Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe

This homemade peppermint bark recipe features rich layers of dark and white chocolate topped with peppermint crumbles and is made with just 4 ingredients!

stack of homemade peppermint bark squares.

Homemade Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is one of my favorite holiday treats and I get so excited when I see it hit the grocery stores in the fall. But who knew it was so easy to make your own peppermint bark at home?!

Y’all…FOUR ingredients is all you need! You can do this!!

Another reason that I’m excited to share this recipe is that it makes a great homemade Christmas gift!

My husband likes to bake cookies and we often give our cookie tins to our friends and families during the holidays. Peppermint bark would be such a fun addition to the cookie tins!

If you’ve not tried peppermint bark before, here’s the scoop:

First, there is a layer of rich dark chocolate that is studded with little bits of peppermint dust. That is topped with a layer of creamy white chocolate that is infused with peppermint flavor. Finally, the peppermint bark is sprinkled with little bits of crushed candy canes, for more minty flavor and a bit of crunch.

It’s crispy, melty, minty, and chocolate-y and it is one of my favorite candies!

Related: Check out this collection of 20 Easy Christmas Candy Recipes!

picking up a piece of peppermint bark candy.

Ingredients

For your convenience, I’ve included shop-able ad links to some of the products used to make this recipe. Disclosure policy available here.

Helpful Kitchen Tools

peppermint bark ingredients with text: crushed candy canes, white chocolate, dark chocolate, peppermint extract.

Instructions

To Prep: Line a large baking pan with parchment paper.

  1. Place the dark chocolate chips or melting wafers in a microwave-safe glass bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until melted and smooth. Sift the smallest of the candy cane crumbs into the melted chocolate and stir to mix.
  2. Scoop or pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment and spread with a spatula into an even layer. Allow to harden completely before making the next layer. You can speed up the setting process by placing the pan in the refrigerator.
  3. Add the white chocolate bark to a separate heatproof bowl and heat using the same process as the semi-sweet chocolate. Once melted and smooth, stir the peppermint extract into the white chocolate mixture.
  4. Pour or scoop the white chocolate on top of the dark chocolate layer and spread until all of the dark chocolate is covered. Sprinkle the remaining peppermint pieces on top of the white chocolate layer and allow to harden completely before cutting the bark into squares.

4 step photo collage showing how to make homemade peppermint bark.

Video Demo:

Prep Tips

  • Yield – The exact number of pieces you’ll get depends on how large you cut the squares. We cut our peppermint bark into rectangles that are about 2×3 inches and we got 16 pieces total.
  • Melting – The easiest way to prepare the chocolate is in the microwave because it only takes a few minutes to melt. However, if you don’t have a microwave you can also melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stovetop.
  • Thickness – We made our layers about 1/8″ thick so that the peppermint bark itself is between 1/4 – 1/2″ thick.
  • Flavor – For an intense peppermint flavor, you can double the amount of peppermint extract used, for up to 1 teaspoon total. You can also increase the amount of crushed candy cane pieces on top of the bark for more minty crunch.
  • Storage – You can store peppermint bark for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure to store it away from any heat or light sources to prevent melted. It does not require refrigeration.

homemade peppermint bark on baking sheet, cut into squares.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You Use Chocolate Chips?

We used chocolate melting wafers for our peppermint bark because melting wafers are formulated to specifically for candy-making. They melt smoothly, with less chance of seizing or breaking. Almond bark is another product that is designed for candy making and melting, and despite the name, contains no almonds.

However, if you have only chocolate chips on hand, you can substitute an equal amount of chocolate chips for melting wafers. This goes for both the dark chocolate and white chocolate chips.

Important: If using chocolate chips, you will want to add 1 teaspoon of coconut oil to your microwave-safe bowl before you start heating it. This addition of coconut oil helps the chocolate chips to melt more smoothly and spread easier for making our peppermint bark.

How Do You Get Peppermint Bark To Stick Together?

To make sure that the two layers are even and that they stick together, you want to make sure that the dark chocolate layer is completely hard before you add the white chocolate on top. Otherwise you may have trouble spreading the white chocolate.

Here are tips for making sure your peppermint bark sticks together for easier cutting:

  • Make sure the bottom layer of chocolate is completely set before adding the second layer. If the two layers are not completely set, they will not adhere to each other well.
  • Use a high-quality chocolate. Some chocolates may contain ingredients that can prevent the layers from sticking together as well as you’d like. When making any type of chocolate candy, it is best to use a chocolate that is high in cocoa butter, like the melting wafers or almond bark.
  • Use a sharp knife when cutting. You can break the bark apart by hand, but to make sure it all sticks together, I recommend cutting with a good chef’s knife.

If you have any trouble spreading the melted chocolate evenly, I recommend using a silicone spatula or offset spatula because they are less likely to stick.

homemade peppermint bark.

More Homemade Candy Recipes To Try:

homemade peppermint bark.

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe (Printable Recipe Card)

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stack of homemade peppermint bark squares.
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5 from 1 vote

Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe

This homemade peppermint bark recipe features rich layers of dark and white chocolate topped with peppermint crumbles and is made with just 4 ingredients!
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time5 minutes
Cooling Time1 hour
Total Time1 hour 15 minutes
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: American
Keyword: candy, chocolate, Christmas, peppermint, peppermint bark
Servings: 16 pieces
Calories: 192kcal
Author: Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
Cost: $10

Equipment

  • 1 Large Sheet Pan
  • Parchment Paper or Silicone Baking Mat
  • 2 Microwave-safe glass bowls
  • 1 Offset spatula

Ingredients

  • 10 ounces dark chocolate melting wafers
  • 10 ounces white chocolate melting wafers
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 1/4 cup crushed candy canes

Instructions

  • To Prep: Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  • Place the semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Microwave in 30 second intervals, stirring between, until melted and smooth. Sift the smallest of the candy cane crumbles into the melted chocolate and stir to mix.
  • Scoop or pour the melted chocolate onto the parchment and spread with a spatula into an even layer. Allow to harden completely before making the next layer.
  • Add the white chocolate bark to a separate heatproof bowl and heat using the same process as the semi-sweet chocolate. Once melted and smooth, stir in the peppermint extract into the white chocolate mixture.
  • Pour or scoop the white chocolate on top of the dark chocolate layer and spread until all of the dark chocolate is covered.
  • Sprinkle the remaining peppermint pieces on top of the white chocolate layer and allow to harden completely before cutting the bark into squares.

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is an estimate only and will vary with exact ingredients used and serving size.
Prep Tips:
  • Yield - The exact number of pieces you'll get depends on how large you cut the squares. We cut our peppermint bark into rectangles that are about 2x3 inches and we got 16 pieces total.
  • Melting - The easiest way to prepare the chocolate is in the microwave because it only takes a few minutes to melt. However, if you don't have a microwave you can also melt the chocolate in a double boiler on the stovetop.
  • Thickness - We made our layers about 1/8" thick so that the peppermint bark itself is between 1/4 - 1/2" thick.
  • Flavor - For an intense peppermint flavor, you can double the amount of peppermint extract used, for up to 1 teaspoon total. You can also increase the amount of crushed candy cane pieces on top of the bark for more minty crunch.
  • Storage - You can store peppermint bark for up to 3 weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. Be sure to store it away from any heat or light sources to prevent melted. It does not require refrigeration.

Nutrition

Calories: 192kcal | Carbohydrates: 20g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 11g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 35mg | Potassium: 163mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 17g | Vitamin A: 7IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 89mg | Iron: 0.3mg

Pin our Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe on Pinterest:

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Stacey aka the Soccer Mom
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