Peppermint Bark

One of my favorite things to make for holiday parties and gifts is peppermint bark. It's super easy--only takes about 20 minutes to prepare--and is absolutely gorgeous to put into little cellophane bags with festive ribbons or into a gift basket.

Here's the recipe I use:

1 large block of Trader Joe's chocolate (22 oz)

2 bags white chocolate chips

20 drops of Peppermint Extract, available at Whole Foods

6 crushed candycanes

Boil water in a large pasta pot. Sit an aluminum bowl on top, and place the milk chocolate bar, broken into pieces, inside. Melt the chocolate, stirring frequently. Add in 10 drops of peppermint oil. Once all the chocolate is melted, spread onto a rimmed baking sheet using a spatula. The sheet should be lined with either wax paper or aluminum foil creating an even layer.

Clean the bowl and proceed to do the same with the white chocolate chips, this time adding in 2/3 of the crushed candycanes. Once melted, carefully spread on top of the milk chocolate layer using a spatula. Sprinkle the remaining candy canes on top.

To create a marbled look, take a toothpick and drag it through the chocolate, pulling upwards to make the tail of the swirl. Let harden in the fridge for a few hours, then break into large pieces. Don't stress; Peppermint bark is meant to be in uneven pieces. Voila!