Easy Microwave Peppermint Bark Recipe for Holiday Sweets

Looking to make a festive holiday sweet treat, but you’re pressed for time? What if I told you this easy microwave peppermint bark could be ready in under an hour, with less than 10 minutes of active cooking time? Plus, you can use up leftover candy canes!

closeup of peppermint bark pieces on a plate laying on top of each other with broken mini candy cane pieces

Why You Need This Recipe

Let’s face it – the holidays are busy. I’m all about trying to make life a little easier but still share the love with friends and family. Instead of spending time making dozens of cookies, I turn to this easy peppermint bark recipe instead.

The classic duo of mint and chocolate is iconic for a reason! This sweet bark with the crunchy peppermint bits on top looks dazzling, tastes great, and takes so little time and effort to throw together.

easy homemade peppermint bark made in your microwave

In fact, you’ll still have plenty of time left to reward yourself with a glass of festive microwave mulled wine or even a delightful peppermint bark mimosa for a job well done!

If you don’t like peppermint, check out my Microwave Toffee recipe instead!

What Ingredients You’ll Need

ingredients to make peppermint bark including white and dark chocolate chips, peppermint extract, and candy canes
  • 11-ounce bag white chocolate chips
  • 12-ounce bag semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ tsp peppermint extract (optional)
  • 6 large candy canes

Ingredient Substitutions and Variations

  • If you prefer, the semi-sweet chocolate chips may be substituted by an equivalent amount of milk or dark chocolate instead
  • To make white chocolate peppermint bark, omit the semi-sweet chocolate and double the white chocolate chips
  • You may substitute about 18-20 mini candy canes or a bag of peppermint hard candies for the large candy canes if needed
  • Feel free to make other flavors of bark outside of the holiday season!  No reason to let those cherry candy canes go to waste
  • The peppermint extract may be omitted if desired, but I highly prefer having some mint flavor in the chocolate itself (instead of just on top)

How to Make Microwave Peppermint Bark

  1. Line a baking sheet, large rectangular casserole dish, or other similar vessel with parchment paper, wax paper, or nonstick foil
line a baking sheet with parchment paper
  1. Pour the whole bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl
pour a bag of semi sweet chocolate chips into a bowl
  1. Cook on high for 1 minute and stir. Then, cook in additional 30-second increments, stirring in between until chocolate is entirely melted and smooth
picture cut in half with chocolate chips beginning to melt on top and smoothe melted chocolate on the bottom
  1. Stir in ½ tsp peppermint extract, mixing thoroughly
add peppermint extract to melted chocolate chips
  1. Pour the melted chocolate into your lined pan, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to smooth it into a relatively even layer
pour melted chocolate into parchment lined pan
  1. Place the pan into the refrigerator or freezer for about 20 minutes to cool
  2. While your first layer is cooling, place the unwrapped candy canes into a Ziploc bag
place candy canes inside a ziploc bag
  1. Crush the candy canes using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or an empty wine bottle (irregularly shaped pieces are good)
crush candy canes into small pieces
  1. Now, pour the white chocolate chips into a microwave safe dish. Cook on high for 1 minute, and repeat the process of cooking for 30 seconds and stirring until smooth
picture cut in half with white chocolate chips beginning to melt on top and smoothe melted white chocolate on the bottom
  1. Remove the first chocolate layer from the freezer, and carefully pour the melted white chocolate over top of it
pour white chocolate over the cooled milk chocolate layer
  1. Sprinkle the candy cane pieces over top of the white chocolate layer, and gently push them down so they adhere to the chocolate
add crushed peppermint candy canes on top of white chocolate
  1. Return the pan to the refrigerator freezer for another 30 minutes, or until chocolate is firm
  2. Pull the bark out of the pan using the parchment paper
return pan with chocolates and candy canes to the fridge to cool
  1. Break into pieces using your hands, a mallet, or even a sharp knife
overhead view of peppermint bark broken into pieces with whole candy canes in the top left corner

What Can You Make With Peppermint Bark?

  • Homemade ice cream mix in
  • Ice cream topping
  • S’mores (in place of regular chocolate)
  • Cocktails
  • Hot chocolate
  • Cookies
  • Brownies
  • Cracker toffee
  • Dipped Pretzels
  • Snack mix

If you get tired of eating peppermint bark as-is, there are a variety of dishes you can make with it!

Recipe FAQs

Does Peppermint Bark Have Caffeine?

No, peppermint bark does not have caffeine.

If you want your version to, you’ll need to specifically select chocolate that has caffeine in it for the base.

How Do You Keep Peppermint Bark Layers From Separating?

You keep peppermint bark layers from separating by pouring the top layer before the bottom has set completely.

Of course, you want it slightly cooled, but still soft enough that it grips the second layer of chocolate. If you’re having trouble with it, you can always gently score the base layer before pouring the top on for additional holding power.

How Do You Store Homemade Peppermint Bark?

Store homemade peppermint bark in an airtight container, like a Tupperware, Ziploc, or a cookie jar.

It is best kept away from heat so that it doesn’t melt. That can include heat from light, so storage in a pantry or other dark area is ideal.

How Do You Break Peppermint Bark?

You break peppermint bark with your hands, a mallet or hammer, or by using a sharp knife.

