The Artisan Peppermint Bark Recipe

Crunchy cookie crust, two layers of chocolate, and a crushed peppermint candy topping.

fun things to bake

Joanne Adirim

Founder & Executive Pastry Chef

DEC 17, 2022

For 25 years, Joanne has served as the Founder and Executive Pastry Chef at Hannahmax Baking. Known for her best in class reputation, Joanne and her baking company have crafted gourmet desserts for fine dining establishments, coffee cafes, hotels, & grocery companies across North America. In 2022, she launched the Cookie Chips® Baking Mix, a cookie mix that's shaking up home baking with its bakery quality results. In From The Pastry Kitchen, she shares her industry earned expertise with the home baking community.

A Holiday Favorite You'll Want to Share.
The history of peppermint bark is a sweet one. The classic holiday treat has been around for a long time, but it wasn't until the 1980s that it gained mainstream popularity. 

The original version of peppermint bark was created by a chocolatier in San Francisco. He combined rich dark chocolate, white chocolate, and crushed peppermint candy to create a layered, festive treat. 

Williams Sonoma popularized peppermint bark with their wildly successful "Original Peppermint Bark" tins, and keep their recipe behind lock and key. It supposedly takes Williams Sonoma more than 24 hours to make a batch of peppermint bark from start to finish.

Since then, the recipe has been adapted to include different ingredients and flavorings. As the years have gone by, peppermint bark has become a staple of the holiday season. Whether it's given as a gift, served at parties, or enjoyed by the family, it's sure to add a festive touch of minty flavor to any occasion. 

Making peppermint bark at home is super easy. Follow my recipe closely, or mix it up. Either way, you won't go wrong. See the recipe on Instagram.


Even if you don't have a sweet tooth, it's hard to resist the delicious combination of chocolate and peppermint. If you're looking for a classic holiday treat with a rich history, peppermint bark is sure to hit the spot.
The peppermint bark questions I get asked.

How to make peppermint bark?

Peppermint bark is one of the easiest holiday treats you can make. My take on the Williams Sonoma Original Peppermint Bark uses a layer of crunchy chocolate Cookie Chips®, then the chocolate and peppermint toppings. Although you'll read the official recipe below, here's a sneak peek of this easy to make holiday treat!

First, you'll make the cookie dough. You can add a teaspoon of peppermint oil to the mix. Then roll it between two sheets of parchment paper as thin as possible. Place it on a sheet pan and bake it at 325 F until it’s dark brown. Then, melt the dark chocolate in a microwave or in a double boiler and spread it out on top of the cookie. Freeze this to set. Melt the white chocolate, add a touch of peppermint oil and pour it over the dark chocolate. Last, sprinkle the peppermint candy over the top, pop it in the freezer again and let it set. Once it's set, break it into pieces and enjoy!

Who makes Williams Sonoma peppermint bark?

The Williams Sonoma peppermint bark recipe is top secret. What we do know is that Williams Sonoma spends 3 months out of the year preparing for the holiday rush. During that time, they'll use 1 million pounds of Guittard chocolate and 65,000 pounds of peppermint bits. It took Williams Sonoma 20 attempts at the peppermint bark before they landed on their classic recipe.

Is Ghirardelli peppermint bark gluten free?

How can I fix peppermint bark when it separates?

My peppermint bark recipe is the best for this. The crunchy cookie layer helps prevent the chocolate layers from separating. Even still, a few tips to keep your peppermint bark from separating would be to let your chocolate layers cool before cutting into. Better yet, let cool then put it in the freezer to fully set. When you're ready to serve, let the bark come to room temperature before cutting into.

How to cut peppermint bark?

I love when peppermint bark shatters. It's a beautiful way to plate this seasonal treat at a party, or in your gift bags. If you still want perfectly cut bark, try scoring the freshly made bark when your chocolate is still warm. Scoring will really help you cut perfect cuts of your peppermint bark. 
easy pumpkin pie filling with puree

This peppermint bark recipe uses crushed candy canes for the topping. My favorite peppermint candy is Atkinson's Mint Twists crushed peppermint candy.

Crunchy Cookie Peppermint Bark

Cookie Chips® holiday peppermint bark is the delicious treat to make during the festive season. For those who have had the classic Williams Sonoma Peppermint Bark Recipe, my peppermint bark kicks it up a notch. It's quick and easy to make, and sure to please your holiday crowd. Share it at the gathering, or munch on it at home!


To make this holiday bark, you'll need a few basic ingredients. My chocolate chip cookie mix, melted dark chocolate, white chocolate, crushed peppermint candy, and a touch of pure peppermint oil. With its rich and creamy flavor, your peppermint cookie chip bark is sure to be a hit this season. Let’s Get Baking!

The Peppermint Bark Recipe

chocolate peppermint bark recipe

This easy recipe makes peppermint bark that's super photogenic. Don't worry if your bark shatters, this holiday treats looks good anyway you serve it.

ghiradelli peppermint bark recipe

This holiday recipe is easy to make your own. Follow my instructions or do your thing. You can't go wrong!

peppermint bark recipe williams sonoma

How to make peppermint bark with two artisan chocolates and one delicious cookie crust. Top it with your favorite crushed peppermint candy.

Peppermint Bark Ingredients

• Cookie Chips® - Chocolate Chip, 1 bag, (or any flavor of Cookie Chips®).

• Unsalted butter, room temperature - 4 oz.

• 1 Large egg.

• Dark chocolate - 1 lb.

• White chocolate - 1 lb.

• Peppermint oil

• Crushed peppermint candy

dark chocolate peppermint bark

There are all kinds of chocolates and peppermint candies to choose from for your own peppermint bark ingredients, but I cannot recommend Valrhona chocolate enough! It's rich, creamy, and ultra decadent.

To Make

1. Make cookie dough according to bag instructions with butter and egg. Add 1 tsp of peppermint oil to the dough when blending in the egg.

 

2. Scoop prepared dough and place on a sheet of parchment paper. Top with a 2nd sheet of parchment and roll the dough the size of a ½ sheet pan. Making the dough as thin as possible. Refrigerate for 15 minutes until firm.


3. Remove the top parchment paper and place the dough on a sheet pan.


4. Preheat the oven to 325 F. Bake for approx 12-15 minutes. You want the cookie to be dark brown. Don’t worry about the color. It will be covered by chocolate.


5. Remove cookie sheet from the oven and cool.


6. In a microwave safe bowl or over a double boiler, melt dark chocolate and white chocolate in separate bowls. You can add 1 tsp of peppermint oil to the white chocolate.


7. Pour melted dark chocolate over the cookie sheet and spread it to the edges. Refrigerate to set.


8. Pour white chocolate over the dark chocolate and spread evenly over the top.


9. Sprinkle crushed peppermint candy over the entire surface of the cookie bark. Refrigerate to set.


10. Break the cookie into shards and enjoy!


*The cookie peppermint bark may be crispy on the edges with a softer chew in the middle.

Crispy crunchy cookies in 15 minutes.

Make bakery quality, thin & crispy cookies in 15 minutes. These pastry chef crafted, easy bake Cookie Chips® are so delicious.


Like everything that I bake, this mix uses artisan, non GMO, simple ingredients, and no artificial junk.


Let's get baking!

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Joanne Adirim, Founder & Executive Pastry Chef

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