(she) mixes it with love and makes the world taste good

For whatever reason, December is the time when one can make buckets of candy and be loved and adored rather than chastised and snubbed.  Ok. maybe I have never been chastised or snubbed for making candy, but it seems so much more accepted this time of year.  My Christmas kitchen is always busy with cookies and candies of various shapes and sizes that make folks fall in love with me. Its not a bad gig, to tell you the truth. Should you choose to offer some of these treats to someone you adore, I have full confidence that you will achieve the same level of adoration.  Today, I begin with peppermint bark. There are few things I enjoy more than chocolate and peppermint.  (ok, I enjoy chocolate and most anything. so what.)  This easy peasy how-to will make you wonder why you haven't done this every year in Christmas Past.

 

Peppermint Bark

what you need: medium sized sauce pan, glass or ceramic bowl that will fit on the top of the sauce pan - or a double boiler, 1/2 sheet pan, wooden spoon or spatula, waxed or parchment paper

 

1 package white chocolate almond bark

1 1/2 Cup crushed peppermint candies (candy canes or discs)

2 squares milk chocolate almond bark

 

Place candy in a plastic bag and smash into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the white chocolate in the double boiler or sauce pan/bowl over medium high heat, stirring pretty often to keep the heat distributed nicely.  When the white chocolate is completely melted and fluid, mix in 1 Cup of the peppermint pieces.  Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper-make sure that you have some over-hang to lift the candy out of the pan later. Melt the 2 squares of milk chocolate in the microwave (only about 10 seconds at a time, stirring to check the melted-ness every time).  Distribute the remaining candy pieces across the freshly poured bark and drizzle the milk chocolate over the top.  Place this beautiful confection in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until completely cooled and firm.  As you remove the pieces, break them in to portions about 1 1/2 - 2 inches across - not overwhelmingly huge so that people feel terrible about eating 5 or 6 pieces.