I could not be more excited to get the recipe for Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark in your hot little hands today, just in time for holiday gift giving and snacking! I tried a dark chocolate and peppermint “snack break” product a few months ago and immediately knew I wanted to recreate for the holidays.
The combination of dark chocolate and crushed peppermint is meant to be, and making the bark at home is a cinch – we’re talking 3 minutes of active cooking time and just 2 ingredients!
And by active cooking time I mean crushing candy canes then adding them to chocolate chips melted in the microwave. Super active. That is to say, anyone can make this sweet snack or dessert, and it makes for such an easy, thoughtful gift.
Fill candy bags with the bark then tie with a pretty ribbon. If I had co-workers who weren’t 4 and 1 years old I would totally be handing out bag after bag of this yummy, minty treat to all my work friends. Not only is it simple and stress-free, but if you use the dark chocolate chips I do (brand below) almost anyone can enjoy them.
Nothing worse then having food allergies or an autoimmune disorder and having to skip the company or neighborhood cookie exchange, but everyone will be able to enjoy this delicious and easy, 2-ingredient holiday treat!
How to Make this Recipe
Like I said – just 2 ingredients in this Christmas candy recipe: a 9oz bag dark chocolate chips and 6 regular sized candy canes. I use Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels since they’re free of 13 major allergens including gluten and dairy (Lincoln loves this bark!) but use whatever dark chocolate you like.
Step 1: Crush the Candy Canes
Add the candy canes to a ziplock bag then place the bag onto a kitchen towel and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the candy canes. You don’t need to pulverize them into dust – just little pieces. Measure out 2 Tablespoons crushed candy canes, then set everything aside.
Step 2: Melt the Chocolate Chips
Next add the chocolate chips to a microwave-safe bowl then heat in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until the chocolate is smooth – mine took 1:30. Add the candy canes, plus 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract then stir to combine.
Step 3: Spread the Bark Out
Scoop the chocolate-peppermint mixture onto a silpat or parchment paper-lined sheet pan then spread to an even layer. I found the easiest way to do this was to pick the sheet pan up and gently shake it back and forth from side to side.
Finally, sprinkle the reserved 2 Tablespoons crushed candy canes on top.
Refrigerate until the chocolate sets, about 20 minutes, then break into big pieces and devour! As I mentioned, you can also package the bark in treat bags and tie with a ribbon – keep the packages refrigerated until gifting. However you serve or eat this craveable, 2-ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark – enjoy!!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
- Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels
- Gluten Free Sugar Cookies
- Christmas Crunch
- Gluten Free Kiss Cookies
- Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow
- Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies
- 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
free email bonus
Dinner Made EASY
5 days of simple yet flavorful recipes that take the stress out of dinnertime!
2-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Description
2-Ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark couldn't be simpler and is perfect for holiday snacking. Package up and tie with a bow for a sweet homemade gift!
Ingredients
- 6 regular-sized candy canes (1/2 cup crushed)
- 9oz bag dark chocolate chips (I like Enjoy Life)
- 1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract (optional)
Directions
- Line a half sheet pan with a silpat or parchment paper then set aside.
- Add candy canes to a large ziplock bag then place onto a kitchen towel and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush the candy (keep on kitchen towel in case the bag gets a small tear - easier to clean up.) Scoop out 2 Tablespoons crushed candy then set aside.
- Add chocolate chips to a medium-sized bowl then microwave in 30 second increments, stirring between increments, until the chocolate is smooth - 1:30 - 2 minutes. Add crushed candy canes and peppermint extract, if using, then stir to incorporate. Pour mixture onto prepared sheet pan then spread into an even layer. It helps to pick the pan up and gently shake it back and forth until the candy has formed an even layer. Sprinkle with reserved crushed candy canes then refrigerate until the chocolate has set, 20 minutes.
- Break bark into pieces then serve or package into gift bags and tie with a ribbon - keep chocolates refrigerated until eating or gifting.
This recipe is courtesy of Iowa Girl Eats, http://iowagirleats.com.
Shelly 12.26.2018
I am HOOKED on this recipe!! I have made it twice now and it is addicting!! It tastes exactly like the “snack break” product that I was hoping it would taste like! Thank you SO much for this recipe!!
kim 12.17.2018
This is delicious. Using food grade peppermint oil gave it such a great flavor. Too bad I cannot be trusted around this after I make it….
