Everyone loves Chocolate Peppermint Bark; it’s a delicious, easy-to-make recipe that’s great for using up leftover candy canes!
While I was growing up, my mom used to solve our leftover candy cane problem by saving them to hang on the next year’s Christmas tree.
This happened every year, so I’m sure we ended up with some candy canes there were over five years old. We tried to keep the old canes (the ones that were supposedly for decoration only) separate from the new ones that were for eating, but of course once they were all on the tree my sister and would I forget which ones were which. We’d inevitably eat a few old canes (yeah, kids are gross).
Oddly enough, the old canes didn’t taste as disgusting as you might think they would. Come to think of it, that is really gross, and makes me wonder just how old the fresh ones are if the old ones taste fresh, lol.
Since then, we’ve come up with a better way to use up extra (or leftover) candy canes: Chocolate Peppermint Bark! It couldn’t be easier to make and is literally fool-proof. And peppermint chocolate is one of everyone's favorite flavor combinations!
This treat comes together in just 15 minutes of hands-on time (that doesn’t include the time it takes to harden, so be sure to factor that in), and always looks impressive.
Pro Tip: Packaged in a festive holiday box, Peppermint Bark is a perfect last-minute Christmas gift or party treat.
How Long Does Peppermint Bark Keep?
Peppermint Bark keeps well for up to 2 weeks. Store it in an airtight container (stacked between parchment paper if need be) at cool room temperature.
Should Chocolate Bark be Refrigerated?
If it’s summertime (or if room temperature is above 72F), store it in an airtight food storage container in the fridge.
Can I Freeze Peppermint Bark?
Yes! Here is the best way to freeze peppermint bark:
- Stack it on a plate between layers of parchment paper.
- Wrap the plate with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped plate into a gallon-sized zip-top bag.
- To thaw, let it sit overnight in the fridge.
Who Invented Peppermint Bark?
Like a lot of food pop culture items, it’s hard to know exactly who invented this festive treat. According to Mental Floss, it dates back to at least the 1960’s. The St. Petersburg Times had an ad for peppermint bark in a printed newspaper dated September 12, 1966.
Williams Sonoma made peppermint bark as we know it today popular. According to delish, in 1998 Chuck Williams asked a team of three merchants to come up with a nostalgic festive treat. It blew up in popularity, and, as they say, the rest is history.
More Chocolate Peppermint Recipes to Try:
- Skinny Peppermint Mocha Latte
- Chewy Double Chocolate Peppermint Cookies
- Dark Chocolate Peppermint Brownies
Did you make this recipe? Please rate it and leave a comment below because I love hearing from you! You can also tag @anediblemosaic on social media. To stay up-to-date FOLLOW ME on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Xoxo, Faith
Chocolate Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 12 ounces good quality semisweet chocolate chips
- 12 ounces good quality white chocolate chips
- 6 regular-sized peppermint candy canes crushed
Instructions
- Line a half sheet pan 18 by 13-inches) with parchment paper and set aside.
- Melt the semisweet chocolate in a microwave or a double boiler; pour onto the prepared dish and spread in an even layer into a rectangle about 14 by 10-inches (an offset spatula works well for this). Let the semisweet chocolate harden.
- Melt white chocolate in a microwave or a double boiler; pour onto the hardened semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer.
- Sprinkle the crushed candy canes on top.
- Let the white chocolate harden before cutting into squares or breaking into pieces.
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
Faith's Tips
- This recipe yields 1 (14 by 10-inch sheet) of candy, about 1 ⅔ lbs (750 g) of candy. I find it makes 12 generous-sized servings.
- Packaged in a festive holiday box, Peppermint Bark is a perfect last-minute Christmas gift or party treat.
- Stack it on a plate between layers of parchment paper.
- Wrap the plate with plastic wrap or aluminum foil.
- Place the wrapped plate into a gallon-sized zip-top bag.
- To thaw, let it sit overnight in the fridge.
Nutrition
This post was first published on An Edible Mosaic on December 26, 2010. It was updated with new photos on December 4, 2013, and more information on December 9, 2019.
Disclosure: This post contains Amazon affiliate links to products I believe in, which means that even though it doesn’t cost you anything extra, I will receive a small amount of money from the sale of these items, which helps me keep this site alive – thank you for helping to support An Edible Mosaic!
