Wednesday, December 10, 2008

I MAY BE BARKING UP THE WRONG TREE

Before I share my recipe for Peppermint Bark, I thought I would share a little of my world with you.

I had to run an errand in the middle of my work day today. My office is in a medical building on a hospital campus. As I drove around the perimeter of the hospital to get to the road access, I came upon this new sign:

Now doesn't that just make you want to fall off a ladder so you can check out the new emergency wing of the hospital? Is it just me? Because that is just so WRONG!


The easiest one yet:

PEPPERMINT BARK

1 package of vanilla candy coating (Can you tell I really like this stuff?)

1 package of chocolate candy coating (You can use semi-sweet morsels for this too but I'm not sure how much because it's been awhile since I did it that way)

1/3 tsp peppermint extract

½ package of candy canes (crushed)


Unwrap ½ of the candy canes in a package. (A good job for little ones if you have elves to help you) Put them inside two large plastic bags and go to town with a rubber mallet or a rolling pin. They will probably still come thru the bags. You can make them as fine or coarse as you desire. I like them a little coarse myself. If you want them fine, you can put them into a food processor and let it do its thing.

Melt chocolate coating in a double boiler (or a stainless steel bowl on top of a pot of water). Add peppermint extract. Once melted spread evenly into a jelly roll pan lined with wax paper in a thin layer. Refrigerate to speed up the setting process. Melt vanilla coating in a clean bowl. By the time this is smooth, your chocolate should be set. Spread over chocolate mixture quickly in an even layer. Sprinkle with crushed candy canes and press in carefully. Back in fridge to set.

Once the entire pan is set and hardened, lift out by the wax paper and gently remove the wax paper. Place onto cutting board. You can cut with a chef's knife or break apart with your hands. I like to use the knife but cut it unevenly so it looks like it was broken apart by hand. Store pieces in an air-tight container. This is really pretty given in tins or in those little baggies that I like so much.

This recipe was concocted while I was trying to follow Paula Deen's recipe for peppermint bark. I think that I've mentioned that I have trouble following recipes exactly. I came upon an ad for Williams and Sonoma's peppermint bark which has a chocolate bottom (and quite yummy if you prefer to buy it instead) and figured it never hurts to add chocolate, right? And so the Smart Mouth version of this recipe was born.

Merry Christmas and Season's Greetings.

Smart Mouth Broad

17 comments:

Vodka Mom said...

That sounds great! I need this because I am MAKING a lot of my gifts this year. thanks.

Anonymous said...

ER Grand Opening? Will they be giving away free bandaids or stitches to encourage visitors? Perhaps a free sling with each arm cast? Barf bags and latex gloves blown up into decorative balloons? Shots of Penicillin? I can't wait. You must provide the address as this is a can't miss opportunity! Perhaps they'll serve undercooked chicken, so their business will pickup?

Lori said...

That ER sign is too funny. Thanks for sharing another recipe that looks both easy and good.

Anonymous said...

I can definitely say that this bark recipe is soooo easy and soooo yummy!!! And why do I keep reading that sign as "rrrrrr Grand Opening"? LOL Didn't dawn on me it was "E" "R" until it dawned on my...oh yeah....duh....ER aka emergency room. I'm a little tired from all my gift giving and Christmas decorating. *wink*

Anonymous said...

another yummy one to make, are you trying to kill me?...
in truth, i'm (im)patiently waiting for the DQ Yule Time Peppermint Chip Blizzard to become available...if it doesn't make an appearance this year, i guess i've got a plan B to fall back on now...

Anonymous said...

Oh yum! Drool.

Guess I'll have to make this one, too!

Anonymous said...

Loving these recipes you're sharing! Your White Trash recipe made me think of Chex Muddy Buddies.......which is actually nothing like your White Trash........but still reminded me to whip some up! Heh. The Peppermint Bark sounds fun to make. Good idea for the neighbors :).

Smart Mouth Broad said...

VM-It really is very easy. Your friends will love it.

Fancy-I feel better now that someone else thinks that is WRONG!

Smiles-I hope you like it if you decide to try it.

MLS-We really need to wear our glasses more often. Typos galore! LOL

Thistle-Now you're talking. I love the DQ but I've never tried that. One more thing on my list of things to do. YUM!

Jan-This one is really too good to be true because it's so easy.

YC-Now you have to tell me all about Chex Muddy Buddies. I've never heard of those but they do sound good. We have a Christmas Eve open house every year and everyone leaves with a bag of goodies.

Pseudo said...

I'm making presents this year mostly, so will be stalking your site and recipes this weekend, if my migraine stays away.

The Chicago Blogger said...

I wanna hug you and your blog.

Peppermint bark is my absolute favorite candy. A combination of my two favorite things.

Wheee!

Smart Mouth Broad said...

Pseudo-I can't wait to hear if you like these treats. Did you see my answer to your question about where to find the candy coating?

Diana-You won't believe how easy it is. enjoy

Anonymous said...

I was just given a tin of Peppermint Bark from williams and sonoma as a gift today. Haven't opened it yet because I'm afraid I'll inhale it all once I do. Yum!

Anonymous said...

I posted my Muddy Buddy recipe over at my place if you wanna check it out. You have enhanced my Christmas Spirit with all this Holiday munchie recipe sharing! Thanks :)

Terri said...

I found you via my Mom, YC, and I'm so glad I did! I can't wait to try these recipes! I make trays of cookies for my husband to give to his clients every year, and this will help tremendously~~!

Anonymous said...

LOL @ the ER sign, too funny. I love peppermint ANYTHING! My beautiful wife hates all things mint. Sigh. I guess we can't have everything...

Smart Mouth Broad said...

24-The Williams and Sonoma bark is very yummy! But this is so easy to make (and cheaper too).

YC-Thanks for posting the recipe. I'll get over there soon. I'm in the middle of a project and a time crunch right now. Just sat down for a little break to respond to comments and rest my back, feet and hands. *sigh*

Terri-Enjoy the recipes. My husband likes to give them out to business associates too. The UPS guy is addicted to the nuts. Thanks for stopping by my site. I hope you'll come back again and see me.

GF-I actually met someone tonight who fell off a ladder but he didn't take advantage of the new wing at the hospital too far away. (My commute to work is an hour) I'm sending you some virtual peppermint bark. Look for it in your mail box soon.

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