Marvette 12.16.2018
Can’t wait to try this! I love that you included instructions on how to effectively crush the candy canes !! Your pictures are gorgeous!
55 Refreshing Peppermint Recipes For The Holidays: ALL. THE. PEPPERMINT! - Cosmic Maven 12.02.2018
[…] From: Iowa Girl Eats […]
nicole 11.28.2018
roughly how many cups of candy cane would you say you had? i have crushed candy canes and i’m not sure how much to use..
melaniasmith 01.16.2018
yummy! sweet recipe i like it so much
14 Flavor-Packed Fruit Infused Water Recipes 01.11.2018
Not sure I can make this recipe… it would never leave my hands after creating it!! :) Yuuuuummmy!!….
moorni 12.21.2017
This was delicious and easy! Thank you for the recipe! We did both semi sweet and dark chocolate versions and they were both really good.
7 Fun, Festive Cookie Recipes! « CW Seattle 12.15.2017
[…] photo credit: https://iowagirleats.com/2017/12/07/dark-chocolate-peppermint-bark-recipe/ […]
Naomi 12.14.2017
Thank you so much for sharing this recipe! So easy and fun to make for the holidays.
Lila forgeron 12.12.2017
I want to know if the chocolate chips are semi sweet or just dark chocolate chips?
Kristin 12.12.2017
Dark chocolate.
Wanda 12.11.2017
I wonder how this would work with dark chocolate and cherry flavored candy canes? Not a big peppermint fan.
Kristin 12.12.2017
I think that would be delicious – great idea!
Carol Wayne 12.11.2017
Thank you for this recipe…I made 4 batches to bring to work today…big hit. So easy and everyone loves it.
Kristin 12.12.2017
Glad to hear you can multiply the recipe and it still comes out great. Thanks for your feedback, Carol!
Jana 12.11.2017
I made this last night for a Christmas party and it was SUPER easy and delicious! Everyone loved it and it was gone in a flash. I always have Enjoy Life chocolate sitting around for making cookies, so it was nice to use it for something else.
Kristin 12.12.2017
Oh I’m so glad to hear it, Jana!! Thanks for your feedback and star rating!
Odds & Ends 12.10.2017
[…] bark is legit one of my favorite things about the holidays!! DARE I TRY TO MAKE IT MYSELF USING THIS RECIPE? It could be part of my whole OPERATION MAKE WINTER SUCK LESS plan to learn a new skill?? Because […]
Shay 12.07.2017
I am still enjoying your pumpkin chocolate pretzels from earlier this fall, I think I might try this combo with the pretzels too! I have made 100’s of your recipes and you never disappoint. I am also originally from Iowa and the mom to 4 and 1 year old boys so I love your blog for many reasons. :). Hope you feel better soon.
Kristin 12.10.2017
Thank you for the nice note, and I’m so glad you are loving the recipes! Love the similarities between our lives too, Shay! ;)
Ashley Bennett 12.07.2017
I wonder if this recipe would work just as well with white chocolate chips! Not a big fan of dark chocolate! I’m going to give it a try! Thanks for the easy recipe! :)
Kristin 12.10.2017
I’m sure! I think that would be super delicious!
Lisa @ TechChick Adventures 12.07.2017
Not sure I can make this recipe… it would never leave my hands after creating it!! :) Yuuuuummm!
Kristin 12.10.2017
It is definitely difficult – I had to freeze the leftovers to stop myself from eating them!
Kristi 12.07.2017
Totally going to make this! Also looking forward to the Pita recipe. Are you also going to share the homemade falafel recipe?? I hope so!! ;)
Joni Boetticher 12.08.2017
I’ll second that! I would love love love to see both those recipes.
Kristin 12.10.2017
Let me ask Ben which recipes he used! I know the falafel was from Minimalist Baker but she has several on her site and I’m not 100% sure which one it was. More soon!
Kristin 12.12.2017
Ok! Here’s the pita/flatbread recipe: https://www.feastingonfruit.com/vegan-gluten-free-flatbread/
And the falafel recipe: https://minimalistbaker.com/easy-vegan-falafel/
Kristi 12.15.2017
Awesome, thanks Kristin!!
Joni Boetticher 12.17.2017
Thank you!
Maureen Gribble 12.07.2017
Thank you! I have a cookie swap tomorrow night and was starting to stress about what to make – hello easy and delicious cookie treat!! Can always count on IGE to come through in a pinch! :)
Kristin 12.10.2017
Ahh, perfect timing! I hope it was a hit!