Double Chocolate Swirled Peppermint Bark Food

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Melt semi-sweet/dark chocolate in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pan of hot water.
• Line a 9"x13" dish with aluminum foil.
• Pour into dish and spread evenly. Chill.
• Melt white chocolate.
• Cruch candy canes in a plastic bag.
• Pour white chocolate on top of semi-sweet/dark chocolate and spread evenly.
• Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces over white chocolate.
• Refrigerate until set.
• When chocolate is hardened, break into pieces.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK - CHRISTMAS

Steps:

• Line a 9x12 pan with parchment paper.
• Melt the dark chocolate (use the method you prefer, either double boiler, or microwave - cook 30 seconds in a heat-proof bowl, stir and repeat until you have a smooth consistency.
• Pour the melted dark chocolate on the parchment paper, spread the chocolate out until it is about 1/3" thick. You can do this by hitting the pan on the countertop repeatedly, or maybe you could use a spatula to spread the chocolate.
• Melt the white chocolate, using the steps above. After the chocolate is smooth, pour it on top of the dark chocolate - trying to make the layers the same thickness. (it's best to do this step while the white chocolate is still very soft -- I've had them separate when I broke them into pieces, I think the layers "stick" together better if the white chocolate has not hardened).
• Unwrap the starlite mints, or peppermints of your choice and put them into a heavy duty ziplock bag. Using a hammer or meat tenderizer - crush the mints then, while the white chocolate is still melted sprinkle on top.
• Let the chocolates harden in the refrigerator for 2 hours, then break the candy into pieces. This needs to be stored in the refrgerator if you live in a warm/humid climate.

DOUBLE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Place chips in large microwavable bowl and microwave on HIGH setting 1 ½ to 2 minutes or until almost melted.
• Add peppermint extract and stir until mixture is smooth.
• Line a large baking sheet with foil. Spread mixture on prepared baking sheet to 1/4-inch thickness.
• Add food color, drop by drop, over mixture. Using a wooden skewer, swirl color through bark.
• Sprinkle with crushed candies, pressing lightly into bark using spatula.
• Place in refrigerator and chill 10 minutes or until set.
• To serve, break into individual irregular pieces.
• Store in covered container at cool room temperature.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a large baking tray with baking parchment. Melt the milk and white chocolates in two separate heatproof bowls set over pans of simmering water, ensuring the bases of the bowls don't touch the water. Or, melt in the microwave in 20-second bursts. Add the peppermint extract to the melted milk chocolate and gently mix until combined.
• Pour the peppermint milk chocolate over the centre of the baking tray. Smooth with a spatula until it's 2mm thick, then drizzle over the white chocolate. Gently swirl the white chocolate through the milk using a teaspoon, then sprinkle over the candy cane chunks.
• Leave to set at room temperature to prevent the milk chocolate from discolouring. Once fully set, freeze for 10 mins, then snap into shards. Will keep in an airtight container lined with baking parchment for up to two weeks.

BAKER'S CHOCOLATE SWIRL-PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Microwave chocolates in separate medium microwaveable bowls on HIGH 1-1/2 min. or until almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolates are completely melted.
• Drop spoonfuls of chocolate mixtures alternately onto waxed paper-covered baking sheet; swirl gently with knife. Sprinkle with crushed candy.
• Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until firm. Break into pieces.