Easy Elf Peppermint Bark (Buddy Approved Christmas Candy)

This Elf peppermint bark is Buddy approved. Candy, candy canes… you know the rest. 🍬

As huge fans of Buddy, we couldn’t bypass this!

It’s a layer of dark chocolate, a layer of white chocolate, and a pile of crushed candy canes, red and green M&Ms and sprinkles on top. No oven, no candy thermometer, and the hardest part is waiting for it to set. Honestly, smashing the candy canes is the best part.

Easy Peppermint Bark at a Glance

• What it is: dark and white chocolate bark topped with crushed candy canes, red and green M&Ms and sprinkles
• Ingredients: just six, and one of them is optional
• Time: about 15 minutes of work, then about an hour in the fridge
• Makes: about 24 pieces
• Great for: Elf movie night, cookie trays, neighbor gifts and holiday parties
• Little helpers: smashing the candy canes in a bag and dropping on the M&Ms are easy jobs for them

Yes, toddlers love it. Duh. But beware: if you freeze it, don’t break a tooth!

What You Need for Easy Peppermint Bark

• Dark chocolate chips, 1 bag (10 oz). We used Ghirardelli 72% Cacao.
• White chocolate chips, 1 bag (11 oz). We used Ghirardelli Classic White.
• Candy canes, about 6, crushed (about 1/2 cup)
• Red and green M&Ms, about 1/2 cup
• Holiday sprinkles, 1 to 2 tablespoons
• Candy cane Kisses, about 10 (optional, but so cute)

You’ll also want two microwave safe bowls, a spoon, a 9×13 baking dish or sheet pan lined with parchment paper, and a zip top bag with a meat mallet or rolling pin for the candy canes.

How to Make Easy Peppermint Bark

Step 1: Melt the dark chocolate

Melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring every time, until it’s smooth and glossy.

Step 2: Spread it on parchment

Pour it onto your parchment lined pan and spread it into an even layer with the back of a spoon.

Step 3: Melt the white chocolate

Same thing with the white chocolate chips: 30 seconds at a time, stirring in between. White chocolate burns faster than dark, so go slow.

Step 4: Pour it on top

Pour the white chocolate over the dark and spread it out to the edges.

Step 5: Crush the candy canes

Unwrap the candy canes, drop them in a zip top bag and give them a few good smacks with a meat mallet or a rolling pin. The bag keeps the mess in one place.

Step 6: Pile on the toppings

Right away, while the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on the crushed candy canes, then the sprinkles and M&Ms. Press the candy cane Kisses in last so they stay put.

Step 7: Chill and break it up

Pop it in the fridge for about an hour, until it’s firm. Lift it out by the parchment and break it into pieces with your hands. Uneven pieces are the whole point.

Walmart, Target, and Hobby Lobby have cute containers for you to give this as a gift to neighbors!

Tips for Easy Peppermint Bark

1. Melt it slow. Short bursts and lots of stirring keep the chocolate smooth.
2. Want two clean layers? Chill the dark chocolate for about 10 minutes before the white goes on.
3. Top it fast. The toppings only stick while the white chocolate is still wet.
4. Press the big candies in lightly so they don’t pop off when you break it.
5. Crush the candy canes in a bag. A meat mallet or rolling pin works, and nothing flies across the kitchen.
6. Break it, don’t cut it, for that homemade look. A knife works if you want neat squares for gifting.
7. Storing it: keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Parchment between layers keeps gift tins neat.
8. For toddlers, hard candy bits and M&Ms can be a choking risk. Keep their piece small, or give them a corner with just sprinkles.

Here’s Your Sign to Make the Bark

Put on Elf, break off a piece, eat it in your pajamas. I’m not mad about it. 🤍

Want to see us make it? Here’s the reel.

Follow along on Instagram for more easy Christmas treats, and if you make it, tag me. Tell me if you want more Christmas candy!

Hosting this year? Our Christmas tree pull apart bread is string cheese and a tube of dough, our Christmas breakfast donut wreath takes no baking at all, and our reindeer food is the easiest treat on the table.

Pin this easy peppermint bark so it’s ready for Elf movie night!

Elf Peppermint Bark

Buddy approved peppermint bark: a layer of dark chocolate, a layer of white chocolate, and crushed candy canes, red and green M&Ms and sprinkles on top. No baking. Melt, pour, chill and break.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 15 minutes mins

Cook Time 5 minutes mins

Chill Time 1 hour hr

Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins

Servings: 24 pieces

Course: Dessert, Snack

Cuisine: American

Calories: 175

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

  

• 1 bag dark chocolate chips 10 oz, we used Ghirardelli 72% Cacao
• 1 bag white chocolate chips 11 oz, we used Ghirardelli Classic White
• 6 candy canes crushed (about 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 cup red and green M&Ms
• 1 to 2 tablespoons holiday sprinkles
• 10 candy cane Kisses about 10, optional

Equipment

• 2 microwave safe bowls
• Spoon or spatula
• 9×13 baking dish or sheet pan
• parchment paper
• Zip top bag
• Meat mallet or rolling pin

Method

 

1. Line a 9×13 baking dish or sheet pan with parchment paper.
2. Melt the dark chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second bursts, stirring each time, until smooth.
3. Pour it onto the parchment and spread it into an even layer.
4. Melt the white chocolate chips the same way, in 30 second bursts, stirring until smooth.
5. Pour the white chocolate over the dark chocolate and spread it to the edges.
6. Unwrap the candy canes, put them in a zip top bag and crush them with a meat mallet or rolling pin.
7. Right away, while the white chocolate is still wet, sprinkle on the crushed candy canes, then the sprinkles, M&Ms and candy cane Kisses. Press the bigger candies in lightly.
8. Chill in the fridge until firm, about 1 hour.
9. Lift it out by the parchment and break it into pieces.

Notes

Want two clean layers? Chill the dark chocolate for about 10 minutes before the white goes on.

Add the toppings while the white chocolate is still wet so they stick.

Keep it in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Parchment between layers keeps gift tins neat.

For toddlers, hard candy bits and M&Ms can be a choking risk. Keep their piece small, or give them a corner with just sprinkles.