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How to Make Grinch Peppermint Bark

Grinch lovers, this Who-licious candy is for you! This chocolate Grinch Peppermint Bark pays homage to the Grinch with its green color and red hearts. It is easy to make and can be hardened quickly in the refrigerator.

Double Chocolate Grinch Peppermint Bark

This recipe for Grinch Peppermint Bark was inspired by two peppermint truffles. The first was a peppermint dark chocolate with chocolate cookie crumbles. The second was a white chocolate peppermint truffle with peppermint dust. Both flavors make up this Grinch bark and have a sprinkling of crushed peppermint candy and red candy hearts on top.

Grinch Peppermint Bark

Dye It Green for Grinch Peppermint Bark

This bark’s green color comes from food coloring; however, you can skip the green and leave the top layer white. You can also use green melting wafers to get the green color. Either way, this bark has crunchy candy and cookies in every bite!

Grinch Peppermint Bark

Layering the Chocolates for Grinch Peppermint Bark

This bark is made by layering two melted chocolates. Use a microwave to make it an easy and quick task. To melt the dark chocolate and the first layer, use high power and heat for 30 seconds. Stir, and repeat until the chocolate is fully melted. Be careful not to overheat the chocolate, or it can seize, which might cause it to harden. Add crushed dark chocolate cookies and peppermint essential oil. Spread the chocolate into a rectangle on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper. Then, chill it until it hardens.

Grinch Peppermint Bark
Grinch Peppermint Bark

Peppermint Extract vs. Essential Oil

You can use peppermint extract or peppermint essential oil for this recipe; however, they differ in strength and liquid properties. Peppermint oil is more concentrated than extract. One teaspoon of extract is equal to 1/4 teaspoon of essential oil.

Peppermint extract can be oil and water (alcohol), whereas pure essential oil usually has no water. The water in an extract can seize chocolate, making it lumpy and hardened, so add cooking oil to the unmelted chocolate, as stated in the recipe. This helps prevent chocolate from seizing when the extract is added. If you use essential oil instead of extract, it will not harden the chocolate. 

Can I Fix Seized Chocolate?

If you heat the chocolate too long, it might seize. This means that it becomes hard, lumpy, and grainy. Sometimes, you can fix seized chocolate by adding a small amount of flavorless cooking oil and stirring until the chocolate becomes smooth and creamy. This is not a foolproof fix, but it can work if the chocolate is not too hard. Note that the oil can change the flavor of the chocolate, so be sure to use a flavorless oil such as corn or sunflower oil.

Grinch Peppermint Bark

Crushed Peppermint Hard Candy

For speed and ease, purchase and use pre-crushed peppermint hard candy for this bark. Or make your own by crushing hard peppermint candies. Place candy into a food processor and chop it on high until it is a smooth dust. Another way to pulverize the candy is to place it into a resealable freezer bag, squeeze out the air, and seal it. Then, use a rolling pin to roll over the candy until it crumbs.

Grinch Peppermint Bark

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Grinch Peppermint Bark

How to Make Grinch Peppermint Bark

White and dark chocolate bark with crushed cookies and peppermint candy
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 6 minutes
Chilling Time 1 hour
Total Time 1 hour 21 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American
Servings 25
Calories 163 kcal

Equipment

  • parchment paper
  • cookie sheet

Ingredients
  

Dark Chocolate Layer
  • 1 ½ cups semisweet chocolate chips
  • 2 teaspoons vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon peppermint extract
  • 4 Oreo cookies, crushed into small pieces
White Chocolate Layer
  • 2 cups white chocolate chips
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 1 ½ teaspoons peppermint extract
  • 2 tablespoons plus extra hard peppermint candy or candy canes, finely crushed
  • green food coloring gel (optional)
  • yellow food coloring gel (optional)
  • red candy heart sprinkles

Instructions
 

Dark Chocolate Layer
  • Place a sheet of parchment paper on a cookie sheet and set aside.
  • Place the semi-sweet chocolate and vegetable oil into a microwavable bowl. Heat on high for 30-second intervals. Stir after each interval until the chocolate is melted. Chocolate usually melts within 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Once melted, add 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract and the crushed cookies and stir. Pour the chocolate mixture onto the parchment paper and spread out into a thin rectangular layer. Let cool in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes.
White Chocolate Layer
  • Place the white chocolate chips in a clean, microwavable bowl. Add the cooking oil. Heat on high for 30-second intervals in the microwave, stirring after each interval until the chocolate is melted. Add several drops of green food coloring gel and 1 or 2 drops of yellow gel. Add coloring and stir well until the desired color is achieved.
  • When the chocolate is melted and any food coloring mixed in, add the peppermint extract and 2 tablespoons of finely crushed peppermint. Stir. Pour over the chilled dark chocolate layer and spread thin to cover all the dark chocolate. You will have to work quickly because the chilled dark chocolate will cool the white chocolate quickly.
  • Add peppermint dust and candy hearts to the top of the white chocolate layer. Lightly press with the bottom of a greased glass to set them. Chill for 30 minutes or until hardened. Then, break it into small pieces. To make rectangle shapes, score pieces with a large knife and press down hard on the scores to cut through the bark.

Notes

Double Boiler

You can use a double boiler (instead of a microwave) to melt the chocolate if you prefer that method. If using a double boiler, add chocolate and vegetable oil for melting. Remove from the heat before adding the other ingredients.

Food Coloring

Food coloring is optional. If omitted, this candy will taste the same with or without the coloring.

Essential Oil

Substitute 1/4 teaspoon of food-grade essential oil for 1 teaspoon of peppermint extract.

Candy Heart Sprinkles

You can find candy hearts at baking supply stores, grocery stores, and craft stores with baking sections. You can also purchase them online.

Servings

This recipe makes about (25) 2×3 squares.

Nutrition

Calories: 163kcalCarbohydrates: 17gProtein: 2gFat: 10gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gTrans Fat: 0.02gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 22mgPotassium: 108mgFiber: 1gSugar: 14gVitamin A: 10IUVitamin C: 0.1mgCalcium: 36mgIron: 1mg
Keyword Candy Recipe, Grinch Food, peppermint bark, Peppermint Candy
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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