Classic Peppermint Bark Food

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Unwrap the candy canes and place them in a food processor. Pulse on/off several times for 5 to 10 seconds each, until the canes have been crushed into small pieces.
• Alternately, place the candy canes in a large zip-close bag and seal tightly. Use a rolling pin to roll/smash the candy canes until they are the size you desire.
• Prepare a cookie sheet by covering it with smooth aluminum foil.
• Melt or temper the dark chocolate.
• Pour the chocolate onto the prepared cookie sheet and use an offset spatula or knife to spread it to an even thickness, a little more than 1/8-inch thick. The chocolate does not have to reach all sides of the sheet, as it will be broken up later anyhow.
• Place the tray in the refrigerator to firm up while you prepare the white chocolate.
• While the dark chocolate hardens, melt or temper the white chocolate.
• Stir in most of the candy cane bits, reserving about a quarter of the mixture to put on top.
• Remove the tray from the refrigerator and spread the white chocolate in an even layer over the dark chocolate.
• While the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle the remaining candy cane pieces over the entire surface evenly. Press down very lightly to ensure they stick.
• Place the tray back in the refrigerator to firm up for 30 minutes.
• Once the peppermint bark is completely set, break into small, uneven pieces by hand. Serve immediately or bring to your annual Christmas cookie swap and enjoy.

CLASSIC PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Coat a 9-by-12 1/2-inch rimmed baking sheet or 6 small loaf pans (2 1/2 by 5 inches) with cooking spray, and line with parchment, leaving an overhang on long sides. Pour melted chocolate into baking sheet or divide among pans (3 tablespoons each), and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle toppings over chocolate. Refrigerate until firm, at least 1 hour. Peel off parchment, and break bark into pieces.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Spread 1/3 of the peppermint candy over a 9x13-inch baking pan lined with wax paper.
• Melt the milk chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching, just until melted. Pour the melted chocolate over peppermint candy in the prepared pan. Sprinkle another 1/3 of the candy on top of the milk chocolate. Refrigerate until the chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes.
• Melt the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just-barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Stir in the oil-based peppermint flavoring. Pour the white chocolate over the milk chocolate, then spread the remaining 1/3 peppermint candy on top.
• Refrigerate until the white chocolate hardens, about 30 minutes. Cut or break into pieces to serve.

ALMOST-FAMOUS PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
• Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.
• Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don't let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. If you are daring, you can use your microwave. Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn't melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with crushed candy (I pressed the candy in just a bit).
• Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2" wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

EASY PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Unwrap candy canes and place in a thick ziplock bag. The freezer kind or if using the regular ones just use two, one inside the other to make it thick. You can also use hard peppermint candies if you are making this after Christmas. Place the candy inside the bag and crush it using a large metal spoon or a rolling pin- not too small, not too big. Martha would have you sift the candy to seperate the large pieces from the dust. I did not- it is up to you.
• Line a jelly roll pan (baking sheet with sides) or a 9x13 baking dish with tin foil. Spray with nonstick spray.
• Place white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a pot of simmering water. Test bowl before adding water to be sure it will sit on the pot and not dip down to low. Add water and test again- then heat up the water. Heat, stirring occasionally until chocolate is melted.
• Remove bowl from heat and stir in Rice Krispies.
• Pour mixture into prepared pan and spread. You can make it thick or thin.
• Sprinkle with crushed peppermint candy. Press them into the chocolate lightly otherwise they will fall off later- use waxed paper, the back of a spoon or your fingers. If you choose you can melt the mint chips and drizzle them over the top.
• Chill 20-30 minutes. Apparently if you leave it in the fridge longer it will get soft.
• Peel tin foil off and break into pieces.
• Store in an airtight container up to 1 week.

MORGAN'S AMAZING PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Place white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl; heat in the microwave until melted, 60 to 90 seconds. Stir until smooth.
• Place one gallon-sized resealable bag inside a second gallon-sized bag, creating a double-layered bag. Place candy canes inside the inner bag and seal. Crush the candy canes inside bag with a rolling pin. Stir crushed candy canes into melted white chocolate.
• Pour white chocolate mixture onto the prepared baking sheet. Chill in refrigerator until hardened, 1 hour.