This chocolate peppermint bark recipe is super, super easy! Donβt worry about measuring as itβs not needed for this holiday bark! This treat is simple and beautiful to give as a gift or to share with the family!
This chocolate peppermint bark recipe is hands down a holiday favorite! The topping choices are endless and can quickly be prepared in 10 minutes.
So long white chocolate, as this recipe really comes together with the salty and sweet of the toppings paired with the semi-sweet chocolate.
Iβll also show you in this recipe a couple tricks I learned to make sure your toppings stay in place when you take a bite of this chocolate peppermint bark and how to get the perfect bite size pieces of the candy canes.
This post will go over everything you need to know to create this 10-minute chocolate peppermint bark recipe that is insanely easy.
Recipe difficulty: Beginner (Like seriously, no prior cooking experience needed)
Anyone can make this recipe! This easy peppermint bark recipe is so versatile that the differences only add to the creativity of the bark. You cannot go wrong with the amount of toppings and the shape of the bark.
Samβs Pro Tips for this 10-Minute Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe
Type of Chocolate to Use
- Chocolate chunks or melting chocolate wafers? You can use either in this recipe, but I find that I usually use chocolate chunks as 1) this is way cheaper than using melting chocolate wafers and 2) chocolate chunks are used more commonly in desserts that I usually have this on hand. Also, with chocolate chunks you donβt need to work as fast compared to the melting chocolate wafers. Although the melting chocolate wafers will harden to a firm texture and will last better in room temperature, you need to work fast in order to get the toppings on before it hardens. Not ideal if youβre making this with friends or kids.
The Perfect Toppings
- Break the candy canes in a Ziploc bag using a mallet or rolling pin. There is no need to make a mess in your kitchen getting the candy canes everywhere! To break the candy canes into the perfect size pieces for this chocolate peppermint bark recipe, put the candy canes in a Ziploc bag and use a mallet, rolling pin, or even a meat tenderizer to get the candy canes into the perfect pieces. It’s totally fine if some of your candy canes turned into dust size particles! This will still look beautiful on top of the bark and will give it that peppermint flavor.
- Use wax paper to press the toppings into the chocolate to prevent pieces from falling. So I seriously hate when I eat peppermint bark and the toppings get everywhere! By using a sheet of wax paper to press the toppings into the chocolate, the chocolate will harden with the pieces embedded into it. This way, your toppings will more likely hold when you break the chocolate into the individual pieces.
Melting the Chocolate
- Donβt overheat your chocolate (very important)! If you overheat the chocolate or even get moisture in the mix, your chocolate will turn into a grainy mess. When I use chocolate chunks in this recipe, I microwave the chocolate in 15 second intervals and mix the chocolate consistently. This prevents any part of the chocolate from becoming overheated. If youβre using melting chocolate wafers, follow the directions on the back of the bag and use low heat. Pay attention to the chocolate as youβre microwaving. This is an important step and will ruin your recipe at the very beginning!
Key Ingredients β 10-Minute Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe
Below are some key ingredients for this recipe:
- Semi-sweet chocolate chunks or melting chocolate wafers: You can use either in this recipe and both will taste great with the toppings! I usually use the Trader Joeβs Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chunks as the quality is great and is easy to melt in the microwave.
- Peppermint candy canes: The red from the peppermint candy canes is really what makes this chocolate peppermint bark recipe so pretty! You can use how many candy canes you like, just remember peppermint has an overpowering flavor so a little goes a long way.
- Pretzel sticks: The saltiness of the pretzel sticks really adds some versatility to this recipe! I break the pretzel sticks in half which visually makes this chocolate peppermint bark recipe a winner.
- Mini marshmallows: I think marshmallows naturally bring back your favorite childhood memories and is such a treat on top of this chocolate peppermint bark! Jet-Puffed is the only brand I use, and it makes this holiday treat so fun to make.
- Dry-roasted peanuts: This really adds to the savory side of this bark and cuts the sweetness level to the perfect amount. Combined with the pretzel sticks, you canβt go wrong with the peanuts!
More Variations to this Recipe
There are a few ways you can variate this chocolate peppermint bark recipe. Hereβs how:
- Switch up the toppings: This is such an easy peppermint bark recipe that you can easily change the toppings. Crumbled chocolate sandwich cookies, sea salt flakes (use unsalted dry roasted peanuts if using), or even crushed graham crackers are all really great options!
- Break the chocolate peppermint bark into really small pieces to use as itβs own topping: If you want a really outstanding dessert that is unique, why not break this bark into really small pieces to use as a topping on cupcakes, cakes, or even ice cream? There is so much flavor in one bite, this could be a definite βwowβ factor. I havenβt tried this as we usually donβt have any of the chocolate peppermint bark left for me to get creative with it, but let me know if you gave this a try!
- What can I pair with this dish? Remember how I said peppermint has a strong, overpowering flavor? This chocolate peppermint bark is already solid by itself. However, if you want that extra sweetness, you can never go wrong with a good hot cocoa on the side. For a complete dessert board, try our Better Than Grandmaβs Gingersnap Cookies, which goes so well with coffee!
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the ingredients for peppermint bark?
Peppermint bark is usually made with white or semi-sweet chocolate and crushed candy canes. Different toppings can also be added.
Do you refrigerate peppermint bark?
You can store peppermint bark in a cool, room temperature sealed container. Depending if itβs a warm or humid day, peppermint bark can also be refrigerated in an airtight container.
How do you cut peppermint bark?
The beauty of peppermint bark is the different pieces you can make from it. Try breaking larger pieces with your hands to fully see the variation of the toppings.
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