Are you looking for a sweet treat to serve up this holiday season? This peppermint bark recipe is perfect. It has just a few ingredients, requires no baking, and is absolutely gorgeous on a cookie tray!
We'll eat just about any holiday sweet that comes our way, but it's hard to beat a no-bake treat! And while we've tried plenty of peppermint bark, we think this Christmas dessert recipe is particularly perfect.
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Whether you're looking for a party favor, a gift for the neighbors, or just something to snack on while you watch Home Alone for the fourth time this year, this peppermint bark is just what Santa ordered. Whip up a batch, and you'll be sure to land on the nice list!
WAYS TO CUSTOMIZE PEPPERMINT BARK
Not to toot our horn, but we happen to think we've created the best peppermint bark recipe around! That doesn't mean we'll try to stop you from making it even better. You do you, boo! If you're looking for add-ins to try, here are some ideas:
- M&Ms – Add some color to that bark! Sprinkle a few M&Ms on top before your bark cools. It's a great way to use up leftover Halloween candy!
- Pretzel Sticks – Sweet & salty? Sure, why not? There's something so delicious about pretzels and white chocolate.
- Mini-Marshmallows – You guys know how much we love some marshmallows! Toss a few on top of the bark.
- Caramel – There's nothing a little caramel drizzle can't fix! And this recipe doesn't need fixing, but who are we to tell you not to add caramel?!
- Sprinkles – Red, green, whatever you've got! Make this bark even more festive with a few sprinkles on top.
If you have leftover candy bars or other sweets lying around, crush them up and try adding them in. What's the worst thing that could happen by trying something new? You might just invent the next great bark!
PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE SUBSTITUTIONS
The good thing about a 5-ingredient recipe is that it's usually pretty affordable to make! But, we're all about using what you have to make this bark, rather than running out to the store. Hello, #shelfcooking! So, here are a few substitutes to try:
- Chocolate – It's totally fine to experiment and mix-and-match here! Feel free to play with semi-sweet, dark, and even milk chocolate.
- Candy Canes – If you don't have candy canes lying around, crush up some peppermints instead! Or, go for a different vibe and crush nuts. You won't get that minty flavor, but it will still be a darn good bark!
- Canola Oil – If you don't keep your kitchen stocked with canola oil, we have two options for you! You can sub in coconut oil or peanut oil instead or skip the oil altogether. The oil in the recipe helps you pour and spread the chocolate easily, but isn’t necessary.
- Peppermint Extract – This is an essential ingredient if you're a peppermint lover, but you can use peppermint oil instead of extract (just use one-fourth as much). Or, if you have some peppermint syrup on hand for cocoa or coffee, give that a try!
Sounds so delicious, right?!
CLEVER WAYS TO USE LEFTOVER PEPPERMINT BARK
If you find yourself with too much peppermint bark (how the heck is that even possible?!), don't worry! There are so many creative ways to serve up this treat. Try one of these:
- Serve with Hot Cocoa – Have you tried this hot cocoa recipe yet?! It's begging for a slice of this bark.
- Add to Cookies – Make cookies even better! As the cookies are cooling, drop a few pieces of crushed bark on top.
- Spruce up Brownies – Crush a few pieces of your bark and add it to the brownie batter!
- Top an Ice Cream Sundae – How DELISH would a few scoops of mint chocolate chip taste with some peppermint bark bits mixed in?!
- Give it Away – Grab some cute plastic bags and ribbons, and package these up for your neighbors. They'll love you for it!
No matter how you choose to use this peppermint bark, we guarantee you're going to love it! And if you decide to eat all in one sitting, that's cool, too. We don't judge!
HOW TO MAKE THE PERFECT PEPPERMINT BARK
So how do you make this delicious treat we've been hyping? It starts with the right ingredients, like high-quality chocolate bars made with cocoa butter and not oil. This will give you a smooth, rich, perfect bark.
No-Bake Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 12 oz white chocolate, chopped
- 12 oz semi-sweet chocolate, chopped
- 1½ tsp peppermint extract, divided
- 2 tsp canola oil, divided
- 5 candy canes, crushed
Instructions
- Prepare the pan you choose to use by lining it with a Silpat mat, parchment paper, or aluminum foil.
- Melt your semi-sweet chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl with 1 tsp oil in 30-second bursts until melted, being careful not to overheat. Stir in ¾ tsp peppermint oil and spread evenly in your pan. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
- Melt your white chocolate and 1 tsp oil in 30-second bursts until melted, being careful not to overheat. Stir in ¾ tsp peppermint oil. Spread evenly over the semi-sweet chocolate layer and top with crushed candy canes. Gently press the candy canes into the chocolate.
- Chill until firm and cut into bars.
Notes
If you like your bark extra minty, feel free to add ¼ tsp more peppermint extract to each layer. We liked that this was minty but still tasted like chocolate.
Slice your peppermint bark and store it in an airtight container or bag at room temperature. Keep it in a dark, cool place, and it should last for up to two weeks!
We hope this recipe brings your family a bit of joy this season! In our opinion, calories don't count at Christmas, so go ahead and indulge!
And while you're at it, please let us know what you think! Does your family have a favorite holiday treat? Drop us a comment below, or stop by the Shelf Cooking Facebook group to join the conversation.
Want some more easy recipes?
- You'll love these foolproof 3-ingredient pumpkin chocolate chip muffins.
- These easy egg cups will help you make mornings a breeze!
- If you're looking for a set-it-and-forget meal, here a good one! Try this salsa chicken.
You + peppermint bark = mint to be! Enjoy!