4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (2024)

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4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (1)

Layers and layers of smooth, silky white chocolate and dark chocolate in this peppermint bark with crushed candy canes. Don’t be alarmed by the addition of vegetable oil, it gives the bark a glossy finish and that snap when you break the pieces apart!

SEE ALSO:Queen’s Park Swizzle co*cktail Recipe

I recommend using high-quality chocolate for this recipe like Ghirardelli Baking Bars (not sponsored!) so it’s extra yummy. Try this easy peppermint bark recipe for the holidays. Makes for perfect holiday gifts!

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (2)

Yield: 12 Servings

Peppermint Bark Recipe

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Melt white chocolate and 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Immediately pour half of the melted chocolate into the prepared pan and tilt the pan so the chocolate makes an even layer. Or use a rubber spatula to smooth out the chocolate.
  3. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  4. Melt the dark or milk chocolate and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Immediately pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan and tilt the pan so the chocolate makes an even layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  5. Repeat with another layer of white chocolate with the remaining chocolate and tilt the pan for an even layer.
  6. Unwrap the candy canes and put into a heavy-duty freezer bag. Use a rolling to smash the candy canes into crushed pieces.
  7. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes evenly over the white chocolate top layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  8. Gently remove the peppermint bark from the baking sheet.
  9. Break the bark into small irregular pieces with your hands or a knife.
  10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (3)

You only need 4 ingredients for my peppermint bark recipe:

  • White chocolate
  • Milk or dark chocolate
  • Candy canes
  • Vegetable oil

White chocolate is pretty sweet so I like to use dark chocolate to cut through that sweetness but you can use milk chocolate.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (4)

STEP 1. CHOP & MELT WHITE CHOCOLATE

Chop white chocolate into small pieces and add to a small bowl with 4 teaspoons of vegetable oil. Using a double boiler, stir the chocolate until melted. Pour half of the white chocolate onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Place in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes until hardened.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (5)

Yield: 12 Servings

Peppermint Bark Recipe

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Line baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Melt white chocolate and 2 teaspoons of vegetable oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Immediately pour half of the melted chocolate into the prepared pan and tilt the pan so the chocolate makes an even layer. Or use a rubber spatula to smooth out the chocolate.
  3. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  4. Melt the dark or milk chocolate and 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil in a heatproof bowl placed over a saucepan of simmering water. Immediately pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan and tilt the pan so the chocolate makes an even layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 20 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  5. Repeat with another layer of white chocolate with the remaining chocolate and tilt the pan for an even layer.
  6. Unwrap the candy canes and put into a heavy-duty freezer bag. Use a rolling to smash the candy canes into crushed pieces.
  7. Sprinkle the crushed candy canes evenly over the white chocolate top layer. Place in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, or until the chocolate has set.
  8. Gently remove the peppermint bark from the baking sheet.
  9. Break the bark into small irregular pieces with your hands or a knife.
  10. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two weeks.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (6)

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (7)

STEP 2. CHOP & MELT DARK CHOCOLATE

Chop milk or dark chocolate into small pieces and use a double boiler to melt the chocolate.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (8)

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (9)

STEP 3. POUR DARK CHOCOLATE LAYER

Pour melted dark chocolate over white chocolate layer. Place in freezer for 15 to 20 minutes until hardened.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (10)

STEP 4. POUR FINAL WHITE CHOCOLATE LAYER

I recommend making the white chocolate cool a little bit before pouring over the dark chocolate layer because I didn’t do that and it melted into dark chocolate. But this does make for a cool marbled effect!

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (11)

STEP 5. CRUSH CANDY CANES

Unwrap candy canes and place into a heavy-duty freezer bag. Use a rolling pin (I couldn’t find mine so I used a lemon juicer) to crush the candy canes intolittle pieces. You can make tiny crushed piecesorI likemine alittlechunky soyouget thatcrunchy contrastin the peppermint bark.

Immediately sprinkle on the crushed candy cane pieces or else the chocolate will starthardeningup and the pieces will not adhere to the chocolate.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (12)

STEP 6. BREAK PEPPERMINT BARK

Now here’s the fun part! Peppermint bark is traditionally broken into chunks but if you want to make shapes with cookie cutters or cut into squares, dip your knife or cookie cutter in hot water.

