Nov. 27 - Holiday Treats

Peppermint Bark Snowflakes

I first saw these fun and easy holiday treats in BentleyBlonde's video (HERE) and she mentioned seeing it on Pinterest.  When I saw the video I knew I'd be making some this holiday season.  She said she was using a silicone mold found at Target so that's where I checked and sure enough, it was right there in the cheap stuff section when you first walk in the door.  It was only $2.50, so it is a thinner, flimsier mold than I used to have for my soap making, but for this it seems to work just fine.  If you can't find this at your local Target, I'm sure any other silicone mold would work.  This recipe made six snowflakes about 2.5" wide.

What you'll need . . . 

~ 1 cup brown chocolate (dark or milk, it's up to you)

~ 1 cup white chocolate

~ crushed peppermint candies or candy canes

~ peppermint extract ***

~ 2 tsp. vegetable oil

~ snowflake silicone mold

What to do . . . 

~ Crush several candy canes into very small bits and powder.  I crushed six regular candy canes and that will be enough for several batches.  I put them in a ziplock bag and pounded with them with a meat tenderizer.  This worked great but it left fine holes in the bag and peppermint dust on the counter.

~ Pour one cup of brown chocolate into a microwave safe bowl.  I used regular dark chocolate chips.  Microwave about 30 seconds at a time, stir, repeat until the chocolate is melted and can be stirred easily.

~ Add one teaspoon vegetable oil to the melted chocolate and mix well.

~ Add 1/4 teaspoon peppermint extract to melted chocolate and mix well.

~ Spoon melted chocolate into snowflake molds, dividing equally.  It won't look like much in the molds.  Gently shake the mold around a bit to get the chocolate spread into all areas.  Gently tap the mold on the counter to remove any air bubbles under the chocolate, and to get it into all the grooves and designs.

~ Sprinkle some of the crushed candy cane bits/powder onto the chocolate.  It's up to you how much you want to add.

~ Place mold in the freezer until the chocolate hardens, about 10-15 minutes, then remove it and continue with the next layer.

~ Repeat all steps but this time with the white chocolate.  (Melt, stir, add oil, add extract, spoon into mold on top of brown chocolate, sprinkle with candy bits, freeze.)

~ When chocolate has hardened (about 15 minutes) remove mold from freezer, and you will now unmold the snowflakes.  Gently pull the sides away from each flake to make removal easier.  Working with one flake at a time, sort of pull the silicone down and push up with a finger from underneath, so you are turning that mold cavity inside out.  The snowflake will peel away from the silicone as you do this.  Set the removed flake aside, and repeat the process on the next, until you have them all removed.  Let your cute little holiday treats return to room temperature . . . and enjoy!

***Original recipe called for 1/4 tsp. peppermint extract in the brown chocolate AND 1/4 tsp. in the white chocolate.  If you feel this might be too strong, eliminate adding it to one layer.  I did not add it to the brown layer, and I cut back what I added to the white layer.  I couldn't really smell it in the finished candy but people told me it was near perfect, light mint.

These would be so cute in little holiday cello treat bags and tied to gifts or as stocking stuffers,  Bundle a couple together and give to teachers, mail carriers, babysitters, etc.  Place one on each plate at a family holiday meal.  Possibilities are endless with these little cuties!

I've been trying to think of variations to the recipe.  How about an all white flake with a red food coloring swirl?  How about an all brown chocolate flake with bits of nuts mixed in?  These really are so easy and quick to make.  I did one batch just to see how it would go, and I'm sure I will be doing more as Christmas approaches.

Can you think of any other variations?  Will you making some?