Peppermint Bark & A Crafty Christmas!

I must say, Christmas time is my favorite time of year so even though it was (gasp!) 8 months ago I had to play catch up and show ya’ll some more Christmas pics and a delicious recipe from the most wonderful time of year!

My pups, Charlie and Dylan in their Christmas pic with Santa.

Me and my Mama. Posin’ for the camera Christmas morn.

Last year for the holidays, I was lucky enough to work at kitchen store William Sonoma, which is simply said, a foodie heaven. Granted I didn’t take home much money because I spent it on store goodies but heck it was worth it! One of William Sonoma’s most popular (and yummy) holiday items is their Peppermint Bark. So I decided for Christmas I was going to make my own version as gifts for my friends and family. Check out my easy recipe below!

Holiday Peppermint Bark

Makes approx 2 pounds

Ingredients:

12 oz semi sweet chocolate chips
16 oz white chocolate chips
1/2 teaspoon peppermint extract
3/4 cup candy canes, crushed

Directions:

Line a baking pan with foil, letting some hang over the sides.
Spray with cooking spray.
Melt the chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium low heat.
Pour evenly onto the lined pan and spread with a spatula.
Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candy.
Place in refrigerator until firm.
Next, melt white chocolate chips in a double boiler over medium low until almost melted. Remove from heat and stir until melted.
Stir in extract.
Pour over chocolate layer and spread quickly.
Sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermint candies.
Chill until both layers are firm.
Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy.
Peel foil from bottom of peppermint bark.
Cut into squares.

Adapted from Chefs.com

Melt both chocolate chips separately in a double boiler over med low heat.

Pour the melted chocolate chips evenly onto the lined pan and spread with a spatula.

Sprinkle with 1/4 cup of crushed peppermint candy.

Place in refrigerator until firm.

Pour melted white chocolate with peppermint extract over chocolate layer and spread quickly.

Sprinkle with remaining crushed peppermint candies.

Chill until both layers are firm.

Lift foil out of pan and shake off excess candy.

Cut into squares.

This no bake treat is so easy you’ll make it every year from now on!

CHRISTMAS CRAFTING WITH CONNIE

I am lucky enough to have a super crafty best friend, Connie who came over with her Cricut and loads of crafty supplies to help me with my Christmas gifts! We made Christmas postcards, goodie boxes, and gift tags!

Using her Cricut to make all sorts of paper crafts!

Connie getting her craft on! Check out her blog, The Crafty Soprano

Connie and I met in our high school choir so music is special to both of us (she’s even a music major, while I majored in theater). On Dec 18 we attended the Christmas concert at First United Methodist Church.