Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Learn how to make homemade dark chocolate peppermint bark the easy way using just 3 simple ingredients and basic kitchen equipment. Great gift idea!
Equipment
- 1 microwave safe bowl
- 1 rolling pin or kitchen mallet
- 1 zipped plastic bag quart size or gallon size
- 1 silicone baking mat or parchment paper
- 1 Baking sheet
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce bag dark chocolate chips 2 cups
- 6 regular-sized peppermint candy canes, crushed into small pieces or 18 mini candy canes
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
Instructions
- Line a rimmed baking sheet with a silicone mat or with parchment paper.
- Unwrap the candy canes and place inside a zipped plastic bag. Leave a little opening in the zipped bag top so the bag doesn’t burst.
- Place the bag onto a large cutting board and pound with a kitchen mallet or rolling pin. Break the candy canes into small pieces.
- Reserve 2 tablespoons of the crushed candy canes in a small bowl. Keep the rest of the crushed candy cane pieces in the bag.
- Pour the dark chocolate chips into a medium-sized microwave-safe bowl, like a Pyrex or other glass mixing bowl.
- Microwave the chocolate chips for 30 seconds, then stir. Repeat 2 more times, stirring after each 30 seconds in the microwave. At first, you might not think that is enough time, but after the final 30 seconds and stirring, the chocolate chips should be melted to a smooth consistency.
- Quickly stir in the crushed candy canes from the bag and the peppermint extract.
- Spread the mixture out on the silicone mat or parchment paper liner, using a spatula to spread evenly.
- Sprinkle the 2 tablespoons of reserved crushed candy canes on top of the melted chocolate mixture.
- Place the pan in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or until set.
- Break the dark chocolate peppermint bark into pieces. Serve or store in an airtight container. Refrigeration is optional, but will help the peppermint bark stay fresh longer. Makes about 3 cups of dark chocolate peppermint bark.
Notes
The calorie amount is for one piece of the dark chocolate peppermint bark.