Dina says
peppermint bark is one of my faves during the holidays. looks yummy!
FOODESSA says
Can you believe that this was the first Christmas where all the candy canes disappeared! Well, better to the kids at our community center than in my tummy. LOL
I'm book marking your recipe because in a few days I will be celebrating another party with them. I'm sure the center would be interested in this treat ;o)
BTW...love the pics!
Ciao for now,
Claudia
Magic of Spice says
These are so unique and so pretty :)
Krista says
Peppermint bark is one of my favourite holiday treats. I just love the mint/chocolate combo!
Julie M. says
Such a simple and delicious way to handle leftover candy canes. I love it!
Sara says
Faith, what a wonderful idea to use the candy canes in the bark recipe! I will have to try it! Hope that you are enjoying the Holidays! xoxo
A Canadian Foodie says
Faith!
What a great - and timely recipe. I have seen many versions of this, but yours wins: hands down. The white chocolate over the dark chocolate makes this stunning. And, then, with the peppermint on top, you can actually cut it instead of break it. Absolutely lovely.
Happy New Year!!!
Isn't this a lovely week to just relax, and reconnect with friends? I love this week.
:)
Valerie
Barbara Bakes says
You're right it looks so festive. I'll have to make some for next year.
Megan says
This beautiful bark! Now I want to go see if there is any candy canes left!
Karyn Bernard (French Charming) says
Chocolate and candy cane...doesn't get better than that! Your photos are gorgeous as always. Happy New Year Sweet Friend!
xoxo
Karyn
Jessie says
You are so creative as always, Faith! I love a bit of peppermint bark, but I've never tried to make my own. Now I'll have to!
Btw, I giggled at the thought of you eating 5 year old candy canes! Kids! :P
Crustabakes says
These are sure a better way to use up the canes. Plus they look wonderful too!
MaryMoh says
This looks really easy and pretty too. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope you have a great Christmas holiday season and Happy New Year!
Rich says
Faith, those look great! Chocolate and peppermint are a combination equal to chocolate and peanut butter - that is to say, it's greatness.
marla {family fresh cooking} says
This bark is extra special because you have all of that white chocolate on top. Looks like a great texture & flavor. Old candy canes - do they get old? I guess a bit soft through time. Glad to hear you had some very happy holidays! XO
Monet says
Not only does this look beautiful...but I'm sure it is far less expensive than what I usually buy from Williams Sonoma. It is also a great way to use up extra candy cane! Thank you for sharing this with me. I hope you have a lovely week. I wish you and your family the happiest New Year!
grace says
leftover candy canes? pshaw--i buy them solely for this purpose! :)
Patty Price says
I love your simple and pretty Recipe for peppermint bark. Happy holidays, I'm still enjoying all the goodies for a while longer:-)
Reeni says
I love that you layered white with semisweet chocolate Faith! Very decadent! I'm sorry I didn't get a chance to stop by and wish you a Merry Christmas - hope you had a great one!
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron says
Faith! I'm sorry I missed a few posts of yours! The jet lag got better. Yay. I didn't have candy canes this year but I just opened a gift from my friend last night, she gave me green tea candy canes! This bark is beautiful and colorful. I'm sure with a touch of green tea would work great on this.
Happy Holidays Faith!
PS: Thanks so much for your nice comments.
kim says
What an useful way to 'recycle' candy canes. You just gave a new definition to this nostalgic sweet! :Q
Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella says
That's a great idea Faith! I'm left with pretty much a whole bag of them! I don't think even one was eaten lol. I hate to throw things away so this is perhaps the best use of them! :D
Jen says
Great idea Faith! Very festive! I hope that you had a wonderful Christmas.
zerrin says
These are adorable! Never used candies in this way, so creative! Happy new year to you and your loved ones!
Barbara says
Well, no candy canes, but someone gave me a jar of crushed peppermint sticks from Williams Sonoma. Can't think of a yummier way to use them up!
Hope your Christmas was great and the New Year even better, Faith!
Natalia - a side of simple says
We actually still have some leftover candy from Halloween, so I think we better turn that into some bark before we even start to think about our candy canes. Thanks for the great idea!
