Shortcut Peppermint Bark Recipes

5-INGREDIENT PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 9x9 inch pan and line with waxed paper, smoothing out wrinkles; set aside.
• Place the semisweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon of the canola oil in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. When the chocolate is melted, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract.
• Pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan, and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle half of the crushed peppermints over the chocolate layer. Refrigerate until completely hardened, about 1 hour.
• Place the white chocolate and the remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
• Pour the white chocolate directly over the semisweet chocolate layer; spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy over the top and gently press in. Refrigerate until completely hardened. Remove from pan; break into small pieces to serve.

PEPPERMINT BARK COOKIES

Steps:

• For the chocolate cookies: Cut two 13-by-18 pieces of parchment. Whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, baking soda, baking powder and salt in a medium bowl.
• Beat the butter and sugar in a large bowl with an electric mixer on medium-high speed until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes. Add the egg and vanilla and beat until creamy, about 2 minutes. Reduce the mixer speed to low, then gradually add the flour mixture and beat until just incorporated, about 2 minutes more.
• Place a sheet of parchment on a work surface. Transfer the dough to the parchment and cover with another sheet of parchment. Use a rolling pin to flatten the dough into an even layer that reaches the edges of the parchment. Slide the parchment and dough onto a 13-by-18-inch rimmed baking sheet and freeze until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F.
• Remove the top parchment from the dough and bake until firm and no longer shiny, 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer the baking sheet to a rack and cool completely.
• For the peppermint bark: Put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl set over a saucepan of barely simmering water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted.
• Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the saucepan over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 1 cup white chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted; return the bowl to the saucepan for 5 to 10 seconds at a time as needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt all the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir the peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour over the cooled cookie base and spread in an even layer with a rubber spatula or small offset spatula.
• Sprinkle immediately with the peppermint candies, gently pressing the pieces into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 2 hours.
• Lift the bark cookie out of the baking sheet using the parchment and break it into pieces.

PEPPERMINT BARK BROWNIES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 325 degrees F. Spray an 8-inch square pan with baking spray, line with parchment and then lightly spray the parchment.
• Melt the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and set aside. Whisk together the sugar, cocoa, flour, baking powder and salt together in a medium bowl until well combined. Stir in the melted butter, eggs, yolk, vanilla and water. Stir in the mini chocolate chips if using. Stir the batter vigorously until smooth and shiny, about 30 seconds. Pour the batter into the prepared pan and smooth the top.
• Bake until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out with just a few moist crumbs clinging to it, 42 to 44 minutes. Cool to room temperature, then refrigerate for 2 hours in the pan before cutting. Invert the pan onto a cutting board, peel off the parchment and cut the brownies into 16 squares.
• Combine the white chocolate chips and oil in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave for 20-second intervals, stirring well between intervals, until melted and smooth. This should take 40 to 60 seconds. Dip the bottom surface of each brownie into the melted chocolate, let any excess drip back into the bowl, and turn the brownie so the chocolate is upright. Place on a parchment-lined baking sheet and immediately sprinkle with crushed candy canes. Repeat with the remaining brownies. Store at room temperature, covered, for up to 4 days.

ALMOST-FAMOUS PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
• Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

FIZZY PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Combine the confectioners' sugar, baking soda and citric acid. Place the chocolate in a tempering machine and process until tempered. Stir in the dry ingredients. Spread the chocolate mixture 1/4-inch thick on a silicone baking mat or wax paper. Sprinkle the top with the peppermint candies. Refrigerate the chocolate until set, about 1 hour.
• Break into pieces to serve.

PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Place the mini candy canes in a zip top bag and use a rolling pin to crush them into small chunks. Transfer to a medium bowl.
• In a separate medium bowl, stir the peppermint extract into the melted chocolate chips. Pour onto a parchment paper-lined baking sheet and spread evenly with a spatula. Freeze for 5 minutes.
• Take the pan out of the freezer and pour the melted white chocolate over the chocolate, spreading evenly with a spatula.
• Sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the white chocolate.
• Freeze for at least 1 hour.
• Remove the bark from the freezer and break into pieces.
• Enjoy!