The Coolest Ending to the Year! Peppermint Bark Balls!

Well it’s been a looooooong and eventful year. These last days of the year are good for reflection on 2017 and planning for 2018.

2017 was filled with some wonderful events. Some highlights include being invited to attend the Sundance Film Festival, visiting one of my favorite places on earth, Rancho La Puerta, and most especially, having the opportunity to share a recipe on The Today Show!

So, to end the year in cheery holiday mode, I thought you might like a fresh take on a classic dessert that is a snap to create just in time for your New Year’s Eve celebration!

Peppermint Bark is a curious thing… the cool sweetness of candy canes coupled with delicious chocolate. But I find the bars to be cumbersome and missing the right balance of sweetness-to-minty-ness and texture so I took it upon myself to create a version that remedies that.

I am very excited for the new year. Looking forward, I have a few ideas of how I’m going to enjoy and enhance the coming new year, not least of which is coming up with more recipes to share with you! I am very thankful that you have been part of my year.

HAPPY 2018!

Annette

The Coolest Ending to the Year! Peppermint Bark Balls!

Annette Zito, KitchAnnette™

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 10 minutes mins

Total Time 50 minutes mins

Ingredients

  

• • 2 tbsps + 1 tbsp unsalted butter
• • 14 oz can sweetened condensed milk
• • 4 tbsp unsweetened cocoa
• • 1/2 tsp peppermint extract
• • 4 oz white chocolate chopped
• • 2 cups candy canes crushed

Instructions

• Melt 2 tbsps butter in a non-stick saucepan over medium-low heat. Add condensed milk then add cocoa and peppermint extract, stirring constantly. After about 10 minutes, the mixture will thicken – you’ll see the bottom of the pan.
• Use half of the remaining butter to coat a dinner plate. Pour the chocolate mixture onto it and spread evenly. Refrigerate for 30 minutes.
• Wash your hands well then butter them with the remaining butter. Spoon about 1 tsp of the chocolate mixture into your hands and roll into a ball. Continue with the rest of the chocolate mixture.
• In a small microwave-safe bowl, melt white chocolate uncovered at 50% power for 90 seconds and stir until smooth (if the chocolate isn’t quite melted, repeat for 15 second intervals).
• Dip the chocolate balls into the white chocolate, fully covering them. Then dredge them in the candy canes.