This Candy Cane Peppermint Bark is a recipe I have been making since I was little, and it is still one that I make every year with my own kids. If you've never had peppermint bark before, let this be your warning, it is crazy addictive and don't be surprised if you have to remake it after a few days! No matter how many batches I make, ahem, usually around 2 or 3... we never ever have leftovers.
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If you love holiday baking recipes and especially bark recipes like this one, you'll also want to try my milk chocolate bark with almonds, this buttercrunch toffee recipe and my famous Christmas crack. Some other favorites that I make every Christmas are my honeycomb toffee (also known as sponge toffee), chocolate cocoa truffles, and my grandma's butter tarts.
Why You'll Love This Chocolate Peppermint Bark 🍫
- 15 minutes to prepare with only four ingredients. Yes, it has to chill in the fridge until it is set (around 2 hours), and one of the ingredients can be skipped, but what I am trying to tell you is that it is easy.
- It's the perfect make-ahead treat or cookie box stuffer. Peppermint bark freezes beautifully, which lets you get a nice head start on holiday baking and build up a healthy stash before the festivities begin.
- Beats store-bought, every time. Homemade chocolate peppermint bark is way fresher, the minty flavor can be adjusted to your liking, and you can make it as thick or as thin as you like.
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Ingredients You'll Need
- Semi-Sweet and White Chocolate: Use a good-quality chocolate that melts smoothly for this bark recipe. I like Ghirardelli or Callebaut, both of which can usually be found at Bulk Barn (if you're in Canada), found in the grocery store or ordered online.
- Candy Cane: To stick with the peppermint theme, I prefer to use minty candy canes, but any flavor of candy cane works to make the bark.
- Peppermint Extract: Use ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract or 2-3 drops of the LorAnne Oils high-potency peppermint flavoring. Peppermint oil is much stronger than extract, and that is why you only need a few drops. Start small, and taste and adjust the flavoring to your liking before swirling the white chocolate in with the semi-sweet. If you are not a big fan of peppermint, it can be skipped altogether, the candy canes do still provide a lot of flavor on their own.
Find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.
Ingredient Swaps & Variations
- Switch the Extract: If you don't love peppermint extract, try using vanilla, almond, or rum extract, or just leave it out altogether.
- Use Different Flavors of Candy Canes: Any flavor of candy cane can be used, just make sure to match the extract flavor. For example, cherry-flavored candy canes probably shouldn't be paired with peppermint extract, but you do you!
- Add Nuts: Adding chopped salty roasted almonds or honey roasted cashews is always a delicious idea.
- One Type of Chocolate: Use only one type of chocolate, whichever you prefer.
- More Toppings: Add some more fun toppings like crushed Oreos, Skor toffee bits, or crushed rolled wafer sticks.
If you love chocolatey treats, you have to try my chocolate twist pastries, white chocolate eggnog fudge, and my chocolate cream cookies!
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How To Make Peppermint Bark
Melt The Chocolate And Spread The Semi-Sweet
Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set up two double boilers. Melt the semi-sweet and white chocolate in separate bowls, stirring constantly, and pull both off the heat the second they are melted.
Stir peppermint extract or oil into the white chocolate, then pour the semi-sweet onto the pan and spread it into a thin, even layer.
Add The White Chocolate
Pour the white chocolate over top and gently spread it out using the back of a spoon or spatula. It's fine if the two chocolates start to blend a little bit.
Swirl
Press a bit harder with the spoon or spatula and drag it in a swirl pattern through the chocolate to make swirls. When you're happy with the pattern, bang the pan on the counter a few times to help flatten everything out.
Add The Candy Canes
Sprinkle all of the crushed candy canes on top of the chocolate while it is still wet. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until the chocolate bark is completely hard and firm.
Break It Up
Once it's set, whack the bark with a wooden spoon or the end of a rolling pin, and it will break into bite-sized pieces.
