Christmas Candy: Easy 3 Ingredient Peppermint Bark
One of our family’s favorite treats to make every Christmas season is Peppermint Bark! This easy 3-ingredient recipe is simple to make for the whole family, adults and kids alike! Plus, it comes together quickly if you’re in a rush and need something to bring to a Christmas party.
So crank up the Christmas music, put on your apron, and let’s get in the kitchen and make some Christmas candy!
What you’ll need (besides Bing Crosby):
Ingredients
- 24 oz white melting chocolate or white almond bark
- 1 box of candy canes
- peppermint extract or peppermint essential oil
Supplies
- large bowl
- mixing spoon
- measuring spoons
- wax paper
- thick hand towel
- gallon size storage bag
- a rolling pin (or heavy object for whacking!)
- double boiler or microwave safe bowl
How to make peppermint bark
The first thing we do is crush the candy canes. This is the part the kids always enjoy! We unwrap the candy canes, drop them into a gallon-size bag, and cover the bag with a hand towel. Then we get to whacking! Using a rolling pin, or any other solid object, we crush the candy canes, leaving some small pieces still intact for a slight crunch. You don’t want it all crushed too finely.
You can use as many candy canes as you like, but we usually don’t use the whole box. Too much crushed candy makes for a chewy bark. We find that 8-10 is just right.
While the kids are crushing the candy, I usually lay out the wax paper on the counter or table so we’re ready to pour the candy mixture when the time comes.
Next, we melt the white chocolate. In a double boiler, we break up the chocolate and melt it over medium heat, stirring regularly. This can also be done in a microwave, but be sure to melt and stir in 1-minute increments.
Once the chocolate is completely melted, we remove it from the heat and add the peppermint extract. The amount to use is to your tasting, but we typically use about half a teaspoon. Peppermint oil can also be used but it takes much less, only a few drops are needed.
Then, we stir in the crushed candy canes and pour the candy mixture onto the wax paper. The kids always enjoy this part too! We spread it out in a thin layer, creating swirls so it dries with a bark-like texture and is pretty. It cools and hardens in no time at all, so work fast!
After it hardens, we break the bark into pieces and store it in a festive Christmas dish or tin! Peppermint bark doesn’t have to be refrigerated so you can leave it out where it can be easily snacked on and enjoyed!
Have a holly jolly Christmas!
Our kids are all grown now, so Christmas candy making looks a little different these days. However, making peppermint bark is still a fun and easy treat to make for anyone. I look forward to the day when we have grandbabies who I can enjoy making it with!
Merry Christmas!
“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men! ” Luke 2:14
Pin it for later:
Easy 3 Ingredient Peppermint Bark
Equipment
- large mixing bowl
- mixing spoon
- wax paper
- hand towel
- gallon size storage bag
- Rolling Pin (or heavy object for whacking)
- double boiler or microwave safe bowl
Ingredients
- 24 oz. white melting chocolate or almond bark
- 1 box of candy canes
- 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
Instructions
PREP
- Lay out wax paper to pour candy mixture onto.
CRUSH CANDY CANES
- Unwrap candy canes and place in a gallon-size bag.
- Cover with a hand towel and crush by "whacking" with a rolling pin or other heavy/solid object. (see notes)
MELT THE CHOCOLATE
- Break the melting chocolate (or almond bark) into chunks and melt in a double boiler over medium heat, stirring regularly. This can also be done in a microwave, but be sure to melt and stir in 1-minute increments.
COMBINE & POUR
- Once melted completely, remove the white chocolate from heat and mix in the peppermint extract. (see notes)
- Stir in the crushed candy canes.
- Pour the candy mixture onto the wax paper. Spread out in a thin layer, creating swirls as you spread to create a bark-like texture.
ALLOW TO HARDEN & ENJOY
- Once the candy has hardened, break into pieces, store and enjoy! (see notes)
Notes
- You can use as many candy canes as you like, but we usually don’t use the whole box. Too much crushed candy makes for a chewy bark. We find that 8-10 is just right.
- When crushing the candy canes, leave some small pieces still intact for a slight crunch. You don’t want it all crushed too finely.
- Peppermint flavoring is to taste. Add as much or as little as you like!
- Food grade peppermint essential oil can be used in place of extract, but it takes much less. Only a few drops are needed.
- The candy mixture cools and hardens in no time at all, so work fast!
- Peppermint bark doesn’t have to be refrigerated so you can leave it out where it can be easily snacked on and enjoyed. Store it in a festive Christmas dish or tin!
These look like a delicious holiday tradition!
Thanks! It’s fun and easy. 🙂
Looks delicious. I may need to make one last candy for the season.
Thanks..if you do, let me know how you like it!
I’ll have to add this to our candy/cookie-making list for next Christmas. We love peppermint bark! Thanks for sharing!
You’re welcome! Be sure to let me know how you like it. 🙂