The snap of good chocolate, the cool burst of peppermint, and that snowy sprinkle of crushed candy canes—homemade peppermint bark is simple, nostalgic, and impossible to resist.
We’ve made this recipe for years during the holidays, testing different chocolates and layering techniques. Here’s everything we’ve learned so you can skip the trial-and-error and go straight to peppermint bark that disappears off the cookie tray.
How To Make Homemade Peppermint Bark
Ingredients You’ll Need
There’s something about peppermint bark that just feels like Christmas.
One of my favorite parts of sharing recipes is hearing how they fit into other people’s holidays.
A reader told me she had gone to Costco for peppermint bark only to find the shelves empty, so she searched Pinterest right there in the grocery aisle and stumbled onto this recipe.
She made it that night, and her husband loved it. They have never purchased peppermint bark again—they now make this recipe at home every Christmas.
Creating Smooth Layers
A little patience is key. Chill just until tacky, not rock-hard, so the white chocolate layer will bond without separating.
Spread the peppermint-kissed white chocolate on top and sprinkle with crushed candy canes while it’s still glossy so they stay put when breaking.
Making A Clean Break
You can avoid having your peppermint bark separate by not rushing the chilling process.
For that rustic look, I use my hands and let the bark “decide” where to break. If I want neater squares for gifting, I score it with a warm knife (dip in hot water, then wipe dry) before it hardens completely.
Peppermint Bark Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup mini candy canes, crushed
- 24 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips (two 12-ounce bags)
- 24 ounces white chocolate chips (two 12-ounce bags)
- ½ tablespoon coconut oil
- 1 teaspoon pure peppermint extract
Instructions
- Place mini candy canes in a ziplock freezer bag and seal it shut. Crush candy until you have varying sizes of crushed candy canes to sprinkle on the top of your bark. Set aside.
- Line a 9×13 baking sheet with parchment paper. Set aside.
- Place semi-sweet chocolate chips in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.
- Once the chocolate has melted, pour over the top of the parchment paper. Place the chocolate in the refrigerator while preparing the white chocolate mixture.
- Place your white chocolate chips, coconut oil, and peppermint extract in a microwave-safe glass bowl and heat for 30 seconds. Stir chocolate mixture and microwave in 15-second intervals until completely melted, stirring in between each session.
- Pour the white chocolate mixture over the semi-sweet chocolate mixture and immediately sprinkle the crushed mini candy canes over the top of the white chocolate. Press crushed candy canes into the white chocolate mixture and then refrigerate until fully set about 20 minutes.
- Remove from the refrigerator and break into pieces.
Video
Notes
- When you are melting the chocolate in the microwave, be sure to do it in short bursts so you can check on the chocolate. You don’t want to burn it!
- Make sure to give the bark enough time to harden. If it doesn’t set, it won’t break cleanly.
- When it is removed from the refrigerator, the bark will be quite hard to break. You’ll want to make sure you allow your peppermint bark to come to room temperature before trying to break it into pieces.
Nutrition
It’s so delicious my husband asked me to not make it again. 😜 I will certainly make it each Christmas and not buy it at the store! Thank you!
Serving Ideas
I keep the sizes smaller if I know I’ll be gifting them in jars or bags. Larger shards look dramatic on a cookie tray but don’t pack as neatly.
For another homemade gift to add to the package, try our hot chocolate on a stick recipe, this Oreo peppermint bark or rocky road fudge.
Storage Instructions
Peppermint bark can be stored on the counter but it will definitely keep longer if you keep it in the fridge (up to three weeks). Be sure to wrap it well to keep moisture out to preserve it for the longest amount of time possible.
If you want to freeze the peppermint bark, pop it into an airtight container or large resealable plastic bag. It should keep for several months in the freezer.
More Christmas Treat Recipes
Comments
Carolyn says
My first time make this I have it 5 stars befits pretty and it tasted good to. My only issue I had was that it was hard to break so some came apart I left in fridge overnight I thought longer the better. So I used a butter knife and my rolling pin and tap butter knife down into it so mine was all different sizes I don’t mind at all homemade with love. I will make it again for sure but think I’ll use little bigger pan to make it thinner but I enjoyed some of the broken pieces as I was doing it
Sandi says
Just got done making this for gifts. Kids helped me and we had a ball!!
Melissa Gilbert says
This recipe was easy to make and tasted delicious
Bobbi Jo says
I used this recipe but changed it up for Valentine’s Day. I made cinnamon bark. I did this for family and friends and they absolutely loved it.
Lorraine M says
Not usually a fan of candy canes, this recipe is DELICIOUS, very easy & fast to make and a tad addictive! Very festive looking as well. Definitely recommend this holiday favourite!🎄🎅🤶
Cara says
I made this tonight and it is beyond easy and delicious. After fighting the crazy crowd at Costco to buy peppermint bark I discovered they were out, so I went to the local grocery and they didn’t carry it. I did a quick search on Pinterest while at the grocery to make it myself and came across your recipe. It’s so delicious my husband asked me to not make it again. 😜 I will certainly make this each Christmas and not buy it at the store! Thank you!