Homemade Peppermint Bark Recipe (Ready in 15 Minutes!)
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This easy peppermint bark recipe shows you how to make homemade peppermint bark in about 15 minutes of active work for a fraction of the Williams-Sonoma price (which I love, but for over $30 for a box?! Come on🫣). Two layers of melted chocolate, crushed candy canes, and you’re done. The trick is getting smooth, glossy chocolate that doesn’t seize, which I’ll walk you through below.
(This works for Valentine’s Day too. The red and white already says Valentine’s Day, and honestly, chocolate is chocolate, people aren’t going to complain about the timing!😉 Just use red and white peppermint candies instead of candy canes. Same recipe, different holiday.)
What Makes Homemade Peppermint Bark Better
Here’s the thing about making peppermint bark at home: it’s stupid simple if you use good chocolate. I’m talking Ghiradelli melting wafers, not random chocolate chips from the back of your pantry. Ghiradelli melts smooth in the microwave without seizing (that grainy, clumpy mess that happens when chocolate gets too hot or water sneaks in). The flavor is clean and the texture sets perfectly in the fridge.
I make this Christmas peppermint bark every December because:
- 15 minutes active time, then just wait for it to set
- Kids can help crush candy canes (therapeutic, honestly)
- Wraps beautifully in clear bags with ribbon for teacher gifts
- Travels well to holiday parties without melting into a mess
How to Make Peppermint Bark Without Screwing Up the Chocolate
This is where most people sabotage their peppermint bark recipe. Microwave your chocolate in 30-second bursts, stirring between each round. I know it feels tedious, but blasting it for 2 minutes straight will give you a grainy, seized disaster.
Once it’s mostly melted with a few small chunks remaining, stop microwaving and just stir. The residual heat will finish the job. Overheated chocolate loses that smooth, glossy finish and tastes slightly burnt (yep, chocolate can burn even in a microwave).
Also, make sure your pan and spatula are completely dry. Even a drop of water will cause chocolate to seize into a thick, unusable paste.
Why Is It Called Bark Anyway?
The name comes from tree bark, which is thin, layered, and breaks into pieces. Same idea here: two thin chocolate layers that you snap apart once they’re set. (Not the most exciting origin story, but there you go.😂)
Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe
Supply List
- 12 ounces white chocolate Ghirardelli
- 12 ounces dark chocolate lGhirardelli
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candy place in ziplock bag and crush with hammer
Instructions : Step by Step
- Line 9×12 pan with parchment paper
- Melt dark Chocolate in microwave (about 40 seconds and stir/re-heat until smooth)
- Pour melted chocolate over parchment paper and spread to about 1/3″ thick
- Melt White chocolate (same process as chocolate)
- Pour over dark chocolate (try to keep the same thickness as dark)
- Sprinkle crushed peppermint immediately over the top while white chocolate is still melted. Press candy gently in white chocolate (you can also stir in the crushed peppermint with the white melted chocolate / I find it easier to just sprinkle on top of melted chocolate)
- Let harden in refrigerator for a couple hours until hard
- Once hard, break apart into pieces and serve
- Eat and enjoy!!!
Tips for Perfect Homemade Peppermint Bark Every Time
Crush candy canes small, but not dust. I put them in a ziplock bag and whack them with a rolling pin. You want pieces about the size of rice grains. Too big and they’re hard to bite through; too small and they dissolve into the chocolate.
Let the dark chocolate set fully before adding white chocolate. If you rush it, the layers will blend together instead of staying distinct. 20 minutes in the fridge should do it.
Use parchment paper, not wax paper. Wax paper can stick to the chocolate. Parchment peels off cleanly every time.
Packaging Homemade Peppermint Bark as Christmas Gifts
This Christmas peppermint bark is a go-to teacher gift every year. Break the bark into irregular pieces (looks more homemade and charming), pile them in clear cellophane bags, and tie with red and white baker’s twine. Takes 30 seconds per bag and looks like you spent way more effort than you did!
For a fancier presentation, layer pieces in a small holiday tin with parchment paper between layers so they don’t stick together.
How to Store Homemade Peppermint Bark
Keep your homemade peppermint bark in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. If you live somewhere humid, definitely refrigerate it. Otherwise the candy canes will get sticky and the chocolate might develop bloom (those white streaks that look weird but are totally safe to eat).
You can freeze it for up to 3 months, but let it come to room temperature before eating or the chocolate will sweat condensation and get weird.
Common Questions About Making Peppermint Bark
Can I use chocolate chips instead of melting wafers?
You can, but chocolate chips have stabilizers that make them hold their shape when heated. They won’t melt as smoothly. If chips are all you have, add a teaspoon of coconut oil to help them melt better.
What if my chocolate seizes and gets grainy?
Try adding a tablespoon of vegetable oil and stirring vigorously. Sometimes you can save it. If not, start over with fresh chocolate (annoying, but it happens).
Do I have to use candy canes for this peppermint bark recipe?
Nope. You can use peppermint extract in the white chocolate layer instead, or skip peppermint entirely and use crushed Oreos, toffee bits, or sea salt. Not traditional, but tasty.
How thick should each chocolate layer be?
About ¼ inch each. Too thin and it breaks into crumbs. Too thick and it’s hard to bite through.
Can I make this ahead for Christmas?
Absolutely. Homemade peppermint bark keeps for 2 weeks in the fridge, which makes it perfect for holiday prep. I usually make a double batch the first week of December and stash it for last-minute gifts.
Need more Christmas treats? Try the white chocolate chex mix or check out our kitchen page for more holiday recipes.
Meet Jessica
What started as a hobby, Jessica’s blog now has millions of people visit yearly and while many of the projects and posts look and sound perfect, life hasn’t always been easy. Read Jessica’s story and how overcoming death, divorce and dementia was one of her biggest life lessons to date.
