Peppermint Bark Easy Food

EASY PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line an 8x8 pan with parchment paper. I like to cut two pieces and have one going in each direction so that the whole pan is covered.
• Melt the dark chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. It will likely take 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Do not overheat as the chocolate will scorch. Stir 1/2 teaspoon of the peppermint extract. Pour melted chocolate into the prepared pan and spread it with the back of a spoon until an even layer is formed. Place in the fridge to set for about 30 minutes or until firm to the touch.
• While dark chocolate is chilling, crush your candy canes. You can do this in a food processor or place candy canes in a freezer bag and crush using a rolling pin or the bottom of a glass. Once candy canes are crushed, set aside.
• Once dark chocolate has set start, melt the white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring after each interval, until completely melted and smooth. It will likely take 1 to 3 minutes (depending on your microwave). Stir in remaining 1/2 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Pour melted white chocolate over the dark chocolate and spread it with the back of a spoon until an even layer is formed.
• Sprinkle the candy cane pieces evenly over the white chocolate layer and lightly press with your hands.
• Place pan back in the fridge to chill until set, about 30-60 minutes.
• Once chocolate has hardened, bring it out of the fridge and let it sit at room temp for 5-10 minutes before cutting or breaking into pieces. If you try to cut it when it's too cold the chocolate layers may separate.
• Store peppermint bark in a dark, cool place. It should last about 7-10 days in a cool kitchen or even longer (about 3 weeks or so) in the fridge or freezer. If you keep the bark in the fridge or freezer, be sure to bring it out and let it rest for 5-10 minutes before eating because the chocolate gets really hard when chilled.

PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Place the mini candy canes in a zip top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small chunks. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• In a separate medium bowl, stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate chips. Pour onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula. Freeze for 5 minutes.
• Take the pan out of the freezer and pour the melted white chocolate over the chocolate, spreading evenly with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the white chocolate.
• Freeze for at least 1 hour.
• Remove the bark from the freezer and break into pieces.
• Enjoy!

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:

• 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.

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.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Unwrap the candy canes and place in a freezer Zip-Loc bag then place it in another Zip-Loc bag.
• Using a hammer gently break up the candy canes into small pieces.
• Line an 11x17 baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• In a microwave safe bowl melt the dark wafers on low or defrost for 2 minutes then stir.
• Continue to melt on low in one minute increments stirring well until completely melted.
• Add 1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp peppermint oil to melted chocolate stirring well.
• Pour onto foil lined baking sheet.
• Let sit for approximately 15 minutes.
• Do not refrigerate and do not let harden more than 15 minutes.
• While dark chocolate is hardening melt white wafers in the same manner as the dark chocolate.
• Add 1/2 tsp peppermint oil to melted wafers and crushed candy cane, stirring to mix well.
• Carefully pour over chocolate layer in pan distributing evenly.
• Very gently spread white layer evenly over chocolate layer.
• Let harden overnight or at least 4 hours then invert upside down to remove foil.
• Break into irregular pieces, not too small.
• If you try to break them into very small pieces the white tends to seperate from the dark.

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.

PEPPERMINT CANDY CANE BARK

Steps:

• Melt white chocolate either in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
• Stir in crushed candy cane and peppermint flavoring into melted white chocolate.
• Line a 11x17" baking pan with wax paper.
• Pour and spread chocolate mixture onto wax paper.
• Chill until firm and break into pieces.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.