peppermint bark – a perfect homemade gift

This homemade peppermint bark recipe is so easy and a fraction of the cost of the bark sold at Williams Sonoma (theirs is $28 per lb, mine is closer to $6 per lb or £2 per 450g). When we lived in California I became addicted to the free peppermint bark samples Williams Sonoma had around Christmas, so I wanted to bring a version over to England. It’s a great thing to make with children while they’re off school and makes a lovely gift.

Peppermint bark is my favourite American christmas taste

If you were to sum up the taste of Christmas in America I’d say that chocolate and peppermint is the one that stands out for me the most. In England I’d say it is mulled wine and spiced mince pies. Although most Brits grow up with After Eights, or (if you are posh) Bendicks of Mayfair or Elizabeth Shaw mint chocolates being rolled out after Christmas dinner. This bark would be lovely to serve after dinner. We also mixed some broken pieces with hot milk to make yummy hot chocolate.

Which chocolate makes the best peppermint bark

In England I’ve been amazed at how good the chocolate from Lidl is for making this. I’m a bit of a Green and Blacks addict usually but I took a punt on the Lidl bars and they are perfect for this and have a really good flavour – and they’re less than 50p each so it really helps keep the cost down if you’re making a bit batch.