Christmas Cookies Day 5 - Peppermint Bark

I  can't even tell you how many people commented on this last year when I gave out my gift baskets and asked if I would be making again this year. I actually got the idea last year after a shopping trip to Michaels. I saw several kits for making peppermint bark inside snow flakes, candy canes etc - and they were pricey. I thought, there really has to be a cheaper way of doing this -and there is! Thanks again Judith Hannemann for the photo.


Peppermint Bark

Ingredients
Wiltons Dark Chocolate Candy Melts
Wiltons Peppermint Burst Candy Melts
Crushed Candy Cane - this comes in a bag, but you could also use candy canes you crush yourself - 5 or 6 should do it.

Heat the chocolate melts in your microwave in a microwavable bowl on medium for about 30 seconds, stir and continue to heat in 30 second intervals, with stirring, until almost melted. Remove and stir until all is melted. Be careful you don't allow this to burn. If you are not sure how hot your microwave gets, then do 20 seconds each time - or adjust to what works best for your microwave. All microwaves are not the same!

Pout the melted chocolate into a 15x12 jelly roll pan and spread to the edges. While it is cooling, microwave the peppermint melts in the same manner as the chocolates. Making sure the first layer is at least set, pour the peppermint layer onto it and cover it completely.

Sprinkle the crushed candy canes across the top and set aside to cool and set.

When completely cooled, break apart for medium pieces of bark.

That's it - SO simple and SO tasty!

IF you want to be really clever, you can get a set of Christmas cookie cutters and place them over wax paper.. Take the melted chocolate and  put into a decorating bag and pipe into the molds. follow it with the peppermint and crushed candy canes.

Tip - when you are using decorating bags, instead of going crazy trying to handle the bag and getting the melted chocolate into it by yourself, take a glass from your cupboard and put the bag over it
then pour your melted chocolate in, take off cup and snip the bag!