Peppermint Crunch 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.

FIZZY PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Combine the confectioners' sugar, baking soda and citric acid. Place the chocolate in a tempering machine and process until tempered. Stir in the dry ingredients. Spread the chocolate mixture 1/4-inch thick on a silicone baking mat or wax paper. Sprinkle the top with the peppermint candies. Refrigerate the chocolate until set, about 1 hour.
• Break into pieces to serve.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside. Set 12 ounces/340 grams semisweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 5- to 25-second bursts, stirring occasionally, until it is melted and the temperature registers between 114 degrees and 118 degrees on an instant-read thermometer. Chocolate burns easily in the microwave, so go slowly. Try fewer seconds as the temperature starts getting close so that you don't overshoot the mark. (If you're a few degrees over, just keeping stirring the chocolate until it cools to the proper temperature.)
• Remove the bowl from the microwave and gradually stir in the remaining 4 ounces/115 grams semisweet chocolate until the temperature has come down to 88 to 89 degrees. (After a bit of practice you can actually see and feel the chocolate fall into temper. It takes on a slightly looser quality and becomes shinier. Be patient, this can take up to 10 to 12 minutes with some chocolate.) Now quickly pour the chocolate out onto the prepared pan and spread it into an even layer. Let the chocolate stand at room temperature until the layer has set, about 1 hour. (You can also refrigerate until set, about 30 minutes.)
• Now set 6 ounces/170 grams white chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave it in 5- to 25-second bursts, stirring occasionally, until it is melted and the temperature registers between 105 degrees and 110 degrees on an instant-read thermometer.
• Remove the bowl from the microwave and gradually stir in the remaining 2 ounces/55 grams white chocolate until the temperature has come down to about 85 degrees. Quickly stir in the peppermint extract. Drizzle the white chocolate mixture evenly over the semisweet chocolate. Immediately sprinkle with the candy cane.
• Let stand at room temperature until completely set, about 4 hours. To serve, break into pieces. Refrigerate leftover pieces as necessary.

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 CRUNCH BARK

Steps:

• Turn a large baking sheet bottom side up, cover with foil and mark out a 12x9 inch rectangle on foil.
• Stir white chocolate in a double broiler or a metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110 degrees.
• Remove from over water.
• Pour 2/3 cup onto rectangle on foil.
• Using a icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle.
• Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints.
• Chill until set, around 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in a heavy medium saucepan over medium low heat until just melted.
• Cool to barely lukewarm.
• Pour bittersweet chocolate onto cooled white chocolate and spread with the icing spatula.
• Chill for 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate and working quickly pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate.
• Spread and sprinkle with remaining crushed mints.
• Chill for another 25 minutes.
• Carefully lift foil off of pan.
• Cut bark crosswise into 2 inch wide strips.
• Now remove foil on bottom.
• Cut each strip into 3 sections, and cut those crosswise.
• Wrap and refrigerate or serve.

PEPPERMINT BARK CRUNCH

Steps:

• pour both bags of chips in microwave safe bowl.
• microwave,stirring after each minute.until thouroughly melted,approx. 3 minutes.
• when melted, stir in crushed candy canes.
• Line cookie sheet with wax paper.
• spread mixture onto cookie sheet.
• chill in refridgerator until firm.
• Break into pieces and serve.

LAYERED PEPPERMINT CRUNCH BARK

Steps:

• Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12 x 9-inch rectangle on foil. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container.) Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

MCCORMICK'S PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line large baking sheet with foil. In saucepan, melt baking pieces.
• Place unwrapped peppermint candies in a ziploc (you may need to reinforce it with another ziploc) and hammer the pieces until thoroughly crushed.
• When the chocolate is nearly melted, remove from heat; mix in Extract. Gently stir until smooth.
• Spread chocolate mixture on baking sheet, smoothing with metal spatula to 1/4 inch thick.
• Add food color, drop by drop, over melted baking pieces. Using a wooden skewer, swirl color through.
• Sprinkle with crushed candies, press in with spatula.
• Chill until set, about 10 minutes.
• Break into pieces. Store, covered. Refrigerate up to 5 days.