THE CAVENDER DIARY

Have you seen this stuff?

Unless you live in an isolated cabin in the woods, of course you have. This time of year….peppermint bark is freakin’ everywhere.

And every time I see it, the prices are even higher.

Wanna know a secret?….This stuff is easy to make.

So easy, in fact, that I’m going to share it with y’all right now.

Ready?

Here’s what you need:

• 1 Bag of Dark Chocolate Morsels
• 1 Bag of White Chocolate Morsels
• 1/4 Teaspoon Canola Oil
• 1/4 Teaspoon Peppermint Extract
• 6-8 Candy Canes (Or similar Peppermint Candy)

In a Pyrex bowl, add the canola oil to the dark chocolate morsels….

…and melt in the microwave in 30 second increments.

Stir after each 30 seconds, until all the morsels are melted. (Took 3 rounds in my microwave)

You don’t want it hot…….just melted. (So a little chunky is OK)

Pour the warm chocolate onto a piece of wax paper on a cookie sheet.

Slide the cookie sheet into the fridge to cool for about 10 minutes.

This is the perfect time to break up the candy canes.

Place them, unwrapped of course, into a sealed freezer bag and bang them with a meat tenderizer (or hammer if you need to work out some frustrations) ’till they are in chunks.

I said Chunks……NOT a fine powder. Don’t go all crazy on them.

Now, melt the white chocolate morsels in the microwave too. Be sure to add the peppermint extract first.

When the white chocolate is completely melted, took me 3 30 second rounds again, pour it over the cooled dark chocolate and spread evenly.

While the white chocolate is still soft…immediately sprinkle the broken candy cane pieces all over the top.

You may need to press them into the chocolate a little to make sure they stick.

Now let this cool in the fridge for about 1/2 an hour……until it’s hard.

 Use a cleaver, or similar big knife, to cut the bark into strips….

…..then break it apart into smaller chunks.

I simply up-cycle Romeo Y Julieta cigar boxes (smoke shops usually give these away for free) for packaging.

(The cigar boxes remind me of the ladies who would bring Rice Crispy Treats in old Buster Brown shoe boxes to church pot-lucks)

Just add a bow and a sprig of pine….ohhh, and a candy cane if any are left.

And that’s all there is to it.

Same stuff….

Fraction of the price,

You’re welcome.