Okay you guys, I’m SO excited to share this one as a result of it’d simply be probably the most festive, most attractive, most “please put it in my mouth proper now” vacation deal with I make each single 12 months. This Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark recipe is actually the whole lot I would like December to style like — wealthy, creamy chocolate layered with cool, minty peppermint and people satisfying little sweet crunchies on high. Be nonetheless my coronary heart. 🎄❤️ Whether or not you’re making neighbor items, filling cookie tins, or simply stress-eating by the tree (no judgment, really), that is THE recipe you want. And for those who’ve by no means made bark earlier than, I promise it is among the most foolproof, beginner-friendly issues you’ll ever try in your kitchen. Like, we’re speaking nearly embarrassingly simple. Virtually. Seize your sweet canes and let’s do that factor collectively!

Why Ghirardelli Chocolate Makes All of the Distinction

Can we discuss how not all chocolate is created equal? As a result of it’s actually, actually not, and your peppermint bark will completely style the distinction. I’ve tried this with bargain-bin chocolate chips and actually… it’s simply unhappy. Ghirardelli chocolate is the transfer right here, full cease. It melts so superbly — silky, shiny, and wealthy in a manner that makes your kitchen scent like an precise chocolate store. The darkish chocolate layers are deep and barely bitter, which is a dreamy distinction towards that candy, cool peppermint layer on high. It’s that push-pull of flavors that makes peppermint bark so utterly irresistible. Ghirardelli’s high quality means you get that attractive snap once you break it aside, plus a creamy melt-in-your-mouth texture that cheaper chocolate simply can not ship. Actually, that is a type of conditions the place splurging a little bit on substances pays off huge time within the ultimate consequence. Don’t skip the good things! 🍫

What You’ll Must Make This Straightforward Recipe

The ingredient listing right here is blessedly brief, which is precisely how I prefer it throughout the chaos of the vacation season. You’re going to want Ghirardelli darkish chocolate (bars or chips each work!), Ghirardelli white chocolate chips, peppermint extract, and sweet canes. That’s mainly it! I additionally like including a tiny pinch of sea salt to my darkish chocolate layer as a result of I’m further like that. Now, for the sweet canes — you’ll need to crush them up into little items, and one of the simplest ways to do that is to seal them in a zip-top bag and go at them with a meat mallet. I do know, I do know, it sounds aggressive, however it’s SO satisfying, particularly mid-December when vacation stress is actual. 😂 You need a mixture of fantastic dusty bits and barely chunkier items for one of the best texture and visible. A couple of of those substances additionally present up in my Peppermint Oreo Fudge Recipe if you wish to do a full peppermint baking day — extremely advocate!

Find out how to Crush Sweet Canes Like a Professional

Okay so we touched on it above however let’s actually dig into the sweet cane crushing state of affairs as a result of it issues greater than you’d suppose! Place your unwrapped peppermint sweet sticks right into a sturdy zip-top freezer bag — emphasis on freezer bag as a result of common sandwich luggage will completely betray you right here. Squeeze out the air, seal it up, then use a meat mallet or a rolling pin to bash them into submission. Begin gently and work up! You need items starting from fantastic powder (which type of melts into the chocolate, it’s divine) to little rustic chunks that provide you with that satisfying crunch. Keep away from going to date that the whole lot is mud — that’s a little bit sad-looking on high. You need your bark to be fairly! Professional tip: crush your sweet canes first earlier than you even begin melting chocolate so that you’re not scrambling round with setting chocolate when you hunt for the mallet. Ask me how I do know. 😬

