3 Ingredient Homemade Peppermint Bark Recipe | Great Gift!
The holiday season is my favorite time of year, and there's nothing I love more than giving homemade gifts to family members and friends. Anyone can send grab a pre-packaged gift bar from the store. But, there's something special about gifting sweet treats made in your kitchen with love and time. One of my go-to holiday traditions is making this easy peppermint bark recipe, a perfect balance of creamy white chocolate chips, rich dark chocolate, and crunchy candy cane pieces. It's a simple yet indulgent dessert that makes great stocking stuffers or a thoughtful addition to any Christmas cookies platter.
Why You'll Love This Peppermint Bark
It's festive, no-bake, and ready in about an hour. The creamy white chocolate and crunchy peppermint are perfectly balanced, and it's one of the easiest homemade gifts you can make with the kids.
The History of Peppermint Bark
Peppermint bark is a holiday treat with modern roots, originally made popular by brands like Williams-Sonoma. Combining chocolate layers with the fresh, natural peppermint flavor of candy canes, it's a dessert that has become synonymous with Christmas celebrations.
While peppermint and chocolate have been paired in desserts for centuries, this particular recipe showcases a simple layering technique that anyone can master. Plus, using quality ingredients like higher end chocolate, and candy canes that use natural dyes, ensures the treat stays wholesome and delicious.
Why Peppermint Bark is the Perfect Holiday Treat
Making peppermint bark is quick, easy, and doesn't require fancy equipment-just a double boiler, a sheet pan, and some parchment paper. It's a budget-friendly way to create something that looks and tastes like it came from a gourmet candy shop. Plus the options are endless, use milk chocolate, semi-sweet chocolate, or a blend.
Frequently Asked Questions About This Peppermint Bark Recipe
The best chocolate for peppermint bark depends on your taste. Dark chocolate and semi-sweet chocolate provide a rich base layer, while white chocolate chips make the top layer visually stunning and creamy.
To create clean, distinct layers of chocolate:
- Melt your bottom layer of dark chocolate or milk chocolate in the double boiler. (You could use a microwave, but we don't have one in our house and when I did try it, I found it burned so easily.)
- Spread it evenly on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper using an offset spatula, then allow it to cool to room temperature before adding the top layer of melted white chocolate.
Absolutely! You can use peppermint extract or natural peppermint flavor for a burst of freshness. For a unique twist, sprinkle in crushed potato chips, organic cashews, or even vegetable concentrate for color.
To store peppermint bark in perfect condition, use a glass airtight container. Keep it at room temperature for up to two weeks or freeze in the freezer to preserve freshness for longer periods. Avoid using products with high moisture content, like corn syrup, which can cause the candy to soften.
And after you make this recipe, try out my other favorite: English Toffee. It's another super easy candy to whip together! Or, give my homemade hot cocoa mix a go!
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 12 oz dark or semi-sweet chocolate 340 g
- 12 oz white chocolate chips 340 g
- ½ cup crushed candy cane pieces 60 g
Instructions
- Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Melt the dark chocolate in a double boiler stirring until smooth. Spread evenly on the parchment-lined baking sheet to create the bottom layer. Let it cool to room temperature.
- Melt the white chocolate pieces. Pour over the hardened dark chocolate to form the top layer.Sprinkle crushed candy cane pieces over the white chocolate layer while it's still soft.
- Let the layers set for at least 2-3 days if shipping or 1 hour in the refrigerator for immediate gifting.
Notes
Nutrition
Holiday Gifting Tips
Peppermint bark pairs beautifully with other classic American desserts, like fudge or Christmas cookies. Wrap the bark in festive parchment paper or tuck it into mason jars for a cozy presentation.
This peppermint bark recipe is more than just a dessert, it's a piece of holiday joy you can share with those you love. Make it for your family or including it in a holiday gift basket. This recipe is sure to bring a smile to everyone's face.
What's your favorite way to enjoy peppermint bark? Let me know in the comments. Or, share your creations by tagging me on Instagram, I love seeing how you bring these recipes to life!
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Meet Eryn
Eryn Whalen is a homestead blogger and recipe developer with decades of hands-on experience in gardening, home canning, animal husbandry, and traditional kitchen skills.On her family's 100-acre Tennessee farmstead, she shares the daily beauty of homestead life: from milking cows at sunrise to filling the pantry with homegrown food and baking from scratch in her farmhouse kitchen. Read more about Eryn here
I’ve been making this peppermint bark every Christmas for years, and it never lasts long around here! I usually make a few batches, one for gifting and one to keep on the counter for when friends stop by. The mix of creamy white chocolate and that crisp peppermint crunch just tastes like the holidays to me. It’s simple, nostalgic, and always a hit with anyone who tries it.