Sleepy Hollow 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.

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.

SLEEPY HOLLOW PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Heat oven to 310 degrees. Space out 15-20 unwrapped candies on two parchment lined baking sheets. (Keeping two baking sheets in the oven at a time ensures you constantly have something to work with and saves your rom just sitting there twiddling your thumbs.) Allow to melt just a bit (5-7 minutes) and pull out first sheet. You're going to be stretching and twisting the candies around one another to eventually shape a tree. If you're frustrated with how they're sticking or if anything breaks, simply heat with a Brûlée torch or handheld lighter for a moment and reapply. If you accidentally burn it (which I did several times), just toss it. Definitely use the torch at the base of your candy cane trunk before applying to stand-you want as sound a structure as you can get!
• Once you have your peppermint skeleton, now's the fun part of painting on the chocolate. Melt down chocolate in a double boiler until its just in a liquid state (110 degrees on candy thermomter is ideal for chocolate). GENTLY paint chocolate onto your skeleton, doing several coats and re-heating chocolate as needed. When desired affect is achieved, hand-paint several spare peppermint candies with black stripes and adhere using any extra chocolate.
• Using fine paint brushes, paint your tree with edible paints making highlights and low lights where they seem appropriate. Clean any mess from base using a warm clean cloth. Melt down white chocolate and pour into base to create clean smooth effect.

HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT BARK (SPONSORED)

Steps:

• LINE baking sheet with wax paper.
• MICROWAVE morsels in medium, uncovered, microwave-safe bowl on MEDIUM-HIGH (70%) power for 1 minute; STIR. Morsels may retain some of their original shape. If necessary, microwave at additional 10- to 15-second intervals, stirring just until morsels are melted.
• PLACE peppermint candies in heavy-duty plastic bag. Crush candies using rolling pin or other heavy object. While holding strainer over melted morsels, pour crushed candy into strainer. Shake to release all small candy pieces; reserve larger candy pieces. Stir morsel-peppermint mixture.
• SPREAD mixture to desired thickness on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle with reserved candy pieces; press in lightly. Let stand for about 1 hour or until firm. Break into pieces. Recipe makes 1 pound of candy. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

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.

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!

SALLY'S THREE-LAYER PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Turn a large baking sheet upside down and cover securely with foil. Mark out a 12x9-inch rectangle. Stir white chocolate in a metal bowl over barely simmering water (do NOT allow bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour 2/3 cup onto foil and spread to fill the 9x12" rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream, and extract over low heat until just melted and smooth; cool. Pour over white chocolate and spread to edges. Refrigerate until very firm, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate but don't get too hot. Quickly pour over bittersweet chocolate and spread to edges. Sprinkle with remaining peppermint pieces. Chill until firm. Lift foil off cookie sheet and trim edges of candy. Cut crosswise into strips, then slide strips off foil and onto cutting surface. Cut into triangles or any shape you desire.

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.

HOLIDAY PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line baking sheet with waxed paper.
• Microwave morsels on medium high for 1 minute or until smooth.
• Place peppermint candies in a plastic bag and smash.
• While holding strainer over melted morsels pour crushed candies into strainer.
• Stir mixture.
• Spread mixture to desired thickness on baking sheet.
• Let stand for 1 hour or until firm.
• Break into pieces.