Layered Peppermint Bark Food

ALMOST-FAMOUS PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
• Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

LAYERED PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9x12 inch baking pan with aluminum foil or parchment paper.
• Melt half of the white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. Spread the white chocolate into the prepared pan. Sprinkle 1/4 of the crushed peppermints evenly over white chocolate. Chill until firm, about 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the dark chocolate, heavy cream, and peppermint extract together in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just melted. Quickly pour the chocolate layer over the chilled white chocolate layer; spread evenly. Chill until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt the remaining white chocolate in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently, until just melted. Spread quickly over the chilled bark. Sprinkle with the remaining peppermint pieces; chill until firm, about 20 minutes. Cut or break into small pieces to serve.

5-INGREDIENT PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Lightly grease a 9x9 inch pan and line with waxed paper, smoothing out wrinkles; set aside.
• Place the semisweet chocolate and 1 teaspoon of the canola oil in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. When the chocolate is melted, stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract.
• Pour the melted chocolate into the prepared pan, and spread evenly over the bottom of the pan. Sprinkle half of the crushed peppermints over the chocolate layer. Refrigerate until completely hardened, about 1 hour.
• Place the white chocolate and the remaining 1 teaspoon canola oil in the top of a double boiler over just barely simmering water, stirring frequently and scraping down the sides with a rubber spatula to avoid scorching. When the chocolate is melted, stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
• Pour the white chocolate directly over the semisweet chocolate layer; spread evenly. Sprinkle the remaining crushed candy over the top and gently press in. Refrigerate until completely hardened. Remove from pan; break into small pieces to serve.

LOADED PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles.
• Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming. Put half of the bittersweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and heat, stirring, until most of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir in the remaining bittersweet chocolate a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan if needed, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon of the peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the bottom of the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside.
• Meanwhile, put all of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract.
• Dollop tablespoons of the white chocolate mixture over the bittersweet chocolate. Drag a toothpick in loops and swirls through the white and dark chocolate to create a marbling effect. Sprinkle immediately with the chopped peppermint patties and crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour.
• Lift the bark out of the dish using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

LAYERED PEPPERMINT CRUNCH BARK

Steps:

• Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12 x 9-inch rectangle on foil. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container.) Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

SALLY'S THREE-LAYER PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Turn a large baking sheet upside down and cover securely with foil. Mark out a 12x9-inch rectangle. Stir white chocolate in a metal bowl over barely simmering water (do NOT allow bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth. Pour 2/3 cup onto foil and spread to fill the 9x12" rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream, and extract over low heat until just melted and smooth; cool. Pour over white chocolate and spread to edges. Refrigerate until very firm, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate but don't get too hot. Quickly pour over bittersweet chocolate and spread to edges. Sprinkle with remaining peppermint pieces. Chill until firm. Lift foil off cookie sheet and trim edges of candy. Cut crosswise into strips, then slide strips off foil and onto cutting surface. Cut into triangles or any shape you desire.

PEPPERMINT BARK

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 250. Line a 9x13 pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Spray foil. Pour the chocolate chips in an even layer on the foil. Place in oven for 5 minutes or until almost melted. Remove from oven, smooth with an offset spatula or knife. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 20 minutes.
• Melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don't let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. If you are daring, you can use your microwave. Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn't melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with crushed candy (I pressed the candy in just a bit).
• Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Trim edges. Cut into 2" wide strips. Peel bark from foil and cut each strip as desired. Chill in covered container. Makes about 2 pounds.

LAYERED PEPPERMINT BARK RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Steps:

• Place the candy canes in a ziptop plastic bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, crush the canes, leaving a few larger pieces. Pour into a small bowl and set aside. Very lightly spray or butter a 13x9 shallow rimmed baking sheet. (Lightly wipe away any excess with a paper towel.) Set aside. Melt the semisweet chips with 1 teaspoon oil in a heavy 1-qt. non-stick saucepan over medium-low/medium heat, stirring constantly until just barely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract. Immediately pour it into the prepared pan, spreading out evenly. Refrigerate or put in the freezer while you melt the white chips. I washed and used the same saucepan to melt the white chips in the same manner as above (with 1 teaspoon oil until barely melted and smooth; then removed from heat and stirred in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract). Very quickly, pour the warm white mixture over the chocolate layer in the pan, spreading evenly and being careful to not disturb the bottom layer. Sprinkle top immediately with the crushed candy, pressing it lightly into the white chocolate. Place in the refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Twist the pan slightly to unset the bottom. Using a sharp knife tip along one edge of the bark, lift the whole sheet of bark out of the pan then break into uneven pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.