Homemade Peppermint Bark

This homemade peppermint bark is the ultimate holiday chocolate with the combination of milk chocolate, white chocolate, peppermint extract, and crushed candy canes.

Homemade peppermint bark is another of my favorite classic holiday treats to make when The Most Wonderful Time of the Year rolls around. It’s super easy and it lasts a long time in the fridge, which means I can keep it on hand for snacks for the family and guests.

I also love to make up a huge batch of it and give it as gifts in tins to friends and family. It’s one of those holiday recipes that really brings the joy of the season to life. 

Homemade Peppermint Bark

Peppermint bark is a staple in my household every holiday season. It requires few ingredients and it is so easy to make, the kids can join in! I love making this peppermint bark to bring to work potlucks or holiday parties. Every bite is a chocolate lover’s dream. A bed of delicious milk chocolate is covered with white chocolate and peppermint pieces to create one of the most classic and delicious flavors of the holiday season. 

Frequently Asked Questions

If you have questions about homemade peppermint bark, I have the answers. This FAQ answers all the most common and important questions about peppermint bark, so be sure to give it a read before you move on to the recipe. 

What’s the best chocolate to use for peppermint bark?

There is no one best kind of chocolate to use for peppermint bark. Chips or melting squares both work well. The main thing is using high-quality chocolate. I recommend using Ghirardelli chocolate as the lowest grade. While you can use something like Nestle morsels, you’ll have better results using better chocolate. 

Do you need to temper chocolate for peppermint bark?

You don’t need to temper your chocolate to make this recipe, but it will benefit from it. Tempered chocolate will give a glossy, uniform appearance, while untempered chocolate could develop a dull appearance and gray streaks called fat bloom. 

How do you temper chocolate?

The easiest way to temper chocolate is using the seeding method. With this method, you’ll melt ⅔ of your total chocolate in a double boiler. When the first ⅔ of the chocolate is melted, remove it from the heat and add the unmelted chocolate to create basic tempered chocolate. 

How to melt chocolate? 

The two main ways of melting chocolate are using a microwave or using a double boiler. Using a microwave is great for easy melting. A double boiler offers more control of the melting process, but you have to be careful not to get any water in the chocolate or it will become unusable. 

To melt chocolate in the microwave, use a microwave-safe bowl and heat at 30-second intervals, stirring between each interval. To melt using a double boiler, place a glass bowl over a pot of simmering water, then add the chocolate and stir continuously until melted. 

How to prevent homemade peppermint bark from separating? 

Give your peppermint bark plenty of time to set. Let it come to room temperature before attempting to do any sort of cutting or breaking. This allows the two layers to meld as they solidify. 

How do you break homemade peppermint bark into pieces?

You can either break your bark randomly or score it and break it. The simplest way is to simply start from a corner and hold down the bark on one side while pulling up on the other side to break it. For more uniform pieces, you can chill the bark and then score it and break it along the score lines. 

Why do they call it peppermint bark?

The most common theory of why peppermint bark has its name is that the craggy appearance of the finished confection with its broken-up peppermint pieces resembles tree bark. 

Does homemade peppermint bark go bad?

Peppermint bark doesn’t go bad per se, but it does get a little weird over time. Usually, the peppermint begins to soften, losing the crunchy texture that it gives the bark. 

How long does homemade peppermint bark last?

Peppermint bark will last for about 3 weeks in the refrigerator and several months in the freezer. 

Does peppermint bark need to be refrigerated? 

Absolutely. To keep the bark solid, uniform, and to extend its life, always store it in the refrigerator. 

Can you freeze peppermint bark?

You sure can! Peppermint bark freezes easily and will last for several months in the freezer. 

Fun Fact!

In a recent survey, 40% of participants said that peppermint bark was their most desired holiday food gift. 

How to Store Homemade Peppermint Bark

Place the peppermint bark in an air-tight container and place it in the fridge. You can also freeze it in an air-tight, freezer-safe container or heavy-duty freezer bag. 

Homemade Peppermint Bark Ingredients

It only takes a handful of simple ingredients to make this recipe. If you do any amount of baking at all – and even if you don’t – you probably have most if not all of these ingredients in your kitchen right now. 

• Milk chocolate chips or dark chocolate chips
• White chocolate chips
• Peppermint extract
• Coconut oil, divided
• Crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

How to Make Homemade Peppermint Bark

Just like the ingredient list, it doesn’t take much to make this recipe. It only takes a few easy steps, and you’ll have delicious homemade peppermint bark. 

Step 1: Prep – Line a jelly roll pan with aluminum foil, measure your ingredients and crush your peppermint or candy canes. 

Step 2: Make the Milk Chocolate Layer – In a microwave-safe bowl, add the milk chocolate chips and coconut oil. Melt for 30 seconds, remove, and stir. Then, continue to melt the chocolate at 15-second intervals, stirring between each, until completely melted and smooth. 

Add the peppermint extract, stirring to combine, and spread the chocolate in an even layer onto the prepared cookie sheet. Chill in the refrigerator for 30 minutes. 

Step 3: Make the White Chocolate Layer – Using the same method for the milk chocolate chips, melt the white chocolate chips and coconut oil. Once melted and smooth, add ¼ cup of crushed peppermint candies and stir to mix well. Remove the pan from the refrigerator, pour and evenly spread the white chocolate over the milk chocolate (or dark chocolate layer). 

Step 4: Finish the Homemade Peppermint Bark – Sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermint over the white chocolate layer and gently press it into the white chocolate to ensure that it sticks. Then, chill for an hour. Break into small pieces and serve. 

Try This Delicious Homemade Peppermint Bark

This homemade peppermint bark is so easy and so delicious. It’s the perfect holiday treat to add to your Christmas menu. It also lasts for weeks, so you’ll never have to worry about having to rush to eat it all! With a combination like that, it really does make for the ultimate holiday treat. Give it a try, and I know you’ll agree!

More Chocolate Recipes You’ll Enjoy

Chocolate Cake Donuts – These homemade cake donuts are easy to make, taste scrumptious and have a chocolate glaze and topped with candies sprinkles.

Peanut Butter S’mores Brownies – Here is a delicious brownie recipe that takes the flavors of s’mores, peanut butter cups and chocolate brownies and mixes them together for an incredible dessert.

Chocolate White Chocolate Chip Cookies – Soft, chewy and delicious, these chocolate chip cookies are easy to make and are loaded with white chocolate chips. A winning combination.

And, here is a delicious Chocolate Lover’s Zucchini Cake, from Great Grub, Delicious Treats, you might enjoy as well. Rich, decadent and incredibly moist.

Here are a few pictures that are the perfect size for pinning to Pinterest.