One of the easiest options to make Peppermint Bark Candy is to use white chocolate. You will need:
- 1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies
- 1 pound white chocolate or white bakers chips
Melt the chocolate or chips in a pan over water (a double boiler if you have one). Crush the peppermint candies finely by placing them in a plastic bag and using a rolling-pin or a hammer. The lowest of a can also works well. I would recommend doing this on a cutting board and not on the counter top. Stir the peppermint candy into the melted chocolate. Spread onto a greased cookie sheet and allow to cool. Break into pieces.
Peppermint Bark Fudge Candy
You will need:
- 3 cups granulated sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon baking soda
- 1 cup evaporated milk
- 3/4 cup light corn syrup
- 2 tablespoons butter
- 2 cups crushed peppermint candies
In a saucepan over medium heat consolidate the sugar, salt, baking soda, milk and corn syrup. Cook over medium heat until the combination comes to a boil, stirring constantly. Continue to stir and cook until the combination reaches the soft ball stage, 236 degrees F on a candy thermometer. Take off from heat. Let cool 5 minutes. Stir in the butter and peppermint. Beat by hand until the candy thickens and begins to look cloudy. Quickly drop by spoonfuls onto wax or parchment paper or well greased cookie sheets. Allow to cool. You could sprinkle added chopped candies over the tops if you wish.
For a lighter, melt in your mouth version try Peppermint Meringue Bites. For these delicate treats you will need:
- 2 egg whites
- 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar (helps stabilize the egg whites)
- 3/4 cup of sugar
- 1/8 teaspoon of vanilla extract
- 1 cup crushed peppermint candies or candy canes (red are peppermint and green are ordinarily spearmint)
- 2 to 6 drops of green or red food coloring (this is optional).
I mix up 2 batches for the holidays, one red and one green. They look as great on a cookie platter as they taste. But beware, you may be making these approximately daily. They are that good.
Lightly grease baking sheets, or line with parchment paper and set aside.
In a large bowl, beat egg whites and cream of tartar until soft peaks form.
Slowly add sugar and continue beating until the egg whites are stiff. This can take up to about 7 minutes, depending on your mixer. Alternately you can do this by hand with a whisk. Moderately fold in the peppermint candies.
Folding is done by taking the spoon or preferably a spatula and plunging it into the egg whites. You then pull back up straight through the combination and fold the mix from the lowest over the top.
Do this Moderately so as not to break down the egg whites you have beaten so successfully.
Drop the combination onto the ready baking sheets to form small mounds. Bake for 30 - 35 minutes at 350 degrees until dry to the touch. Cool and store in air tight containers.
Any of these recipes will give you an spirited increasing to your Christmas dessert tables or cookie trays. Try them all. Each version will petition to distinct guests because of the distinction in textures and hardness. Remember, taking the itsybitsy bit of time required to make these and other homemade treats tells your house and friends just how much you care. Enjoy.
Christmas Recipes - How to Make Peppermint Bark