White Chocolate Peppermint Bark Food

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line an 11x17-inch baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Melt white chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl on 50% power for 3 minutes. Stir well until bowl is no longer warm. Heat for 3 minutes more; stir. Heat for 1 minute more and stir; repeat as necessary until chocolate is completely smooth.
• Stir candy canes and peppermint oil into the melted chocolate until well combined. Spread onto the prepared baking sheet. Smooth with a spatula. Refrigerate until set, 30 minutes to overnight. Break into pieces and store in an airtight container.

WHITE CHOCOLATE BARK WITH PEPPERMINT STICK

Steps:

• Melt the chocolate. Place the peppermint sticks in a heavy, locked plastic bag and crush them fine by whacking and then rolling them with a rolling pin. They should have about the same consistency as crushed ice. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the peppermint oil. Stir in all but 2 tablespoons of the crushed peppermint pieces and spread the mixture out on the cookie sheet, about 1/4-inch thick. It will not fill the pan completely. Sprinkle the reserved peppermint stick over the top. Let set at room temperature until hardened, about 2 hours. (Or, refrigerate for 30 minutes to harden more quickly.) Use your hands to break into pieces. Store in an airtight container for up to 2 weeks.

BAKER'S WHITE CHOCOLATE-PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Microwave chocolate in microwavable bowl on HIGH 2 min., stirring after 1 min. Stir until chocolate is completely melted.
• Stir in crushed candy and extract.
• Spread into thin layer on waxed paper-covered baking sheet; sprinkle with coconut.
• Refrigerate 30 min. or until firm. Break into small pieces.

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.

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.

WHITE CHOCOLATE PEPPERMINT POPCORN BARK

Steps:

• Cover a baking pan with foil or wax paper; set aside.
• Place popcorn in a large bowl; set aside.
• Melt chocolate in a double boiler over barely simmering water, stirring until smooth OR melt according to package directions.
• Stir in crushed peppermints after chocolate is melted.
• Pour chocolate mixture over popcorn mixture and stir to coat.
• Spread onto prepared pan; allow to cool completely.
• When chocolate is cooled and set, break into chunks for serving.
• Store in an air-tight container at room temperature.

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.

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.

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.

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.

LAYERED PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9x12 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Melt half of 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. Spread the white chocolate into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the crushed peppermints evenly over white chocolate. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate, heavy cream, and peppermint extract together in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just melted. Quickly pour the chocolate layer over the chilled white chocolate layer; spread evenly. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just melted. Spread quickly over the chilled bark. Sprinkle with the remaining peppermint pieces; chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Cut or break into small pieces to serve.