Salted Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark is a traditional Christmas candy made with layered chocolates, 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.

This recipe was originally published December 12, 2018 and updated with new information December 2, 2021.

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 fave, and these reindeer brownies are another oh-so-simple treat option you’ll love! Don’t skip my round-up of fifty of the BEST Christmas cookie recipes, too! 

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 ad 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
• Great for Gifting
• Pretty for Parties
• Made with Pantry Ingredients

Salted Christmas Bark Ingredients

• 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

How to Make Salted Peppermint Bark

How to Melt Chocolate

Unlike my mom’s amazing peanut brittle, you don’t need any special equipment to make Salted Peppermint Bark.

• 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.

You don’t even need a candy thermometer! Either way, you’ll love this easy Peppermint Bark recipe!

Optional Add-Ins

• Pretzel Bits
• Crushed Toffee
• So easy to make ahead for the holidays because it keeps so well.

Chocolate 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.

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.
• Store in a cool place in an airtight container for several weeks.

How to Store Chocolate Bark

• 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 Easy Christmas Candy Recipes

• Peanut Butter Fudge
• Chocolate Peanut Clusters
• Easy Toffee Recipe made with Saltines
• White Chocolate Fudge