Peppermint Bark is a traditional Christmas candy made with layers of chocolate, refreshing peppermint, and crushed candy canes for added crunch.
When topped with thick flakes of sea salt, it’s an incredible sweet and salty treat that you simply can’t miss.
Easy to make, but gorgeous to serve (and gift) this is a delicious holiday recipe you’re going to want to keep forever!
One of my biggest weaknesses is a sweet and salty combination and this Salted Peppermint Bark is no exception! Fortunately, ’tis the season for indulging – and gifting!
I love sharing cute and easy ideas for your holiday celebrations – my cranberry and orange sweet bread is a classic reader favorite, and these reindeer brownies are another oh-so-simple treat option you’ll love!
If you love peppermint as much as I do, you’ll have to check out my ultimate peppermint dessert guide. It’s filled with great recipes and detail about this delicious winter flavor.
Salted Peppermint Bark is made with just four ingredients! It’s so easy and delicious it might become a permanent part of your holiday treat line-up.
While Peppermint Bark has been around for years, Williams Sonoma has made it a holiday staple. It is widely available at retailers including Costco and Trader Joe’s, but makes a thoughtful and beautiful homemade Christmas gift.
Gift it in a tin, stacked in a cellophane bag or on a cookie platter!
Why You’ll Love Peppermint Bark
I love how easy and quick it is to make bark and it makes a huge batch as well that will easily see you through the holidays! It doesn’t have an overly strong flavor to it and it’s a hit with kids and adults alike.
- Easy to Make
- No Candy Thermometer Required
- Great for Gifting
- Pretty for Parties
- Made with Pantry Ingredients
★★★★★
5 STAR REVIEW
“I’ve made bark before but it never really set or turned out all that pretty until I started using this recipe. The doubling up of white chocolate over the dark really makes such a difference. Thank you for this!”
— BILLY —
Ingredients and Substitutions
- Chocolate – Chocolate chips, melting wafers, or candy melts work best, but you can also use almond bark. Use dark chocolate, semi-sweet or milk chocolate.
- White Chocolate – White chocolate chips, melting wafers, almond bark or candy melts.
- Crushed Peppermint – You can also used crushed candy canes.
- Sea Salt
- Peppermint Extract – Optional.
Variations
- Use all Dark Chocolate
- Swirl White Chocolate into Chocolate
- Add Crushed Pretzels
- Add Crushed Toffee
Tools to Use
- Double Boiler (Or just use your microwave)
- Measuring Cups + Spoons
- Sheet Pan
- Parchment Paper
How to Make Salted Peppermint Bark
- Melt chocolate in the microwave or double boiler, and pour onto parchment paper.
- Meanwhile, melt white chocolate and add optional peppermint extract. Pour on top of chocolate before it is completely set. This will keep it from separating when cutting. Add crushed peppermint and sea salt and allow to set for 30+ minutes.
- Cut into pieces using a sharp knife and enjoy!
How to Melt Chocolate
Unlike my mom’s amazing peanut brittle, you don’t need any special equipment to make Salted Peppermint Bark. No candy thermometer required!
- You can melt the chocolate in the microwave in 30 second increments and as it melts reduce to 15 second increments stirring in between.
- Or make a double boiler like I often do, filling a large pot with a 1 1/2 inches of water over medium low heat and placing a smaller pot on top to melt the chocolate.
Tips
- Pour white chocolate on top of chocolate when it is partially set to prevent separating.
- You can use sea salt in a salt grinder set to the largest setting to achieve small flakes or use sea salt flakes. Sea salt flakes are more noticeable but both give the same flavor.
- Use a food safe peppermint extract.
- Use your favorite chocolate brand for this recipe, but look for a high quality option.
- Allow the bark to set completely before you try to break it apart. Ideally, this will happen at room temperature to prevent separation of the layers!
Frequently Asked Questions
This occurs sometimes for a couple reasons – one, the temperature of your layers is too far apart (hence my tip to add the second layer when the first is only partially set). Another reason might be that your peppermint bark isn’t at room temperature when you try to break it – be patient and let it set up completely.
This name is figurative, and based off of tree bark that easily peels and breaks from the trunk of trees.
Peppermint Bark Gift
I always like to have a share plan when I’m baking and making candies. Peppermint Bark makes a beautiful gift and is simple to make.
I like to gift wrap it with cellophane bags and a ribbon! Even better, you can use my FREE printable gift tags for a customized touch.
Dietary Considerations
- Gluten Free
- Vegetarian
How to Store
- Room Temperature – If stored properly, this salted peppermint bark will last for several weeks in an airtight container at room temperature. Choose a cool, dark place for storage.
- Refrigerator – If your home is generally too warm, you can also store this Christmas bark in the refrigerator. You risk the colors running together with moisture, though, so be aware.
- Freezer – You can freeze your peppermint bark for up to three months. Wrap it in an airtight container. Again, you’ll risk condensation so be careful when thawing!
More Candies
Salted Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 24 ounces light cocoa candy melts (substitute chocolate chips)
- 20 ounces white almond bark (can substitute chocolate chips or melting wafers)
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract oil based
- 3 ounces crushed peppermint
- 1½ teaspoon sea salt flakes
Instructions
- Line cookie sheet with parchment or wax paper.
- In a double boiler (or microwave), melt chocolate stirring continuously. This usually takes about five minutes – less in the microwave. Just ensure that it's totally melted and smooth.
- Pour melted chocolate onto cookie sheet and spread until smooth. Allow to partially set for a few minutes (at room temperature) while you move on to the next step. (This keeps it from separating.)
- In a double boiler (or microwave), melt white chocolate stirring continuously. Add peppermint extract.
- Spread onto partially set chocolate.
- Add crushed peppermint and sea salt flakes.
- Allow to set and cut into pieces.
Julie’s Tips
- You can use sea salt in a salt grinder set to the largest setting to achieve small flakes or use sea salt flakes. Sea salt flakes are more noticeable but both give the same flavor.
- Use a food safe peppermint oil so you don’t seize the chocolate.
- Use your favorite chocolate brand for this recipe.
- If you need to crush your peppermint sticks or candy canes, try adding them to a Ziplock baggie and rolling with a rolling pin.
- Store in a cool place in an airtight container for several weeks.
Estimated nutrition information is provided as a courtesy and is not guaranteed.
Followed recipe exactly & it came out perfect! This oneโs a keeper-thanks!
Hi Leslie,
Love to hear that! Thanks so much for your kind words!
Julie
Hi! I know I am commenting quite late on this post, but I just stumbled upon your gorgeous recipe and want to make sure I get it right. Did you set your chocolate in the fridge, freezer, or at room temperature? Roughly how long should it take to melt the chocolate? And about how long does it take for the first layer of chocolate to โpartiallyโ set? Thank you, I canโt wait to make this for loved ones during the holidays!
I absolutely loved this recipe! So easy and tasted great! Us there a trick for making sure the 2 chocolates don’t separate when you cut into pieces?
Hi Sheri! Add the white chocolate just before the chocolate sets. Enjoy!
Made this for the office as a little Happy Holidays present, and they all loved it! They all asked for the recipe, and I know it will be requested next year as well!
That brings me so much joy! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth!
I love making this recipe and giving away as edible Christmas gifts. Everyone always feels so special when you give them something homemade!