by Diane Rossen Worthington

Bittersweet Chocolate-Peppermint Candy Bark Recipe

A festive favorite! This Bittersweet Chocolate Peppermint Candy Bark combines rich dark chocolate with crunchy peppermint pieces for a holiday treat that's perfect for gifting or snacking!️

"Bite-Size Desserts" is a clever cookbook for sweet lovers who appreciate creative ideas and small portions. Author Carole Bloom, an accomplished pasty chef, offers the dessert lover dozens of yummy ideas for individual desserts for year-round baking.

I am a big believer that a gift from the kitchen is truly a gift from the heart. Each year I try to add a new gift idea to go along with my standard seasoning salt and pate. This will be the treat I send along to all of those who have been helpful to me through the year.

Chopped peppermint candies are mixed with deep, dark bittersweet chocolate to create a very refreshing and satisfying holiday candy. You can make this ahead since it can be refrigerated for a month or frozen for up to 2 months. Just make sure to store the bark in an airtight container with waxed paper between each layer.

Help is on the Way:

-- Replace the peppermint candies with candy canes.

-- Use white chocolate or dark milk chocolate (38 to 42 percent cacao) instead of the bittersweet chocolate.

-- Defrost or remove from the refrigerator and bring to room temperature before serving.

-- Serve this after dinner on a pretty glass plate.

-- Use a good quality bittersweet chocolate like Valrhona or Scharffen Berger.

Bittersweet Chocolate-Peppermint Candy Bark Recipe

    Prep Time: 40 minutes

    Yield: Makes about 36 1-inch pieces

Bittersweet Chocolate-Peppermint Candy Bark Recipe Ingredients

    1 cup (7 ounces) red-and-white-striped round peppermint candies

    8 ounces bittersweet chocolate (62 to 72 percent cacao), chopped

Bittersweet Chocolate-Peppermint Candy Bark Recipe Directions

    1. Unwrap the candies and place in a work bowl of a food processor, fitted with a steel blade. Pulse until the candies are finely chopped, about 2 minutes.

    2. Place 6 ounces of the chocolate in the top pan of a double boiler set over hot water. Stir often with a rubber spatula to help melt the chocolate evenly. Or place in a microwave safe bowl and melt on low power for 30-second bursts. Stir with a rubber spatula after each burst. Remove the top pan of the double boiler, if using, and wipe the bottoms and sides very dry.

    3. Stir the remaining 2 ounces of chocolate in 2 to 3 stages, making sure each batch is melted before adding the next. Stir in the chopped peppermint candies and coat them thoroughly with chocolate.

    4. Line a baking sheet with waxed or parchment paper. Pour the chocolate mixture onto the baking sheet and use an offset spatula to spread it to a thickness of about 1/4-inch.

    5. Chill the bark in the refrigerator until set, about 30 minutes. Remove the bark from the refrigerator and gently peel off the paper. Break the bark into 1-inch pieces.

    6. Serve the bark at room temperature or store the bark between layers of waxed paper in an airtight container for up to 1 month.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

    Easy to make—just 15 minutes!

    Rich bittersweet chocolate balances the sweet peppermint crunch

    Perfect for holiday gifting or festive snacking

    No baking required!

Serving Suggestions

    Package in holiday tins or gift bags for homemade Christmas gifts

    Pair with hot cocoa for the ultimate winter treat

    Serve alongside cookies and festive desserts at holiday gatherings

    Crush into small pieces and sprinkle over ice cream for a delicious topping

Get into the holiday spirit with these delicious Christmas cookie recipes! Whether you're baking for family gatherings, cookie exchanges, or holiday gifting, these festive treats are guaranteed to spread holiday cheer.

Diane Rossen Worthington is an authority on new American cooking. She is the author of 18 cookbooks (click here), including "Seriously Simple Holidays: Recipes and Ideas to Celebrate the Season," and also a James Beard award-winning radio show host.

 

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Bittersweet Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe | Holiday Treat

This Bittersweet Chocolate Peppermint Candy Bark is the perfect holiday treat! A rich, festive chocolate bark made with dark chocolate and crushed peppermint candy.

Article: Copyright © Tribune Content Agency