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12 Days of Edible Gifts: Peppermint Bark

partysugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 16:15:50 -0800

Every year during the holiday season, I enjoy making a plethora of cookies, candies, and nibbles to share with my family, friends, and co-workers. With the recession, this holiday, more than ever, edible gifts are incredibly important: They are special and heartfelt, but don't break the bank. Instead of splurging on cashmere sweaters and silky tops, YumSugar and I are encouraging you to give your loved ones something decadent, delicious, and homemade. For the next 12 days we'll be highlighting our favorite recipes for edible gifts. From sweet treats to savory snacks, we've got the perfect recipe for you. To kick off the series, I made the popular Christmas classic, peppermint bark. For being such a crowd pleaser, this minty chocolate indulgence is fairly simple to make. No thermometers or fancy tools are required and within a couple of hours you'll be munching on a holiday favorite. To get the recipe, read more.

Peppermint Bark
From Bon Appétit

Ingredients

17 ounces good-quality white chocolate (such as Lindt or Baker's), finely chopped
30 red-and-white-striped hard peppermint candies, coarsely crushed (about 6 ounces)
7 ounces bittersweet (not unsweetened) or semisweet chocolate, chopped
6 tablespoons whipping cream
3/4 teaspoon peppermint extract

Directions

Turn large baking sheet bottom side up. Cover securely with foil. Mark 12-x-9-inch rectangle on foil.
Stir white chocolate in metal bowl set over saucepan of barely simmering water (do not allow bottom of bowl to touch water) until chocolate is melted and smooth and candy thermometer registers 110°F. (chocolate will feel warm to touch). Remove from over water.
Pour 2/3 cup melted white chocolate onto rectangle on foil. Using icing spatula, spread chocolate to fill rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup crushed peppermints. Chill until set, about 15 minutes.

Stir bittersweet chocolate, cream and peppermint extract in heavy medium saucepan over medium-low heat until just melted and smooth. Cool to barely lukewarm, about 5 minutes.
Pour bittersweet chocolate mixture in long lines over white chocolate rectangle. Using icing spatula, spread bittersweet chocolate in even layer. Refrigerate until very cold and firm, about 25 minutes.

Rewarm remaining white chocolate in bowl set over barely simmering water to 110°F.
Working quickly, pour white chocolate over firm bittersweet chocolate layer; spread to cover. Immediately sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermints. Chill just until firm, about 20 minutes.

Lift foil with bark onto work surface; trim edges.
Cut bark crosswise into 2-inch-wide strips. Using metal spatula, slide bark off foil and onto work surface. Cut each strip crosswise into 3 sections and each section diagonally into 2 triangles.

Makes 36 pieces of bark.

Make ahead: Can be made 2 weeks ahead. Chill in airtight container. Let stand 15 minutes at room temperature before serving.

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Would You Rather Get Peppermint Bark or Peanut Brittle?

partysugar — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 01:30:59 -0800

Source

Would You Rather Eat a Candy Cane or Peppermint Bark?

partysugar — Sun, 16 Dec 2007 04:28:31 -0800

Source and Source

Have You Ever Made Candy at Home?

YumSugar — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:45:32 -0800

After reviewing the new reference book A Field Guide to Candy, I found myself looking back on all the fun candies we've made, from candied orange peel to peanut brittle to peppermint bark. It left me wondering if you ever tried to make your own candy.

Peppermint Bark

partysugar — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 11:05:04 -0800

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Did You Receive a Kitchen Gift This Holiday?

YumSugar — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 09:15:23 -0800

This Christmas, did you find the KitchenAid attachment that you've been wanting under the tree? Or perhaps receive the edible gift of your dreams?

Before the holidays, my friend Daisy presented me with some scrumptious peppermint bark, and I was elated!

If you did get the gourmet gift of your dreams, I'd love to hear what you received in the comments below!

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Do You Know What's Cooking This Week?

YumSugar — Fri, 19 Dec 2008 14:30:52 -0800

With less than a week until Christmas, PartySugar and I were busy getting together our gifts for the holidays. The biggest issue? We thought our homemade peppermint bark, sweet and spicy pinenut brittle, and vanilla hot chocolate mix were so tasty it was hard not to keep everything for ourselves.

