The Christmas season is definitely my favorite time of year. It's the perfect time for baking, for treat making, etc.
This year we're gifting a few treats, so I've been making a few things here and there. This particular holiday treat is simple to make and only involves a few steps. It's also very versatile because there are so many ways you could make it.
Sweet Creations is the newest line of baking accessories from Good Cook. Their holiday Brittle and Bark Mold can be used to make so many different kinds of bark candy; it actually comes with a recipe for Peppermint Bark. This non-stick silicone mold has raised words that mold themselves into the chocolate candy, so that the finished product says things like Merry Christmas, Season's Greetings, etc. It really does make for a beautiful presentation.
There are 6 wells, so 6 separate chocolate holiday rectangle pieces can be made with each use. I used the holiday mold to make both Peppermint Bark and Mint Chocolate Bark.
You can find printable recipes, without photos, below, for your convenience. I'm definitely adding these recipes to my list of The Best Christmas Recipes for Your Holiday Celebrations.
First I decided to make Peppermint Bark, straight from the Sweet Creations packaging. The first step is to crush the candy canes.
After the chocolate and white chocolate is melted, spread into the pan (the recipe calls for 2 tsp of vegetable oil after the chocolate is melted, but next time I'll probably leave that out or use shortening instead; I feel like it may have taken away from the flavor just a bit).
The white chocolate needs to be poured over the chocolate and swirled together just slightly. Sprinkle with crushed peppermint.
Then freeze until set.
Now this was my first time making Peppermint Bark, so this first recipe was more of an experiment (so, please forgive my melting chocolate photo below). I think I took it out of the freezer just a bit too soon because it was melting fast.
The mold pretty much peels right off the bark, and then you can use a knife to break the chocolate along the marked lines the pan creates. With this step, you want to be careful because the corners are easy to break.
After making Peppermint Bark, I decided to try something different because it's honestly a LOT of fun. Mint chocolate has always been a holiday favorite, so I decided to use Hershey's Mint Kisses and full on semi-sweet chocolate chips for this next recipe. (Next time I might try Reese's Peanut Butter Cups with milk chocolate chips or even Hershey's Cherry Kisses with dark chocolate chips.)
Once again, crush/chop up the topping candy, in this case, the Hershey's Mint Kisses. This time, use all semi-sweet chocolate chips (no white chocolate).
Sprinkle the mint candies on the melted chocolate, and place in the freezer until set. I recommend a good 45 minutes to an hour or more.
Peel back the mold, and cut along the marked lines of the bark to create beautiful mint chocolate holiday treats.
I also tried the mold with brownies, using a brownie mix but then sprinkling crushed Heath bar on top. The brownies were delicious, and the pan worked really well; it's oven safe up to 420 degrees F.
With the brownies, the words showed up, though they weren't as pronounced as with the chocolate bark. I'll definitely have to experiment some more and see what else I come up with.
I just love the versatility of the silicone mold because it can be used in cold or heat, and again, it could be used to make so many different varieties of treats.
Sweet Creations also has beautiful holiday packaging supplies, like the White Snowflake Parchment Paper and the Holiday Treat Gift Envelopes. These provide festive packaging for gifting these beautiful holiday treats.
Find the printable recipes below…. Happy Holidays! Enjoy!
Mint Chocolate Bark
Ingredients
- 3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 2 teaspoons vegetable oil optional
- 10 ounces Hershey's Mint Kisses unwrapped and chopped
Instructions
- Place chocolate morsels in a microwave safe bowl, and microwave on high at 30 second intervals, stirring between intervals, until chocolate has melted and is smooth. Add 1 tsp of vegetable oil to chocolate and stir. Pour into mold.
- Sprinkle with chopped mint candies, and freeze until set.
- To remove, peel back mold, and break along marked lines.
Nutrition
(Disclosure: I received the Sweet Creations holiday Brittle and Bark Mold, along with Parchment Paper, Treat Envelopes, and a Good Cook reusable bag, free of charge, as a part of the Good Cook blogger outreach program. All views/opinions remain honestly and solely my own. Peppermint Bark recipe used with permission of Good Cook; photos are my own.)
Can you just spray the molds with an oil instead of adding oils to the chocolate?
Dena, the oil is an optional ingredient that is fine to leave out if you so please. These molds are already non-stick, so a vegetable spray is unnecessary.
Have you found any thanksgiving themed candy bark molds?
Bethany, I haven’t yet, but I’m looking. I’ll let you know if I do.
I love to make bark for the holidays yours seems better and easier thanks
I love bark for the holidays!! Yours is so pretty; what a cool idea! Also, if you’re interested I have a great giveaway for bakers on my blog now: http://foodforthefresh.blogspot.com/2012/12/winter-giveaway-enter-now-up-1219.html
Way too cute! And peppermint bark is one of my favorite holiday treats. Thank you for sharing at Foodie Friends Friday.
I love these! The molds take them to the next level. We’ll definitely be trying this.
I HAVE to get these molds!!! I spoon my bark into shaped ice cube trays to make little bites, but these are even more adorable! Thanks for sharing!