I tried a popular dark chocolate peppermint “snack break” product a few months ago and immediately knew I wanted to recreate it for the holidays. My Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark is perfect for holiday gift giving and snacking, not just because it’s festive and delicious, but also because it requires just 2 ingredients and 3 minutes of active “cooking time”. (And by active cooking time I mean crushing candy canes then adding them to melted chocolate chips. That is to say, anyone can make this sweet snack or dessert, and it makes for such an easy, thoughtful gift!)
Easy Holiday Gift Idea
If I had co-workers who were over 10 years old 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 simple holiday treat. Fill candy bags with the bark then tie with a pretty ribbon and your holiday gifts are ready!
How to Make this Recipe
Like I said — just 2 ingredients needed to make this festive Christmas candy recipe: dark chocolate chips and candy canes. I use Enjoy Life dark chocolate morsels since they’re free of 13 major allergens including gluten and dairy, but feel free to use whatever dark chocolate chips you like best. Semisweet chocolate will also work fine!
Step 1: Crush the Candy Canes
Unwrap then add the candy canes to a gallon-size ziplock bag then place the bag onto a kitchen towel and use a meat mallet or rolling pin to crush them into pieces. 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. This should take 1-1/2 — 2 minutes. Add the candy canes plus 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 into an even layer. I find the easiest way to do this is to pick the sheet pan up and gently shake it back and forth from side to side, OR you can spread the mixture out with a spatula. 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 package the bark in treat bags and tie with a ribbon. Just keep the packages refrigerated until gifting. However you serve or eat this craveable, 2-ingredient Dark Chocolate Peppermint Bark, I hope you enjoy!
More Gluten Free Holiday Treats
Chocolate Peppermint Covered Pretzels Gluten Free Sugar Cookies Christmas Crunch Gluten Free Kiss Cookies Puppy Chow Chocolate Peppermint Puppy Chow Gluten Free Ginger Molasses Cookies 10 Gluten Free Christmas Cookies and Treats
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