Easy Peppermint Bark

Do you know how much self discipline it takes to photograph the process of making peppermint bark.

  I think I deserve an award.

This recipe is insanely easy!

It has four ingredients

As in one-two-three-four.

Peppermint Bark was founded when Santa was camping out somewhere near the North Pole and decided he wanted to build a fire.  He found a near by tree and cut some of it's branches later realizing that the bark was made out of chocolate and peppermint!  And that is how peppermint bark came about.

Promise.

Pinky Promise!

Now, let us discuss logistics.

 

12 Ounces of White Chocolate, Divided

6 oz of Semi-Sweet Chocolate 

1/2 teaspoon Peppermint Extract, Divided

  3 candy canes CRUSHED

So I got lucky last Christmas and received a double-boiler - which makes the whole chocolate melting extravaganza SO much easier.  So if you're one of those people who's afraid of scorching chocolate in the microwave... Invest in a double boiler.  That's all I will say regrading this subject because I am no longer a microwave chef.  Those days are over for me.  I've moved on to bigger and better things.

So Basically, 

You'll need to line a baking sheet with parchment paper and have that set aside for now.  Next, 

melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave, (I add a little bit of vegetable oil to the chocolate to make it shiny and smooth) stir vigorously until smooth.

  No one likes lumpy chocolate, Or lumpy Mash potatoes, or Lumpy Cake.  Lumpy is not attractive in the food world people.

Add half of the peppermint extract to this layer. 

Poor the melted chocolate unto the lined baking sheet and spread it out evenly with a spatula, Slide it into the fridge and let it harden- should take about 15-20 minutes.   

Next, we melt the semi-sweet chocolate.  Just like last time, Add some oil so it's nice and shiny.  Add peppermint extract.  Pour it on top of the white chocolate, spread with a spatula and slam it in the fridge.

Slam as in gently push it into the refrigerator.

You wouldn't want to hurt your fridge!

Or your soon-to-be peppermint bark for that matter. 

Let this layer harden for about 20 minutes.

This would be a good time to unwrap your candy canes, place them in a ziploc bag, and SLAM them on the floor.  Or, you could be a little more sane and slowly take a rolling pin and roll over the candy canes but admit it... that's just not as fun! 

 

Now for our most exciting layer yet!

 

Melt the rest of the white chocolate (You should be an expert by now!).  No need to add any peppermint extract to this layer.  Poor it on top of the other two layers, take your crushed Peppermint and sprinkle it over the remaining layer! 

And it should turn out like this!  Or better!

 I apologize for my photography.  I'm a hopeless iPhone photographer-blogger-chocoholic-wannabe.

 Now this last time you pop it in the fridge it might take a little longer then normal.  Just give it some time and poke it to see if it's set and hardened. 

After waiting ETERNITY (or so it seemed to me)  

You can finally take out your peppermint bark and break it into pieces.  No need to be precise. 

No need to wait till all of the pieces are broken up to eat it either. 

No need to have to share this creation of yours with others.

BUT IF YOU MUST. 

These are great party favors, little trinkets for co-workers, snacks when you're feeling like you need a little bit of chocolate (or a lottabit of chocolate), or a last minute present for one of your long-lost aunts that came to visit without any notice... 

(Can I get an Amen). 

Peppermint Bark is basically a life saver. 

Amen. 

Lots and Lots and Lots of Love!

Jade Day

(Your favorite wanna-be-iPhone photographer-chocoholic-blogger)