Layered Peppermint Bark Recipe 475

Steps:

• Place the candy canes in a ziptop plastic bag. Using a meat mallet or rolling pin, crush the canes, leaving a few larger pieces. Pour into a small bowl and set aside. Very lightly spray or butter a 13x9 shallow rimmed baking sheet. (Lightly wipe away any excess with a paper towel.) Set aside. Melt the semisweet chips with 1 teaspoon oil in a heavy 1-qt. non-stick saucepan over medium-low/medium heat, stirring constantly until just barely melted and smooth. Remove from heat and stir in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract. Immediately pour it into the prepared pan, spreading out evenly. Refrigerate or put in the freezer while you melt the white chips. I washed and used the same saucepan to melt the white chips in the same manner as above (with 1 teaspoon oil until barely melted and smooth; then removed from heat and stirred in 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract). Very quickly, pour the warm white mixture over the chocolate layer in the pan, spreading evenly and being careful to not disturb the bottom layer. Sprinkle top immediately with the crushed candy, pressing it lightly into the white chocolate. Place in the refrigerator or freezer until hardened. Twist the pan slightly to unset the bottom. Using a sharp knife tip along one edge of the bark, lift the whole sheet of bark out of the pan then break into uneven pieces. Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

Steps:

• Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12 x 9-inch rectangle on foil. Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water. Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.
• Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes. Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.
• Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F. Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.
• Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges. Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles. (Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container.) Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.