining white chocolate if needed. Pour over the semi-sweet chocolate and smooth into an even layer. Top with a generous sprinkle of the crushed candy canes.
- Refrigerate for at least another 30 minutes or until the bark is completely set.
- Once set, remove from the pan and peel off the parchment paper. Slice or break into pieces as small or as large as you’d like.
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Rolling Pin
Becky’s Tips
- Gently tilt the baking sheet to help spread the chocolate around more evenly.
- Take care to only chill the bottom and middle layers for 10-15 minutes; otherwise, the layers will not adhere.
- Use cookie cutters to cut your bark into fun shapes!
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
How to Make Peppermint Bark Step by Step
Prep: Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside for now.
Melt the White Chocolate: Place 12 ounces of white chocolate and ½ teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract.
Set the White Chocolate: Pour half of the white chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish, and smooth it into an even layer with a spatula. Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or until almost completely set.
Melt the Semisweet Chocolate: Place 6 ounces of semisweet chocolate and the remaining ¼ teaspoon of coconut oil in a heat-proof bowl, and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract.
Layer the Chocolate: Pour the semi-sweet chocolate over the white chocolate and smooth it into an even thin layer. Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes or until almost set.
Make the Candy Cane Layer: While the chocolate is setting up, crush 3 candy canes by placing them in a Ziplock bag and using a rolling pin to break them up. Re-melt the remaining white chocolate if needed. Pour over the semisweet chocolate and smooth into an even layer. Top with a generous sprinkle of the crushed candy canes.
Break into Pieces: Refrigerate for at least another 30 minutes or until the bark is completely set. Once set, remove from the pan and peel off the parchment paper. Slice or break into pieces as small or as large as you’d like.
The term bark comes from the thin layers of chocolate that create this treat. It resembles thin layers of tree bark!
This candy bark is made from layers of mint-flavored chocolate and white chocolate. The bark is topped with crushed candy canes for a bit of crunch!
If your bark layers didn’t stick together, it’s likely that you chilled the layers for too long. Take care to only chill the bottom and middle layers for 10-15 minutes.
While this bark doesn’t have to be refrigerated, chilling it does extend its shelf life. It also prevents the chocolate from melting if your house is warm.
Crushed candy canes can turn sticky when they are refrigerated or frozen. This is normal and nothing to worry about!
Yes, this bark will eventually go bad. I would recommend discarding it after 3 months at the most.
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Equipment
- Kitchen Scale (optional)
- Baking Sheet
- Rolling Pin
Ingredients
- 12 ounces white chocolate 340 grams
- ¾ teaspoon coconut oil 4 grams, divided
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract 2 grams, divided
- 6 ounces semisweet chocolate 170 grams
- 3 candy canes 84 grams
Instructions
- Line a small baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place the white chocolate and ½ teaspoon of coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon peppermint extract. 12 ounces white chocolate, ¾ teaspoon coconut oil, ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- Pour ½ of the white chocolate mixture into the prepared baking dish, and smooth into an even layer with a spatula.
- Place in the refrigerator for 10-15 minutes or until almost completely set.
- Place the semi-sweet chocolate and remaining ¼ teaspoon coconut oil in a heat-proof bowl, and heat, stirring every 30 seconds until melted. Stir in ¼ teaspoon of peppermint extract. 6 ounces semisweet chocolate
- Pour the semi-sweet chocolate over the white chocolate and smooth into an even thin layer.
- Refrigerate for another 10-15 minutes or until almost set.
- While the chocolate is setting up, crush the candy canes by placing them in a Ziplock bag and using a rolling pin to break them up. 3 candy canes
- Re-melt the remaining white chocolate if needed. Pour over the semi-sweet chocolate and smooth into an even layer. Top with a generous sprinkle of the crushed candy canes.
- Refrigerate for at least another 30 minutes or until the bark is completely set.
- Once set, remove from the pan and peel off the parchment paper. Slice or break into pieces as small or as large as you’d like.
Video
Notes
- Gently tilt the baking sheet to help spread the chocolate around more evenly.
- Take care to only chill the bottom and middle layers for 10-15 minutes; otherwise, the layers will not adhere.
- Use cookie cutters to cut your bark into fun shapes!
Nutrition
By Becky Hardin
Published Jul 12, 2017
This Essential Grocery List is an absolute life saver for my family on the busy weeks. When I started this journey to learn how to cook, I quickly realized that the first step in cooking is having staple ingredients on hand. I want to avoid having to run out to the grocery store every single time I prepare a new recipe. Having a well-stocked pantry has made my life in the kitchen so much simpler, because when it’s time to cook, I have what I need.
