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
Toni Thomason says
You do not want to miss out on these!! I cannot keep this on hand. It is always a household favorite!
Sandy says
What can you use in the peppermint bark recipe instead of the coconut oil?
Layne Kangas says
You could use vegetable oil instead.
Beth Henry says
Easy and delicious!!
Maria says
What if I don’t have peppermint extract?
Layne Kangas says
I would suggest grabbing some so you can enjoy the delicious flavor of this bark!
Katie says
How long will these keep in the fridge?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Katie – you’ll be able to keep it for 2-3 weeks. Enjoy!! 🙂
Teresa says
Love this bark. I would change it up by using all dark chocolate as my base.
Mona says
Can I use dark chocolate instead of semi sweet?
Layne Kangas says
Yes! Dark chocolate is my personal favorite! Enjoy 🙂
Gloria says
This is the perfect treat for the holidays!
Linda G. says
Can I use chocolate bark i stead of morsels. I like the way the melt better.
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Linda – we haven’t tested it that way, but I would assume it would work ok. Enjoy!
Veronica says
Can u use shortening instead of coconut oil?
Layne Kangas says
Hi, Veronica – we haven’t tested it with shortening but vegetable oil would work for sure, we’ve tested that. Enjoy!
Ellie K says
Would I pair this with a hot chocolate on a stick? Absolutely!
Shereen Khan says
I would definitely use dark chocolate as the bark nd most certainly give it to family nd friends
Michelle says
Would make for family and friends for gifts.
Anne cekala says
I am going to make it today!!!!
Sharon Lennert says
I would totally make this with dark chocolate! Yummy!
Cindy Millwood says
Looks delicious. I would use white chocolate. It would also make a great gift to give to someone.
Katrina Johnson says
These are so delicious! Peppermint bark is the best holiday goodie. I will definitely try milk chocolate next time.
Shaunda Snider says
I think I would try it using milk chocolate.
Karen says
I would make this with dark chocolate!
Marilyn says
This peppermint bark looks so yummy. I remember when you had to go to Williams & Sonoma to get it. Now it can be in your Home for the holidays! I would definetly make it with milk chocolate. That is my favorite along with white chocolate!
Kathy Maxwell says
Love peppermint bark. I like to make it for family and friends for gifts. I prefer the dark chocolate . Its so delicios
Marlene Barrow says
Easy and very delicious!
Kathy Taylor says
I would use milk chocolate and break it up and put it in hot chocolate .
Laurie Cooper says
I made this for my family, but i mixed the crushed candy canes into the white chocolate
I changed up the dark chocolate from semi sweet to milk chocolate and made a second batch. Both are very good
Jennifer says
I would make this bark, as a gift for friends and family. Every year I make several different kinds of cookies and candies, making trays to give to family, friends, and co-workers.
Jane says
I prefer milk chocolate to semi sweet chocolate for the base. Plan to use as gift.
G. A. Roach says
I would use dark chocolate on the peppermint bark.
Tracy says
So yummy used milk chocolate, peppermint essential oils,
Good for snacks
And after dinner when u eat too much
Sable says
I absolutely love peppermint everything, especially during this time of the year so this has been one of the top things I’ve been wanting to make! I love the bagged ones but homemade is always yummier. I’d go with milk chocolate!
Maureen says
This sounds like a recipe for my next door neighbor. The combination of peppermint and, have to use dark chocolate, would go great with whipped hot chocolate.
Should be great surprise.
Maureen says
This sounds like a recipe for my next door neighbor. The combination of peppermint and, have to use dark chocolate, would go great with whipped hot chocolate.
Should be great surprise.
I keep getting a statement saying this is a duplicate. I don’t know why this site does this?
Gabriela B. says
Would you make this peppermint bark with milk chocolate or dark chocolate?
– I’d use dark chocolate.
GayNor says
I am “”baking challenged”” absolutely disinterested in baking anything.
But when I saw this product PEPPERMINT BARK…it caught my interest.
Peppermint and DARK CHOCOLATE is the only way to do it in my taste.
I am going to make a LOT of it to give away as SURPRIZE treats for family
and friends. Thanks.
Maureen says
Had some candy canes on my counter and was wondering what to do with them. This recipe hits the spot. I would have to use dark chocolate and pair it with whipped hot chocolate. These would be a perfect gift for my neighbor.
Carol Harris says
Yes I think pairing the peppermint bark with your hot chocolate would be great
Cheryl Motschke says
You have great recipes!!!
Cynthia Smith says
I would make this recipe with milk chocolate chips.
Sara says
I would make this with dark chocolate, yum!
Deana Schuler says
I would use a combination of both dark chocolate and semisweet chips. People who don’t especially like dark chocolate will have a milder form.
I would most definitely serve this with hot chocolate.
I would give this as a gift to both family and friends.
Paul Kimball says
I think I’d make it with dark chocolate…healthier, you know!
Teresa Gerber says
Dark chocolate for sure!!
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!