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Last year, about this time, I saw these really fun, really gorgeous peppermint bark snowflakes on Pinterest. They were all over the place and I could hardly stand it. Check them out - I bet you'll flip over them too!
I looked into how they were made and discovered that I needed a silicon snowflake mold. Instead of running all over town looking for one of these unusual molds, I checked online. Done! I ordered it and couldn't wait for the mailman to make the delivery. But sadly, by the time it arrived, it was too late. It was almost Christmas and the busy holiday season had started accelerating. So I set it aside and decided I'd use it "next year".
Which is now "this year".
I got the snowflake mold out a few weeks ago and started thinking about making the beautiful candy snowflakes and how I would style them for the photos. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized, that YOU were going to be in the same dilemma that I was in last year, you'd check out my beautiful peppermint bark snowflakes, want to make them for your family and friends and then realize you needed to order a silicon snowflake mold. By the time the mold would arrive, it would be too late. Christmas would be upon us and the busy holiday season would be accelerating. I didn't want you to set it aside and decide to use it "next year". So, I started thinking and tinkering in the kitchen.
After a bit of testing, tweaking and (of course, taste-testing) I came up with a simple idea and guess what? You don't have to order anything! Just pull out your cookie cutters or, if you don't have a collection of cookie cutters, stop at any store that carries kitchen items and pick up some fun cookie cutters - that's all you'll need, other than a sheet pan, an oven, some good quality chocolate, peppermint extract and a few candy canes. A microwave will make the job a bit easier, but the stovetop will also work just fine.
You can make any shapes you like. I happen to have a lot of circular, flower-shaped cutters; but use whatever you have, or find at the market.
Your family/friends/teachers/mailmen/hairdresser /neighbors ............. or whoever you decide to give these delightful candies to, will be thrilled.
- 12 ounces semi sweet chocolate chips*
- 4 ounces milk chocolate*
- 16 ounces white chocolate chips*
- 4 teaspoons vegetable oil divided
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract divided
- 6 ounces candy canes or peppermint candies
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Line a sheet pan with parchment paper. Make sure the pan is fairly flat and doesn't have a warped surface. Place cookie cutters on prepared pan, with cutting edges face down (see picture above).
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Place the candy canes in a large zippered freezer plastic bag. Seal tightly. Use a rolling pin or rubber mallet to crush the candy canes into tiny pieces. Pour crushed candy into a coarse strainer and shake gently to remove some of the "dust". Set aside crushed candy and "dust".
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Place semisweet chocolate, milk chocolate and 2 teaspoons vegetable oil in a microwave-safe, medium-size bowl. Cook on power level 5 (not full power!) for 1 minute. Remove from microwave and stir. Chips will have just begun to melt. Return to microwave for 30 second intervals (always on half power), stirring in between, until chocolate is completely melted and smooth. This will take about 2 to 3 minutes. Add ½ teaspoon mint extract and candy cane "dust" stir to combine.
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Place a small scoop of melted chocolate (I used a small ice cream scooper) in the center of several of the cookie cutters. With a wooden skewer or other long, thin implement (a chop stick works perfect), begin stirring in the center of the chocolate, gently pushing it out towards the edges. You may need to add a bit more chocolate. Keep pushing the chocolate till the shape is filled with an even layer of chocolate. I made this layer about ¼ inch thick but feel free to make it thicker or thinner. Repeat procedure until all cutters have this first layer. If chocolate begins to thicken, just return to microwave for 30 seconds on power level 5.
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Place sheet pan with cutters in refrigerator to harden for 20-30 minutes.
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Towards the end of the chilling time, repeat melting process in microwave with white chocolate and remaining 2 teaspoons of oil. When chocolate is melted and smooth, add remaining ½ teaspoon of peppermint extract and stir to combine.
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Repeat step #4 with white chocolate till all dark chocolate is covered and surface is fairly smooth. I made the white chocolate layer about ¼ inch thick.