Essential Grocery List
It’s so helpful to have a basic grocery list to help me remember which foods to buy at the store. This food shopping list is my go-to!
It’s better to stock up on things like grains, seasonings and spices, baking essentials, oils, condiments, canned and frozen foods, etc. so I can just grab them when I need them. These things have a long shelf life , so I keep them in my kitchen for convenience.
However, I do have to go to the supermarket sometimes, and there’s a way to make that trip easy and hassle-free: I keep a grocery list! If I go in blindly, I’ll leave with things I don’t need, and nothing that actually helps me prepare a good meal.
In the list below, I’ve compiled everything I always have on my stock-up grocery list.
I’ve got you covered! I created an easy grocery list filled with all of the essentials. Plus there’s a free printable version that you can take with you to the grocery store. It has everything you need to stock your pantry, your freezer, and your refrigerator.
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List
What to Buy at the Grocery Store
This is the perfect grocery list filled with all the basics and essentials. It should help get you going if you’re new to cooking, or if you’re just left staring helplessly at an empty pantry and don’t know how to fill it.
When I first started cooking, things could seem overwhelming. I quickly realized that they more prepared I could be, the more confident I felt. If you already have the basics in your kitchen, then you can shop stress-free.
So print out our easy grocery list, stock up your pantry and fridge, and you’ll be cooking in no time!
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Fresh Produce
- Apples
- Bananas
- Strawberries
- Avocados
- Bell Peppers
- Carrots
- Broccoli
- Garlic
- Lemons/Limes
- Onion
- Parsley
- Cilantro
- Basil
- Potatoes
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
GRAINS
- Breadcrumbs
- Pasta
- Quinoa
- Rice
- Sandwich Bread
- Tortillas
MEAT/PROTEIN
- Chicken
- Eggs
- Ground Beef
- Sliced Turkey
- Lunch Meat
DAIRY
- Butter
- Sliced Cheese
- Shredded Cheese
- Milk
- Sour Cream
- Greek Yogurt
BAKING GOODS
- Baking powder
- Baking Soda
- Granulated Sugar
- Brown Sugar
- Flour
- Honey
- Vanilla Extract
- Dry Yeast
- Chocolate Chips
- Cocoa Powder
- Powdered Sugar
FREEZER
- Fruit and Berries
- Frozen Veggies (Corn, Peas, Broccoli, etc)
- Juice Concentrate
- Pizza or Other Convenience Meals
- Pie Crust
- Cookie Dough
CANNED/DRIED GOODS
- Chicken stock/broth
- Salsa
- Diced Tomatoes
- Jam/Jelly
- Peanut Butter
- Pasta Sauce
- Beans (Black Beans, Chickpeas, Baked Beans, etc)
- Soups
- Tuna
- Green Chiles
- Canned Veggies
- Coffee or Tea
Get more details on the best non-perishable and pantry foods
CONDIMENTS/SPICES
- Black Pepper
- Chili Powder
- Cinnamon
- Crushed Red Pepper
- Cumin
- Garlic Powder
- Ketchup
- Mustard
- Mayo
- Nutmeg
- Paprika
- Salt (Course Sea Salt and Kosher Salt)
- Soy Sauce
- Steak Sauce
- Hot Sauce/ Buffalo Sauce
- Salad Dressings
OILS/VINEGARS
- Apple cider vinegar
- Balsamic vinegar
- Coconut Oil
- Olive Oil
- Vegetable/Canola Oil
- Red Wine Vinegar
- White Vinegar
- Cooking Wine
- White Wine Vinegar
SNACKS
- Crackers
- Nuts
- Quick Oats
- Popcorn
- Tortilla Chips
- Cereal
Click to get my Free Printable Grocery List for the perfectly stocked pantry and freezer!
Click ☝🏻 for my FREE Grocery List Printable!
I hope this essential grocery list can help you buy what you need and make your home cooking so much easier!
Stock Your Kitchen
Find more ideas for your grocery list, stock up your kitchen, and print more cooking guides and charts to keep handy!
Non-Perishable Foods to Stock Up On
Frozen Vegetables to Stock Up On (and Recipes to Make)
Ultimate List of Cooking Herbs for Your Kitchen
Ultimate List of Cooking Spices for Your Kitchen
Cooking Oil 101: Types of Cooking Oils to Use
26 Types of Pasta and When to Use Them
What Fruits and Vegetables are in Season?
Meat Temperature Chart (Free Printable)
How to Meal Prep (Guide for Beginners)
Basic Cooking Measurements & Kitchen Conversion Chart
