Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Molly asked for the recipe for peppermint bark so here it is (and it really is easy).

PEPPERMINT BARK

Gather your supplies:

• glass bowl(s) (to melt the chocolate)

• wooden spoon (or something else to stir the chocolate)

• zip-lock bag

• mint candies (starlight mints, candy canes, etc)

• chocolate (you can use candy bars, Wilton candy melts, or the stuff they sell in the baking aisle for almond bark).  I like to use either dark or milk chocolate and white coating (most would call it white chocolate).

• hammer, rolling pin, or something to else to break the candies

• microwave (to melt the chocolate - you can also use a stove top and a double boiler)

• jelly roll pan (you can also use a regular cookie sheet just don't spread the mixture out too much near the edges)

• wax paper (it's a lot easier to break the bark and clean up this way)

Instructions:

Unwrap the candy and put in the zip-lock bag.  While closing the bag make sure press out all the excess as well.  Smash the candies into small pieces (this all depends on how big you want your biggest pieces of the candy).

Cover the bottom of the pan with wax paper. 

Break up the chocolate into the glass bowl.  If you only plan using one bowl with multiple chocolate then start with the lightest chocolate first.  I begin with white.  Heat per instructions on bag, if there are any, or heat for 30 seconds, check and stir, then heat for 10 second increments and check. The chocolate does not need to be completely melted, just mostly melted, once you take it out of the microwave and begin stirring the unmelted chocolate will begin to melt. 

Once the chocolate is melted I mix in just under half the candies and pour onto the jelly roll pan (see notes for marbled bark).  Spread a thin layer across the bottom of the pan. And allow to set up a bit. (To quicken this process I put the pan in the freezer with the first layer of chocolate.)

Repeat process with next batch of chocolate.  There should still be a little bit of peppermint candy left at this time.  The next batch of chocolate is spread on top of the first batch of already set up chocolate.  (Be careful when spreading the second batch of chocolate because it will be hot and will melt the chocolate underneath.)  I then put the remainder of the candy on top of the entire thing. 

If I'm not in a hurry I just allow it to set up naturally, otherwise I put the pan back in the freezer to allow it to set.  Once set I break the bark into chunks and put in decorative packaging or onto a pretty plate to serve.

Notes: It's easy to make a single chocolate peppermint bark by just adding all of the candies to the melted chocolate.

For marbled bark I alternate a glop (very technical term) of white with a glop of dark or milk chocolate then take a bamboo skewer and swirl the chocolate together (but not throughly) to get a marbled effect.  When I do this I melt the chocolate in two different bowls so the first batch of chocolate isn't setting up while I microwave the second batch.

For extra minty candy you can add a splash of peppermint extract.

You can also make any sort of nut bark following most of these steps (of course omit the peppermint candies).  I love melting dark chocolate and using almonds, peanuts, macadamia nuts or even some pumpkin seeds to make a nut bark.  Just mix the nuts into the melted chocolate and spread onto the jelly roll pan.  Wait for it to set up and break apart.

I didn't put down measurements because it really depends on how much you want to make.  I will two bags candy melts (2 - 14 oz bags, one of each flavor), same with the stuff they sell for almond bark (one package of each type of candy).  For the peppermints I use one bag (7 oz) of the starlight mints or approximately two boxes of candy canes (regular size).  Most of the time I just eyeball it.

Enjoy!!

Comments

[Fleur de Bee]

Mmmm thank you so much! I am going to try this over the holiday weekend!

xo