The combination of mint and chocolate has been a favorite of mine ever since I can remember. I’ve had many different goodies that have had those flavor combinations and I love them all. So for the final part of the goody baskets I decided to make something that I enjoy everytime I have it.
Peppermint bark, like a lot of other foods and sweets, has become more and more popular over the past few years. It seems like whenever the stores start getting their Christmas stuff out the peppermint bark starts to be seen more as well. William-Sonoma has some of the best peppermint bark I’ve ever had. The chocolate is just incredible and it has just the right about of mint flavor in it where it blends so well. I take my time eating their bark whenever I get the chance to have some because I want to savor the taste of it!
After I had eaten some peppermint bark I decided that I wanted to try to make some. It didn’t seem like there would be that much to it and since I enjoy eating it so much I might as well figure out how to make some. It really wasn’t that hard to make at all. Making it yourself also gives you the control to add as much or as little peppermint flavoring as desired. I think my first time making it was right on the money; I loved the taste of it as well as everyone else that tried it. This just might be a tradition from now on:).
Peppermint Bark
Ingredients:
1 – 1 1/2 Bags of chocolate chips (I used a combination of milk chocolate and semi sweet )
1 – 1 1/2 Bags of white chocolate chips
1/4 Teaspoon peppermint extract, divided
1 Dozen and a half peppermints, crushed
Directions:
Cover a baking sheet with wax paper.
Place chocolate chips in the microwave or double boiler and melt completely. Keep a close eye on it to keep it from burning. Once chocolate is melted stir in 1/8 teaspoon of peppermint extract and about 6 crushed peppermints. Once everything is combined pour onto wax paper. Place the chocolate in the fridge to harden.
After the chocolate has had time to harden and set repeat the process above using the white chocolate chips. Once the chocolate is melted and everything is combined pour the white chocolate over the milk/semi sweet chocolate mix. While the white chocolate is still warm and melted sprinkle the remaining crushed peppermints over the top. Place chocolate back in the refrigerator and let harden. (I let mine set over night)
Once the chocolate has set up and become hard, remove from the refrigerator and pull off of the wax paper and break apart. Place in well sealed container and either keep at room temperature or in the refrigerator.
This is how I packaged it to go in the baskets:
Recipe by: Lynsey Lou
Looks like a great goodie bag to receive for the holidays!