For more giftable treats, see our Sea Salt Chocolate Almond Clusters, 3 Minute Fudge, and Homemade Peppermint Patties.
Why You Will Love This Recipe
This microwave Peppermint Bark recipe is the perfect combination of chocolate and sweet, with a nice crunch from the peppermint candies. It's so easy to make, and it would make a great gift for your friends and family.
Ingredients
This delicious copycat Ghirardelli peppermint bark takes just a few minutes using your microwave. All you need is some white and chocolate chips or candy melts, peppermint extract, and candy canes. The hardest part is waiting for it to cool!
- White Vanilla candy wafers, or White chocolate chips
- Dark Chocolate candy wafers, or Semi sweet chocolate chips
- Candy Canes, about 4 large or 12 small
- Peppermint extract (not peppermint essential oil - not the same)
- Cocoa Butter wafers (they help prevent the chocolate from seizing, and harden up as hard as the chocolate). Cocoa butter wafers work better than shortening or coconut oil.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Making White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Line a rimmed baking or cookie tray with parchment paper. I don't recommend wax paper, the wax melts into the chocolate, making the candy stick to the paper.
Step 1. Melt the Dark Chocolate
I am using a high quality dark chocolate candy wafer, but you can also use regular chocolate chips. Start with a microwave safe bowl and a spatula. Measure the chocolate into the bowl.
Crush the peppermint candy canes between two Silpat mats, or using a food processor on short pulses. Set the broken candy bits aside, divided in half.
Add the cocoa wafers (6 wafers per lb of chocolate) and microwave for 1 minute. Microwave for 1 minute, remove and stir.
Continue to microwave with 20 second bursts, stirring after each zap until smooth.
Pour melted chocolate onto a parchment lined tray. Spread the melted chocolate to cover the bottom of the cookie tray.
Place in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes to firm up partially.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 2. Melt the White Chocolate
Remove the tray of dark chocolate from the refrigerator and set aside while preparing the white chocolate layer.
You want the chocolate layer to still be a bit soft when you spread the white chocolate layer on top of it.
If the chocolate layer is completely set, the two chocolates can separate when snapped into chunks.
You can measure and start preparing the white chocolate while waiting for the dark chocolate to set up partially.
Use a few cocoa butter wafers or coconut oil to prevent seizing.
Repeat the candy melting process like you did with the chocolate, using the microwave with the white chocolate. Stir the peppermint extract and ½ the crushed candy canes into the melted chocolate.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Step 3. Spread the White Chocolate and Top
Spread the melted white chocolate with the crushed candy cane bits over the top of the partially firm dark chocolate.
Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy cane all over the top of the still soft white chocolate layer.
Sprinkle a few of the red jimmies on the peppermint bark.
Let the microwave peppermint bark firm up a few hours.
Or, place in the refrigerator to harden faster. Once hard, snap into pieces.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Serving Suggestions
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark is the perfect treat to leave out for guests during the holiday season. It's also a fabulous gift for special people like your children's school teachers, the UPS guy, or the neighbors.
A few other special Holiday giftables are our Cranberry Pistachio Shortbread Cookies and Chocolate Peppermint Cookies.
Full ingredient amounts and preparation instructions are in the printable recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Substitutions
I used dark chocolate candy wafers, and vanilla candy wafers. You can use regular chocolate chips and white chocolate chips. You can also substitute coconut oil for the cocoa butter wafers also. I like cocoa butter because it's harder at room temperature than coconut oil.
Variations
This recipe replicates the Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark that is so wonderful. However, there are several other variations you can try:
- Chocolate Peppermint Bark - Make one layer dark chocolate, the second layer Milk Chocolate. Follow the instructions otherwise.
- White Peppermint Bark - This version uses only white chocolate. No dark chocolate at all. Just use double the amount of the white chocolate.
Equipment
This is a super easy microwave peppermint bark recipe. You will need two microwave safe mixing bowls, spatulas, parchment paper (don't use wax paper, the candy will stick to it!), and a rimmed cookie baking sheet.
Below is my favorite cookie sheets, you probably have everything else.
- Rimmed Cookie Sheets
- Cocoa Butter wafers - better than shortening or coconut oil
Storage
Store in the refrigerator in an airtight plastic or metal container. I save old butter cookie tins for my Christmas candy batches!
Tips for Success
- Line the cookie sheet with parchment paper or a silicone mat. Don't use wax paper, the candy will melt the wax and stick.
- Crush the candy canes with a rolling pin, with the candies between two Silpat mats. The pieces are will cut through parchment paper and plastic baggies.
- Microwave in short bursts. You can use the defrost setting if your microwave seems to be heating too hot.
Frequently Asked Questions
This Ghirardelli style white chocolate peppermint bark will take 2-3 hours to set up at room temperature. You can speed this up by placing the tray of bark in the freezer for about an hour.
You can freeze this White Chocolate Peppermint Bark for up to 3 months. Place it in an airtight container or freezer bag. Defrost in the refrigerator overnight so that it does not condensate with moisture.
Food Safety
- Do not use the same utensils on cooked food, that previously touched raw meat
- Wash hands after touching raw meat
- Don't leave food sitting out at room temperature for extended periods
- Never leave cooking food unattended
- Use oils with high smoking point to avoid harmful compounds
- Always have good ventilation when using a gas stove
See more guidelines at USDA.gov.
Some Other Recipes We Are Sure You Will Love
- White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
- Christmas Bundt Cake
- Homemade Peppermint Patties
- 3 Minute Fudge
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📖 Recipe
White Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Equipment
- Large Rimmed Cookie sheet with cooling racks
- Cocoa Butter wafers
Ingredients
- 16 oz semi sweet chocolate chips or dark chocolate candy wafers
- 16 oz white chocolate chips or vanilla or white chocolate candy wafers
- 2 oz cocoa butter wafers (or coconut oil)
- ½ teaspoon peppermint extract
- 1 cup candy canes crushed, about 6 large, divided in 2 portions
- 2 tablespoon red decorative jimmies
This post first appeared on Smells Like Delish - Let's Get Cooking, please read the originial post: here