Suggestions for Melting Chocolate With out Dropping Your Thoughts

Melting chocolate can really feel intimidating however I promise it doesn’t should be! The microwave technique is my go-to as a result of ain’t no person obtained time for a double boiler on a Tuesday in December. Warmth your Ghirardelli chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl in 30-second intervals, stirring rather well between every one. That is so vital — chocolate holds its form even when melted, so it’s important to stir to know the place you truly are within the course of. Don’t rush it! Overheated chocolate will get grainy and seized and it’ll make you need to cry, which isn’t the vacation vibe we’re going for. As soon as your darkish chocolate is easy and shiny, stir in a number of drops of peppermint extract (begin with lower than you suppose — peppermint extract is POWERFUL, mates). Then do the identical to your white chocolate chips layer. Straightforward, breezy, stunning bark. ✨ This similar low-and-slow soften technique works completely for my Darkish Chocolate Mint Truffle Oreo Fudge too, so hold it in your again pocket!

Assembling Your Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe

Right here’s the place the magic occurs, you guys! Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper — don’t skip this or you may be unhappy and caught later. Pour your melted darkish chocolate onto the pan and unfold it into an excellent layer, roughly 1 / 4 inch thick. Pop it within the fridge for about 15-20 minutes till it’s simply set however nonetheless barely cheesy on high (this helps the white chocolate layer bond and never slide off once you break it). Then pour your melted white chocolate chips layer proper excessive and unfold gently. Instantly sprinkle your crushed peppermint sweet throughout whereas the white chocolate continues to be moist so the whole lot sticks. Press the sweet items in simply barely with clear fingertips. Again into the fridge it goes for not less than half-hour till absolutely agency. Then break it into attractive, jagged items and check out to not eat the entire pan. I actually can’t even with how fairly this seems each time. 😍

Enjoyable Variations — Together with Peppermint Bark Cups!

Okay so basic bark is superb, however can we discuss peppermint bark cups for a second?! Identical precise idea, simply poured into mini cupcake liners as an alternative of a flat pan. They’re lovely, they’re bite-sized, they usually journey SO a lot better in present containers with out breaking into one million crumbs. Simply spoon a little bit darkish chocolate into every liner, let it set, then add your white chocolate layer and crushed sweet on high. Mini and magical! You may as well swirl the 2 goodies collectively as an alternative of doing distinct layers for a marbled look that’s completely gorgeous. Or attempt mixing in some crushed Gingerbread Cookie Bark-style components for a vacation mashup that’ll genuinely blow individuals’s minds. The bottom Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark recipe is so versatile — when you nail it, the variations are countless. Have enjoyable with it! That is speculated to be joyful, not anxious. 🎁

Packaging This as a Vacation Present

Buddies, this peppermint bark is genuinely one of the vital impressive-looking vacation present concepts that requires mainly zero ability — and I imply that as the best praise. Layer your damaged bark items into a transparent deal with bag, tie it with a crimson or gold ribbon, and tuck it right into a festive field or tin. Achieved. Individuals will suppose you slaved away for hours. You do not want to right them. 😇 You may as well pair it with some Chocolate Crinkle Sweet Cane Kiss Cookies for an epic peppermint-themed vacation present basket that your neighbors, lecturers, coworkers, and mail service will completely lose their minds over. This simple deal with comes collectively so quick you can genuinely make a number of batches in a day — I often do a double or triple batch each December particularly for gifting. It’s the type of simple recipe that makes you appear like a complete rockstar with out utterly destroying your kitchen or your sanity. Win-win-win! 🎄

Storing Your Peppermint Bark

So as soon as your attractive bark is made, you’ll need to retailer it correctly so it stays snappy and scrumptious! Preserve it in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as two weeks — simply be sure that it’s someplace cool and away from direct daylight or warmth sources that would make the chocolate bloom or get comfortable. You may as well refrigerate it, however actually room temp is ok and the feel is best that manner. Layer items between sheets of parchment paper for those who’re stacking them in order that they don’t stick collectively. Professional tip: make a batch and freeze it! This Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark recipe freezes superbly for as much as two months, which suggests you can begin your vacation baking early just like the organized individual you aspire to be. I’m personally extra of a “make it in a panic three days earlier than Christmas” type of gal, however hey, all of us have objectives. 😂 Additionally take a look at my Peppermint Bark Pudding Cookies for one more make-ahead peppermint deal with!

