With the holiday season in full swing, I wanted to share my favorite elf with you - Miss Manners. Miss Manners doesn't pledge allegiance to any religion or type of family, but she certainly creeps into every household. It is proper etiquette - Miss Manners taught me - to bring a small gift of thanks when invited to a gathering or party that may have taken the host or hostess a significant effort to put together. No matter how small or large this token of appreciation, best not to arrive empty handed. And so, I bring you the easiest home-made treat for the holidays: peppermint bark - requiring a smattering of patience for a lovely outcome. Of great importance is the type of chocolate used, since there are so few ingredients, make sure the quality is high. When selecting chocolate, read the ingredients, make sure there are no artificial oils - it should have cocoa butter not vegetable oil. The reason the oil is added is explained eloquently here on the Joy of Baking website, which inspired this slight twist on a classic. Most importantly, this peppermint bark is meant to be shared, because it IS THAT GOOD!
Ingredients:
6 oz. dark chocolate
6 oz. white chocolate
2 tsp vegetable oil
4 lg candy canes
1 holiday tin
Directions:
1. Line an 8 x 8 pan with foil, making surface as smooth as possible.
2. Chop dark chocolate and add to a pan.
3. Mix in 1 tsp. vegetable oil and heat over low heat stirring constantly until chocolate is mostly melted.
4. Turn off heat and continue to stir until smooth.
5. Pour into pan and shake until the chocolate forms an even layer.
6. Place in refrigerator for 30 to 40 minutes.
7. Repeat steps 2 through 5 for white chocolate.
8. Crush candy canes in a plastic bag.
9. Sprinkle candy cane bits over chocolate and place in refrigerator for at least 45 minutes.
10. Pull foil out of pan and flip over onto a cutting board.
11. Cut peppermint bark into uneven pieces or break and place in a holiday tin.
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