Loaded Peppermint Bark Food

PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

Steps:

• For the chocolate cookies: Cut two 13-by-18 pieces of parchment. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, then gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated, about 2 minutes more.
• Place a sheet of parchment on a work surface. Transfer the dough to the parchment and cover with another sheet of parchment. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into an even layer that reaches the edges of the parchment. Slide the parchment and dough onto a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the top parchment from the dough and bake until firm and no longer shiny, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack and cool completely.
• For the peppermint bark: Put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering 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 saucepan over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 1 cup white chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted; return the bowl to the saucepan for 5 to 10 seconds at a time as needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt all the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir the peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour over the cooled cookie base and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula or small offset spatula.
• Sprinkle immediately with the peppermint candies, gently pressing the pieces into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours.
• Lift the bark cookie out of the baking sheet using the parchment and break it into pieces.

SHORTCUT PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Bring a shallow pan of water to a simmer. Add the white chocolate to a heatproof bowl and set over the simmering water to melt. Stir in the peppermint extract.
• Dip the cookies one by one in the melted chocolate to cover completely, then transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle the crushed candy over the tops. Allow the cookies to set and dry before serving.

PEPPERMINT BARK BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with baking spray, line with parchment and then lightly spray the parchment.
• Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and set aside. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the melted butter, eggs, yolk, vanilla and water. Stir in the mini chocolate chips if using. Stir the batter vigorously until smooth and shiny, about 30 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 42 to 44 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours in the pan before cutting. Invert the pan onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment and cut the brownies into 16 squares.
• Combine the white chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth. This should take 40 to 60 seconds. Dip the bottom surface of each brownie into the melted chocolate, let any excess drip back into the bowl, and turn the brownie so the chocolate is upright. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Repeat with the remaining brownies. Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 days.

5-INGREDIENT PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 9x9 inch pan and line with waxed paper, smoothing out wrinkles; set aside.
• Place the semisweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon of the canola oil 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. When the chocolate is melted, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract.
• Pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan, and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle half of the crushed peppermints over the chocolate layer. Refrigerate until completely hardened, about 1 hour.
• Place the white chocolate and the remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil 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. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
• Pour the white chocolate directly over the semisweet chocolate layer; spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy over the top and gently press in. Refrigerate until completely hardened. Remove from pan; break into small pieces to serve.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet with parchment, and set aside.
• In the top of a double boiler, melt white chocolate, stirring constantly.
• With a chef's knife or meat tenderizer, cut or pound candy canes into 1/4-inch pieces.
• Stir pieces of candy canes and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate. Remove from heat, and pour the mixture onto the prepared baking sheet; spread evenly. Chill until firm, 25 to 30 minutes. Break into pieces, and serve. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to one week.

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:

• 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.

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:

• Spray a 10-by-15-inch rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray; line with a piece of waxed paper. Place candy in a doubled resealable plastic bag (one inside the other); seal, and wrap in a kitchen towel (to prevent candy from piercing the bag). Use a rolling pin or skillet to crush candy into tiny pieces. Pass through a large sieve to separate crushed candy from fine powder.
• Place white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water. Heat, stirring occasionally, until smooth, 4 to 6 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in rice cereal.
• Transfer mixture to prepared baking sheet; with a spatula, spread to edges of pan. Sprinkle with crushed candy. Cover entire surface with a piece of waxed paper (to prevent hands from sticking), and press candy gently into chocolate mixture. Chill until firm, 20 to 30 minutes (but no longer, as candy will begin to soften).
• Peel off waxed paper. Break bark into 3-inch pieces. Bark can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature up to 1 week.