Gourmet Peppermint Bark

Gourmet Peppermint Bark

With holiday parties and festivities on the scene, this refreshing treat is sure to be a crowd-pleaser!  What's the secret ingredient?  Peppermint Essential Oil of course!  But, that's not all, there's another hidden delight found within every bite.

Ingredients:

• 1 pound white chocolate chopped (do not use chips)  
• 1 peppermint log or 1 (7.5 oz) package hard peppermint candies 
• 2 cups puffed rice cereal - organic if possible
• 3-5 drops peppermint essential oil
• 1/4 cup dark chocolate chopped 

Directions:

1. Use parchment paper on a baking sheet or grease a baking sheet with with nonstick cooking spray; cover with wax paper 
2. Place candies in a doubled reusable plastic bag & seal
3. Using a rolling pin or meat hammer, crush candies into small pieces
4. Place white chocolate in a heatproof bowl set over (not in) a saucepan of simmering water, stirring occasionally until smooth (4-6 min.) or melt in microwave at 50% power in 1 min.-30 sec. increments, check often and stir until all melted  
5. Remove from heat & stir in peppermint oil 
6. Add rice cereal & peppermint candies (can reserve a little to sprinkle over top to decorate after) 
7. Pour mixture onto prepared pan/baking sheet; using a spatula, spread evenly to a 1/4 inch thickness
8. Melt & drizzle dark chocolate over the top
9. Cool in a cool place until firm
10. Peel off wax paper, breaking bark into 2-inch pieces
11. Store in an airtight container in a cool place up to 1 week