Why This Is My Favourite Straightforward Deal with of the Season

I’ve made roughly a million vacation treats through the years — salted caramel fudge, cookie bars, truffles, you identify it — however this Ghirardelli chocolate peppermint bark recipe holds a fully particular place in my coronary heart each single December. It’s a type of recipes that appears fancy, tastes unbelievable, and comes collectively so quick that it genuinely seems like dishonest. The mixture of these wealthy darkish chocolate layers, cool peppermint sweet taste, creamy white chocolate, and crunchy sweet cane topping is simply completely perfection. It’s festive, it’s nostalgic, it’s the flavour of the vacations in a single stunning, snappy, gooey little piece. Whether or not you’re making it as a vacation present, serving it at a celebration, or hiding within the pantry consuming it straight from the container (relatable), I simply know you will find it irresistible. So please, please make this. Proper now, or not less than this weekend. It’s important to make this. Your holidays will thanks! ❤️🍫🎄

Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Bark Recipe

Yield:
24 Servings

Prep Time:
10 minutes

Prepare dinner Time:
20 minutes

Chill Time:
1 hour quarter-hour

This Ghirardelli Chocolate Peppermint Bark is a vacation basic that mixes wealthy, easy bittersweet chocolate with a cool, creamy white chocolate peppermint layer and a festive crushed sweet cane topping. Utilizing premium Ghirardelli chocolate makes all of the distinction — delivering a shiny end and deep, satisfying taste that store-bought bark merely can not match.

Components

Darkish Chocolate Layer

• 2 cups Ghirardelli 60% Cacao Bittersweet Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening

White Chocolate Layer

• 2 cups Ghirardelli Basic White Chocolate Chips
• 1 teaspoon coconut oil or vegetable shortening
• ½ teaspoon pure peppermint extract

Topping

• ¾ cup crushed sweet canes or peppermint candies (about 8–10 normal sweet canes)
• Pinch of flaky sea salt (optionally available however extremely really helpful)

Directions

1. Line a big baking sheet with parchment paper and chill it within the fridge for about 10 minutes.
2. Place sweet canes in a zip-top bag and crush them with a rolling pin into a mixture of fantastic powder and bigger shards. Put aside.
3. Soften the Ghirardelli bittersweet chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil utilizing a double boiler or microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring till easy.
4. Pour the melted darkish chocolate onto the ready baking sheet and unfold into an excellent rectangle roughly 10×13 inches and ¼ inch thick. Faucet the pan to launch air bubbles.
5. Refrigerate the darkish chocolate layer for 20–25 minutes, or till utterly agency.
6. Soften the Ghirardelli white chocolate chips with 1 teaspoon coconut oil utilizing a double boiler or microwave, stirring till easy. Stir within the peppermint extract.
7. Take away the chilled darkish chocolate from the fridge and pour the melted white chocolate over it, spreading shortly into an excellent layer.
8. Instantly sprinkle the crushed sweet canes over the white chocolate and gently press them down to stick. End with a pinch of flaky sea salt if desired.
9. Return the pan to the fridge and chill for not less than 45 minutes to 1 hour, till each layers are utterly agency.
10. Raise the bark out utilizing the parchment paper and break it into rustic, irregular items by hand or lower with a pointy knife.

Notes

White chocolate is extra delicate to warmth than darkish chocolate — hold your warmth low and stir often to keep away from seizing. For greatest outcomes, be sure that the darkish chocolate layer is totally agency earlier than including the white chocolate layer so the 2 layers don’t bleed collectively. Retailer bark in an hermetic container at room temperature for as much as 2 weeks, within the fridge for as much as 3 weeks, or freeze for as much as 2 months. Layer items between sheets of parchment paper to forestall sticking. Peppermint extract is potent — begin with ½ teaspoon and modify to style.