Vanilla Peppermint Bark
Published Dec 19, 2024
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A Holiday Delight
The holiday season is all about sharing love, warmth, and sweet treats. Vanilla Peppermint Bark is the perfect indulgence to have on hand during this festive time. Whether you’re enjoying it with a cup of hot cocoa, serving it at a holiday gathering, or packaging it as a thoughtful homemade gift, this treat delivers the ultimate combination of creamy, minty, and chocolatey goodness.
A Perfect Gift from the Kitchen
Homemade gifts are extra special during the holidays, and this peppermint bark is a surefire way to spread cheer. Pack it in decorative tins or cellophane bags tied with festive ribbon—it’s a heartfelt gift that’s easy to make yet wonderfully elegant.
What You Need:
8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
8 ounces white chocolate bar (not chips)
1 tablespoon unsalted butter, divided
1 tablespoon Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste
1 cup crushed candy canes
Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste: A Game-Changer
One standout feature of this recipe is the addition of Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste to the white chocolate layer. The paste infuses the bark with a rich, warm vanilla flavor that elevates it from a simple treat to a gourmet delight. The tiny vanilla bean specks in the paste add visual appeal and depth of flavor, making every bite irresistible.
However, adding vanilla bean paste to melted white chocolate can sometimes cause the chocolate to seize up and become grainy. Don’t panic—there’s an easy fix! Stir in very hot water, a few drops at a time, until the chocolate becomes smooth and spreadable again. This small extra step is absolutely worth it for the unparalleled flavor the vanilla paste brings to the bark.
First do the semisweet chocolate layer and freeze until firm.
Add the white chocolate layer and crushed candy canes.
A Holiday Staple
This Vanilla Peppermint Bark is versatile, festive, and easy to make ahead. It keeps well in the refrigerator, so you’ll always have a delicious treat ready to share. The layers of semisweet and white chocolate, combined with the crunch of crushed candy canes, create a holiday classic you’ll want to make year after year.
Celebrate the season with this delightful treat that’s as much fun to make as it is to eat. Vanilla Peppermint Bark isn’t just a dessert—it’s a little piece of holiday magic!
From all of us here at Gluten Free & More, we wish you the very happiest of holidays!
Vanilla Peppermint Bark
Ingredients
- 8 ounces semisweet chocolate chips
- 8 ounces white chocolate bar, (not chips)
- 1 tablespoon unsalted butter, , divided
- 1 tablespoon Singing Dog Vanilla Bean Paste
- 1 cup crushed candy canes
Instructions
- Line an 8 by 8-inch square baking pan with parchment paper, making sure it comes up the sides of the pan.
- In a double boiler, melt the chocolate chips with ½ tablespoon of butter. Pour into the prepared pan, make sure it is in an even layer, and put in the freezer for 15 minutes or until completely firm.
- Melt the white chocolate in a double boiler with the remaining ½ tablespoon butter and vanilla bean paste. If it seizes up (starts to get solidified) add very hot water, a little at a time, stirring until it is the right consistency. Quickly spread over the chocolate layer evenly. Sprinkle on the candy cane pieces, gently pressing into the white chocolate layer. Return to the freezer for another 15 – 30 minutes.
- To serve, break or cut into pieces. Can be made 1 week ahead and stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