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Sprinkle white chocolate surfaces with crushed candy canes. Place in refrigerator for at least 1 hour or until firm and well chilled. To remove cutouts from cutters, hold a cutter by the edges a few inches over a work surface. Push up gently from the bottom till seal is broken, then push down with your thumbs, from the top, till cutout is released onto your work surface. Repeat with other cutters. Store candy in a cool place. It doesn't have to be in the refrigerator.
Pamela @ Brooklyn Farm Girl says
Peppermint bark is one of my favorites, but how cute are these shapes!? Love it!
www.you-made-that.com says
I love the photos they are so pretty and eye catching. Cutting out the bark is a cute way to give these as gifts.
Serena Bakes Simply From Scratch says
These are so adorable Chris! I had to pin them for later!
Kim Bee says
I saw these on pinterest and wondered if they were yours. They are gorgeous. I love doing things like this. It just takes baking to the next level. I'm one of those people who love adorable sweets. The cuter the better.
Kim G. says
I will try these for sure... So cute! Plus I have enough cookie cutters!
Liz Berg says
Oh, yeah, I was right there with you last year...and snatched up the last couple snowflake silicone molds at Target! But I like yours even better...beautiful!!!!
A Little about Ally! says
How stinkin' cute are these things, Chris!! I love your creativity and your tenacity w/getting it done! My kinda girl!! 🙂
Kitchen Riffs says
Great idea! This is such a fun idea. I love peppermint bark! Definitely need to try these - thanks.
Jennifer @ Peanut Butter and Peppers says
I have seen these before and have always want ed to make them! I think I should make them up this weekend! They look just beautiful! I love peppermint bark, it's my favorite holiday treat!!! Bookmarking and making Saturday!!
Andrea_TheKitchenLioness says
Chris, to be honest, there is no peppermint candy canes to be found anywhere around here but I think crushed peepermint candy could probably be used as a substitute. These cutouts looks so pretty and festive and fun - so very different form the type of Christmas treats that I have seen so far! You amaze me with your boundless creativity and the pictures are absolutely stunning - I love the bright red!
Lynn@Happier Than a Pig in Mud says
Oh, *waving hand* I'd like a gingerbread man please! They really turned out cute Chris, I know they taste really yummy too! Fun gifts:@)
Vicki Bensinger says
Adorable! I will have to check out Pintetest to see the photos but these are just too cute. Best of all you used what you had on hand. Great idea Chris!
Sandra Lee says
Thanks for the tweaking and the idea. You are one determined lady!
Joyce Olson says
Chris!!
These are darling! I love them:) I pinned them:)
Looking forward to seeing what you have in store for our Tis The Season Blog Tour!
Jemma
Sophia Del Gigante says
These are gorgeous! LOVE them!!! Yummmmm!
- spoonstories- says
These are so cute that I want to eat them ^^
Angie Schneider says
So pretty and X'mas-y!
Claire @ Claire K Creations says
Chris you are a genius these look wonderful! It has actually given me a good idea for my chocolate making too. I never thought to use cookie cutters.
Stacy | Wicked Good Kitchen says
Chris, these are adorable peppermint bark candies and perfect for Christmas! Stunning photography, too. Thank you for sharing!
Kathy says
These are just so pretty and Christmasy! My grandkids would love them!
Hovkonditorn says
These are so beautiful and delicious!
Charlotte Moore says
What a neat way to do this. Would not have thought of it.
The Mom Chef says
I am so glad you held on to your idea for the year! I love these.I also love peppermint and white chocolate. When Hershey's makes the Christmas kisses, I'm all kinds of happy. So, as you can imagine, these are just perfect for me.
La Table De Nana says
These are beautiful!
It's funny..I ordered mini fondant cutter snowflakes to try and make a cake.. and forgot about the big snowflakes..
Great idea..and thank you for the tweaked recipe..takes a lot of testing..thank you.
You must be happy w/ the results..so festive!
Laura (Tutti Dolci) says
So festive, I love the cutouts!