When we weren't cooking, we took time to reflect on the year: your favorites, our favorites, and the biggest food newsmakers of the year. Were you around to feel our year-end cheer? Find out when you take our quiz.

Take the quiz

Are You Making an Edible Gift This Holiday Season?

partysugar — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 06:45:42 -0800

For the past 10 days, YumSugar and I have been going all-out with the edible gifts. We've made everything from classic treats like peppermint bark and peanut brittle to savory delights like spicy cashews and chicken liver pate. We've got two more days left in the series, and I want to know, have we inspired you? Will you be making and giving edible gifts this year?

What's Yummy This Week - YumSugar Weekly Recap

YumSugar — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 09:30:25 -0800

Eyeing this peppermint bark? It's part of our 12 Days of Edible Gifts.
Take our quiz to find out if you really know your classic Christmas cookies.
We've got 13 tips for making a flaky, buttery pie crust.
What were the biggest food headlines of 2008?
Shop for your favorite foodies this season with the help of our holiday gift guides!
PartySugar briefs us on this week's Top Chef, and catches up with Danny.
We dish out our thoughts on the Trader Joe's Cookbook.

Come Party With Me: Secret Santa Soiree

YumSugar — Tue, 19 Dec 2006 00:05:56 -0800

When I was in high school my friends and I got together every year for a party we called 'Friend Christmas'. Instead of having to purchase gifts for all of the girlies in our circle we did a Secret Santa exchange. The sleepover was a highlight of the Christmas holidays, one full of gossip and cookies. This year I decided to get together the girls again for a grown up version of Friend Christmas - a light cocktail style party to start around 8:30 pm. To host this Secret Santa Soiree for you and your girlfriends, read more

Invites: Send out elegant and simple invites in Santa colors: bright red and snow white. In order to assign guests a secret Santa have them RSVP by a certain date. Once the RSVPs are in, make a list of your invitees and put their names into a hat. Have your roommate pull the names until each friend has a secret Santa. Double check to ensure that all secret Santas know one another, then personally call each girl to let them know who they're shopping for. If the party is like mine and will be with a group of friends who have known each other for several years, include the oldest group photo you have in the invitation's envelope. Its a nostalgic touch that's bound to have everyone smiling.

Menu: In most groups of girlfriends there are always a handful of vegetarians so make a meat free menu that's pleasing to all palates. A lack of meat doesn't translate to a lack of flavor so serve appetizers jam packed with taste. Small finger foods are totally female friendly. Begin with a crostini with an assortment of yummy toppings: baked apple and brie, winter squash, olive tapenade, and wild mushrooms. Plates of a variety of cookies (classic chocolate chip, chewy gingerbread, oatmeal scotchies) and white chocolate peppermint bark will tide over everyone's sweet tooth.

Decorations: If you have time (and the skills) make a festive red and white candy cane like table cloth. Choose a simple white cloth from your local fabric store and sew red satin ribbon to create a peppermint swirl print. Don't know how to drive a sewing machine? Pick out some red velvet or satin material to create a runner down the middle of the white cloth. Place the cookies and toasts on silver serving platters and stylish arrange-buffet style- on your table. Vases of poinsettias and red and silver taper candles complete the look. Small silver plates and silver napkins that can be found at party stores save you from having to do the dishes after the party.

Music: I know I've said it before and I'll say it again: create a play list with your favorite holiday hits. Also have a mix of your latest favs on hand if you and the girls feel like dancing later in the night. You did it when you were fifteen at the sleepovers so why not have some music ready just in case? If you catch yourself getting overwhelmed with all of the details: delegate! Ask your music savvy girlfriend to create a play list for the party. When guests comment on the musical selection give her the credit for compiling such an amazing potpourri of songs.

Drinks: Offer one white wine, one red wine, and one light beer. My picks: 2005 Navarro Vineyards Mendocino Old Vine Cuvee Chenin Blanc, 2004 Fattoria di Basciano Chianti Rufina, and Heinken Light respectively. Offer one of the two dessert cocktails: Orange Jewel Martinis or Creme Brulee Martinis and make a big batch before the ladies arrive.