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (13) 4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (14)

This peppermint bark recipe was originally published December 2010 and has been one of my most popular blog posts. You can see my original photography below, as you can tell, it’s improved since!

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (17)

Root Candles loved the original photography so much that they bought the photography to use for their Peppermint Bark candles. For more information, visit RootCandles.com.

Update: My Peppermint Bark has been featured onHuffington Post!

4-Ingredient Peppermint Bark Recipe | A Taste of Koko (2024)

FAQs

Why is Ghirardelli peppermint bark so good? ›

The layer of rich dark chocolate and the creamy mint layer with bits of peppermint crunch are a perfect blend of flavors and textures. They're best when kept in the refrigerator as it really helps keeps the mint and chocolate flavors crisp so they stand out more.

How to keep peppermint bark from separating? ›

How do you keep peppermint bark from separating? The trick for chocolate peppermint bark layers that stick together is to add the white chocolate layer before the semisweet layer is completely set. Refrigerate the first layer for about 20 minutes until the top is firm but not solid and cold.

Who makes Costco peppermint bark? ›

In a past Reddit thread, one user said, “The Kirkland brand peppermint bark in the bakery is absolutely fire… way better than the individually wrapped Ghirardelli peppermint bark.” Others said it's “the best part of the holidays!” We have to agree with the positive reviews.

Which is better Williams Sonoma or Costco peppermint bark? ›

It depends on your preference! If you really love mint, want your peppermint bark to have some heft, or plan to gift it to loved ones, Williams Sonoma is your best bet. If texture or price are the most important factors for you, Costco wins by a landslide.

Is peppermint candy good or bad for you? ›

While peppermint candy is a good snack in small amounts, it can add more calories to your daily diet if you eat it in large quantities. Consuming 20 candies in a single sitting is equivalent to 400 calories; eating them multiple times a week can quickly add up to 3,500 calories, resulting in a pound of fat in a month.

Who made the original peppermint bark? ›

After 20 rounds of recipe testing, in 1998, Williams Sonoma founder Chuck Williams and the Williams Sonoma Test Kitchen team developed the signature recipe for The Original Peppermint Bark that sparked a food trend that is celebrated by chocolate enthusiasts around the world during the holiday season.

Can I use mint extract instead of peppermint extract? ›

Because of the difference in menthol concentration, they are not ideal substitutes for one another despite having similar properties. As a result, spearmint is more commonly used in sweet and savory applications, while peppermint is more often found in sweet desserts, especially around the holidays.

How much is Costco peppermint bark? ›

Kirkland-brand peppermint bark comes in 21-ounce containers and costs mere 9.99. If you do the math, Costco's version costs 75% less per ounce than Williams Sonoma's.

Does Hershey own York peppermint? ›

In 1940, YORK Peppermint Patties were introduced by Henry Kessler, the owner of the York Cone Company. The YORK Peppermint Pattie was acquired by The Hershey Company in 1988.

Is peppermint bark an American thing? ›

Williams Sonoma introduced its version and popularized it in 1998, though the confection existed as early as 1966 in the United States. Peppermint bark is a variation on chocolate bark, which is thought to be derived from traditional French mendiants, though the true origins of this connection have been lost.

What is so special about Ghirardelli chocolate? ›

According to their own website, Ghirardelli is one of the few chocolate companies in the United States to control every aspect of its chocolate manufacturing process, rejecting up to 40% of the cocoa seeds shipped in order to select what the company calls the "highest quality" seeds.

What are the benefits of peppermint chocolate? ›

Green mint leaves are crushed to extract their valuable oil to include in chocolate. This oil offers several health benefits, including fiber, vitamins, and a trace amount of protein. Peppermint oil also has medicinal uses, working as a natural muscle relaxant.

Is peppermint bark good? ›

Here's Why You'll Love This Peppermint Bark

Besides being so easy and downright irresistible, this peppermint bark is my favorite “filler” on a cookie tray. You spend hours making dozens of cookies, and only need about 30 minutes of total prep time to make this. AND it's always one of the first things gobbled up.

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