Homemade Chocolate Peppermint Bark Food

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:

• 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.

DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 15x10x1-in. pan with parchment; set aside. , In a double boiler or metal bowl over hot water, melt baking chips until 2/3 are melted. Remove from heat; stir in peppermint oil until smooth. Spread into prepared pan. Melt dark chocolate chips in another bowl. Drizzle over top of white layer; cut through mixtures with a knife to swirl. Sprinkle with peppermint candies (pan will not be full). Refrigerate until firm, 15-20 minutes. Break or cut into pieces. Store in an airtight container.

MILK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 12x18 inch jelly roll pan with aluminum foil.
• Melt the milk chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 5 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat or chocolate will scorch. Stir in the peppermint extract. Spread the chocolate evenly in the prepared pan; chill until set, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe glass or ceramic bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each melting, for 1 to 5 minutes. Stir in 1/4 cup of the crushed candy canes. Spread the white chocolate mixture evenly over the milk chocolate. Sprinkle the remaining candy cane pieces evenly over the white chocolate layer. Chill until set, about 1 hour. Break into small pieces to serve.

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.

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.

3-INGREDIENT DARK CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with parchment. Bring a double boiler or a heatproof bowl set over a small pot of water to a low simmer. Place chocolate in bowl and gently stir until completely melted. Remove from heat and stir in peppermint extract.
• Pour chocolate mixture onto prepared baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula or wooden spoon. Immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes and press lightly to adhere.
• Freeze until hardened, about 5 minutes. Break into pieces and serve.
• Do Ahead
• Bark can be made up to 7 days ahead. Wrap tightly and keep chilled.

BAKER'S CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 2 min.or until almost melted, stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Spread half of the chocolate on waxed paper-covered baking sheet; sprinkle with crushed candies. Drizzle evenly with remaining chocolate.
• Refrigerate 1-1/2 hours or until firm. Break into 10 pieces. Store, placed between layers of waxed paper, in tightly covered container at room temperature, or in the refrigerator, up to 3 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.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9x13" baking pan with aluminum foil.
• Break up the white chocolate into small pieces and melt in either a double boiler set over simmering water, or in the microwave according to the package directions.
• Do not let the chocolate burn!
• Remove from heat and stir in the 1/3 cup of crushed candy canes.
• Immediately pour this mixture into the prepared pan and spread spoon with a rubber spatula, leaving a 1/2" border around the edge of the pan.
• Don't worry if it doesn't look perfectly shaped, but try to get it as evenly flattened as possible.
• Melt semisweet chocolate pieces.
• Drizzle the melted semisweet chocolate all over the surface of the white chocolate.
• Sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons of crushed candy canes.
• Set in the fridge until it firms up- this only takes a short time (about 15 minutes or so).
• Cut or break the bark into serving pieces.
• Jagged edges are ok.
• These will look nice wrapped in plastic tin and tied with pink& white curling ribbon to give as holiday treats.

CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.
• Whisk flour, cocoa powder, baking powder, baking soda, and salt together in a bowl until combined.
• Combine butter, brown sugar, and white sugar in a large bowl and beat with an electric mixer until light and fluffy. Add eggs, vanilla, and peppermint extract and mix until thoroughly combined. Mix in half of the dry ingredients until just combined. Mix in remaining dry ingredients until just combined. Fold in peppermint bark pieces, pecans, and crushed candy cane pieces.
• Place 1 tablespoon-sized balls of dough 1 1/2 inches apart on the prepared baking sheets.
• Bake in the preheated oven until tops of cookies just begin to set, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow cookies to cool for at least 5 minutes on the baking sheets before removing to a wire rack to cool completely.

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.