Peppermint Bark

This December I have been really into peppermint. Peppermint mochas, peppermint hot chocolates, candy canes....and so on. I wanted to add some minty flavor to my holiday baking baskets and decided that bark was going to be a perfect balance to all the soft and chewy goodies. This is so easy! You can even melt the chocolate in your microwave, just make sure to stop every 10-20 seconds to stir the chocolate to prevent burning.

Peppermint Bark
Yields: 2 pounds candy/bark, Serving Size: 4oz bark
Nutritional Info (per 4oz serving): Calories 686, Fat 36.3g, Saturated Fat 22g, Cholesterol 15.9g, Sodium 101.8mg, Carbohydrates 85g, Fiber 0g, Sugar 84.91g, Protein 7.4g

Ingredients
12-14 Crushed candy canes, (to yield 1 cup)
2 pounds white chocolate
2 -4 tsp Peppermint extract (to desired taste)

Directions
Place candy canes in a plastic bag and hammer into 1/4-inch chunks or smaller. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler. Combine candy cane chunks with chocolate (add peppermint flavoring at this point if desired.) Pour mixture onto a cookie sheet layered with parchment or waxed paper and place in the refrigerator for 45 minutes or until firm. Remove from cookie sheet and break into pieces (like peanut brittle.)

Source: Paula Deen at Food Network