Using a sharp knife will give you clean edges, if presentation is important to you. The other methods will net more jagged edges and uneven pieces.

If you break it by hand, make sure to use your parchment or wax paper as a barrier so that the chocolate doesn’t begin to melt from the heat of your hands.

Expert Recipe Tips

  • You don’t have to spread the bark all the way to the edges of your pan. The imperfections are what add character!
  • If your chocolate begins to seize, add 1 Tbsp coconut oil or shortening and heat it for 30 seconds to help smooth it again
  • Add your bark pieces to a tin or a cello bag for gifting!
  • Peppermint bark keeps well in an airtight container for about 2 weeks.  Extend it to 3 by storing in the fridge
  • This recipe doubles (or triples) well if you want to make large batches to give as gifts
plate of peppermint bark with mini candy canes surrounding the plate

More Microwave Sweet Treats

Final Thoughts

Put down the double boiler and back away from the cookie dough. This microwave peppermint bark recipe makes a delicious holiday treat with way less time and effort.

Whether you’re enjoying it yourself or giving it as a gift to family and friends, you’ll have an impressive, beautiful sweet that looks like you put in a lot of effort. Don’t worry, your secret is safe with me!

Now put your feet up and enjoy a cup of coffee in the microwave before you tackle the rest of that holiday to-do like baking up some festive air fryer gingerbread cookies.

how to make peppermint bark in the microwave dinners done quick featured image

Easy Microwave Peppermint Bark Candy Recipe

Make a festive and delicious holiday treat even easier with your microwave. This peppermint bark candy is a great way to use up leftover candy canes as well!
5 from 1 vote
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 3 minutes
Cooling Time 50 minutes
Total Time 58 minutes
Course Dessert
Cuisine American
Servings 10
Calories 396 kcal

Equipment

  • Microwave
  • Bowl or large measuring cup safe for microwave use
  • Baking sheet, large rectangular casserole dish or similar
  • Parchment paper, wax paper, or nonstick foil
  • Spoon or spatula
  • Rolling pin, meat mallet, or similar

Ingredients
  

  • 11 ounce Bag white chocolate chips
  • 12 ounce Bag semi sweet chocolate chips
  • ½ tsp Peppermint extract
  • 6 large Candy canes (peppermint flavored)

Instructions
 

  • Line a baking sheet with wax paper (or similar)
  • Pour the whole bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips into a microwave-safe bowl
    12 ounce Bag semi sweet chocolate chips
  • Cook on high for 1 minute and stir. Then, cook in additional 30-second increments, stirring in between until chocolate is entirely melted and smooth (about 2 minutes total in 1000W microwave)
  • Stir in ½ tsp peppermint extract, mixing thoroughly
    ½ tsp Peppermint extract
  • Pour the melted chocolate into your lined pan, using a spatula or the back of a spoon to distribute it (it doesn’t need to touch the edges)
  • Place the pan into the refrigerator or freezer for about 20 minutes to cool
  • While your first layer is cooling, place unwrapped candy canes into a Ziploc bag
    6 large Candy canes
  • Crush the candy canes using the flat side of a mallet
  • Now, pour the white chocolate chips into a microwave safe dish.  Cook on high for 1 minute, and repeat the process of cooking for 30 seconds and stirring until smooth (about 1 ½ minutes total in a 1000W microwave)
    11 ounce Bag white chocolate chips
  • Remove the first chocolate layer from the fridge, and pour the melted white chocolate over top of it
  • Sprinkle the candy cane pieces over top of the white chocolate layer, and gently push them down so they adhere to the chocolate
  • Return the pan to the refrigerator freezer for another 30 minutes, or until chocolate is firm
  • Pull the bark out of the pan using the wax or parchment paper
  • Break into pieces using your hands, a mallet, or even a sharp knife

Notes

  • If you prefer, the semi-sweet chocolate chips may be substituted by an equivalent amount of milk or dark chocolate instead
  • To make white chocolate peppermint bark, omit the semi-sweet chocolate and double the white chocolate chips (then you only need to pour and cool once)
  • You may substitute 18-20 mini candy canes or a bag of peppermint hard candies for the large candy canes if needed
  • If your chocolate begins to seize, add 1 Tbsp coconut oil or shortening and heat it for 30 seconds to help smooth it again (but it shouldn’t be an issue generally)
  • Score the bottom layer of chocolate with a knife before pouring the top layer if you’re having trouble with the layers separating
  • Peppermint bark keeps well in an airtight container for about 2 weeks.  Extend it to 3 by storing in the fridge
  • This recipe doubles (or triples) well if you want to make large batches to give as gifts – a tin or cello bag is perfect for wrapping it up
  • Exact nutritional values will vary based on brand of ingredients and quantity consumed, so please consider this a guideline only

Nutrition

Serving: 85gCalories: 396kcalCarbohydrates: 61.4gProtein: 2.2gFat: 17.3gSaturated Fat: 10.8gCholesterol: 7mgSodium: 79mgPotassium: 98mgFiber: 1gSugar: 48.1gCalcium: 68mg
Keyword chocolate peppermint bark, easy peppermint bark recipe, holiday sweets, microwave peppermint bark, microwave peppermint bark candy recipe, peppermint bark, peppermint bark recipe microwave, white peppermint bark recipe microwave
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Katie Vine