Easy Peppermint Bark

We absolutely love making boxes of goodies for our neighbors around the holidays. It is one of our favorite traditions. What we have found best is making several recipes that are no bake and come together in seconds.

This Peppermint Bark is perfect for gifting. A great spin on chocolate bark, it is so easy to make, everyone loves it, and it is so festive to put in boxes of goodies and cookies. Make a double batch so you can keep some for yourself!

Peppermint Bark Ingredients

Just four ingredients are needed for this delicious no-bake treat. Be sure to scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the page for the full list of ingredients and their measurements.

• Chocolate chips: Higher end chocolate is great for this recipe because it does add a richer flavor, but any brand will work in this recipe.
• Peppermint extract: Please note that peppermint extract and mint extract aren’t the same, and you will notice the difference if you use mint.
• White chocolate chips: Like the chocolate chips, higher end brands are great here but aren’t necessary.
• Candy canes: Add crunchy texture, color, and peppermint sweetness to the bark. I like to use a rolling pin to crush mini candy canes. If they aren’t in packages, put them in a ziplock bag before rolling to keep all the pieces together.

How to Make Peppermint Bark

Here is a brief overview of how to make peppermint bark. For the full recipe, including all ingredients and measurements, scroll to the recipe card at the bottom of the post.

Crush the Candy Canes

Use a rolling pin to crush the candy canes. I like to do this while they are still in the package so the pieces don’t fly all over, but crushing them in a ziplock bag also works well. You want these to be ready ahead of time so you can add them before the white chocolate layer sets.

Melt the Chocolate

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Be sure to microwave in intervals and stir well in between. Most of the melting happens during the stirring. Mix in the peppermint extract and pour it into the baking dish. Cool the chocolate in the refrigerator for 10 minutes.

Melt the White Chocolate

Melt the white chocolate chips in the microwave. Carefully spread it over the chocolate layer with a clean offset spatula.

Add the Crushed Candy Canes

Quickly add the crushed candy cane pieces. You may want to gently press them into the white chocolate layer. Let the bark completely set and cool.

Tips and Tricks

• Don’t overcook the chocolate. Let the stirring do a lot of the melting to avoid the chocolate seizing.
• Use an offset spatula to smooth the chocolate layers.
• Pay attention to the timing. This recipe moves quickly and the setting time is intentional so that the layers don’t separate.
• Don’t over cool your layers. If the chocolate layer stays in the refrigerator longer than 10 minutes, it will be more likely that the two layers will separate when you cut the bark up.
• Use a knife to cut the bark. With lots of my bark recipes I just break it apart with my hands. Because of the layers in this one, a knife works really well to cut the pieces.