Peppermint Bark means Christmas

There is something so Christmas-y about peppermint and chocolate just ups the ante. I look forward to my annual peppermint mocha and Ghirardelli dark chocolate peppermint bark squares every year. This year I made some peppermint bark to give as gifts and it looked and tasted delicious. The red and white crushed peppermint with white and dark chocolate just looks festive to me.

I found this recipe in the Chefs catalog and here's the link http://www.chefscatalog.com/recipe/detail/576-peppermint-bark.aspx.

Christmas Peppermint Bark 12 ounces high quality semi sweet chocolate chips like Guittard 1 pound white chocolate chips (with cocoa butter) like Guittard
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3/4 cup peppermint candy canes, crushed Place candy canes or peppermint candies in mini-food processor and pulse until in small pieces. Set aside. Line a jelly roll pan with foil, letting it hang over the sides. Grease foil with nonstick spray. Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler* over medium-low heat. Pour evenly into jelly roll pan and smooth into approximately 10 x 15 rectangle. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup peppermint candy. Place in refrigerator until cold and firm, about 15-20 minutes. Heat white chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium-low heat until chocolate is almost melted. Remove double boiler* insert from pan and stir until completely melted. Stir in extract. Cool slightly. Pour this over chocolate layer, and, working quickly, spread to cover. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup crushed candy. Chill until both layers are firm. Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy. Peel foil from bottom of peppermint bark. Trim edges. Break into pieces or cut into squares. Makes approximately 2 pounds
*I don't have a double boiler so I use a large pot filled about 1/3 with water. I place a metal bowl that does not slip all the way into the pan on top. The water should not touch the bottom of the bowl. Let the water simmer and place chips in metal bowl over water. Stir until they are melted. The bowl gets hot so remember to use a oven mitt or towel when touching the bowl. I took the first batch to work and it disappeared in no time. I sent some to my folks in NC and to Mike's family in TN. This was fun and easy and if you're like me the taste of Christmas. I apologize for not taking pictures. I am trying to improve on that-my New Year's resolution maybe? Enjoy!