The Easiest Peppermint Bark You’ll Make This Season
Peppermint bark is one of the easiest Christmas treats you can make at home, and it always brings instant holiday cheer. This easy peppermint bark recipe uses just melted chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed candy canes to create a festive layered dessert in minutes. If you’re looking for an easy peppermint bark recipe to make for gifting, parties, or holiday dessert trays, this one delivers big flavor with almost no effort.
One of the reasons peppermint bark stays so popular year after year is its versatility. It works as a last-minute dessert, a thoughtful gift, or a sweet snack to enjoy with your favorite warm drink. You can serve it alongside cozy holiday recipes like our Easy Christmas Cookies or pair it with a warm drink such as our French Hot Chocolate. If you’re planning a full dinner menu, peppermint bark also makes a great finishing touch after comforting meals like our Lemon Herb Grilled Chicken or a hearty winter dish. Because it stores well and travels easily, it’s an ideal addition to dessert boards, potlucks, or dinner parties any time of year.
Another advantage of this recipe is how beginner-friendly it is. There’s no baking involved, and each step is simple enough for kids to help with, especially the fun part of crushing the candy canes. You can choose the type of chocolate you prefer, adjust the amount of peppermint flavor, or even swirl the two chocolate layers together for a marbled look. It’s one of those recipes that encourages creativity without adding stress.
The texture is what makes peppermint bark so irresistible. The smooth chocolate base contrasts beautifully with the crisp white chocolate and crunchy peppermint pieces. When it breaks into shards, each piece has a slightly different shape and pattern, giving it that homemade charm people love during the holidays. Even outside the Christmas season, it works well for winter gatherings, birthday treat bags, or any moment you want something sweet and refreshing.
Whether you’re preparing a holiday spread, creating gift boxes, or simply craving a minty chocolate treat that comes together quickly, this peppermint bark fits perfectly. It’s simple, festive, and always a crowd-pleaser, the kind of recipe that becomes a yearly tradition.
Easy Peppermint Bark Recipe | Classic Holiday Candy
Ingredients
Method
- Line a baking sheet (approx. 9×13”) with parchment paper or a silicone mat.
- Melt the dark chocolate: place chocolate chips or chopped chocolate in a microwave-safe bowl and microwave in 30-second intervals, stirring after each until fully melted and smooth. Alternatively, use a double boiler on the stove.
- Pour melted dark chocolate onto the prepared sheet. Spread evenly using an offset spatula (or the back of a spoon).
- Chill in fridge or freezer until the dark layer is just set (about 5–10 minutes, or until firm at the edges but slightly soft in the middle). This helps white chocolate adhere properly.
- Melt the white chocolate in the same way (microwave or double boiler). Optionally stir in peppermint extract for extra minty flavor.
- Pour the white chocolate over the chilled dark layer, spreading gently to cover completely.
- Immediately sprinkle the crushed candy cane pieces evenly on top of the white chocolate layer — press gently so pieces stick.
- Chill until bark is fully set (about 20–30 minutes).
- Once set, remove from fridge and let rest at room temperature 5–10 minutes before breaking into shards or squares.
- Store in an airtight container at cool room temp or fridge.
Notes
- Use good-quality chocolate (not candy melts)—white chocolate with cocoa butter melts and sets properly.
- Don’t let the dark layer fully harden before adding the white chocolate—you want it just firm enough that the white layer sticks.
- Crush candy canes just before using so pieces stay crisp—crush by placing in a zip bag and using a rolling pin.
- You can scale the recipe up—double or triple ingredient quantities for larger batches. Great for gift tins.
- For a darker bark, use semi-sweet or dark chocolate. For sweeter, use milk chocolate + white.
- Want variation? Add a sprinkle of flaky sea salt on top, or mix in crushed nuts for texture.
⭐ Storage
Store peppermint bark in a cool, dry place (or fridge if warm environment). It keeps well for ~2 weeks at room temperature or up to 3 weeks refrigerated.
