Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

I’ve talked before about how mint and chocolate is my favorite combination in the world. So this time of year makes me so happy because the mint chocolate flows, people! I live for peppermint bark but would you believe I’ve never made it myself. It was so much easier than I thought and really fun. I love working with chocolate.

I think crushing the candy canes was one of the most fun parts of the prep process. It’s a little cathartic smashing things with a rolling pin, isn’t it?
I decided on dark chocolate for this dark chocolate peppermint bark because I think the flavor is deeper. I much prefer dark chocolate to milk chocolate but you can feel free to substitute here. Oh my goodness I loved pouring that shiny layer of chocolate in my pan, it was just gorgeous. I let it harden while I worked on the white chocolate layer.
The most important part of working with this chocolate and using extract to flavor it was to use a little shortening. If you only put the extract in the chocolate without shortening, it would have seized up immediately and been very hard to work with. So I used the exact same process for the dark chocolate layer and the white chocolate layer. All of those cathartic candy cane pieces made it so pretty and festive on top!

I let the dark chocolate peppermint bark harden and set in the refrigerator for hours before I broke it into pieces. Then it was ready for me to enjoy some of my favorite candy, as well as package it up for giving. Hope you all love this version of the classic holiday treat too! xoxo

4.75 from 4 votes
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Setting Time
4 hrs
Total Time
25 mins
 

Dark chocolate peppermint bark is one of the ultimate holiday treats with that fantastic combination of mint and chocolate. Perfect for gifting! 

Course: Dessert
Keyword: Chocolate, Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark, Peppermint Bark
Servings: 1 sheet tray
Calories: 378 kcal
Author: Jeanie and Lulu's Kitchen
Ingredients
  • 12 whole candy canes
  • 20 ounces dark chocolate baking chips (usually 2 bags)
  • 1 teaspoon shortening divided
  • 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract divided
  • 20 ounces white chocolate baking chips
Instructions
  1. First, put the candy canes in a sealable plastic bag and crush them into little pieces with a rolling pin. Set it aside. Get out a sheet tray and line it with a silicone mat or parchment. Then put a small saucepan filled halfway with water on the stove and bring it to a simmer. Place the dark chocolate in a heat proof bowl and set it over the simmering water to melt it, stirring it with a heat proof spatula. Once it is pretty melted add in 1/2 teaspoon of the shortening and 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract. Stir that all together until the chocolate is completely smooth and shiny. Pour it out onto the lined sheet tray and smooth it out to be even. Set it aside to set for half an hour. 

  2. While the dark chocolate layer sets, wash out the heat proof bowl and spatula. When the time is almost up, repeat the same process of setting up a double boiler, melting the white chocolate over the simmering water. Add in the remaining 1/2 teaspoon of shortening and 1/4 teaspoon of peppermint extract. Once it is shiny and smooth, take it off of the heat and fold in two tablespoons of the crushed candy canes. Pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate and gently smooth it out to be even. Quickly sprinkle the remaining crushed candy cane on top. Then set the tray in the refrigerator to completely harden for at least 4 hours. Break it up into pieces and package it up for enjoying or gifting! It will keep for weeks in sealed containers in the refrigerator.

Nutrition Facts
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Amount Per Serving (2 pieces)
Calories 378 Calories from Fat 185
% Daily Value*
Fat 20.6g32%
Saturated Fat 14.5g91%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 45mg2%
Potassium 178mg5%
Carbohydrates 54.6g18%
Fiber 2.6g11%
Sugar 51.1g57%
Protein 1.7g3%
Calcium 10mg1%
Iron 1.6mg9%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark

10 thoughts on “Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark”

  1. Peppermint Bark is one of my favourite treats during the holidays! Thanks for sharing this recipe – now I can make it!

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