Peppermint Bark

This time of year many of us like to give our friends and those that provide services to us a little gift of appreciation. I’ve always enjoyed cooking and since it allows me to create tasty treats for everyone it also doesn’t break the bank.

One treat that I’ve found most people love is Peppermint Bark. So if you’re having a difficult time trying to figure out what to give someone try making a batch of these. One batch will serve 2 as a nice gift. Place it in a cellophane gift bag with a note or festive tin.

Don’t worry this is easy!

Peppermint Bark
make 2 nice gift bags

12 oz. bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips
12 oz. bag white chocolate morsels
starlight peppermints (red and white ones) or bagged crushsed peppermints
1-2 tsp. peppermint extract

In a zip lock bag crush about 20 starlight mints with a mallet, leaving chunks of mint. Set aside.

Melt semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave safe container and cook for 30 seconds, then stir and place back in microwave for another 30 seconds, stir and once more for 30 seconds. Stir until smooth. Don’t microwave all at once, do in stages to prevent over cooking ths chocolate.

Pour semi-sweet chocolate in a heavy-duty foil lined 9.5 x 13 pan. Spread completely with an offset spatula.

While stirring the semi-sweet chocolate place white chocolate in a microwave safe container and heat in microwave as directly above, stirring in between cooking until smooth. Add peppermint extract – blend.

Then pour the white chocolate directly over the top of the semi-sweet chocolate in the same pan. Spread completely over the top. If desired can swirl colors together, like a marbling effect or can leave as two solid colors.

Sprinkle the crumbled starlight mints over the top of the chocolate. Then take another sheet of heavy-duty foil and place directly over the entire pan and mixture. Pressing firmly on the foil and smoothing the top with your hands to insure that the peppermints are tucked firmly into the chocolate. Seal the foil to cover.

At this point place in refrigerator for a couple of hours or overnight. Then with plastic gloves or even 2 plastic bags over each hand, break apart the peppermint bark. Place in bags or tins to give as gifts or leave for yourself as a treat. Trust me it doesn’t last long.

Peppermint Bark is best kept refrigerated until ready to eat.

If you’re looking for a quick treat to put together in the hectic holiday rush try this. Your recipients will love it!