Homemade Holiday Gifts: Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Bark is a perennial holiday favorite we see popping up in everything from coffee creamer to covered pretzels. Here’s an easy 4 ingredient version that you can have ready for gift giving in no time. We love its pretty pink color, too! This recipe is easy to double: one for you, one for a friend!

Ingredients

• 20 round hard peppermint candies or equivalent candy canes.
• 12 ounces IGA vanilla-flavored almond bark or candy coating, chopped into ½ inch pieces.
• 1 ½ teaspoons pure peppermint extract or peppermint oil*
• Red gel or powder food coloring*

Instructions

1. Place peppermint candies or candy canes in a heavy sealable plastic bag then break and crush into assorted sized pieces using a kitchen mallet, rolling pin, or soup-size can. Set aside.
2. Line a cookie sheet or other flat surface with aluminum foil, waxed paper, or parchment paper. 
3. Melt almond bark or candy coating over a double boiler or in microwave, stirring frequently until melted. Once melted, stir in food coloring for desired pink color, add peppermint extract. Fold in some of the crushed candies, reserving the larger pieces. Working quickly, spread mixture evenly on aluminum foil to ¹⁄₈ to ¹⁄₄ inch thickness. Sprinkle reserved broken and crushed candies on top. Let stand until hardened completely. When firmly set, break into pieces and store in an air tight container.

Variation

Try something different! Use green spearmint candies in place of peppermints and tint bark a pale minty green with green food coloring. If chocolate is a must-have, before bark has set, thinly drizzle a bit of melted dark chocolate pieces over it.

*Like chocolate, candy coatings and almond bark react to water, “tightening” and “seizing” up. Liquid food coloring and imitation flavorings use water as a main ingredient. Using a gel or powder food coloring and extracts made with peppermint or mint oils such as pure peppermint extract help assure a silky-smooth finished candy!