Peppermint Candy Cane Bark Recipes

Steps:

• Line a 9-by-13-inch baking dish with aluminum foil, shiny-side up; smooth out any wrinkles. Heat 1 inch of water in a saucepan over low heat until steaming.
• Put all but 3/4 cup of the semisweet chocolate in a heatproof bowl. Set the bowl over the saucepan of steaming water (do not let the bowl touch the water) and stir until one-third of the chocolate is melted. Remove the bowl from the saucepan; keep the steaming water over low heat. Gradually stir the reserved 3/4 cup semisweet chocolate into the bowl, a few pieces at a time, until all of the chocolate is melted. Return the bowl to the saucepan, 5 to 10 seconds at a time, to help melt the chocolate, if needed. Do not rush this step: It may take up to 10 minutes to melt the chocolate.
• Wipe off any moisture from the bottom of the bowl. Stir 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract into the chocolate, then quickly pour into the prepared baking dish and spread in an even layer. Firmly tap the dish against the counter to remove any air bubbles. Set aside at room temperature until almost set, about 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, put all but 1 cup of the white chocolate in a large heatproof bowl and repeat the melting process over the steaming water; dry off the bottom of the bowl. Stir in the remaining 3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract; pour over the semisweet chocolate and spread in an even layer. Sprinkle immediately with the crushed candy canes, gently pressing them into the white chocolate. Set aside at room temperature until firm, about 1 hour. Lift the bark out of the pan using the foil and break it into pieces. Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.

Steps:

• Make the cake: Position racks in the middle and lower thirds of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Lightly butter three 8-inch-round cake pans and line the bottoms with parchment paper; butter the parchment and dust with flour, tapping out the excess. Sift the flour, baking powder and salt into a medium bowl. Combine the milk and the vanilla and peppermint extracts in a small bowl; set aside.
• Beat the butter in a large bowl with a mixer on medium speed until smooth, about 1 minute. Gradually beat in 1 cup sugar, then increase the mixer speed to high and continue beating until light and fluffy, about 5 minutes.
• Reduce the mixer speed to low and add the flour mixture in 3 additions, alternating with the milk mixture, beginning and ending with the flour mixture, until just combined. Scrape down the side of the bowl, then increase the mixer speed to medium and beat until smooth, about 5 more minutes.
• In a separate large bowl (using clean beaters), beat the egg whites with a mixer on high speed until foamy. Gradually add the remaining 1/2 cup sugar and continue beating until stiff, shiny peaks form, about 6 minutes. Using a rubber spatula, gently fold the whites into the batter in 3 additions until combined.
• Divide the batter evenly among the prepared pans. Bake, switching the position of the pans about halfway through, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean, about 20 minutes. Let the cakes cool 10 minutes in the pans, then run a knife around the edges and invert onto racks to cool completely. Peel off the parchment. (The cakes can be made up to 1 day ahead; wrap in plastic and store at room temperature.)
• Make the frosting: Fill a medium saucepan with 1 to 2 inches of water and bring to a simmer over medium-high heat. Combine the sugar, corn syrup, egg whites, 2 tablespoons water and the salt in a heatproof bowl and set over the saucepan (do not let the bowl touch the water). Whisk until the sugar dissolves and the mixture registers 165 degrees F on a candy thermometer, about 8 minutes. Remove the bowl from the pan and beat with a mixer on medium speed until soft peaks form, about 5 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to high and beat until fluffy and cool, about 4 more minutes. Add the vanilla and peppermint extracts and beat until combined, 1 more minute.
• Assemble the cake: Place 1 cake layer on a platter and spread 1 cup frosting on top; sprinkle with about 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with another cake layer, spread with 1 cup frosting and sprinkle with another 2 tablespoons crushed candy canes. Top with the final cake layer, then frost the top and side of the cake with the remaining frosting. Sprinkle more crushed candy canes on top.

Steps:

• Melt white chocolate either in a double boiler or in a bowl over a pot of boiling water.
• Stir in crushed candy cane and peppermint flavoring into melted white chocolate.
• Line a 11x17" baking pan with wax paper.
• Pour and spread chocolate mixture onto wax paper.
• Chill until firm and break into pieces.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.

Steps:

• Unwrap the candy canes and place in a freezer Zip-Loc bag then place it in another Zip-Loc bag.
• Using a hammer gently break up the candy canes into small pieces.
• Line an 11x17 baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• In a microwave safe bowl melt the dark wafers on low or defrost for 2 minutes then stir.
• Continue to melt on low in one minute increments stirring well until completely melted.
• Add 1/4 tsp + 1/8 tsp peppermint oil to melted chocolate stirring well.
• Pour onto foil lined baking sheet.
• Let sit for approximately 15 minutes.
• Do not refrigerate and do not let harden more than 15 minutes.
• While dark chocolate is hardening melt white wafers in the same manner as the dark chocolate.
• Add 1/2 tsp peppermint oil to melted wafers and crushed candy cane, stirring to mix well.
• Carefully pour over chocolate layer in pan distributing evenly.
• Very gently spread white layer evenly over chocolate layer.
• Let harden overnight or at least 4 hours then invert upside down to remove foil.
• Break into irregular pieces, not too small.
• If you try to break them into very small pieces the white tends to seperate from the dark.

Steps:

• Break candy canes into 2 or 3 pieces and place in a plastic bag and close top; smash with kitchen mallet to take out your frustrations and pulverize the candy.
• In a small bowl, melt chocolate in microwave oven with Medium-Low power, checking every 30 seconds or so; white chocolate burns easily even in the microwave so better safe than sorry.
• Cover a cookie sheet with wax paper.
• Stir candy cane crumbs into melted white chocolate and stir well to combine.
• Pour chocolate mixture onto wax paper, spreading thin with a spatula.
• Stash cookie sheet in fridge about an hour or until it hardens.
• Hold wax paper by one corner and start peeling it back, breaking off pieces of the bark; store pieces in airtight container in fridge.
• Keeps well.

Steps:

• Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller.
• Break up the almond bark into pieces and melt in a double boiler.
• Combine candy cane chunks and peppermint oil to almond bark.
• Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with wax paper and spread out evenly.
• Place in refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm.
• Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces.