Description
This Salted Peppermint Bark is a festive and delicious holiday treat featuring smooth layers of rich cocoa candy melts and creamy white almond bark infused with refreshing peppermint extract. Topped with crushed peppermint candies and a sprinkle of sea salt flakes, this sweet and salty bark is perfect for gifting or enjoying as a seasonal indulgence.
Ingredients
Scale
Chocolate Layer
- 24 ounces light cocoa candy melts (can substitute with chocolate chips)
White Chocolate Layer
- 20 ounces white almond bark (can substitute with white chocolate chips or melting wafers)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (oil based)
Toppings
- 3 ounces crushed peppermint candies
- 1½ teaspoons sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Prepare the Baking Sheet: Line a cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper to prevent sticking and make it easy to remove the bark later.
- Melt the Chocolate Layer: Using a double boiler or microwave, melt the light cocoa candy melts while stirring continuously until smooth and completely melted, about five minutes in a double boiler or less in the microwave.
- Spread the Chocolate Layer: Pour the melted chocolate onto the prepared cookie sheet and spread evenly until smooth. Let it partially set at room temperature for a few minutes to prevent separation between layers.
- Melt the White Chocolate Layer: In a double boiler or microwave, melt the white almond bark, stirring continuously until smooth. Once melted, stir in the peppermint extract thoroughly.
- Spread the White Chocolate Layer: Carefully spread the peppermint-infused white chocolate layer over the partially set dark chocolate layer.
- Add Toppings: Sprinkle the crushed peppermint candies and sea salt flakes evenly over the white chocolate layer to add a festive crunch and a salty contrast.
- Set and Serve: Allow the peppermint bark to fully set at room temperature until firm. Once set, cut into pieces and serve or package for gifting.
Notes
- Use an oil-based peppermint extract to prevent the white chocolate from seizing.
- Crushing the peppermint candies finely ensures they stick well and provide an even flavor throughout.
- For quicker setting, refrigerate the bark once topped, but avoid quick temperature changes to prevent blooming.
- Substitutions like chocolate chips are possible but melting wafers or candy melts melt more smoothly.
- Store the bark in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two weeks.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Melting (using double boiler or microwave), No-Cook for setting
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Peppermint bark, holiday dessert, peppermint candy, chocolate bark, festive treats, Christmas candy
