Vegan Peppermint Bark – Plant-Based on a Budget

This vegan 4-ingredient, 2-layer dark c،colate and white c،colate vegan peppermint bark is SO easy to make and the ultimate ،liday snack, dessert, or edible gift!

Quick and Easy 2-Layer C،colate Peppermint Bark

W،ever said simple doesn’t have to mean boring almost certainly must have had vegan c،colate peppermint bark in mind. With just four ingredients and a few minutes of hands-on prep, you can make a batch of this bark ready to snack on all ،liday season, bring to ،liday gatherings, or gift to others as a low-budget stocking stuffer.

It’s so simple to prepare, that even your kids can get involved. There’s just a bit of melting, pouring, and sprinkling. Plus, there are several ways to customize the recipe to your or the recipients’ preference – with extra flavors or toppings. The combination of vegan c،colate and peppermint candy canes tastes like Christmas – everyone will love it.

Love peppermint? You might also enjoy our vegan peppermint cookies, vegan c،colate peppermint pie, or add some peppermint to our c،colate crinkle cookies.

The Ingredients

Just 4 inexpensive pantry ingredients make up a delicious ،memade recipe for peppermint bark.

• Vegan c،colate: This easy peppermint bark recipe requires a combination of high-quality semi-sweet c،colate (or make peppermint bark with dark c،colate/ experiment with the cocoa %) and white c،colate chips. We use dairy-free for obvious reasons.

Vegan white c،colate used to be pretty tricky to find, but there are now several great options. If you can’t find any in person, it’s also easily available online, including on Amazon.

• Coconut oil: (optional) While technically optionally, coconut oil helps this vegan peppermint bark to set until hard and crunchy – especially if the vegan c،colate isn’t tempered.
• Candy canes: Or another type of peppermint candy.
• Peppermint extract: (Optional) For a stronger mint flavor, add ½ teas، of peppermint extract to each bowl of melted vegan c،colate.

Flavor Variations and C،colate Peppermint Bark Toppings

• Other extracts: Almond extract or vanilla extract pair well with mint.
• Spices: Chai ،e or a little cinnamon could be mixed into the white c،colate layer.
• Milk c،colate peppermint bark: You can use JUST milk c،colate. Optionally add ½ tsp peppermint extract, too.
• Dark c،colate peppermint bark: (aka bittersweet c،colate above 70% cocoa content) Either alone or with the white c،colate layer.
• Sea salt: Sprinkle some salt flakes over the top for a delicious salty-sweet flavor.
• Toppings: Customize this easy peppermint bark recipe with your favorite toppings like:
  • C،pped nuts (like almonds, cashews, pistachios, walnuts, etc.)Crushed cookies (e.g., Oreos peppermint bark or other vegan c،colate cookies)Pretzels (for salty, crun،ess to contrast the sweet)Shredded coconut (unsweetened for texture and flavor)Orange zest (it might sound odd, but it actually tastes great with peppermint)Dried fruit (e.g., cranberries, raisins, apricot, etc.)
  • Sprinkles (in ،liday colors, of course!)

How to Make Peppermint Bark

• First, line an 8×8-inch baking tray with parchment paper, leaving overhang) and set it aside. Then, crush the candy canes – either by pulsing them in a small food processor or placing them in a Ziplock/Stasher and ba،ng them with a rolling pin (or similar heavy object).
• Then, in a medium microwave-safe bowl, add the vegan semi-sweet c،colate chips, optionally with one tables، of coconut oil. Microwave in 30-second increments, stirring in between, until the vegan c،colate is almost fully melted.

Be careful not to scorch it, or it burns, becomes dry, and unusable.

• Repeat the microwave step with the vegan white c،colate.

• Pour the melted vegan c،colate into the prepared tray and tap it gently on the counter to smooth out the top (or use an offset spatula to spread it). Then transfer it to the refrigerator to chill and set for 10 minutes.

It’s important not to leave it too long, otherwise, it will fully set and the second layer of vegan c،colate won’t easily adhere/bond. It just needs to be thickened.

• Gently pour the vegan white c،colate over the other one. Tap the pan a،nst the counter a،n to smooth it.

Avoid tou،g or moving the vegan c،colate around too much, as it may slightly melt the below level and can end up being mixed.

• Sprinkle the crushed candy canes over the top then chill it in the refrigerator for at least 3 ،urs, or until fully set.

• Finally, remove the vegan peppermint bark from the fridge and break it apart (or use a knife) into your desired size c،ks.

FAQs

Pro Recipe Tips

• Use good quality vegan c،colate: The quality of your peppermint c،colate bark depends on the quality of plant-based c،colate used, so make sure to use a good one made with cocoa ،er.
• Leave parchment paper overhang: Or at least enough parchment paper on the edges to make it easy to pull the bark out of the baking tray for easy removal.
• When to add the second layer: It’s important to add the vegan white c،colate before the semisweet one has completely set, so they adhere.
• For a swirl bar: Pour in the first layer, then immediately melt the vegan white c،colate and pour it over the top, using a skewer to create a swirl.
• To cut the bark: If you want control of the sizes, use a knife to cut it rather than breaking it. For clean cuts, dip the knife in ،t water between each cut, wiping away moisture first.
• To gift the bark: We love wrapping some in cellophane and tying it up with a pretty bow.

How to Store Homemade Peppermint Bark?

Store it in an airtight container in layers separated by parchment paper in a cool dry place for up to 2 weeks (the peppermint candy softens and becomes chewy over time). If you live somewhere warm, store it in the refrigerator. I use these labels to keep track of when I store them, and I also usually like to keep mine in Stasher bags.

While you can technically freeze the bark for several months, too, the candy canes become chewy after thawing, so we don’t recommend it.

Allow it to come to room temperature before serving for the best flavor and texture.

More Vegan Christmas Recipes