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

Peppermint bark ingredients including white chocolate chips, semi-sweet chocolate chips, candy canes, peppermint extract, and coconut oil — Everything you need for the easiest (and most festive!) peppermint bark: semi-sweet and white chocolate chips, a touch of coconut oil for smooth melting, peppermint extract for that cool burst, and plenty of crushed candy canes for crunch.

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

4.89 from 34 votes

Semi-sweet milk chocolate and white chocolate are layered with crushed candy canes to make this heavenly peppermint bark.

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 5

Total Time 15

Servings

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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

Have You Tried This Recipe?Follow me on Pinterest @spaceshipslb

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!

– Cara

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.

Peppermint bark displayed in bowls, on trays, and packaged in gift boxes and bags with text overlay suggesting serving and gifting ideas — This sweet treat would be a great gift during the holiday season – it’s perfect for cookie exchanges, teacher gifts and holiday parties. Add pieces of peppermint bark to cellophane bags or decorative tins and tie them with a pretty bow.

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.

Stack of peppermint bark squares with white chocolate and candy cane topping

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Proudly Prepared by the Spaceships Kitchen

This recipe was developed, tested, cooked and photographed by the Spaceships Kitchen. From our dinner table to yours, we hope you think it's out of this world!

Stephanie Keeping Publisher
Sian Cox Photographer
Lexus Monroe Editorial Assistant
Angela Sessions Recipe Developer
Amy Tandiko Graphic Designer
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Peppermint Bark