Erica says
What a great way to use up leftover candy canes. And I can't get enough bark ;)
Angie's Recipes says
Faith, I love these peppermint barks and they are so easy to make.
Mary says
This looks wonderful. I've never made Peppermint bark. I've bookmarked your recipe because yours looks so good. I hope you had a wonderful holiday. Blessings...Mary
Mia says
Oh Faith , did u write this specially for me? To make me laugh and grin and tell me im not alone?
Actually a little differently ,though!
I have faint memories of candy cane , but have been looking around for them forever , ok fine , since last year and this year had my reallll , candy cane moment ,thannnxxx to Chaya!
Well i have a little tin , quite full of them and i guess im gaurding them too hard , i limit myself to 2 a day , coz i dont want to miss them later :-)
I have candy cane coffee every day with half a candy cane :-) and it helps some are a little broken :-) and then i have candy cane coco and sprinkle the dust on the marshmellow fluff ...whew!!
I sure can spare some and make this cany cane bark , am thrilled for this recipe ,coz we dont find CC bark in the stores here :-)
A bright new year to ya with lodsa love!
Emily Z says
Great idea for leftover candy! I do love peppermint bark. You are always so creative, Faith! Hope your Christmas was fantastic!
Ameena says
I also wonder if candy canes have an expiration date? Now I feel like I should have checked. LOL
Wonderful idea Faith! I hope you had a great Christmas and are staying warm in the crazy weather you are having!
Krista says
Absolutely delicious and so beautiful, Faith! I love candy canes in bars like this. Now I can't wait to get home again to make some. :-)
Nicole, RD says
It's gorgeous! Very festive, and yep...looks easy peasy :) Merry Christmas, Faith!
Heavenly Housewife says
Oh it looks picture perfect. You know, not long ago I was in America and I saw this at Williams Sanoma, it was over $20 a box. Its so cool that you made it yourself!
*kisses* HH
Heather @ Get Healthy with Heather says
There are always so many left over candy canes! What a fun , pretty and tasty way to use them up! It is pretty gross how old canes taste the same as fresh candy canes.
Joanne says
I think that candy canes have so much sugar that they can never REALLY go bad. And I mean...you survived to adulthood! So they couldn't have messed with you too much lol.
This bark looks great. TO be fair, I'd rather eat this than a straight up candy cane.
Priya says
Pretty bark,soo gorgeous..
lequan says
Oh Faith, having my own kids now, I know kids don't have the same "picture/idea" of gross as adults do. I totally would've done the same thing when I was a kid. When it comes to candy, kids know no fear. Believe it or not, I've never had a peppermint bark. They look so pretty and sound super easy to make. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Anna Johnston says
I made these one year too, or similar ;) Love the sound of these too... I think I was probably like you Faith..., chomped into the old ones without a care. :)
Sanjeeta kk says
Lovely color and texture for the barks!
Maria @ Scandifoodie says
This is such a perfect holiday treat! They look so pretty!
Priyanka says
This peppermint barks looks lovely!
Veronica says
Great idea! I usually throw them away--this is a great alternative.
Cara says
Love this!
It looks so festive...
and who says the treats need to stop just because Christmas is over?
Betty says
That would be so pretty on a cookie tray! No one eats the candy canes at my house now, so that's a perfect use for them. :)
Swathi says
Faith,
Peppermint bark looks delicious. Nice one.
BeadedTail says
I love Peppermint Bark and I sure didn't know it was so easy to make. Thanks for another tasty recipe!
Beth says
I was disappointed with the way my bark turned out -- yours looks much better! What a great way to use up those "fresh" candy canes.
Evelyne@CheapEthnicEatz says
Love the brown and with choco layers! For me the candy canes are from childhood, sorry to say not one candy cane has crossed my path this season.
Katerina says
I ate so much this Christmas, I would need days to recover. These cookies look so colorful and festive I wouldn't be able to resist, even after all this eating.
Victoria says
I can't believe how easy this recipe is! It looks gorgeous and so festive!! Merry Christmas, Faith :)
Rosa says
Those are so pretty!
I hope you had a great Xmas day!
Cheers,
Rosa
Dana says
I don't like mint and chocolate together, but I bet this would be good with the fruity flavored candy canes, too!
Carol says
The bark looks great! What a great idea for leftover candy! LOL, at the old ones!