Peppermint bark is a chocolate confection. Generally it consists of peppermint candy pieces, such as candy canes, in white chocolate on top of dark chocolate, but peppermint bark can refer to any chocolate with peppermint candy pieces in it.
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| Type | Chocolate |
|---|---|
| Main ingredients | White chocolate, dark chocolate, peppermint |
It is especially popular around the Christmas season.[1] Companies known for selling it seasonally include Williams Sonoma,[2] Ghirardelli,[3] and Dove. Though they do not label it as peppermint bark, Hershey's also sells peppermint Hershey's kisses.
In the United States, peppermint bark is also sold by some Girl Scout troops as part of an expanded range of items other than cookies. Jelly Belly also sells a combination of its dark chocolate and candy cane jelly beans as a "Peppermint Bark Recipe Mix".
History
editThe origins of peppermint bark are unclear. Williams Sonoma introduced its version and popularized it in 1998,[4] though the confection existed as early as 1966 in the United States.[5] Peppermint bark is a variation on chocolate bark, which is thought to be derived from traditional French mendiants,[6] though the true origins of this connection have been lost.[7]
Recipes and ingredients
editThe recipe for peppermint bark uses few ingredients, with only chocolate and mint candies required. Some recipes also add peppermint flavoring.[8] The candies used may be candy canes.[9] The candies should be broken up, and the chocolate is melted.[10] These two ingredients are combined on a baking sheet and then chilled until firm. The bark is then removed from the sheet and broken into pieces in a similar way to peanut brittle.[8]
Variations on peppermint bark can include a two-toned layered type, where a bottom layer of dark chocolate is covered with the white chocolate and crushed mint layer on top.[11] This particular variation also includes Ghirardelli's Peppermint Bark Squares.[3]
References
edit
- ^ O'Rourke, Michael (26 October 2011). "Candy corn makes October special". MySA. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ Flaherty, Julie (14 December 2003). "Personal Business; Long Christmas List? You Can Outsource It". The New York Times. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ a b "CE creates a new TV spot inviting consumers to enjoy a special holiday moment with Ghirardelli Peppermint Bark Squares". Campbell Ewald. 11 November 2011. Archived from the original on 17 November 2011. Retrieved 22 November 2011.
- ^ "How Williams-Sonoma's Peppermint Bark Became a Cult Phenomenon". Delish. 7 November 2016. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Maas Brothers (12 September 1966). "Pretzel or Peppermint Bark". St. Petersburg Times. Vol. 83, no. 50. p. 7-A. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ Stevens, Tadhg Hylier (16 December 2020). "Why Is Chocolate Bark Called Bark?". Allrecipes. Archived from the original on 23 December 2021. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ "The Origins of 15 Holiday Foods and Drinks". Mental Floss. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 October 2022. Retrieved 18 December 2022.
- ^ a b Deen, Paula. "Peppermint bark". Food Network. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ Sutton, Tori (10 November 2011). "A sweet kick-off to the holiday season". Stratford Gazette. Retrieved 20 November 2011.
- ^ "Restodontê | Café Bombado: o café com óleo de coco". Restodontê (in Brazilian Portuguese). Retrieved 13 February 2018.
- ^ Sharrock, Jane (2004). Who Wants Candy?. New York: HP Books. p. 203. ISBN 978-1-55788-432-9.