Treat #4

Nope, today's post is not a cookie but it is just as good if not better than a cookie.  And to think I made it well into my adult life before I had ever tried it.  It=Peppermint Bark.  Just a couple years ago my SIL introduced me to Peppermint Bark and I was HOOKED.  But not just ANY peppermint bark.  William-Sonoma Peppermint Bark.  OH YES...there is a difference.  However, I think I've said (repeatedly) that I am cheap and sometimes (like in the above link) they're sold out.  But  mostly I'm cheap.  So I did what everyone does.  HELLO Bing.  And when you put in the above words WITH recipe, well, one pops up.  A recipe that is.  So, I tried it and Ba-da BING!  Perfection.

Peppermint Bark
12 oz chocolate chips (fairly good quality...best to use semi-sweet)
12 oz white chocolate  (look at pkg and make sure it has cocoa in it, I could only find Ghiradelli bars, the others were only vanilla chips.  So I used 3- 4 oz bars)
1/2 tsp peppermint extract
1/2 cup crushed peppermint candies (I use candy canes, smashed with a mallet)

 Line a 9x13 pan with foil and spray.  Spread semi sweet chocolate chips over foil

and place in a 250 degree oven for 5 minutes til chocolate is melted.  Smooth with an offset spatula and cool until firm (about 20 min or so in fridge). 

 

Melt white chocolate  in a double boiler or in a metal bowl over simmering water (don’t let bottom of bowl touch water), until chocolate is almost melted. You can use your microwave for this if you’re brave but be CAREFUL or your chocolate will seize!

Remove bowl from water and stir until completely melted, stirring in extract. Let cool a little bit so it doesn’t melt the chocolate layer when you pour it on top. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover.

Sprinkle with crushed candy.

When it's all done, you will want to hide it.  Because EVERYONE will want a piece and it'll be gone before you can say "Bob's your uncle" (by the way, he is).  Might as well hit William-Sonoma and buy it.  OR you hide it.  The choice is yours.  Choose wisely Grasshopper.