Every December, since Jeff and I married in 2009, we’ve helped (and by “helped”, I mean bought the ingredients) the kids make a bunch of fun sweet treats to give as gifts to their friends the last week of school before Christmas break. With three such Christmas candy-making seasons under our belts, this has indeed become a treasured family tradition for our new family. The kids look forward to it as soon as Thanksgiving passes by, and Jeff and I look forward to the kids’ excitement when Christmas Treats Weekend rolls around.
The first Christmas that Jeff and I were dating, we took his kids (now our kids) to my parents’ house for my family’s big annual feast. The kids sampled my mom’s peppermint bark there and specifically asked to make it that first Christmas Treats Weekend after Jeff and I married. Peppermint bark is so easy and quick, and since we heat our white chocolate in the microwave instead of over a flame, it’s super kid-friendly. The kids don’t even need our help anymore.
So, if you’re looking for an easy last minute gift, or you simply want some inspiration for something that your kids can make together on Christmas Eve or Christmas day, give our peppermint bark a try!
- 60 miniature candy canes
- 24 ounces almond bark (or white chocolate)
- Place the candy canes in a large ziplock bag and seal shut. Then place the bag between two kitchen towels, and use the blunt end of a meat tenderizer mallet (or hammer) to pound the candy canes until the biggest pieces are no bigger than ¼ inch large chunks (it’s easy to overdue it and turn the candy into powder). You can also use a food processor to pulverize the candy canes into chunks, but then your kids (and husbands) would miss out on the fun of pounding away on the candy.
- Microwave 1 package of bark in a medium size microwave-safe bowl for 30 seconds and stir. Repeat at 15 second intervals until melted and smooth.
- Toss the candy cane chunks into the melted almond bark and mix well.
- Pour the mixture on to a table, counter or cookie sheets lined with was paper, and spread to an even layer.
- Allow them to sit until hardened and dry.
- When completely hard, break into bite size pieces.
I am going to fix this at Christmas. It looks like a very pretty and easy candy.
It is really easy, and even a young kid (especially a boy!) will enjoy pounding the candy canes.