Hot Chocolate Peppermint Bark

I wanted to create a festive bark that didn’t use white chocolate. I do like white chocolate but I feel like it can over power desserts like this sometimes. Try my hot chocolate peppermint bark and let me know what you think!

Ingredients:

• 1.5 cups of semi sweet chocolate chips

• 2 cups of cinnamon chips (I got mine in the meijer baking section)

• 1/2 cup of mini marshmallows

• 1/2-1/3 cup of crushed peppermint candy canes (it depends on how coated you want the top)

Directions:

1. I always start by prepping my toppings. Chocolate hardens quickly when you’re doing thinner layers, so you’ll want to work fast. Smash up the peppermint, using a plastic sandwich bag, a cutting board and a rolling pin. Then get your marshmallows ready. Next, grab a large cutting board and parchment paper. Add a layer of the parchment paper on top of the cutting board. This will be where you pour your chocolate. The cutting board will give you an easy way to transport it to the fridge for cooling.

2. Take your semi sweet chocolate chips and place them in a microwave safe bowl or glass measuring cup. Put this in the microwave for 30 seconds. When it’s finished, take it out and stir. Repeat this step until the chocolate is melted.

3. Pour the chocolate over the parchment paper and smooth it out to roughly a 9x13 shape. (Don’t make it too thin because it will break into too many pieces)

4. Place the cutting board and chocolate in the fridge to cool and harden. Once it’s hardened, you’ll move on to your next step.

5. Next, you’ll microwave your cinnamon chips the same way you did with the semi sweet chips. When this is melted, you’ll pour it over the hardened chocolate you’ve already spread out on your cutting board. Make the same shape… you’re just layering them at this point. Keep in mind, you want to keep it a good thickness so you can break it after it’s all hardened.

6. Now, QUICKLY add your toppings to the melted chocolate before it hardens. Once your toppings are added, place the cutting board back in the fridge. Let it sit for a few hours before breaking it up with your hands. I’ve found that using your hands is the best way to break up the bark when it’s cooled.

ENJOY!