This is the fun part, plus it's a cheap form of stress relief! 😉
Tips For The Best Peppermint Bark
- To make a double boiler, use a heat-safe bowl and place it over top of a saucepan that is filled with about 1 or 2 inches of water. Over medium-low heat, bring the water to a boil. The bowl should hover above the water, not touching it at all.
- Keep any water away from the area. Even a single tiny drop of water can make chocolate seize, so make sure you are using dry bowls and keep the steam from the double boiler away from the chocolate.
- Don't overheat the chocolate. Chocolate can scorch easily, melt it slowly and take it off the heat as soon as it is smooth and melted.
- Crush the candy canes in a ziplock. Use a rolling pin or a kitchen mallet to break the candy canes into pieces.
How To Store Chocolate Candy Cane Bark
Store the peppermint bark in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 3 months (this is our favourite way to store it!) and try not to eat the whole pan in one sitting (but we totally understand if it happens haha).
Frequently Asked Questions
It needs to chill to set the chocolate, and I store mine in the fridge or freezer so the chocolate stays firm.
Yes! Freeze it in an airtight container or ziplock bag for up to 3 months.
Yes, chocolate chips can be used. Depending on the brand, they can melt a little thicker. If your chocolate feels too thick, stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to help thin it out.
Not much. Candy cane bark usually means peppermint bark topped with crushed candy canes, like this one.
More Christmas Goodies
If you made this Candy Cane Peppermint Bark or any other recipe on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating, a 💬 comment and share it on Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook!
This peppermint candy bark is a part of our 12 Days of Christmas Series - Season 1. Don't miss Day 7: Homemade Sugar Cookies with Royal Icing! 🎄
📖 Recipe
Candy Cane Peppermint Bark
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Print Recipe Pin RecipeIngredients
- 3 cups (24oz) Good Quality Semi-Sweet Chocolate
- 3 cups (24oz) Good Quality White Chocolate
- ¾ cup Peppermint Candy Canes crushed
- ½ teaspoon Peppermint Extract optional (but highly recommended)
Instructions
- Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- Set up two double boilers. Add the semi-sweet chocolate to one bowl and the white chocolate to the other, and stir constantly until melted and smooth. Carefully remove both bowls from the heat as soon as the chocolate melts. Stir the peppermint extract into the white chocolate, if using.
- Pour the semi-sweet chocolate onto the prepared pan and spread it into a thin, even layer using a spatula or spoon. Pour the white chocolate over the top and gently spread it out. Drag the spoon or spatula through the chocolate to create swirls, then tap the pan on the counter a few times to help it flatten out.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top while the chocolate is still wet. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours (or overnight) until the chocolate is completely hard and set.
- Break it into pieces and serve. Store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator or the freezer.
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Notes
- Chocolate: Use good-quality chocolate like Ghirardelli or Callebaut for the best results. If you use chocolate chips, some of the brands melt a little thick, so if you find your chocolate is too thick once melted, stir in 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to thin it.
- Peppermint Extract: You can use peppermint extract or oil, just know that if you use peppermint oil, use only 2-3 drops, as it is much more potent than extract. If you don't have peppermint extract or don't want this bark to be super minty, skip the extract or oil altogether.
- Switch up the flavor of the bark by using different flavors of extracts and candy canes.
- Make a double boiler by placing a heat-safe bowl over top of a saucepan of simmering water. The bowl should not touch the water. Keep it over medium-low heat and carefully remove the chocolate as soon as it is melted to avoid burning it.
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an estimate based on an online nutrition calculator and it will vary based on the ingredients that you use.
Allison says
Such a great Holiday treat, watch out candy canes this is ready to take over.
Thanks so much for the fun recipes.
Jessica says
Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Jessica says
This is a recipe that came straight from my mother's recipe box. The card is barely legible and covered in stains, which is a clear sign of how much it was loved throughout the years. I hope that you love this peppermint bark as much as my family has!